Greg Blauert Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 I trying to use my ELL and it won't work. I do not get any LED lights when connecting ELL to my PC via CAT5 cable and LOR USB 485 Adapter.The ELL seems to work fine. When I connect them via CAT5 to a powered controller that is on, there are red LED lights blinking about every second or so. Same results with both ELL's. Flashing red LED #1 light.Brand new laptop, USB Ports and LOR USB 485 Adapter all work fine when connecting directly to power controller above. I tried changing USB settings, different ports, no luck.When I run the LOR Hardware Utility, it completes a scan with the error:Any ideas? Attached files
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 Jeff is 100% correct, you need the USB485B, the basic USB485 DOES NOT have the booster to power accessories like the ELL's, mini directors, etc. So if you don't have the one with the Booster, hence the B suffix at the end, you'll need to add a controller in between the standard USB485 and the ELL. The "Booster" allows the USB485B to power accessories such as the ELL, mDC-Mini MP3 Director or MP3 Showtime Director, etc. directly from the PC.It's in the documentation that the ELL requires the "USB485B" unit to power them. you can find the documentation located here:http://www.lightorama.com/Documents/RF-V4.pdfTaken directly from the documentation url listed above:[align=left]Powered by Light-O-Rama controllers or[/align][align=left]your PC using a Light-O-Rama USB485B[/align]USB to RS485 AdapterThis is the USB485B that you need:http://store.lightorama.com/uscoadwivobo.html
Greg Blauert Posted June 28, 2011 Author Posted June 28, 2011 Thanks all, I missed the "B" part, looks like I have to get the "B" adapter:(
cmoore60 Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 For testing purposes.Go from computer to controller to ell. The controller will provide power for the ELL. You will want to keep the link between the controller and the ELL as short as possible. Not over about 10 feet. The voltage drop on a longer length may cause irratic operation of the ELL.Chuck
Greg Blauert Posted June 28, 2011 Author Posted June 28, 2011 Thank you and yes that works fine and as expected.
Dan C Posted June 29, 2011 Posted June 29, 2011 I think they need to make this more clear on the website. Nowhere except in the manual does it say you need to spend another $43 on top of the $250 you already spent on the Ell's to make them work directly off the PC.Its a little misleading when it says " Wirelessly connect your PC to outdoor controllers for convenience and safety".It doesn't say anything about needing a controller in there first or the need for a special powered adapter.On Page 9 of the Manual it shows a graphic of connecting the Ell to directly to the computer for the "Indoor to Outdoor Link". -Again, No mention of the powered adapter!This will certainly change my mind about buying one of these this year.
Guest guest Posted June 29, 2011 Posted June 29, 2011 Agreed they could make it a bit more clear..diagram on page 9 doesn't show an adapter, though page 11 does make it clear you connect direct to PC with a 485B adapter...Being that the connection to the ELL is a 485 connection, makes sense you need an adapter, just needs to be hammered home a bit more, especially since not all flavors of 485 adapters will suffice.
Steven Posted June 29, 2011 Posted June 29, 2011 Dan C wrote: ... spend another $43 on top of the $250 you already spent on the Ell's...... or the need for a special powered adapter.You could also buy a 9-volt power supply for under $10 and splice it into the correct wires of the CAT5 cable.If you don't want something else to plug in, you could also buy a 9-volt regulator for under $1, and wire it to 12v from your (desktop) computer.(Apologies if I again made the false assumption that everyone in this hobby knows how to wire circuits. )
Guest guest Posted June 29, 2011 Posted June 29, 2011 Steven wrote: Dan C wrote: ... spend another $43 on top of the $250 you already spent on the Ell's...... or the need for a special powered adapter.You could also buy a 9-volt power supply for under $10 and splice it into the correct wires of the CAT5 cable.If you don't want something else to plug in, you could also buy a 9-volt regulator for under $1, and wire it to 12v from your (desktop) computer.(Apologies if I again made the false assumption that everyone in this hobby knows how to wire circuits. ) You're right, that is a false assumption for some. Several of us may be able to do it, but many would not, and the cost of that 485B adapter, for some, is the better way to go.
Greg Blauert Posted June 29, 2011 Author Posted June 29, 2011 ....the cost of that 485B adapter....It is frustrating, as I could have ordered the 485B with the software for an additional $11.00, now its $43.00 Grrrrrr :X
huskernut Posted June 29, 2011 Posted June 29, 2011 Greg Blauert wrote: ....the cost of that 485B adapter....It is frustrating, as I could have ordered the 485B with the software for an additional $11.00, now its $43.00 Grrrrrr :XWhy not email LOR and ask if you can exchange it?
Greg Blauert Posted June 30, 2011 Author Posted June 30, 2011 Great suggestion, will give it a try, thanks.
Ed P Posted July 1, 2011 Posted July 1, 2011 Just an FYI, I just read in another thread (info from Expo) that a new ELL that just uses USB from PC to ELL will be issued but not sure what price but might be a good deal instead of 485B to ELL.Of course I already have the 485B to ELL so not sure if I'd replace but less connections at PC is always better.
cmoore60 Posted July 5, 2011 Posted July 5, 2011 Correct. There is a desktop version of the ELL that will be released. They had them on display at Expo.Chuck
PaulXmas Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 I got 2 ELLs this year and now want to confirm if the set up I am thinking will work with the NON b USB.PC -> Controller -> Controller -> ELL -> ELL -> Controller -> Rest of the controllers
zman Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 Greg,If you need some help, I am in Woodinville, not too far from Shorline. We can work out something.Mark
PaulXmas Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 Jeff Millard wrote: PaulXmas wrote: I got 2 ELLs this year and now want to confirm if the set up I am thinking will work with the NON b USB.PC -> Controller -> Controller -> ELL -> ELL -> Controller -> Rest of the controllersYes, your configuration will work. A controller connected to an ELL will power it properly.JeffThanks!I thought so but this thread got me a little worried.
Greg Blauert Posted July 11, 2011 Author Posted July 11, 2011 zman wrote:Greg,If you need some help, I am in Woodinville, not too far from Shorline. We can work out something.MarkThanks Mark. I got it working by connecting it to the controller which is fine for now until I order the 485B.
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