harryh733 Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Hi everyone, When our college got its new lighting system, I managed to get one of the old dimmers from under the stage that was going to the skip, I rescued it as it was a shame to waste a piece of lighting history! B-) as far as im aware its working fine but I cant find anything to control it, I havent seen the connector before, Its an Eltec 2000 6 Channel Dimmer. I have posted some pictures of the dimmer and the connector here.I would like to use it for the few lights I have and just to see if it works!Thanks.Harry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Looks very much a Mini2 in disguise to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkyweb Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Its an octal socket. I have not seen many of them for a while. They used to sell them in Farnell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harryh733 Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share Posted January 23, 2008 I have to say I have never heard of an octal socket B-) . is this the same as an analogue connection just with a different type of connector? do you think I could make an Octal to DIN connector? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 If you can get hold of an octal plug and you're capable of soldering then yep, that should work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkyweb Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Jon is correct - an adapter cable will work. You will just need to make sure the wiring goes to the correct pins. edit - spag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harryh733 Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share Posted January 23, 2008 thank you very much! I wouldnt have ever been able to find out what it was without the help of Blue Room!! does anyone know what wires need to go to what pins when making such a connection? I could always replace the octal socket with an 8DIN cable but again wouldnt know what cables go where, im guessing the eltec uses a +10v, I know some dimmers use strange control voltages. I might even take it back to college if I can get it working and get a analogue to DMX converter, I knew they shouldnt have thrown it away :( . they did however skip all of the old patt23's, patt123's and patt60's. it seems such a shame to throw them away, I managed to get my hands on a few patt23's and patt123's just before they went but not all of them B-) anyway I seem to have gone off track, as I was saying if anyone has a wiring diagram or know what goes where then please let me know. Thanks.Harry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 they did however skip all of the old patt23's, patt123's and patt60's A hienous crime! They should be hung! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkyweb Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Yes they are +10v control. As to the wiring convention the only people that did not use a 1-1 (Pin 1 - Ch1) style was Pulsar. I can't help anymore than to suggest that someone who was competant enough to open the dimmer will be able to see where the wires go. Don't forget analogue is as simple as 1 control wire to each dimmer module / channel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wuddy Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Why go to all the hassle of making an octal to DIN converter, if you're so competent why not just swap the octal for a DIN, unless of course you are trying to keep the dimmer original, when one would ask why? But if you do and you can't find an octal plug just buy a cheap 8 pin relay and remove the relay and use the base as a plug. If I recall correctly pin out is 1 to 6 are channels, 7 is 15Volt supply to desk, 8 is ground. Don't forget octal terminals are numbered sequentially, 8 pin DIN terminals aren't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musht Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Pat23/123s polish up really nicely, but really need to get paint bead blasted off.Convert to d0m3stic friendly lamp.Flog on ePay as collectors items for 300 quid each ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springgrove Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Yes they are +10v control. As to the wiring convention the only people that did not use a 1-1 (Pin 1 - Ch1) style was Pulsar. I can't help anymore than to suggest that someone who was competant enough to open the dimmer will be able to see where the wires go. Don't forget analogue is as simple as 1 control wire to each dimmer module / channelI have an Eltec 2000 which had a different (unusual) connector until I changed it for a standard 8-pin DIN. Yes it is +10V control, and after taking the back off, it was obvious which pin went where. You could put a voltmeter between 7 & 8 for a start. The Mini2, on the other hand, was -10V control. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harryh733 Posted January 24, 2008 Author Share Posted January 24, 2008 Thanks Nigel, I took the cover off the back and there is an obvious red and black going to the transformer, im guessing thats the positive +10 and the neutral. the others all go to the dimmers themselves, so this should be an easier job than expected. Thanks!Harry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimWebber Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Thanks Nigel, I took the cover off the back and there is an obvious red and black going to the transformer, im guessing thats the positive +10 and the neutral. the others all go to the dimmers themselves, so this should be an easier job than expected. Thanks!Harry Nobody else seems to have said it, but I'll just add this:- Please be entirely certain what you are doing! Electricity hurts when taken internally! Jim Edited to add the word "Please" I'm feeling polite today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harryh733 Posted January 25, 2008 Author Share Posted January 25, 2008 Il make sure Its not connected to the power while im working on it, and like I do with all electrical things I wire, Il cover my ears and stand well away when I turn it on :** laughs out loud **: . All the wires I looked at changing are all low voltage and run to the control connection so no mains involved. It says on the dimmer that its "One Phase" does this mean its suitable to run off a standard 13amp socket, If I do il never run all the lights at once.Thanks.Harry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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