DMX Controller Setup

[zNightman]

Hello,

I'm another newbie to the hobby and have a few of my first pieces, but I'm having an issue getting things to work.

This is the usb dongle that I have: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KW1HGB3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Currently connected to run this dmx controller: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072JSMSVC?pf_rd_p=ab873d20-a0ca-439b-ac45-cd78f07a84d8&pf_rd_r=ZDWASMJZENCGA18TXZ3F

To drive these LED strings : https://www.amazon.com/SUPERNIGHT-Waterproof-300LEDs-Changing-Flexible/dp/B00DTOAWZ2/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2X512YWLHS52T&keywords=5050+led+strip&qid=1577328830&sprefix=5050%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-5

In xLightsx64 I have setup a single openDMX with 12 channels on COM3 (that is the com port that my usb dongle is on) but when I try to either test or run a sequence the status lights on the dongle blink but not on the usb controller like its not communicating. 

If I change the network type to D-lights and change the baud rates I can make things happen but nothing of what is planned.

I have tested this setup with FreeStyler and it functions as well as testing with Vixen 3 and it functions from there as well. 

Please help me get my bearings, after all my research I thought for sure this wouldn't be this difficult.

[Gilrock]

Well you didn't really give any clues as to how you have things setup in xLights and how you are testing.  Did you create a model?  Are you using the Test dialog? 

[zNightman]

Both

I have tried using the test dialog, made sure all channel outputs were checked and tried setting different test patterns from the different tabs.

I also have 4 spiral trees modeled with string properties set as 3 wire RGB, Tree 1 starts at ouput 1, and each tree starts after the previous tree's last channel.  I sequenced a simple color wash for all 4 trees, click play and click the lights on icon.

[Gilrock]

Well me personally I never use the Test tab its just had too many issues in the past so I've never trusted it.  Not saying this will help anything but I like to just create a blank animation sequence ( Just create new sequence, select Animation, and hit Done) and then drag and drop an effect on the model.

Are you sure it works with OpenDMX protocol?  I see the Add USB option also has "DMX" as another option in the dropdown.  I've personally run with OpenDMX using an Entec OpenDMX USB dongle to run an animatronics skull with xLights.  And if it works with Vixen it seems your hardware is working.  Hard for me to do much more without having the hardware.  I usually just try all the options but sounds like you have.

[zNightman]

In xLights it doesn't work with any setting.  Then dongle itself has leds that blink indicating that there is communication, but the communication led on the dmx controller does not blink.

If I use the d-light and set the baud rate at 57600, then I get some communication but no actual control.

The real confusing thing is in Vixen 3, I set it as openDMX created a quick test sequence of alternating 3 colors and it works great.

[Gilrock]

Well I took a 5 minute look at the Vixen code and they are using a .NET FTDI driver interface.  I don't believe OpenDMX requires it to be an FTDI device it's just a protocol.  xLights assumes you already have a device driver running that provides a serial port.  So do you have FTDI drivers installed?  This is one of those things where we really can't do much without owning the device.

[zNightman]

Thanks for taking a look Gilrock.  To make sure it was FTDI driver I downloaded and installed that driver with the same issue.  It maybe FTDI drivers, but I think that actual chip maybe a counterfeit.  I have ordered a cable straight from FTDI and hopefully that will work.

[zNightman]

New cable is in, wired it up and same result