Page 1
2518 DMX Controller
user manual
P/N 510158
Page 2
© 1997 - 1998 Martin Professional A/S, Denmark.
All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be
reproduced, in any form or by any means, without
permission in writing from Martin Professional A/S,
Denmark.
Printed in Denmark.
P/N 510158 - V ersion 980828-MA
Page 3
3 2518 DMX Controller
Page 4
section 1
Introduction
Safety Precautions ...............................................................................................2
Features ...............................................................................................................2
Accessories ..........................................................................................................2
section 2
Installation
Connecting the Serial Link .................................... ..... ...........................................3
Connecting a PC ..... ...... ..... ...... ............................................................................5
Connecting a MIDI Device ....................................................................................6
Connecting to the Power Supply ..........................................................................6
section 3
Address and Mode Setting
About Addresses and Modes ...............................................................................7
Setting an Address ...............................................................................................8
section 4
Operation
Manual Control ...................................................................................................10
Programming Scenes .........................................................................................11
MIDI Scenes .......................................................................................................13
Executing Scenes ...............................................................................................14
Blackout (Standby) Mode ...................................................................................16
appendix a
Troubleshooting
............................................................................................................................17
appendix b
Service
Calibrating Faders ..............................................................................................18
appendix c
Specifications
............................................................................................................................19
1Table of Contents
Page 5
section 1
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for selecting the Martin 2518 DMX Contro lle r. It is a rugg edly built, e asy to use
controller that offers 72-channel DMX control and multiple triggering options.
Safety Precautions
• The 2518 DMX Controller is not for domestic use.
• Use the device only as described.
• Do not expose the device to rain or moisture.
• Make sure t he device is properly grounded.
• Do not operate the device with the cover removed.
• Immediately repair or replace da maged power cords.
• There are no user-serviceable parts inside; refer all service t o a qualified technician.
Features
• 72 DMX channel s
• 30 banks of 6 programmable scenes
• 6 faders for manual control
• Built-in microphone for music triggering
• Built-in timer for automatic triggering
• Interface for MIDI triggering, scene and bank selection
• 2-digit LED display
• Blackout master
• Manual over ride
• Solid steel construction
• Table or 19” rack mount
• Low current standby mode
Accessories
• Martin 4-Channel Opto-Isolated RS-485 Splitter........................................P/N 920630
• Martin 6 Channel DMX Switch Pack, 210 - 245 ........................................P/N 920410
• Martin 6 Channel DMX Switch Pack, 100 - 130 V.....................................P/N 920412
2 2518 DMX Controller
Page 6
section 2
INSTALLATION
The 2518 DMX Controller comes with the following:
• IEC power c a ble
• 5 meter 3-pin XLR-XLR cable
• Termination plug
• User manual
Rear Panel Connections
RS-232 I/O DMX Output
Connecting the Serial Link
About Serials Links
The 2518 DMX Controller sends instructions to lighting fixtures and other DMX-controlled
devices through a serial link. A cable connects, or “links,” the output of the controller to the
input of the first lighting fixture. The link is continued to additional fixtures by connecting
the output of the fixture closest to the controller to the input of the next fixture.
Connecting outputs to inputs is complicated a little by the fact that the connection sockets
are not always the sa me. T her e are 2 d ifference s to b e aware o f. First, bot h 3- pin and 5-p in
XLR sockets are common even though only 3 wires are used for DMX cont rol. Second, the
way the so c ke t pins are wire d, kn ow n a s the pin-out, is different for the Martin stan da r d a nd
the DMX standard. The pin-outs for each standard are shown i n Table 1.
Pin 1 Pin 2 Pin 3 Pin 4 Pin 5
AC Input MIDI Input
DMX
Martin
shield cold (-) hot (+) - shield hot (+) cold (-) - -
Table 1: Martin and DMX Pin-Outs
3Installation
Page 7
The 2518 DMX Controller uses the DMX pin-out!
Mal
F
Mal
F
Male
1
2
3
4
5
Female
1
2
3
P/N 309162
Mal
F
Male
1
2
3
4
5
Female
1
2
3
P/N 309160
Male
1
2
3
4
5
Female
1
2
3
4
5
-
The 2518 DMX Controller uses the DMX pin-out. Other Martin products with DMX pinout include the Punisher X250, the Destroyer X250, and the DMX Switch Pack. The pinout for Martin products is always shown next to the connection sockets for the serial link.
