Starball dmx problem

Try going straight into the starball with the issue. meaning tkae a cable going out from your controller then straight into the starball. If that doesnt give you any answers please call our service dept. The number in on the adj homepage. Welcome to the forums.
Sincerely,

So, just to clarify:

1 works. Period. It just flat out works.
The other one in stand-alone mode works, but not in DMX mode?

Wow. Strange situation. In DMX mode, do you hear the motors continuously working or do they stop when the DMX control instructions have been "performed"? Just trying to narrow it down. It's almost like a chip is not being engaged. I'm also wondering if a master/slave mode thing is going on.

I think we can rule out a bad cable. Why? Well, in my experience, DMX connections on most fixtures seems to happily pass the signal along as long as connectivity is there. This is great because one time I had to power off a fixture during an event to change a bulb, and I had other fixtures past it and things worked just fine as I waited for the bulb to cool to be replaced.

I do support Jingle's suggestion to go direct to the fixture. As a routine part of troubleshooting it's something I would do. It's best to rule out issues.

Second, you should be using DMX cables. You should also use a DMX terminator. This increases reliable operations. I know you're using microphone cabling. You're not going to damage anything using XLR cabling, but you just decrease your reliability on your lights. Yes, it looks the same and is wired the same, but don't let that fool you.

I also agree that going from controller direct to the fixture, it might be time to call support. Just for the heck of it, match the channels on both Starballs. If it works then, then perhaps it is something with your controller. I would find that to be very strange if that in fact worked, and if a controller is having that sort of problem, I'd be worried about how reliable it is.

Best of luck. You got a strange one on your hands. Sounds lke the signalling to engage DMX functionality is not functioning. Regardless call support after the test we described fail. Those guys are really good.

Also i dont mean to doubt but are you SURE it is in DMX mode? Have you checked the manual for possible trouble shooting tips?
Sincerely,

Right, check to ensure that the fixture is in DMX mode.

I think that was ruled out in what he said, but hey, always good to cover all bases. It's best not to assume anything.

I'm wondering if perhaps the DMX address is done right as well.

Also, what DMX controler is being used should be a factor as well.

If it was me, I'd match what was working: make problem Starball DMX match working Starball DMX as far as addressing. Double check to ensure DMX mode.

Progmetallighting, just understand, since we're not there looking at the situation first hand, we just have to take the standard troubleshooting procedures, which are always a good starting point. Don't take this overly-basic troubleshooting to be an insult to your ability, it's just standard type practices. Hey, better to learn this stuff now rather than during a show, right?

I have the starballs addressed exactly the same.

I do hear the motor's whirring while in dmx mode.

I had it set up as the first fixture in the daisy chain so that was the direct test, maybe i'll try just the one fixture without the rest of the fixures.

The controller turns on the other starball just fine and works perfectly with it.

I just rememered actually, in order to get the starballs to run sound active you have to put just the 10th dipswitch on. When i did that it didn't work, so I'm thinking it must be something with the dipswitches...When i just plug the starball in it will light up and give me a slow rotation but aside from that, nodda. I'll try some more stuff and give support a call but any other advice would be very helpful.

If you change the addresses, do power cycle the fixture. The DIP switch-assigned fixtures require that they be power cycled if they are changed "live", otherwise, just turn it on when done configuring it.

"Change a switch, cycle it"

Two: you didn't say what controller you are using. But it sounds like you're past that point because you do get results, at least from the other lights.

Right: even though you went from the controller to the questionable fixture first, it's best to isolate it a bit more. But, chances are that won't make a difference. Isolation is good for troubleshooting. BUT, back to how you did it, did the fixtures further downstream behave properly?

You can't use "sound active" and DMX at the same time. There may be a setting within the DMX channels to put it into sound active mode while in DMX mode. You do have to select either/or. Sound active is fine for stand-alone operations(as in no controller sound active mode). Otherwise, if you want sound active while in DMX mode, you'll have to use the correct channel and values to go into sound active mode(assuming it supports that).

You're not plugging these into dimmer packs by chance? Please say "no, I am not plugging these into dimmer packs". I also doubt this is an issue as well. If you did, you could have fried something by starving the fixture for voltage. BUt as I just said, I don't think you did that.

I was just saying that i put it into sound active mode so that i could see if there was a problem with the motor, light, etc. Everything in the daisy chain placed after the starball works perfectly. All the address changing was done with the fixture off. And I'm currently using a stage setter 8. Upgrading to a scene setter soon though. The controller controls everything else perfectly however. Even the starball addressed to the same channel. And do actual dmx cables make that much of a difference?

Contact support via phone as soon as convenient, it sounds like you've got a bad DMX chip or corrupted firmware.

Does DMX cabling make a difference? In short runs, not so much. In longer runs, oh yes, it makes a HUGE amount of difference. It increases reliability. You will need to make your own DMX terminators though, but that's a simple task. While I have run DMX over standard XLR cabling and had no problems, simply adding a DMX cable and running that 200-foot run instead of down a 200-foot pair in my 200-foot 56-channel whip(MASS to MASS connectors), I got a noticable performance increase as lights moved faster(as applicable) and changes went smoother.

Honestly, DMX cabling doesn't cost more than standard 600-1000-ohm XLR, but it's designed to move data, so right cable for the right job.

I'm big on recommending things I am doing. Like one thing this year was a conscious effort to move off XLR cabling for lighting and onto DMX cabling. On top of that, I've added additional hardware into the lighting rig to help protect everything while also increasing options. My solution: the Opti-Branch 4 distro. In my scenario, it's exactly what I need to split the DMX around me(send a run to the rear for spots, and a run to the front for main lights)

You've ruled out cabling, and all your other troubleshooting points back to the fixture itself. It's the fixture at this point. Call support and they might walk you through a few other things. Just let them run the call, they want to ensure they tell you the right thing. If its under 30 days, just bring it back to where you got it and be done with it by exchanging your defective unit for a new working on.