DMX shut down

[capitanbob]

I have been having a problem with my Pearl 2004, after say 20 mins running a show the DMX output shuts down, I have tried it with 1 fixture on a 5m lead and it still shuts down. I am not sure if it is connected but it apears to happen quicker if there is a shape being played back, any one had this problem as I am fed up as I have only just upgraded from a 2000 and wish I bought a roadhog

[niclights]

Why on earth did you move from 2000 to 2004? Better playback faders perhaps, but you could have got an Expert and still have change compared to RoadHog.

Anyhoo, that's not helping you! I'm a bit confused about the exact nature of the problem, but you should call or email service about this.

Does desk still appear to respond correctly? ie. raising PB's gives resulting LED mimics on presets? (set to mimic mode).
What cures the problem? Reset? Wipeall/reload? Hammer?
Does it only occur with a particular show or will it happen from wipeall and with a basic dimmer patch?
Have you checked master faders in Diagnostics? Make a point of pushing to full and wobbling from side to side looking for sudden drop in value. If it happens to be a faulty GM then you can override this in User Settings.

In the meantime you could try the second pair of outputs & see if problem disappears to get you out of trouble. To avoid re-patching/programming you can simply re-map outputs within the software.

[capitanbob]

the console seems to respond normally, the only cure is to reboot the desk. it seems to happen when the movers are being used and will shut down at regular intervals. I will try it with just dimmers but when faith has been lost in a console its a gamble!!

[niclights]

Double check master faders, otherwise likely to be hardware. Try the DMX output swap suggestion - IIRC the desk has two separate drivers for the paired outputs. Open up and check everything's firmly connected - this is almost always the reason for any 'strange' problems users have on the desks. Call Nick in service.

I have never experienced anything like this and although there are some faults in the software (as with all such desks, including Hog) they don't result in sudden loss of DMX or anything so catastrophic.

[FD]

Had a similar (ish) problem a few years ago where the DMX was shutting down (and on a couple of occasions, fried the chip).

We had a combination of problems due to a novice installation (the guy was a qualified electrician but knew very little about DMX and the needs of moving lights).

1, There were too many fixtures on a single dmx run with no splitters or boosters anywhere.

2, The electrician had used microphone cable and not data. (I know some people will think, hang on we use microphone cable and it works, which indeed it can do)

3, We found intermitent voltage coming back down the screen created by a faulty fixture.

4, There existed phase reversal in the dmx chain.

5, There was no termination on the final fixture (not that it would have helped given the above)

Once we established these problems and rectified them, all worked ok.

Best bet is check for any of these faults and remember that qualified electricians are not always expert or proficient in dmx/moving light technology. (sorry to those who are but I have met many who are not).

Hope this helps and if all else fails, the nice boys at Avo might lend you one whilst yours is being checked out by them (make sure if it is boxed that you check for Pizza in any flight case.

Have fun and don't buy a Hog

FD