Whatever the pin-out, you must connect hot to hot and cold to cold. This means that when
connecting a device with DMX pin-out to a device with Mart in pin-out, you must use a
phase-reversing cabl e that swaps the connections bet w een pins 2 and 3.
Output
Polarity
Martin
pin 2 (+)
pin 3 (-)
DMX
pin 2 (-)
pin 3 (+)
XLR 3-pin 3-pin 5-pin
e
emale
1
2
3
1
2
3
Martin
e
emale
1
2
pin 3 (-)
pin 2 (+)
3-pin
3
P/N 309022
1
2
3
P/N 309158
e
Input
Male
3-pin
1
2
3
Female
1
2
3
emale
1
2
3
1
2
3
DMX
pin 2 (-)
pin 3 (+)
4 2518 DMX Controller
P/N 309158
Male
5-pin
Female
1
2
3
P/N 309163
1
2
3
4
5
P/N 309022
Male
1
2
3
Table 2: XLR Cable Requirements
Female
1
2
3
4
5
-
Page 8
Building the Serial Link
1. Use shielded twisted-pair cable.
work, it is less reliable than shielded twisted pair cable. Use 24 AWG cable for
runs up to 300 meters (1000 ft) and use 22 AWG cable for runs up to 500
meters (1640 ft). Your Martin dealer has a range of cables, connectors, and
adaptors designed for lighting control.
2. Starting from the controller, connect output to input.
out on Martin fixtures and be sure to connect hot to hot and cold to cold.
Use Table 2 to help plan your cable and connector needs.
3. Never use a “Y” connector to split the link.
the serial link into branches. If so, use a dedicated splitter/amplifier such
as the Martin 4-Channel Opto-Isolated RS-485 Splitter.
4. Don’t overload the link.
link. Placing more than 32 devices on a link can cause unpredictable performance. The control units for the RoboColor IIx and RoboColor III systems and the Martin DMX Switch Pack each count as 1device.
5. Always terminate the link
termination plug in the output socket of the last fixture on the link. The
termination plug, which is simply a male XLR connector with a 120 ohm
resistor soldered between pins 2 and 3, “soaks up” the control signal so it
cannot reflect back down the link. If a splitter is used, terminate each
branch of the link.
Up to 32 devices can be connected on a serial
. Terminate the link by installing the provided
Though standard microphone cable may
Check the pin-
It often convenient to split
Connecting a PC
The 2518 Upload/Download Utility, available for download from the Martin web site at
http://www.martin.dk, is a Windows PC tool for managing lighting programs created with
the 2518 DMX Controller. The program allows the user to:
• Download the memory of all banks from the 2518 DMX Controller to a PC.
• Upload a set, or “memory”, of 30 banks from a PC to the controller.
• Name, save and r e ad individual banks.
• Reconfigure, save and read memories of 30 banks
• View and edit the DMX values for all scenes.
• See the changes as you make them in real time.
To use the 2518 DMX Controller with a computer, a straight-through RS-232 cable must be
connected betw een the computer’s serial port and the controller’s RS-232 I/O port. Disconnect both devices from AC power befo re connecting the RS-232 cable.
5Installation
Page 9
Connecting a MIDI Device
With a MIDI device connected to the 2518 DMX Controller, you can control lights via
MIDI. Connect the device’s MIDI output to the controller’s MIDI input using a standard
MIDI cable. A standard M IDI cabl e consi sts of a shie lded twis ted-p air and 5 -pin DIN co nnectors wired pin 2 to pin 2, pin 4 to pin 4, and pin 5 to pin 5. The cable shield is connected
to pin 2. Pins 1 and 3 are not used. The cable may be up to 15 meters (50 feet) long.
Connecting to the Power Supply
WARNING!
For safe operation, the controller must be grounded (earthed).
Install Plug
The 2518 DMX Controller is delivered without a plug on the power cord. Following the
manufacturer’s instructions, ins tall an approv ed 3- prong ground ing- type pl ug that fits your
supply. Connect the wires to the pins as listed below.
if you have any doubts about proper installation, consult a qualified electrician.
