DMX tips

[Un-broken_bass]

I just got a DMX controller to run my geysers with, and it runs the geysers fine, but won't turn on the lights on the geyser. Chauvet geysers and chauvet board. any tips?

 

[s0c9]

There's a "blackout" button on most Chauvet controllers.. it should be ON by default... meaning you have to push it to blackout the lights.
My last controller allowed it to be configurable.. but pushing any of the program buttons should turn on the preset lights.
Which controller ?

 

[Un-broken_bass]

I tried pushing the blackout button. when it is on the geyser won't fire, but did nothing for the lights. I have an obey 40 and P4 geysers.

 

[s0c9]

if you are trying to run the geyser lights separately from the "smoke" via DMX, [I'm guessing] you'll need to program the Obey 40 accordingly.
Each of the top row buttons (above the sliders) will turn on a light setting to have programmed. There's 8 of these per bank (IIRC).
The rate of change from one program button to the next is controlled by the two faders next to the buttons on the right (where the blackout button is).
You'll need to get the DMX values (from page 12/13 of the OM - https://www.chauvetdj.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Geyser_P4_UM_Rev2_WO.pdf ) and program the Obey 40.
Each of your Geysers will need to be configured with the appropriate DMX address - if you make them all the same, each will behave exactly like the other, so you WON'T be able to program one to be blue and another red at the same time.
Does this help any?

 

[Un-broken_bass]

I could not get the lights to turn on with anything though. I tried changing the DMX setting and all that changed was which slider triggered smoke. I'm relatively new to DMX but I think I was doing it right.

 

[s0c9]

Sorry.. but without knowing how you configured things.. I;m not sure I can provide much more help... since I don't have that setup.

 

[Wasnex]

I just got a DMX controller to run my geysers with, and it runs the geysers fine, but won't turn on the lights on the geyser. Chauvet geysers and chauvet board. any tips?

Do the Geysers work properly in stand alone mode. If they work fine in stand alone mode but not DMX mode, you probably have a configuration problems. You have to configure the controller and devices to work together and it can be very confusing. Have you read this DMX primer: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

After reading the primer, reread the Obey and Geyser manuals and consult the DMX primer as needed.

Geysers use multiple channels, and the number of channels varies by configuration. Chauvet calls a configuration a "personality." If you want all devices to work exactly the same, they should all have the same DMX address and same personality. If you want them to be able to function independently you have to know how many channels the selected personality uses so you can figure out how to set the starting DMX address for each device and also how to configure the controller so it is compatible with the personality.

Basically if the first device starts with DMX channel 1 and has 8 channels, the second DMX device will need to be assigned to channel 9 or higher. The Geyser P4 can use up to 10 channels, depending upon which personality you use.

The Obey 40 looks like it assigns DMX addresses in blocks of 16. If this is accurate, the first Geyser should be assigned to DMX channel 1 and the second Geyser should be assigned to channel 17.

The Obey has 8 faders on two pages for a total of 16 virtual faders. Is is possible you need to select the second page and bring up the fader assigned to the Geyser's dimmer. I am not certain exactly how this device works, but I would assume the dimmers for individual lights, red, green, blue, amber, and UV, are assigned to faders 2-6, and the master dimmer is assigned to fader 10, which would be page 2, fader 2. I could be wrong on this.

I recommend you try to get one Geyser fully functional, and worry about the others after you get things figured out a bit.

If everything is compatible and configured correctly it could be a cabling problem. Three pin DMX cables look like mic cables but DMX cables are built to a higher standard. Sometimes you can get away with using mic cables, sometimes you can't. Also DMX devices are usually daisy chained together. The first device in the chain is connected to the controller and the last device in the chain has an open plug. Ideally you should have a termination plug to put on the last device. Without the termination plug you can sometimes have problems. Also check the DMX polarity on the Obey 40.

Hope this helps.