Pathway LR Manual - Manual (Page 32)

DMXPathfinder LR Diagnostics
31
Chapter 5: Diagnostics
S UMMARY
This Chapter explains how to use DMXQConnect and the DMXPathfinder’s
built-in diagnostic software to check for possible hardware faults in the
Pathfinder modules, and to assist in verifying new DMX wiring installations. It
will also deal with what corrective action can be taken by the user. For a more
detailed troubleshooting procedures please refer to Chapter 8: Maintenance &
Troubleshooting.
M ODULE H EALTH C HECK
The DMXPathfinder incorporates a simple set of user-accessible functions to
determine the operational status of each of the DMXPathfinder’s Output
Modules and their internal components. To check that each module is
responding to communications from the PC, launch DMXQConnect and click on
View, DMXPathfinder Control. At the lower right hand corner of the screen,
there is an Output Module selector window. Select the first module from the pull-
down box and then click on the Connect button at the lower left-hand corner. A
text-based diagnostic menu should appear in the black terminal window area,
with one line indicating the Output Module number (#1 in this case) that you are
communicating with. If it’s there, click on the Clear button. If not, please refer to
Communications Setup in Chapter 2 or try communicating with another Output
Module. The text messages that appear are being sent back by each of the
Pathfinder’s Output Module processors, so they provide you with a clear
indication that you are communicating properly with a working Output Module.
Now select the next Output Module from the pull-down box and click on the
Connect button again. The same menu should appear, with Output Module #2
now being displayed. Continue testing each Output Module in the system.
If one or more Output Modules fail to respond, or if the response message is
garbled, there may be a problem with configuration switch settings in the
DMXPathfinder. Remove the front cover from the suspect Module(s) and verify
from the chart that the correct baud rate is selected and that the Module # rotary
switches are set for that module (the first module in the system is “01”, not “00”).
Make sure that all modules are powered up, and that no two modules have the
same number!