If the pins ar e not cle arly identifie d, or
Wire Pin
brown live
blue neutral
yellow/green
ground
(earth)
Possible Markings
Typical US UK
“L”
“N” silver black
Table 3: Plug Wiring
yellow or
brass
green green
red
6 2518 DMX Controller
Page 10
section 3
ADDRESS AND MODE SETTING
About Addresses and Modes
Devices connecte d to th e seria l li nk must have an addres s, also known as the start chan ne l,
which is the first channel the c ontro lle r uses to sen d in structions to the devices. The address
must be unique for each device. If independent control is not required , 2 or more devices
with the same DMX protocol may have the same address; they will receive the same
instructions and behave identically.
Before setting addresses, you must know how ma ny control c hannels each devic e requires.
This depends o n th e n umber of effects the d ev ice h as a nd possi ble opti o ns s uch as 8 or 1 6bit pan/tilt resolution and tracking or vector mode. These are described in the device’s user
manual.
If a device can b e op erat ed i n tr ackin g o r vec tor mode, yo u shou ld sel ec t vect or mode . Th e
2518 DMX Control ler does not have a dedicated spee d control (fade time) and does n ot
support tracking mode. In vector mode, speed is programmed on 1 or 2 additional channels.
Devices may be cont rolled in tracking mode if there are not enough channe ls, but speed
control will not be possible.
Controlling a light is easiest if all its channels are assigned to one channel button. This give
the fastest access to the light’s features. The buttons are divided into 12 gro ups of 6 channels as shown below.
Button 1 Button 2 Button 3 Button 4 Button 5 Button 6
Ch Setting Ch Setting Ch Setting Ch Setting Ch Setting Ch Setting
44 : 4/#5/#6 46 4/#6/#7 4< 4/#5/#8 58 4/#7/#8 64 4/#5/#6/#7/#8
55
6 4/#5
76
1- 36
8 4/#6
9 5/#6
6: 4/#6/#9# 76 4/#5/#7/#9 7< 4/#8/#9 88 4/#5/#6/#8/#9 94 4/#6/#7/#8/#9 9: 4/#5/#:
6; 5/#6/#9 77 6/#7/#9 83 5/#8/#9 89 7/#8/#9 95 5/#6/#7/#8/#9 9; 6/#:
6< 4/#5/#6/#9 78 4/#6/#7/#9 84 4/#5/#8/#9 8: 4/#7/#8/#9 96 4/#5/#6/#7/#8/#9 9< 4/#6/#:
73 7/#9 79 5/#6/#7/#9 85 6/#8/#9 8; 5/#7/#8/#9 97 : :3 5/#6/#:
37- 72
74 4/#7/#9 7: 4/#5/#6/#7/#9 86 4/#6/#8/#9 8< 4/#5/#7/#8/#9 98 4/#: :4 4/#5/#6/#:
75 5/#7/#9 7; 8/#9 87 5/#6/#8/#9 93 6/#7/#8/#9 99 5/#: :5 7/#:
; 7 47 5/#6/#7 53 6/#8 59 5/#7/#8 65 9
< 4/#7 48 4/#5/#6/#7 54 4/#6/#8 5: 4/#5/#7/#8 66 4/#9
43 5/#7 49 8 55 5/#6/#8 5; 6/#7/#8 67 5/#9
44 4/#5/#7 4: 4/#8 56 4/#5/#6/#8 5< 4/#6/#7/#8 68 4/#5/#9
45 6/#7 4; 5/#8 57 7/#8 63 5/#6/#7/#8 69 6/#9#
Table 4: Channel Groups and Settings (DIP-Switch Pins ON)
7Address and Mode Setting
Page 11
Setting an Address
Addresses are commonly assigned by setting a DIP-switch on the device. DIP-switch settings are shown in Table 4. The settings ap ply for Martin products and any other devices
that use base 1 numbering, that is, channel 1 is set with DIP-switch 1 on.
The DIP-switch may also be used to enable special options. The Martin P unisher X250 and
Destroyer X250, for example, must be set with DIP-switch 10 on. Please refer to the user
manuals for specific details on address and mode se tting.
Addressing Example
Suppose we have the following equipment.
