scodavis Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Good morning, I would like to solicit the advice from people that have been operating a show for several years. As an IT support specialist for a local school district, I've always been the type of person to have extras of many things - a hard drive, Ethernet cables, even a monitor - to swap in if there is a sudden failure. I am applying this practice to my initial purchase of the USB to RS485 adapters (buying two instead of one), but I am also considering applying this to my very first purchase of controllers. I need a minimum of three controllers in order to run my display as designed, but I am considering ordering a fourth one so that I have a live spare, ready to go if I should experience a failure with one of the other three. If I were to do it, the fourth one would be the same as the other three - the kit with the circuit board completely assembled - so that an emergency swap would be as fast and painless as possible. My question to those experienced LOR-ers is this - do you think it's necessary? Is the possibility of failure high enough to make it worth the extra money plus shipping, or should I just stick with three controllers? I can technically afford each option, but with how much I've already spent this year on lights, computer hardware, music, software, and other things, I'm trying to limit my expenditures to what is actually needed. Your thoughts, please! Thank you! -Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Santas Helper Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Scott, I would say YES. No doubt about it, that is if you can afford it. This also leaves room for last minute expansion like I ran into last season. I added a spiral tree to my display a week before my planned turn on date. I've always had a spare USB/RS485, FM transmitter, light strands and a couple controllers AC & DC plus extra power supplies. I hate unforeseen circumstances and with stuff situated outside, the chances are there for a spare of something. PLUS, someone in your local area may be in need of some help and a need to borrow something. I've been able to help other locals with my spares. Tom 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mega Arch Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 20 minutes ago, Santas Helper said: ..... PLUS, someone in your local area may be in need of some help and a need to borrow something. I've been able to help other locals with my spares. Tom And I want to thank you again!!! saved the show!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mega Arch Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I too thought I had an extra controller. Last minute - decided to add candy cane spinner. Boom. First of the season - I lost a controller. Was a real blessing to have an extra controller to use from Tom. And at the same time, I was able to help another display continue on with my extra transmitter loaned out to him. Just continuing this really to say this - besides all the "extras" you can think of, get to know other lighters near you. Best practice sharing as well as hardware sharing in a pinch can help everyone be at their best. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k6ccc Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Another vote for spares - especially critical stuff. You hit the most important one with the spare RS-485 adapter. Losing one of those will kill your entire show. Losing a channel or two on a controller may only require a scramble to move a channel or two in each sequence (export and input configuration comes in handy here). If you lose an entire controller may mean a bunch of channel re-arrangements to move things around, but depending on your show, may be a little problem or a big problem. In any case, having spares makes it FAR easier and a lot less stress. Oh, and for your spare RS-485 adapter, I can't see ANY reason not to have the high speed adapters. The high speed adapters will work at slow speeds, but maybe not the other way around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scodavis Posted April 5, 2016 Author Share Posted April 5, 2016 1 hour ago, k6ccc said: Oh, and for your spare RS-485 adapter, I can't see ANY reason not to have the high speed adapters. The high speed adapters will work at slow speeds, but maybe not the other way around. I'm actually going to be getting two of the RS-485B adapters, that have the voltage booster for ELL units as well as two Ethernet ports. The reason why I'm buying them is that, because of the layout of my house and where I am having the control computer placed, I have to have Ethernet wires going in two directions. I'm not sure where I read it, but I believe those adapters also support the higher speeds. Can anyone confirm that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmacw Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Without a doubt, you need a spare. While a total failure is not likely, You could have other issues like a blown fuse or a bad triac. While the fuse is easily fixable, it may not be your first thing you look for when panic strikes and your audience is driving away not seeing all the blood, sweat & tears you put into your show all year long! With a spare controller you can change out quickly to keep show going and then trouble shoot any issues without going as crazy! The spare came in handy for me this year when a triac when on the fritz and would leave one line with constant power at about 20%. I quickly changed out the controller and was up & running in 15 min. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsMeBobO Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Another vote for spares. Last year I loaned out my spare 16ch to a 10 year old son of a friend to play with. With the understanding I may need it back fast. Most important to me is having a spare transmitter. One year mine blew and it was BAD not having a show for two days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpageler Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I have two AC controllers but they have a few unused channels. So I'm gambling that the entire controller will not die, just a channel or two. But for my 3 cmb24, all channels are used. So even if one channels dies, it affects the display to some degree. Most wouldn't notice but I would and that would haunt me. So this year, I'm getting a backup board, just in cast. I do have some backup light strips/modules/pixels to make repairs/replacements. Should also throw in a backup power supply or two, just in cast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve synek Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Knock on wood........... If you have the money to spend, it's a good idea to be prepared for the worst. My experience is LOR equipment is some of the best stuff out there. At one time I was running 19 AC controllers and never had any failure of any kind once setup was complete. So to others who might be reading this thread, the equipment is very stable and I wouldn't sweat not having backup if budget was a concern. My one back up is a CCR and I have never put it in use. LOR has been there for me when parts are needed. I have to admit my personality is to wait till it breaks so you know exactly what's needs to be replaced and get the part needed. It gives me no pleasure to have money tied up in parts not being used. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Santas Helper Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 When you have weather like rain, snow, ice, thunderstorms & power surges, all outdoor/indoor electrical components are at risk. Having a spare of different show components only makes since if you can afford it. If it was something that could be bought at a local store, like fuses, it's not as big of a deal to fix it the next day. But if you have to order and have it shipped, then that's a big deal. Then comes the part of "no spare funds during the holidays" because of Christmas shopping. You may not think that you need a spare right now but think about it. The only time you will need that spare is when your show is running during the holidays and your right in the middle of blowing your savings on Christmas gifts. Well little Jimmy, you didn't get your train set this Christmas because I had to buy a controller for a light show I spent so much money on all year long but didn't think about buying a spare till I needed it. Very poor planning and little Jimmy didn't get his train set. Not having spare components for your show is just like not backing up your sequences. And we have all been there and done that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EARLE W. TALLEY Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 As the GRINCH would say about spares "GO AHEAD, MAKE MY DAY" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Santas Helper Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 ummmm, Earle, I think you have the wrong actor with the wrong saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericm Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 have one spare of nearly everything in my show, controller, fm transmitter, spare lights, extra segments for my arches bulbs, everything. Never know when something will burn out or stop working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightzilla Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 Oh, on 2 occasions I had a controller go on the blink. One was when I used Animated Lighting controllers (in 2008) & one controller went on the blink & I had know spare......& so for 3 nights Dec 21, 22, & 23 I had no show because when the controller went so did some of my sequences (don't know what happened) but I sold my AL controllers the following season & bought 10 Lor controllers in 2009. In 2011 I plugged in a brand new Lor controller & it failed after a couple of minutes with only 16 strings of Leds on it. So what happen in 2008 made me make sure to have at least one spare controller on hand at all times. Thanks to the spare controllers I replaced the bad board with a new board. Yes even just a spare card with Heavy Duty Heat sinks will do just fine. Take out the damaged card & replace it with the new one & send the damaged one to Lor for repairs. Like other said as well have another FM transmitter on standby as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EARLE W. TALLEY Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 Tom ,I may have the wrong actor but the results are the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Simmons Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 I also agree with having a spare for every critical component. That's the best way, and perhaps the ONLY way to protect yourself from Murphy and his friggin' Law. At some point, some display component WILL fail. The more components you accumulate, the better your odds of that happening. You'll probably never use your spare stuff, unless you just want to take it out and get it some exercise or experience or something. It's the stuff you DON'T have backed up that you'll most likely find yourself needing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grinch Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 2 hours ago, Santas Helper said: ummmm, Earle, I think you have the wrong actor with the wrong saying. Earle I got you covered As the GRINCH would say about spares "GO AHEAD, MAKE MY DAY" The Grinch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EARLE W. TALLEY Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 (edited) Thank you Grinch !! Edited April 6, 2016 by EARLE W. TALLEY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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