Related Manuals for Light O Rama Pixcon16
Summary of Contents for Light O Rama Pixcon16
- Page 1 Pixcon16 E1.31 16/32 Universe Pixel controller with 4 E1.31 to DMX bridge ports User Manual – Light O Rama Showtime Software August 20, 2015 V1.4 Copyright © Light O Rama, Inc. 2015...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
LOR/ESTA Jumpers................13 Terminator jumper .................. 14 Hardware Configuration ................15 Using DHCP (Normal Operation) ............15 Forcing the Pixcon16 IP Address ............16 Pixcon16 List..................17 Network Configuration ................. 18 Pixel Port Setup .................. 19 Advanced Port Configuration ............... 21 Misc..................... - Page 3 Operating Specifications ................30 Troubleshooting ..................31 Status LEDs ................... 32 Common problems and solutions .............. 34 No Status or Power LEDs is On ............. 34 Controller does not appear in Find Pixcon16 list ........34 Light Outputs Not As Expected .............. 35...
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Page 4: Introduction
LOR protocol allows for easy integration into a network of existing LOR controllers. When used in LOR mode, the Pixcon16 can also drive a modest pixel show from an LOR Generation 3 Show Director like the g3MP3 Director. -
Page 5: What's In The Box
► Support ► User Manuals ► Pixcon16 manual – Light O Rama Showtime Software The Pixcon16 can be used in multiple configurations. Additionally, the Pixcon16 can be purchased as a separate device, or be included with an LOR Ready to Go prop. Applications: The Pixcon16 can be controlled by an LOR G3 Show Director in ELOR mode, or a Windows PC using ELOR mode or E1.31. -
Page 6: Hardware Fundamentals
Hardware Fundamentals Factory IP / Bootloader switches A factory reset should only be performed when absolutely necessary. The reset will erase all configuration and networking information which may be time-consuming to restore. To reset the device back to factory defaults, first remove power to the board. - Page 7 6. Turn on the computer and wait for it to fully boot. 7. Now start the LOR Network Configuration program and press the Pixcon16 button. You should be able to find the board now to configure it, or to re-install the firmware.
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Page 8: Power Connectors
Status LEDs Power Light Status Light Status Board is not powered, or the logic fuse has blown Flashing Board is powered on and running properly. No data signal has been detected Board is powered on, running correctly and is receiving data Alternating Flash Alternating Flash Board is in bootloader mode, and... -
Page 9: Aux Out/Fan Connector
The board can run on any voltage between 5VDC – 30VDC. The voltage you use will be dependent on the type of pixel in use. Power must be supplied from a stable DC source/power supply. The maximum rating of the board is 64A, 32A per bank, 4A per pixel port. Each port is protected by a 4A (pink) blade type fast-blow fuse. -
Page 10: Pixel Ports
MUST have use same pixel driver/type. For example, you cannot mix WS2801 and WS2811 pixels on the same Pixcon16. Each port can supply a maximum of 4A and is protected by a 4A pink blade type fuse. - Page 11 Each port has a removable connector with 4 screw terminals. With the screws facing towards you and the wire connector points at the top (as if the connector is seated in the board, and you are looking at the connectors from the outside of the board), the pins are (left to right) 1 - + Power 2 - Clock...
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Page 12: Ethernet Connector
Ethernet Connector Use this port to connect the Pixcon16 to your network or computer’s network card. All configuration is done while the board is attached to a network via this connector. LOR in/out and DMX Outputs (E1.31 mode only) The 2 RJ45 jacks labeled J3 and J4 can be used as an E1.31 to DMX bridge, or as input/output from a standard LOR RS485 network depending on configuration. -
Page 13: Lor/Esta Jumpers
The remaining 3 jacks labeled J5, J7 and J8 can be used as additional E1.31 to DMX bridge ports if the board is not running in LOR mode. LOR/ESTA Jumpers Whenever LOR equipment is in use on any of these RJ45 jacks, the jumpers must be moved from the ESTA side to the LOR side. -
Page 14: Terminator Jumper
Terminator jumper Should you experience data transmission problems when using the Pixcon16 on an LOR network, you may want to move this jumper from OFF to ON. Most networks will not require this. Page 14... -
Page 15: Hardware Configuration
IP address to any device on the network that requests one. DHCP mode is always enabled by default on the Pixcon16 so it should work with any network out of the box. However it is recommended that you assign a static IP address once communications have been established via the configuration utility. -
Page 16: Forcing The Pixcon16 Ip Address
Configuration program and then press the Pixcon16 button. The board should appear in a window as shown. If no devices are shown in the list, click on the “Search” button. The utility will then discover any Pixcon16 controllers currently connected to the LAN. Each controller will appear on its own row in the main window showing the following information: Model, IP Address, Nickname, Firmware Version and Current Temperature. -
Page 17: Pixcon16 List
Configuration program, not the LOR Hardware Utility. Once you have started the Network Configuration program, press the Find/Configure Pixcon16 button on the right hand side. After a few seconds, a list of the Pixcon16 / E1.31 devices found will be shown. -
Page 18: Network Configuration
All other boards are listed in White. To configure a particular board, click it in the list. Network Configuration Here you can specify the static IP address and subnet mask that the controller will operate on as well as the type of IP connection. (Use DHCP to instantly see and configure the controller on any existing LAN.) To use the board with an ELOR (Enhanced LOR) network rather than in E1.31 mode, select the ‘J3/J4’... -
Page 19: Pixel Port Setup
Pixel Port Setup This window allows you to setup the pixel ports on the Pixcon16. At a minimum you will need to select the type of pixels you are going to connect, if they are high speed or not, starting universe/unit ID, and the triplet order. - Page 20 Select the type of pixel IC you wish to control. You cannot mix different pixel drivers (chips) on a single Pixcon16 controller. For example you can’t run the WS2811 protocol on ports 1-8 and SM16716 on ports 9-16. All 16 ports must be of the same type.
