PRG DMX Reference Guide 5.4 - Manual (Page 21)

DMX512 REFERENCE GUIDE 13
Thumbwheel Addresses
All VARI
❋
LITE Series 200 luminaires, Smart Repeater units, and interface boxes have a three-digit thumbwheel
address switch. The address set on this thumbwheel sets the starting address for the device. Under VARI
❋
LITE
protocol, these addresses may not duplicate or overlap. Series 200 luminaires must be set to their DMX512 starting
address, but no two luminaires may overlap addresses or use the same starting address when controlled by the same
ACS rack.
Since VARI
❋
LITE Series 300 luminaires do not have physical thumbwheel switches, their thumbwheel address is
determined by the port connection at their respective Smart Repeater unit. The thumbwheel address set on the Smart
Repeater unit sets the starting DMX512 address for the first port on the unit. Each successive port’s starting address
and the number of DMX512 addresses allocated to each port depends on the Smart Repeater unit’s mode.
Thumbwheel addresses on Smart Repeater units controlled by DMX512 may duplicate and overlap, but this is not
recommended.
Figure 1-4: Smart Repeater Thumbwheel Switch
Patching
Patching A Fixture Library Console
Each automated luminaire is generally given a fixture number. Most operators have created their own system for
numbering the luminaires in their system. An example would be to number the fixtures consecutively from downstage
right working across each truss or batten, then moving upstage and back to stage right to the next position and
continuing the process. This numbering system is generally based on the fixture’s position in the system and makes
numeric sense. Alternately, each type of fixture can have a number in a range; all the VL5 wash luminaires start with
100, the VL6 spot luminaires with 200, etc. This numbering system is not necessarily based on the fixture’s position in
the lighting system. The United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) has also established a methodology
for numbering the fixtures in a lighting system; please consult their literature for the specifics of this method. Decide
upon a numbering system and then begin to patch.
Patching will pair the fixture number and the DMX512 address to a control channel. When patching a VL5 or VL5B
wash luminaire, do not forget to patch dimmer channel to the intensity control channel for the fixture. For example, to
patch four VL5 wash luminaires, you would note the thumbwheel address of the Smart Repeater unit, decide on a
control channel number, then patch this at the console using the appropriate syntax. Remember to take into account
which DMX512 universe is chosen; control problems can occur if the patching does not occur in the proper universe.
Many consoles currently can have up to four DMX512 universes, each with 512 channels.
At this point, continue to patch the fixtures and other DMX512 devices until the show is patched. It is often a good
idea to check the patch in progress; that way problems can be dealt with as they occur. When you are done patching
and troubleshooting your system, programming can begin. For information on troubleshooting a system, see
"Testing
and Troubleshooting" on page 83.
Thumbwheel
Address Switch