New Pixcon16 Controller using LOR Network (Because it seemed like it would be easier to setup)

[Kyle Whitaker]

I was able to find the Pixcon16 in the Network config.  It assigned an IP of 192.168.0.51.  I checked J3/J4 to use the LOR Enhanced network.  It assigned 10 DMX universes to it anyway.  I'm not sure if that is normal.  I change the network cabel to the J3 port and a USB adapter and then started up the HU.  I changed it to Com6 and searched for it and I can't find it to assign the 16 channels 16 Unit IDs.  What am I doing wrong?

 

Edited October 1, 2018 by Kyle Whitaker

[k6ccc]

As I recall, the Pixcon 16 REQUIRES an enhanced network.  Hardware Utility operated in non-enhanced mode (regardless of the network type setting).  As such, the HU can't detect or do anything with a Pixcon 16.

Note that I don't have any Pixcon 16 controllers, so this is based only on reading a few parts of the manual and what I have seen here on the forum, so this may not be accurate.

 

[Kyle Whitaker]

If you can't use HU I'm not sure how to assign the IDs.  

[dibblejr]

Don't forget to set your jumpers for the LOR Enhanced network. I also do not have a pixcon but have helped a few people with them.

Start reading around page 15

http://www1.lightorama.com/PDF/PixCon16Manual-V1.5-Showtime(S4).pdf

[Mr. P]

Please fill in profile so we can see software version and license level. The pixcon requires a specific software version and a Pro license.

[k6ccc]

9 hours ago, Kyle Whitaker said:

If you can't use HU I'm not sure how to assign the IDs.  

As I understand it, on the Pixcon 16, you MUST configure it via Ethernet, not via a LOR network.  You use the Network Configuration program to configure it - NOT the Hardware Utility.  As I said, I don't own any Pixcon 16s...

 

 

Edited October 1, 2018 by k6ccc

[Kyle Whitaker]

dibblejr - Jumpers seem to have shipped set to LOR.

 

Mr. P - Profile filled in with LOR 5.1.2 and Pro license.

K6ccc - I configured it via Ethernet and then moved it to the LOR USB connection.

[k6ccc]

3 minutes ago, Kyle Whitaker said:

K6ccc - I configured it via Ethernet and then moved it to the LOR USB connection.

That's my understanding of it.  Now send data to it and watch the lights do their thing.

 

[Kyle Whitaker]

Maybe it's just not designed to be seen in the HU at all.  I will load up a sequence and see if it respond there.  I'm still not sure if I am using the LOR network if I am supposed to have DMX Universes showing up as definded and starting up in the Com listener.

[k6ccc]

12 minutes ago, Kyle Whitaker said:

Maybe it's just not designed to be seen in the HU at all.

That is my understanding.  The HU always operates in non-enhanced mode, and the Pixcon 16 requires enhanced networking.

14 minutes ago, Kyle Whitaker said:

I will load up a sequence and see if it respond there. 

That would be the way to test it.

14 minutes ago, Kyle Whitaker said:

 I'm still not sure if I am using the LOR network if I am supposed to have DMX Universes showing up as definded and starting up in the Com listener.

If you are sending it LOR network data, then no.  If you are sending it E1.31 data (via Ethernet, not a LOR network), then yes.  The Pixcon 16 does not work on DMX over RS-485 (makes sense since the Pixcon 16 channel capacity is FAR greater than a single DMX universe).  If you are sending DMX via E1.31, then you would be connecting an Ethernet connection to the Ethernet LAN connector on the Pixcon 16 (the metal jack), whereas if you are sending ELOR data, you would be connecting an RS-485 network via J3 or J4 on the Pixcon 16.

You WILL see Enhanced LOR networks as seen below:

This is the Comm Listener running on my server - which is what runs my year round landscaping show.  DMX Universes 1, 2, & 5 started at the top (although for most of the year, only 5 is used -  1 & 2 are special holidays only).  A little below that is LOR-AuxB on Com5 and LOR-AuxA on Com4.  Those are Enhanced networks.  My Regular network is non enhanced, and you see it is not listed.  The dates and times shown are when LOR started up after the server did it's scheduled weekly reboot.