• 2 sets of 4 RoboColor IIx
• 4 RoboColor Pro 400s
• 2 RoboScan 812s
• 2 Punisher X250s
• 2 Destroyer X250s
• 1 RoboZap MSR 1200 (with DMX interface)
• 1 6-Channel DMX Switch Pack
We could set the eq uipment as shown in Table 5. There are not enough channel s to cont rol
everything in depen dently so 2 RoboCol or Pro 400s are to geth er on c hanne ls 44 - 48 and 2
more are together on chan nels 56 - 60. They are set for 5-channel tracking mode because
there is not enough room for 7-ch annel vector mode - speed control will not be possible.
Button 1 Button 2 Button 3 Button 4 Button 5 Button 6
Ch Device Ch Device Ch Device Ch Device Ch Device Ch Device
1
2 8 14 20 26 32
1- 36
IIx
3 9 15 21 27 33
7
RoboColor
IIx
13
RoboColor
X250
Punisher
19
X250
Punisher
25
X250
31
Destroyer
X250
4 1016222834
5 1117232935
6 12182430
37
38 44
37- 72
39 45 51 57 63 69
812
43 49
RoboScan
55 61
Pro 400 (2)
RoboColor
50 56
RoboScan
Pro 400 (2)
RoboColor
812
not used
MSR 1200
62 68
RoboZap
36
67
not used
Switch Pack
40 46 52 58 64 70
41 47 53 59 65 71
42 48 54 60 66 72
Destroyer
6 Channel
Note that al l fixtures exce pt the RoboScan 812s, which requ ire 7 channels, have all their
control channels on a single button. The second Destroyer is set to channel 31 instead of 30
in order to avoid spitting it between 2 buttons.
8 2518 DMX Controller
Table 5: Example (Addresses are shaded)
Page 12
If instead we wanted i ndependent control of the RoboColor Pro 400s, another option would
be to contro l the 2 Destroyers togeth er at th e same addre ss and run t he 2 Pu nishers in single-channel mode. The fixtures coul d be addressed as shown in Table 6.
In this setu p, there are eno ugh channels to run 2 of the R oboColor Pro 400s in 7-chan nel
vector mode. The other 2 Pro 400s are running in 5-channel tracking mode; speed control of
these units will not be possible.
Button 1 Button 2 Button 3 Button 4 Button 5 Button 6
Ch Device Ch Device Ch Device Ch Device Ch Device Ch Device
1
2814
1- 36
IIx
3 9 15 21 27 33
7
RoboColor
IIx
13
RoboColor
Pro 400
19 25
RoboColor
20
31
RoboColor
Pro 400
26 32
RoboColor
Pro 400
4 1016222834
5 1117232935
6 1218243036
37
38 44
37- 72
39 45 51
812
43 49
RoboScan
55 61
50 56
RoboScan
Destroyer
X250 (2)
812
57
Punisher
Punisher
62 68
63 69
MSR 1200
67
RoboZap
40 46 52 58 - 64 70
41 47 53 59 - 65 71
42 48 54 60 - 66 72
RoboColor
Pro 400
Switch Pack
6 Channel
Table 6: Another Option (Addresses are shaded)
9Address and Mode Setting
Page 13
section 4
OPERATION
The 2518 DMX Controller has 3 modes: manual mode, in which you set lights and program
scenes; execution mod e, in whic h sce nes are run; and b lacko ut /st an dby mo de, in w hi ch th e
lights are blacked out.
Manual Control
Channel Master
1-6
(37-42)
7-12
(43-48)
13-18
(49-54)
19-24
(55-60)
25-30
(61-66)
31-36
(67-72)
DMX Channels
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
1-36
(37-72)
123456
Scenes
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Blackout
(Standby)
Scene Bank
Store
Auto
Music
Midi
FaderChannel Button
About DMX Control
Devices are set by activating their DMX channels and sliding the faders.
Channels are activated and deactivated in groups of 6 by pressing the
channel button controls the 2 groups of channels listed beside the button. The
ter
is used to switch t he channel buttons between these 2 groups.
channel butto ns
. Each
channel ma s -
channel button LEDs
The
lit LED indicates channels from 1 to 36 are active; a flashing LED indicates channels from
37 to 72 are active. Status is indicated for 36 channels at a time: press the channel master to
see the status of the other channels. In the figure above, channels 1 - 6 are active.
faders
The
set the DMX values on active channels. They map to the channels from left to
right. The DMX value is 0 when a fader is at the bottom and 255 at the top.