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Page 21: Advanced Port Configuration
Advanced Port Configuration This allows for advanced configuration of the 16 pixel ports. Each port can be individually configured for its start universe, start channel, number of nodes (or pixels), null pixels, zig-zag and reversing. While the advanced configuration permits an extremely flexible channel setup, we recommend that you try to keep things as simple as possible and use a single Universe or Unit ID per port. - Page 22 The Advanced Configuration can also quickly configure all higher ports on this device using the update buttons on the bottom. Again, LOR recommends one of the ‘One ID per Port’ options. Null Pixels Null pixels allow the controller to ignore or skip a specified number of pixels at the beginning of a given string or strip.
- Page 23 would use the zig-zag feature to tell the controller that the pixels reverse direction every 50 pixels. Thus lighting sequential pixels now produces the desired effect: the first string lights from bottom to top, then the 2nd string from bottom to top, etc. Reversed Turning on the reversed option tells the controller to light the pixels in reverse direction on the fixture.
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Page 24: Misc
Misc Unit Name is available on all tabs. This allows the user to assign a custom nickname to the controller. The Misc tab allows you to perform a firmware update, change color correction values, set optional fan speed. The board’s current information including temperature and operating voltages are shown. - Page 25 The optional Cooling Fan speed is set with the slider. The position of the slider determines when the maximum voltage is sent to the fan. For example, if you set the temperature to 95 degrees F, at or above 95 degrees the full will be on at 100%.
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Page 26: Operation
Operation Startup Upon applying power, if you already have strings connected they may flash or turn on full white. Once you set the correct pixel type (driver), they will turn off. Once the controller takes control of the pixels, they should turn off. If no data is being sent to the controller then the pixels will remain turned off until valid data is received. -
Page 27: Hardware Test Pattern
Hardware Test Pattern The controller features a built-in test pattern to assist in troubleshooting during an installation. To put the controller into this mode, press and hold the ‘Factory IP’ button for 3 seconds after the controller is already powered up and running. -
Page 28: Firmware Upgrades
Physical Setup To perform a firmware upgrade, ensure that you have your Pixcon16 controller connected to the LAN network. Obtaining New Firmware Only use firmware that has been supplied by LOR for this device. -
Page 29: Performing A Firmware Update
Pixcon16, including LOR programs like the LOR Comm Listener or LOR Tray. Failure to close all programs that may be sending data to the Pixcon16 could put the board into a state that can only be recovered by using the Bootloader button. -
Page 30: Operating Specifications
Operating Specifications The table below specifies the recommended operating conditions for a Pixcon16 controller. PARAMETER VALUE/RANGE UNITS TOLERANCE Power Bank 5-30 V DC +/-5% Input Voltage Max Capacity +/-5% Per Power Bank Logic Current Consumption - +/-10% 5V DC Operating -40 to +60 °C... -
Page 31: Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Generally, troubleshooting requires looking at the LEDs on the controller. There may also be a high voltage power supply connected to the board so extreme caution must be taken. Beware of ANY bare metal as it can be at LINE voltage. -
Page 32: Status Leds
Status LEDs Power Light Status Light Status Board is not powered, or the logic fuse has blown Flashing Board is powered on and running properly. No heart beat from the Showtime Software has been detected. Board is powered on, running correctly and is receiving data. - Page 33 Ethernet jack LEDs: Link LED (Green) Data LED (Yellow) Status Properly connected and Solid Flashing receiving data. Connection OK, no data Solid received. Power is off, or no link established. Check power, logic fuse, and communications cable and network hardware. Page 33...
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Page 34: Common Problems And Solutions
Ensure your power supply is supplying voltage correctly. Controller does not appear in Find Pixcon16 list First, ensure you have the latest version of the LOR Showtime software installed. Ensure you have connected the board to a LAN and not to an LOR Network (USB adapter). -
Page 35: Light Outputs Not As Expected
Light Outputs Not As Expected If the lights are not turning on at all then double check all power connections, fuses and light connections. Check the .5A mini blade logic fuse and 4A mini blade fuses on each output. If the lights turn on but are displaying colors you are not expecting, ensure the string(s) itself is not faulty by comparing to other known working strings if possible. - Page 36 Light-O-Rama, Inc. Tel: (518) 539-9000 Fax: (518) 538-0067 info@lightorama.com...
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