What the heck is this thing doin?

[Brian Rieger]

Tested my "unit 02" controller yesterday and today it doesn't have any output. I checked: the lan cable - ok, fuses -ok, 120vac - ok.

The hardware utility finds it no problem and it is addressed correctly. When I used the hardware utility to "force on" all the channels I'm only getting 11.9 - 12.06 VAC at the dongle cords.

Any ideas on what could be wrong or anything else I can check?

Thanks, Brian

[Guest wbottomley]

Yea. How about plugging in some lights on the dongles.

[plasmadrive]

I had something similar happen to me yesterday. I received some new controllers and I addressed them then set them aside.. that was about 3 weeks ago. Yesterday I finished some of my new light thingies and I connected my #8 controller to an ELL. I connected another ELL to my computer. I went and found the controller with the Hardware utility and put it chase mode.. NO OUTPUT.

I too check the fuses and the power and on and on. The ELLs were working.. at least I think so. The LEDs were doing what they were supposed to be doing. Just no output from the controller.

Next I disconnected that controller and put my #1 controller in it's place. Ran the Hardware utility and it found it just fine. Started a chase and it worked just fine. So, I just added the # 8 to the #1 via a CAT cable. Ran the Hardware Utility. Then I plugged some lights into it and didn't work right. I went back to the Hardware drop down window to pick the controller under test and then I noticed it says it found 3 controllers, #1 #8 #9. There were only two connected.

I pulled the #8 and brought it to the computer and connected via CAT cable. It worked just fine.. WTF? So I took it back out to the #1 and plugged it back in. Cycled power, Hardware Utility and all has been working since.

Have no idea why the #8 didn't work the first time or how the Hardware found THREE controllers when there were only two and when it thought there was three why did it not run the lights correctly.

[JBullard]

You didn't tell is what Model controller your "unit 02" is. That could help in trouble shooting.

Have you tried a "Hard Reset" ?

To reset the 1600 series:
Remove power
Turn the dials to 00
Reapply power for approx 10 secs
Remove power
Reset the dials to the correct ID number
Reapply power


To reset the PC series:
Remove power
Remove the jumper from the 2nd row on the header
Reapply power for approx 10 sec
Remove power
Replace the jumper
Reapply power
Reset the controller to the correct ID number

A "Hard Reset" is always the first thing I try to fix a malfunctioning controller.

If that doesn't work, then at least tell us what kind of a controller your "Unit 02" is. My "Unit 02" is a CMB-16 and seeing 12 volts or so DC at the dongles is normal on my "Unit 02". But I doubt you have a CMB-16 controller as your "Unit 02"