DMX protocol
The
for a device describes how it responds to DMX values. To make a light
red, for example , yo u woul d loo k in t he pro toco l for th e channe l t ha t contr o ls col or and th e
DMX value for red. Then you would sli de the correspondi ng fader to the listed value.
10 2518 DMX Controller
indicate which channels are active, that is, under fader control. A
Page 14
Getting Started
1-6
(37-42)
13-18
(49-54)
19-24
(55-60)
1-6
(37-42)
1-6
(37-42)
1-36
(37-72)
1.
Set up the controller and lights as described in sections 2 and 3.
2.
Slide the faders to 0.
3.
Apply power to the lights. Some fixtures must be turned on before the
controller is turned on in order to automatically detect the control protocol. After a short reset procedure, the lights will be ready to respond to
the controller.
4.
Apply power to the 2518 DMX Controller.
Setting Lights
1. Activate fader control of channels between 1 and
36:
Press a channel button to activate control.
2. Control the effects:
Slide the faders up and
down to control the effects. If there is no light from
the fixture, set all effects to the open position and
turn on the lamp, if applicable, using the fixture’s
DMX protocol as your guide.
3.
You may activate fader control on more than one
button if you want to control several fixtures with
the same protocol. This only works if their start
channels map to the same fader.
4. Deactivate fader control:
Press the button again
to turn off fader control. The LED goes out to indicate manual control is turned off.
5. Activate fader control of channels between 37
and 72:
Press the channel master to switch control between channels 1 - 36 and 37 - 72. Press a
channel button to activate control of the second
group of channels.
Programming Scenes
A light show is mad e up of
ture. It contains control instructions for all programmable effects for each device. In addition, a scene may contai n speed information. For example, some lights hav e dimmers that
may be set to fade slowly or snap instantly.
Scenes are programm ed by setti ng the ligh ts as described a bove and then saving the set tings
in memory.
Six scenes can be sto red in each
scenes may be programmed and saved in its memory.
scenes
bank
. A scene is a complete se t of DMX valu es for each fix-
. The 2518 DMX Control ler ha s 30 banks; up to 180
11Operation
Page 15
Saving a Scene
Store
Scene Bank
1
1. Press [Store].
2. Select a bank in which to save the scene
The display flashes.
: If you
want to save the scene in a different bank, press
the up and down arrow buttons to switch banks.
The active bank is displayed as a 2-digit number.
3. Select the scene to save:
Press one of the 6
scene buttons. The active scene is displayed as a
1-digit number. The scene is saved when the display stops flashing.
Editing a Scene
1.
Select the scene to edit.
2.
Make the desired changes.
3.
Save the edited scene as described above.
Copying a Scene
If you want to use the settings from one s cene as the starting point for anothe r scene, you
may copy the scene and edit it.
1.
Select the scene to be copied.
2.
Make the desired changes.
3.
Save the new scene as described above.
Deleting a Scene
Deleting a scene is no t nec essar y be for e sa ving a new o ne. I t ma y b e us eful, tho ugh, if yo u
want a fresh start. Deleti ng a scen e is a ma tter of c reating a nd saving a scen e in which all
DMX valu es are 0.
1.
Deactivate all channels.
2.
Slide all faders to 10.
3.
Activate all channels.
4.
Slide all faders to 0.
5.
Press [Store].
6.
Press the scene button to be deleted.
12 2518 DMX Controller
Page 16
Deleting all Scenes
Store
1
Midi
Scene Bank
Midi
Blackout
(Standby)
Deleting all scenes is useful if the lighting setup changes or if you want to reprogram all
fixtures.
1.
Disconnect the controller from AC power.
2.
Press and hold [Store] and the up arrow button at
the same time.
3.
Apply power.
MIDI Scenes
MIDI scene
A
directly from a MIDI de vice such as a keyboard, drum machine, or com puter with MIDI
output. The scene executes every time its MIDI code is generated.
Any number of scenes may be MIDI scenes. The MIDI code must be different for each
scene.
