Lights to controller?
Printed From: Aurora
Category: Aurora Sequencer Software
Forum Name: Aurora 1.0
Forum Discription: This is the place to discuss (and report bugs) the 1.0 version of Aurora
URL: http://www.aurorashow.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=863
Printed Date: 12 Jun 2024 at 12:18pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.06 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Lights to controller?
Posted By: Buckeyelights
Subject: Lights to controller?
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2009 at 8:47pm
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Newbie advice requested on sending lights to controller.
This is my first attempt at sending lights to a controller and of course, the first try didn’t work. Tries #2, 3 & 4 didn't do any better.
I am using LOR hardware w/ Aurora software, running Vista. I have 5 LOR CTB16PC controllers, 4 w/ 16 channels & 1 w/ 8 channels for a total of 72 channels. No DMX or video just lights running.
My guess is I have something incorrectly set-up, either under Channel Properties or how the controllers are hooked up. Here is what I have done: Under Channel Properties – Device options: network segment? All of my networks are set to #1. My thought is that I have one network. Device ID? This is the # of my controller, correct? So my first controller is #1, second #2 and so on. Controller hook-up: Inside the controller there are 3 connection points in a row for the cat 5 cable. From L >R, 1st one is too small for a cat5 connector, it appears to be the size for a phone connection. That leaves connection points #2 (middle) & #3 (right) for usable connections. Does the cat5 cable from the laptop to the 1st controller go into the 2nd or 3rd connection point? Then to connect the 1st controller to the 2nd controller, which connection points should I use? What is kind of weird is that during a test, I did get the lights on controller 1, channel 1 to light for the first event only, but not again and no other lights came on. I know everyone is extremely busy, as it is about 30 days to lights on for your shows. So your time and advice is especially appreciated. But hey you get an extra hour tonight :-) Really thanks in advance for your help. The support I get here is beyond my expectations. Thanks!!! Joe |
Replies:
Posted By: JohnnyL
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2009 at 8:58pm
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do you have the serial ports set correctly in Aurora? settings/serial networks? ------------- "In God We Trust" all others pay cash |
Posted By: Buckeyelights
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2009 at 9:10pm
Well, I think so; here's the setting:
Network 1; COM Port 4; data rate 56000
Tks!
Joe
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Posted By: BigDPS
Date Posted: 01 Nov 2009 at 6:34am
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First thing I'd check in the control panel/hardware device, is check what com port is in the USB port section. I've seen mine not match what I had under Aurora.
------------- http://www.aurorashow.com/"> 
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Posted By: Buckeyelights
Date Posted: 01 Nov 2009 at 10:42am
I checked to be sure and under control panel/device manager it indicates that the USB serial port is COM4; so I have the correct setting there.
tks!
Joe
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Posted By: MrChristmas2000
Date Posted: 01 Nov 2009 at 10:54am
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Before using Aurora to attempt output to the lights it would be best if you loaded the LOR hardware utility and check the basic configuration and functionality there. If things work there then move on to diagnosing any potential problems with Aurora. The LOR hardware utility will make the lights do different patterns as well as just on and off. It will also discover the units and verify that you have your LOR network connected properly. MC2K ------------- http://www.aurorashow.com/"> 
Holding breath for DMX. |
Posted By: Buckeyelights
Date Posted: 01 Nov 2009 at 12:19pm
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S"o there is a LOR hardware utility that I should have loaded first?", said the newbie trying to cover his tracks for being stupid. I bought the LOR controllers used from an individual and did not receive any LOR hardware disc. I think it is time to visit the dark side and see what I can find over at LOR.
tks!
Joe
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Posted By: MrChristmas2000
Date Posted: 01 Nov 2009 at 8:10pm
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No problem. You can find it at http://www.lightorama.com/ in their downloads. Good Luck. ------------- http://www.aurorashow.com/">
Holding breath for DMX. |
Posted By: Buckeyelights
Date Posted: 01 Nov 2009 at 9:05pm
Mr. C2K, I simply can't find the LOR downloads. I looked this afternoon and again just now and no success. Did you see the download there, if so, would you mind a posting a link?
Sorry to be a Pain.
Joe
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Posted By: deweycooter
Date Posted: 01 Nov 2009 at 9:14pm
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Sorry to take this back a step, but first verify you have all the hardware. PC/Laptop -> USB Cable -> RS485 Dongle -> Cat5 Cable -> Controllers.... I didn't see any mention of the RS485 Dongle - you can't connect the Cat5 directly to your computer. ------------- http://www.deweycooter.com/wiki/index.php/Aurora - Aurora Lights Wiki http://www.aurorashow.com/"> 
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Posted By: MrChristmas2000
Date Posted: 01 Nov 2009 at 9:24pm
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Sorry I am used to d-light, I do own a piece of LOR equipment and now I remember that you have to go to http://www.lightorama.com/support.html Support > Software Downlods Download the S2 Software and install it in the demo mode. The hardware configuration utility comes with that install. Their Hardware utility requires that you have the LOR software installed. It dosen't matter whether you use LOR sequencer or not. You may also want to take look at Basic Setup diagrams as well up at the top of the page. Dewey I missed the dongle, good call. ------------- http://www.aurorashow.com/">
Holding breath for DMX. |
Posted By: Buckeyelights
Date Posted: 01 Nov 2009 at 10:17pm
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Dewey, yes I purchased a USB485 from LOR and installed that driver. Joe
Mr C2K, thanks, I'll go ahead and download the demo version to get the hardware utility.
