JohnG Posted June 6, 2006 Share Posted June 6, 2006 A few years back I purchased (on ebay) what I thought was and was described as a DMX splitter. It turned out not to be a splitter but I kept it for parts as I only spent $30 usd for it. It is a like new small black box around 16" across 6"deep and 2"tall. One side has a power switch,voltage selector,green led indicator and 2 chassis mount 3pin XLR's one female and male. No labels. The opposite side has 5ea. chassis mount 5pin XLR's, fuses and red led indicators. The box is set up to accommodate 5 more for a total of ten but they are closed with blank plugs. Inside the box is a large capacitor. A nice size choke along with a rectifier. So it obviously not DMX splitter. Anyone care to guess what this was used for? I have photos but I am not sure how to post a link or insert them. JG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryson Posted June 6, 2006 Share Posted June 6, 2006 We need pics, I think. Upload the photos to a site somewhere (many people use Photobucket) and then use code like this to add the pics. [img=http://www.yourwebsite.com/yourimage.jpg]Make sure they aren't too large! Ta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew C Posted June 6, 2006 Share Posted June 6, 2006 Sounds like a PSU, could it be for effects devices / scrollers? But pics might well help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted June 6, 2006 Author Share Posted June 6, 2006 Thanks, hope this goes! http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j118/JohnGib/th_151-5148_IMG.jpg http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j118/JohnGib/th_151-5147_IMG.jpg http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j118/JohnGib/th_151-5146_IMG.jpg ;) They're working fine, I've just done a bit of jiggery-pokery to make them display as thumbnails for our bandwidth challenged members, as ever click for the full size images. (If you click edit you can find out how I did it). PN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayselway Posted June 7, 2006 Share Posted June 7, 2006 **Scratches bald spot** Looks like it could well be a scroller PSU or something similar - it would appear that you send DMX in and out of the two sockets at the back (the pair near the IEC), and the unit passes this on to the effects, adding power to the spare pins on the front XLR's..... Just a thought as always Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted June 7, 2006 Author Share Posted June 7, 2006 You are correct it is a "1 in" to "5 out" pass through but DMX may not be distributed in this fashion. And thank you to the moderator for the quick resize. I thought I was in for a scolding when I clicked "add reply" and 3 huge photos appeared. Foolishly I thought I was adding "links" to Photobucket! JG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayselway Posted June 7, 2006 Share Posted June 7, 2006 I was thinking this when I posted it - hmmm - maybe a different protocol? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted June 7, 2006 Share Posted June 7, 2006 Something to do with PALS or anything else pre-pirouettes? Parscan 1/2s perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo Posted June 7, 2006 Share Posted June 7, 2006 Ok: The big coil is a toroidal transformerThe big capacitor that is either PFC or output smoothing, depending on whether it's on the mains or DC side of the circuit, as I can't tell from the photo. It looks like a multi-Y-split from XLR-3 inputs, adding power to the 'spare' pins on the XLR-5 connectors. As to what it's for - God knows, but I'd guess some form of early intelligent effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andi_Davis Posted June 7, 2006 Share Posted June 7, 2006 Strand used a proprietory protocol called MRL for a while - it formed the basis of the control for the original PALs series moving lights. Before my time I'm afraid, but I wonder whether this might be a PSU dating to that era? I believe that it is still possible to run Pirouettes via MRL, rather than via DMX, in case anyone fancies giving it a go?! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazeja Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 I've had enough of voyeurism so I thought I'd take part. It was originally a 10 way (looks like it's been reduced to 5) PALS powersupply unit for use with the Strand MRL (motorised remote luminaire) protocol which had the same characteristics as RS485. Designed to be sited within 5m of a moving pals head. Power on pins 4 and 5 with 1,2 and 3 for data. It was also available as a 3 way version. Hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted June 9, 2006 Author Share Posted June 9, 2006 Well then, mystery solved. Looks like I'll find new application for it. Or maybe I'll just part it out. Thanks to all. JG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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