Need help on AMDJ X-Treme/AS

I'd still try out a different cable and terminating the cable run regardless. If the fixture still acts funny, try re-assigning the dip switches to a different number in the chain. Also verify that the controller is talking to the appropriate address assigned to that fixture. Likewise, make sure the number channels assigned to the fixture is correct. I believe those fixtures have four channels to control.

Have you tried isolating the fixture one-on-one with the controller to see if it responds to direct input from the controller instead of through a chain of fixtures? If not, try that. If it doesn't respond with its current address, try another address just to make sure. Make sure the controller is talking to the right address assigned to that fixture.

Hope something helps.

-Tech

also, make sure your power is all checked out, make sure you don't somehow have the dmx line grounding out to one of the fixtures, that will provide for some "funky" movements. Remember the ground pin of dmx should never ground out to the actual fixture. Other then that I agree with Tech, thats your best way to go about it trouble shooting it.

The fixture will do it even when no DMX cable is connected to the fixture and it is by itself. I have tried the different addresses as well. I will try the direct cable method tonight...

Check the power like Mikey said as well. If you or someone you know has a multimeter, you can see if there is any stray voltage running through the fixture's case. If so, that's a good indicator something has gone bad and could have caused damage.

Another thing. Does the unit have an overall reset button located on it somewhere? You know, like the one it takes a paper clip or pen to push? If so, try that.

When you say the unit does weird things, does it seem to be running a built-in program? Or does it appear to be be constantly resetting? Does the lamp turn on? Mirrors move? etc.

Is there a chance perhaps that some dust or something may have settled into either the DMX in/out? That may cause some random signal shortages. Have you looked inside the case for anything strange?

I'm just trying to think about every possible scenario that could explain the issue. I'll keep thinking about it and let you know what I come up with, but please let us know if you discover anything that works.

Best,
-Tech

Thank you for your continued thoughts.

Here is the latest information I have playing around with it.

I opened up the unit as well as one that works and have been comparing them side by side for anything that looks weird or out of place. So far nothing.

The only difference between the two is Four of the chips on the circuit board on the one that is bad do not have their description tags on them. On the unit that works the tags for the same chips say "Buffer

I have tried swapping the chips between the two units that were marked "N2 Master" and "N2 Color." Neither of those had any effect on the problem.

In reference to weird things:
The problem I first started having was that the unit would power on - lamp strike on mirror calibrating X/Y and the gobo wheel calibrating. The color wheel however kept running as if it was trying to find home. So I switched the Gobo and Color connectors and rebooted. The problem stayed with the Color connector(the gobo wheel connected to the color connector kept spinning). So that means its not the home sensor itself.
The latest problem is that it now has moved to the gobo connector. No problems from the color connector that I can tell right now. The entire fixture calibrates itself and right about the time it starts listening to DMX it starts using the gobo wheel in strobe mode and does not respond to DMX at all. It is the only unit plugged into the controller and it is terminated.

It is getting stranger by the minute...

I keep hoping to find spare parts for these things somewhere.

I will go check the case for stray voltage as well as the DMX ground connector. I will post again with any new results.

Sean

Here is the latest update before I head to bed...

The problem is now back to the color wheel constantly rotating...

No stray voltage that I can find.

DMX ground is tied through the chassis. HOWEVER all the other units I have of the same model are showing the same thing. So every unit has that in common...

I am thinking its the main board on the unit...

Any other ideas??
Sean

If the color wheel was messed up, and you swapped it w/ the cable from the gobo and the color continued to be messed up, that shows me that your main board should be fine (the error is probably with the wheel and its sensor). How does it calibrate the wheels position? Is it magnets passing by a sensor? Im willing to bet either the sensor is bad or it has been moved out of position or the wheel lost its magnet/not making contact. Maybe you could pull a color wheel from another light if its not too hard, then try a sensor. Or move the color wheel to a working unit to see if it works there.

good luck!

--Kevin

Tonight I had more time to play and I swapped the control board from the bad one with one of my other working units and the problem travelled to the other unit. So something is definately messed up with the control board. If only I could figure out what exactly....

Sean

sir, i have the same problem with my Martan Roboscan 518, 24 hour support had origionally told me that it might have been the line up sensors... but me being like you, i over achieved and found it was actually the mother board. Simply replaced it for 100 bucks and shizzam... worked great. Good luck finding a board for that light though... if your looking for a replacement i know a place in san diego that has 2 used extremes for sale... message me for details cya.