BTW, the comm listener on the show computer (which will take over in a few weeks) is a little busier - there will be a little over 130 DMX universes in use.

 

[Kyle Whitaker]

Hmmm,  seems like I have it defined as both 10 universes and LOR enhanced since they are all in my Com listener.  I started out trying to use DMX but got "scared" and figured it might be something to change over to next year and just use LOR Enhanced this year since I thought it woudl be easier. I suppose I need to figure out how to delete the 10 universes that were created.

[k6ccc]

10 minutes ago, Kyle Whitaker said:

I suppose I need to figure out how to delete the 10 universes that were created.

Easy.  Select the DMX tab on Network Preferences:

 

Then select the universe to delete:

 

Then change to "Use Adapter" and Adapter [None]:

Select OK and that one is deleted.  Repeat for each universe.  Obviously when I did these screen captures, I cancelled because Universe 5 IS used every night...

 

[Kyle Whitaker]

Thanks Jim!

[Mr. P]

When using the Pixcon in E1.31 mode the jumpers should be set to the ESTA side (Right) and you use the steel/metal connector. When using on a LOR network the jumpers are set to the LOR side (left) and you use one of the two stacked black connectors.

Also when in LOR mode ensure you check the J3/J4 box in the Network Configuration.

To test, push and hold the "Factory IP" button for 3 seconds after the board has booted. This will put it in a test pattern mode.

Edited October 1, 2018 by Mr. P

[Kyle Whitaker]

I checked the J3/J4 box.  Moved the network cable to the stacked connectors and the USB adapter.  The Com listener starts up COM6 opened as AuxB with speed 1000K.  Green and red lights on the Pixcon16 are solid.  I opened a sequence and set the Pixel tree to turn on red and start the sequence.  Nothing...

[Kyle Whitaker]

Not sure what I did but now the HU seaches and comes up with a bunch of Serial Even Error (Poll Type 41) Subscript out of range errors and after hitting OK a bunch of times it finds 230 Units of Unknown Device ???

Would this really just be easier to try setting it as DMX instead?  It doesn't seem like anyone is using the Pixcon 16 with a LOR network?  If I only have 1 board can I just set it up directly on my laptop network card without a router?

[pouterson1]

On 10/1/2018 at 1:16 AM, dibblejr said:

Don't forget to set your jumpers for the LOR Enhanced network. I also do not have a pixcon but have helped a few people with them.

Start reading around page 15

http://www1.lightorama.com/PDF/PixCon16Manual-V1.5-Showtime(S4).pdf

Would you have any idea why I can't control a Pixcon16 set at a unit id of 60?  I got one going with a unit ID of 4.  I can't get the second one going.  I believe it's communicating properly and has the correct pixel type selected.  Both lights on the board are solid and no lights are lit on my test string connected to port 1.

Do you have any thoughts?  Thanks.

Paul

[dibblejr]

4 minutes ago, pouterson1 said:

Would you have any idea why I can't control a Pixcon16 set at a unit id of 60?  I got one going with a unit ID of 4.  I can't get the second one going.  I believe it's communicating properly and has the correct pixel type selected.  Both lights on the board are solid and no lights are lit on my test string connected to port 1.

Do you have any thoughts?  Thanks.

Paul

Did you try to connect it to port 16?

JR

[dibblejr]

36 minutes ago, pouterson1 said:

Would you have any idea why I can't control a Pixcon16 set at a unit id of 60?  I got one going with a unit ID of 4.  I can't get the second one going.  I believe it's communicating properly and has the correct pixel type selected.  Both lights on the board are solid and no lights are lit on my test string connected to port 1.

Do you have any thoughts?  Thanks.

Paul

Found it- 

Have you tried naming this one unit 4 and seeing if it works? Ensure all jumpers etc are set up like your unit 4

Just ensure you don't get them confused.

JR

[pouterson1]

Just now, dibblejr said:

Found it- 

Have you tried naming this one unit 4 and seeing if it works? Ensure all jumpers etc are set up like your unit 4

Just ensure you don't get them confused.

JR

That'll be my next test.  I'll let everyone know what the results are.  Thanks.

Paul