Author Topic: Pi will not Control 2nd LOR AC controller  (Read 4734 times)

Offline JeffC

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Pi will not Control 2nd LOR AC controller
« on: April 21, 2020, 09:34:39 PM »
So I did get a Pi 3B+ using FP version v4. The network is setup and I have the Falcon 16v3 connected and running sequences.
I also have 2  CTB16 LOR controllers one works, however no matter what I seem to do I can not get the 2nd AC controller to light up.
I have the FP channel output  set to a  start channel at 1 and the count is 32, Im using USB to connect.
Xlights has 1 universe with the 32 channels within it, both controllers are set to LOR optimized at unit ID 1 and 2.
 

I tried 2 LOR Output types. with a channel start 1 with 16 channels in each. The second controller will still not light up.

I changed the unit ID numbers in LOA for the AC controllers, the opposite controller lit up but now the other didnt.

One thing that is odd, although the first controller ID in the FP shows 1, it actually lights up #2 controller.

Once again I find myself looking for advice from those who know far more than I.

Thanks

Offline Ebuechner

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Re: Pi will not Control 2nd LOR AC controller
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2020, 07:23:06 AM »
Considering what you have to work with your easiest to set up is to run the Lor controllers in DMX off of the F-16 V3.
Considering that you're only running 2 AC controllers I can't see that there is an advantage to running them with the Lor protocol.

Offline JeffC

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Re: Pi will not Control 2nd LOR AC controller
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2020, 07:41:09 AM »
  Thanks

Be somewhat new to this I?ve hear before that would probably be the way to go.
I just don?t know how to do it, I?ve looked and found how to do this with LOR but I can?t seem to find anything more current for the v3 and xlights.


Offline Ebuechner

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Re: Pi will not Control 2nd LOR AC controller
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2020, 07:57:24 AM »
Connecting the LOR controllers to the Falcon physically is simple.
You just need a standard Cat 5 cable to go from the Lor controller to the black connector on the right side of the F-16 V3.
Now this is the important part, you will want to use the second connector from the top on the F-16 and make sure that you set the jumpers or switches next to that port as Lor ( do not use the top Port you will cause damage).
In xlights your Lor controllers will be run off of the F-16 that you already have set up and will be treated has any other e131 Channel.
You'll need to set up our universe to use for the Lor controllers in the falcon serial Port output page.
This is something that could be done quickly in a zoom call if you wanted to get some more help with the details.
« Last Edit: April 22, 2020, 08:00:02 AM by Ebuechner »

Offline dkulp

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Re: Pi will not Control 2nd LOR AC controller
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2020, 07:57:54 AM »
I would definitely flip to DMX.   The LOR protocol is not very good for what we do.


In FPP, I would delete the "LOR" output and then add a new output, type of "DMX Open".    That may work better. The LOR controllers should automatically go into DMX mode. 
Daniel Kulp
Framingham, MA

Offline Ebuechner

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Re: Pi will not Control 2nd LOR AC controller
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2020, 08:10:49 AM »
You can also do what Dan said and still use the dongle.
Once you have DMX going to the Lor controllers they will need to be powered down and then back up to recognize the DMX protocol.
In fact anytime you do anything with an Lor controller including access the unit from the hardware utility it should be powered down and then back up.



Offline JeffC

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Re: Pi will not Control 2nd LOR AC controller
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2020, 10:48:45 PM »
Thanks Gents, greatly appreciated.
I got all the AC lights blinking through the dongle over DMX open.

Now I need to think about going DMX via the Falcon.