MIDI scenes can al so be used to switc h banks. When a MIDI scene i s execut ed, the ac tive
bank automatically changes to the ba nk where the scene is stored.
is a scene saved together with a MIDI code so the s cene can be executed
If you have seve ral MIDI de vices, MIDI response can be limited to a specific M IDI channel. If no channel is selected, the controller responds to all MIDI channels from 1 to
16.
Creating a MIDI Scene
1. Select a scene
2. Press [Midi].
3.
(Optional)
and down arrow buttons to select a channel
between 1 and 16.
4. Generate the MIDI code:
other MIDI device, play the note or execute the
function to save with the scene.
.
The display flashes.
Select a MIDI channel:
On you keyboard or
Press the up
Deleting a MIDI Scene or Trigger
1. Press [Midi].
The display flashes.
2. Press [Blackout].
13Operation
Page 17
3. Generate the MIDI code
Midi
other MIDI device, play the note or execute the
function to delete. The display stops flashing
when the code is deleted. The scene itself is not
deleted.
Deleting all MIDI Functions
1.
Disconnect the controller from AC power.
2.
Press and hold [Midi] and the down arrow button at
the same time.
3.
Apply power.
Executing Scenes
Trigger Options
: On you keyboard or
Scenes can be run in a sequential loop using 3 different
Auto Trigger
•
Music Trigger
•
phone.
MIDI Trigger
•
erated. Up to 20 48 MIDI triggers ma y be selected.
Each trigger pulse executes the next scene in the active bank, starting at scene 1. After
scene 6, the next trigger pulse executes scene 1 again.
Scenes may also be executed manually in any order by pressing the scene buttons.
: Scenes are executed at the rate that you set usin g a built-in ti mer.
: Scenes are executed to the beat of the music using the built-in micro-
: Scenes are executed every time the MIDI code that you select is gen-
triggers
:
Changing Banks
The active ban k may be switched at any t ime by pressing the up or down arrow buttons.
Banks can also be switche d by executi ng a MIDI scene. When you execute a MIDI sce ne,
the active bank automatically switches to the bank where the scene is stored.
Control Precedence
Fader control overrides programmed control!
When a program is exe cuting, any channel can be overrid den by activating fader control
and sliding the fader. The DMX value does not change until the fader is moved. Normal
program execution resumes when fader contro l is deactiva ted
Manual and MIDI sc ene executi on take pr ecedence ove r automatic scene execut ion. If the
controller is executing scene 3 in music trigger mode and you press the scene 1 button,
scene 1 will be executed. The next trigger pulse will cause sequential execution to continue
14 2518 DMX Controller
.
Page 18
at scene 2.
Auto
Auto
Music
Midi
Auto
Scene Bank
Auto Trigger Execution
1. Set the trigger rate
ing, wait for the desired trigger interval, and then
press [Auto] again to stop timing.
2.
The scenes execute sequentially. The timer LED
blinks to indicate scene changes as the controller
steps through the bank.
3. Exit:
Press [Auto] again to exit auto trigger mode.
: Press [Auto] once to start tim-
Music Trigger Execution
1. Sta rt executio n
lights. The controller runs the scenes to the beat of
the music.
2. Exit
: Press [Music] again.
: Press [Music]; the Music Trig LED
Selecting a MIDI Trigger
Note: A MIDI code may be used either as a trigger or to execute a MIDI scene, but not both.
1. Press [Midi].
2. Press [Auto]
3.
(Optional)
and down arrow buttons to select a channel
between 1 and 16.
4. Generate the MIDI code:
other MIDI device, play the note or execute the
function to use as a trigger.
5.
Repeat steps 1 - 4 to select additional MIDI codes as desired. Up to 2048
MIDI codes may be selected.
6.
See “Deleting a MIDI Scene or Trigger” on page 13 to delete a trigger.
The display flashes.
.
Select a MIDI channel:
On you keyboard or
Press the up
MIDI Trigger Execution
1. Gener ate the MIDI cod e.
time a MIDI trigger is generated.
2.
MIDI triggers remain active until deleted.
The scen e changes eac h
15Operation
Page 19
Blackout (Standby) Mode
Blackout
(Standby)
Scene Bank
Blackout
(Standby)
In blackout mode, the 2518 DMX Controller blacks out all
devices by sending the DMX value 0 on all channels. Simply
press [Blackout]. Banks and scenes may be selected but not
run. Press [Blackout] again to resume operation.
