Interface USB problem

[N.Webber]

I have the SL512BC and have been working for a few months without a problem.

The other day I was setting up a light system for a play (only dimmers).
At first everything was working ok.
After a few minutes there was suddenly no dimmer control.

The software appeared to output ok (indicated by the output window)
but I noticed on the DMX interface the USB indicator led was off.
(the ON led was on and the DMX led was flickering as usual)

I re-inserted the USB connection and restarted the program.
When connecting the USB cable all 3 led's light up constantly as in normal start-up.
But as soon as I started the SL program, the DMX led started flickering but the USB led went out.

I reset the computer and moved the interface to different USB ports to no effect.

After a few more (scary…) minutes of resets and connection switches the interface came back to life.

Any idea what may have caused this?

Thanks,

N.Webber

[bruno.falip]

There is no reason to worry if the green led does not flicker as usual if the DMX signal coming from the interface is good.

[N.Webber]

Thank you for your prompt response...

Mabe I wasn't clear. The DMX output wasn't good.

When the green led (USB) was off, the red led (DMX) was flickering
so the unit was apparently producing 'some kind' of DMX output.

The dimmers also did appear to recieve this 'null' DMX,
as was indicated by the "DMX present" indicators of the dimmers.

But the dimmer channels (outputs) didn't follow the status as was indicated in the output window on the SL screen.
They ware acting as if all DMX channels ware held at zero.

:roll:

N.Webber

[bruno.falip]

It means that the interface was not recognized by the software. I have no explanation for this problem if it works fine now...we will see what we can do if it happens again.

[N.Webber]

Thanks Anyway.

I have gone through a couple of shows since that incidence and all worked fine.

I also spoke to the local distributor (from which I got the kit) and though they also had no idea what could have
caused the problem, they where kind enough to lend me another interface for a limited period.

So in the event of this problem appearing again, I could switch between the two and hopefully
see if the fault is in the interface or somewhere in the USB domain.

If this isn't GREAT customer support/service then what is?...

Thanks again,

N. Webber

[bjkered]

I have just got back from a Festival .

I have just experienced the same Problem as poster has written About

The software appears to be fine in that the Output window is Showing DMX outputs, but the Heads and Dimmer Packs were stuck on the last set. Over two days of shows I had to stop the software and restart it about 20 times which was very frustreating as I lost all lights on Stage while the software was restarting !!!!!!!.

I was using the interface with a DMX input controller ( zero 88 Jester Board) when I was doing this the software interface stopped about every 15 to 30 mins I then Disconected the DMX interface and thought the Problem was fixed, however the Interface appeared to hang less frequently when it would now fail about every Hour.

I have No distributor to talk to as I bought directly from Sunlite

The Interface is a SL2048EC (293756638 SIUDI 5A)

This was the first time the interface was used heavilly as it was just an upgrade to allow DMX input from my previous "BASIC" version.

It was running on the same Computor I have had for the last 3 years. ( the computor is dedicated for SUNLITE only and no extra software except standard Microsoft XP upgrades

This was very embarassing for my shows with 2500 people watching

CAN you Help

[bjkered]

I am Using the Latest Version of Software. However I bought the Interface I believe before MArch 2008. Is there a Firmware upgrade for the interface as well that I might need

[bruno.falip]

What was the interface led's state when it failed?

[bjkered]

Sorry did not get a Chance to check as the shows weer running . I will try and repeat .

Could you tell me what the LEDS all mean

[N.Webber]

I run the system in the shop last week trying to get the problem to reappear…
The program would crush every few minutes leaving the interface in this 'stalled' state.

Only way to reactivate the interface was by shutting down SL and restarting it.
I connected the alternate (new) interface and it stalled just the same!

I figured my interface is ok then and the problem must be some ware else.

In my installation all the USB devices are connected through a USB quad splitter/hub that runs from the computer's USB bus voltage.

I left the mouse and the BCF2000 connected to the splitter and took the interface USB directly from another port of the computer.

Since this change the interface is running with no problems.
Had a long rehearsal with the system in this configuration and all worked well.

My conclusion (for now) is that the problem was probably in the USB splitter feeding the interface.

I will look for a better quality splitter/hub, preferably one with its own/separated power supply.

:)

[bjkered]

I have the system runing and am waiting for it to fail.

However

1. The system does fail I notce, if I plug in a USB keyboard after the the Software has started and the GREEN LED goes out . Any new commands do not reach the lights and you have to start the S/W again. This is repeatable but is NOT what I was seeing on the show.

2. Question For my interface do I need USB2.0 as My computor has USB 1.0 only

[bruno.falip]

SL2048EC and SL2048FC interfaces are USB 2.0, they are not USB 1.1 or 1.0 compatible.

[bjkered]

Thank you

I wonder if that is the problem. I have been running the system and it has not repeated yet. I am going to upgrade the USB to 2.0 and will see if the problem still happens

Thank you