I have 2 Mac 500's being used in a show that have been randomly reseting themselves throughout the workday and tech. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason for the reset: sometimes we're cueing, other times no one is at the console. I'd think that it was a fixture overheating problem, but I've seen both units reset at exactly the same time.
Here's the setup: Ion (Master), Eos (Client), Net3 RVI, Net3 Touring Gateway with DMX passed through several SeaChangers and Mac 500's powered from 208v SmartSwitch controlled outlet.
If anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them. Thanks!
A little more information as I'm sitting in tech. The ML's just reset again and I noticed that all of my SeaChangers displays just flashed like their DMX was pulled and reinserted. These are being fed from separate gateways with separate lines back to a POE network switch.
ETC Tech Services
It sounds like there are a couple of possibilities - either the fixtures are losing DMX or being sent a DMX reset, or power is dropping out to them momentarily.
I would eliminate the power dropping out first as that's easier to troubleshoot. If you can, cable the power to an alternative outlet not fed by the Smartswitch. If not, I would eliminate there being a problem with the Smartswitch by turning the power off to it's electronics and flipping the relays to ON manually (so that it can't turn them off).
If the problem is still present you may have a DMX issue. If you have a DMXTer or similar DMX tester, put it on the DMX line at the end and set it to "Flicker Finder" mode when you have a moment to leave the lights in a static position. It'll then record any loss of DMX to the fixtures or changes like a reset command.
As always, feel free to call tech support and they can walk you through these steps.
Tom
We're using a Linksys SRW224P network switch. There was one Netgear router on the system for an iRFR, but I disconnected it during tech thinking that might be a culprit, but still had issues after disconnecting it from the system.
Are the SeaChangers receiving their power from a SmartSwitch, as well?
-Abby
Abby Tutorow
I'll try setting the relays on the SmartSwitch "ON" manually to pull the possibility of them reseting out of the equation. I will mention that during tech I found out that this had apparently happened to our SeaChangers during performances of our last show in a different space a week ago (why I find these things out from students after the fact is beyond me). That space was using a different Ion as a master along with a completely separate infrastructure: wiring, dimmer racks, switches, SmartSwitches, etc. As far as I can tell, the only common control link between the two theatres is our Eos, but it wasn't connected during performances.
I don't know if that helps or just complicates the situation. I've sent the log files off to ETC along with a copy of my original postings here. Hopefully someone can help me diagnose the issue.
Matt
If there is something on the DMX stream triggering the switch's automatic storm control (which should be off if it was factory config) it could be resetting the switch which would give you DMX and a power dropout. You might want to station someone to watch the primary switch to see if it is resetting.
-Derek McLaughlin- Gopher Stage Lighting.
Yes they are. The ML's are powered off of separate 208v circuits and the SeaChangers are on several different 120v circuits in the SmartSwitch.
I don't think that there is anything else triggering another DMX stream on the system. I'd station someone up by the racks and switches, but I can't seem to predict when things will reset. Sometimes it is 2+ hours, other times it is 15 minutes.
I wish I had the 2 DVI ports! We purchased the boards in January '08 - I have SN# 6 and 21.
Regarding your MAC500's...are the lamps staying struck when this reset happens?
No they are not. We're having to restrike each time they reset.
mfarrow: No they are not. We're having to restrike each time they reset.
This indicates to me that you're likely losing power to the units. It still may be a DMX glitch of some sort, but if so, then it's one that seems to be affecting the SmartSwitches as opposed to or in addition to the DMX going directly into the fixtures.
I'm wondering if somehow the SmartSwitch DMX addresses are being inadvertently patched into the console (in whichever venue) and being triggered on and off that way (or if not the console, then perhaps some other DMX control device).
Is there any architectural system involved? Paradigm? Unison?
How long has this issue been happening? If it's recent...what has changed?
New hardware? Configuration changes somewhere in any part of your system- dimming, architectural, network, control, etc.? First time using the MACs and SeaChangers? Bad storm?
Does the issue happen when you're executing a cue (even if it isn't one that controls these fixtures) or an architectural preset?