In standby mode, there is no DMX output from the controller.
Standby mode uses less cu rrent and is reco mmended whene ver
the controller is not being used for more than a few minutes to
reduce wear an d tear on the electron ic co mponents. Press and
hold [Bl ac k ou t] until the LED lights to activate standby mode.
Press [Blackou t] again to return t o normal execution.
Disconnect the 2518 DMX Controller from AC power when not in use.
16 2518 DMX Controller
Page 20
appendix a
TROUBLESHOOTING
problem probable cause(s) suggested remedy
None of the fixtures respond
to the controller.
Some fixtures do not
respond, respond erratically,
or continuously reset.
The controller is disconnected from the data link.
Blackout or standby mode
selected.
Bad data link connection.
DMX signal polarity reversed.
DMX signal reflection.
Incorrect addressing of fixtures.
Fixtures not on. Turn on fixtures.
Protocol auto-detection failure.
Connect controller .
Press blackout button.
Check data link connections/
cables and correct accordingly.*
Swap pins 2 and 3. See section 2.
Insert termination plug in the
last light on the link.
Check addresses.
Switch the fixtures off and
then back on. In general,
power on the controller
before the fixtures.
Fixtures do not execute programming on one or more
channels.
No light from some or all fixtures.
Unev en or incomplete fader
control.
Fader control is overriding
programming.
The scenes do not contain
‘Lamp On’ instructions for fixtures with remote lamp on/off.
Faders not calibrated.
Turn off fader control.
Make sure the “Lamp On”
command is saved in at least
one scene.
Calibrate faders as described
in “Service ”.
* To test the data link with an ohm meter, disconnect the link from the controller and measure the resistance across pins 2 and 3 of the XLR male plug. The reading should be around
120 ohms. Readings from 400 - 20,000 ohms indicate the data link is not terminated. Infinite resistance indicates a bad connection, broken wire, or a defective fixture. Very low
readings indicate a short circuit in the data link or a de fective fixture.
17Troubleshooting
Page 21
appendix b
SERVICE
Calibrating Faders
If the controll er does not output the full rang e of DMX values, or ou tputs different valu es
from the same fader position, the faders can be recalibrated as follows.
1.
Disconnect the controller from AC power.
2.
Press Scene buttons 4 and 6 at the same time while applying power to
the controller. The channel LEDs chase upwards.
3.
Slide the 6 faders all the way up to the top.
4.
Press a DMX Channel button.
5.
To verify calibration, slide each fader, one at a time, between 0 and
100%. When a fader is at 0, the display must read 0 (DMX 0). When a
fader is at 10, the display must read FF (DMX 255). Do not leave a fader
on 0 - you will not be able to read the other fader values.
6.
Press a DMX Channel button to complete the process and return to normal operation.
18 2518 DMX Controller
Page 22
appendix c
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions
• Height........................................................ ..................... 95 mm (3.7")
• Length ..................................................................... ......483 mm (19.0")
• Width........................................... .............. ......................130 mm ( 5.1")
• Weight ........................... .............. .............. .............. ........2.8 kg (6.1 lb)
• Rack size....................... ............................ ............................ ...........3U
Power Consumption
• .................................................................................................... 2.2 W
AC Voltage and Frequency
• EU model ....................... ............................ .... 210 to 240 V, 50 to 60 Hz
• US model ....................... ............................ .... 100 to 130 V, 50 to 60 Hz
Programming Capacity
• Scenes ........................................ .............. ............................ ..........180
• MIDI triggers.... ............................ ............................ ...................... 2048
DMX Capacity
• .................................................... .......................................72 channels
Tri gg er S ou rc es
• ........................................... adjustable timer, MIDI, internal microphone
Rear Panel Connections
• Power input.................... ............................grounding 3-prong IEC male
• DMX output...... .............. .............. ............................ ...3-pin XLR female
• MIDI input.................................... .............. .............. ... 5-pin DIN female
• RS-232...................................................................9-pin D-SUB female
Materials
• Cover, case.................... .............steel with electrostatic powder coating
• Buttons, knobs....................................................................... ..... plastic
• Feet....................................................................................... ..... rubber
19Specifications
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