Joe
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Posted By: Buckeyelights
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2009 at 9:12pm
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Isn't it amazing how even small steps feel rewarding. I'm taking small steps, they're in the right direction. Yahoo, I successfully download LOR S2 and after some searching found the hardware utility. Already it is not as user friendly as Aurora (maybe I'm kissing up a bit). Anyhow I assigned and configured the first controller and OMG actual got some lights to go on and off via the LOR test.
 Still nothing from the Aurora sequence
 NWAG (that's a Newbie Wild A** Guess), there must be some alignment, address, pointing from Aurora to the new LOR hardware, that either isn't done or I've done incorrectly????
One of my earlier questions about which connection point does the cat5 cable go into...figured that out.
So how do I get Aurora to talk to LOR hardware? There must be some missing link?
TIA!!!
Joe
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Posted By: ChrisL1976
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2009 at 9:16pm
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Are you using the sequencing software or the scheduler software to try to run the lights?
------------- Chris www.lightsonsixth.com |
Posted By: Buckeyelights
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2009 at 9:19pm
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The sequencing software. Clicking the light bulb to red.
Tks!
Joe
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Posted By: ChrisL1976
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2009 at 10:25pm
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when you start the sequences.....is the blinking light on the controller going to solid?
------------- Chris www.lightsonsixth.com |
Posted By: Bigindian
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2009 at 4:08am
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What type of cat 5 cable are you using. We have seen this same type of issue where someone had a bad cable or a crossover cable.
Check there too
------------- The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources. Albert Einstein |
Posted By: deweycooter
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2009 at 9:40am
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Device ID? This is the # of my controller, correct? So my first controller is #1, second #2 and so on. Each controller has a device ID that you can assign - you need to find out what device ID your LOR controllers are set to. (I believe the D-Light boards ship with a device ID set to 2.) You can configure your boards to have the same ID (meaning they will all do the same thing) or different IDs. I'm not familiar with LOR hardware, so I can't tell you how to set that up, but with D-Light, you use the hardware utility and connect to a single board and set the ID. Then, when you set up your sequence in Aurora, you need to assign your controllers accordingly. Network 1, Device ID that you gave it, and the channel layout for that controller. When you tested with the LOR utility, it was probably broadcasting commands to ALL IDs, which is why they came on. Odds are that your Aurora sequence is sending out the commands, but there are no controllers (devices) set to the IDs being broadcast. ------------- http://www.deweycooter.com/wiki/index.php/Aurora - Aurora Lights Wiki http://www.aurorashow.com/">
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Posted By: Buckeyelights
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2009 at 10:34am
 Thanks to all of the above advice and a phone conversation w/ Tony Furst, I was able to get "blinking lights" to not just one, but two LOR controllers.  One thing I found interesting is that after I made some changes, I needed to refresh my PC before they would become effective. A simple save was not enough. Now, I just need to assign ID's to the other 3 controllers and then update each sequence with the proper addressing.
Thanks to all who helped
 Joe
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Posted By: Buckeyelights
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2009 at 8:34pm
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Almost, almost, almost, but not quite there.
I got four CTB16PC controllers, version 4.02 firmware running great. The fifth controller is a CTB08D, version 4.01 firmware and it's not cooperating. When I test it w/ the LOR hardware utility it tests just fine. I've addressed the Aurora software the same as the other four controllers, so addressing should be fine.
the only thing I'm wondering about is, do I need to update the firmware to at least LOR's version 4.3? Note that the 16 channel controller is working just fine w/ firmware 4.02. The potential problem is that since I bought the controllers used, I don't have any license for them. Really I bought them legit, they weren't stolen or hot.
I don't know if I need a license for hardware or not; guess I need to put a post over on PC or the LOR board to find that out?????I'm only 5 of these channels, but they're the channels that light up my lawn cut-outs, so they're critical to my show. Ugh!!
Any thoughts, insight, suggestions?
Tks!!!
Joe
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Posted By: Buckeyelights
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2009 at 12:00pm
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Hey, hey, good news. I got the 8 channel LOR unit to play nice w/ Aurora. Unlike the CTB16pc unit, the older CTB08D has a set of dials that you manually set to match the unit ID #.
Relieved here.
 Joe
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