3-Pin DMX to kettle leads?

[harrison110]

I have an equipment question, and if it exists, who and/or where to hire or buy it from...

 

I am aware that hiring will most likely be the cheapest option however I am very likely doing more jobs at this small venue so buying the kit may be a better and cheaper solution.

 

The story is that I am doing lighting for a small am-dram show in Glasgow at the end of the month and have come across some incompatible equipment. What I am looking for is something that will connect several lights with DMX 3-pin connectors to a single kettle lead. (It later became clear that this refers to liteputer dimmers with DMX inputs and IEC outputs. Nobody is suggesting directly connecting IEC and DMX.)

 

This is as the FOH ( if we interpret that as "house lights" it makes things much clearer) goes to a small cupboard beside the theatre which is not accessible during the show. What I need to do is connect these FOH house lights to the same circuit as the others behind the stage.

 

Has anyone got any advice as to what equipment I may need and where one can acquire such things?

 

 

Moderation:

This is one of those threads where the original post was not as clear as it could have been, and something potentially unsafe could have been inferred from the post. It became obvious later that it was just a case of using the wrong terminology. I have heavily edited this thread, to try to keep it on topic and clarify. my comments are in bold

[patrick_keys]

Are you sure this is what you want? DMX is a low-voltage control signal, usually connected via 3 or 5 pin XLR connectors. Kettle leads are usually used to connect an appliance to the mains. Connecting DMX to mains is not usually a good idea, unless you like to blow things up.

 

Can you let us know exactly what equipment you're trying to connect - perhaps with a photo or two? I'm sure we'll be able to find the right set of cables for you that won't make your equipment go up in smoke!

[jexjexjex]

Hi H.

 

Suggest you get some photos and possibly the name of the venue (Maybe someone else has worked there).

 

To all...

 

Trust me when I say that Harrison knows the diffrence between a DMX and an IEC connector and that the two are mutually exclusive!

 

H messaged me the other night and, from my understanding, the situation is that there are several different wee dimmer packs that are fitted with IEC connectors scattered throughout the venue.

 

The query is how to connect all these together without running a mile of DMX around the place as there seems to be no tie up between them al. My suggestion was that a DMX splitter may be the piece of kit for the job.

 

I've got one, but I'm 100 miles away!

 

Perhaps if someone in the Glasgow area wants to message Harrison direct to discuss things it may help to solve a few mysteries.

[harrison110]

Thanks, those who were constructive, in your replies.

 

I suppose the topic was a bit too general, but I assumed that this problem would have been seen before. I had assumed that I would be treated as if I had a base knowledge, but I wont make that mistake again. What I am looking for specifically (that is: what I think the solution is) is to somehow get that signal at the IEC, which only needs to dim 0-255, to the FOH via the only available line I can get my hands on: a 3pin XLR.

 

The venue in question is Floor 8 of the Strathclyde University Union. "Vertigo" as it is known.

 

As for knowing what is up there in the FOH, that is another matter entirely as the venue staff have a mental breakdown whenever I go anywhere near a step ladder. All they are aware of is pressing the test button in the cupboard turns them on. I am not even allowed to focus on stage, that has to be done by untrained venue staff with a certificate in "how not to fall off ladders", which I am lacking.

 

I suppose I had better take a step back and have another look at the situation. A flood light and a pair of binoculars might be my best bet in in finding out what is actually up there.

 

For now I'll try and run a staff member up a ladder with a camera

[Brian]

What I am looking for specifically (that is: what I think the solution is) is to somehow get that signal at the IEC, which only needs to dim 0-255, to the FOH via the only available line I can get my hands on: a 3pin XLR.

What 'signal at the IEC' ?

 

Are we talking about a DMX signal, in which case what does the IEC have to do with it? Or a mains signal?

[paulears]

The snag seems to be that the original poster is clearly a beginner, but he's taken the hump because we're asking difficult questions (from his perspective), yet in fact he's simply provided us with confusing and potentially dangerous information.

 

We need accurate information to give an accurate answer. If he is unable, unwilling, or resistant to answer - then I suggest we give up. It's up to him to provide the info if he expects a reply. He tells us he often gets misunderstood, all it takes is just a bit of accuracy, patience and language. Lacking this, pictures would do.

 

We're all willing to help - but somehow this doesn't go down very well.

[Kazeja]

I may have got the wrong end of the stick here but my vision of a 3XLR to mains (IEC) converter is a dimmer rack of some sorts.

 

Is there a cupboard somewhere which has a dimmer rack in it? A piece of kit with fuses/circuit breakers on the front?

 

Also, the 3 XLR is a bit unusual for a DMX installation. Could it be a Strand D54 input?

 

K

[harrison110]

Thank you Ynot, I appreciate what you are doing.

 

I apologise for my earlier remarks if anyone took offense, I was not of the best temperament, things have not been good. Can we please leave the discussion as is?

 

I recognise that more information is needed, what I have provided is not specific enough and anything at the moment is pure conjecture. I will get more information as and when I can and I will provide pictures if possible.

 

Thank you.

[DrummerJonny]

Right, I think I have this.

 

You have several lights which you are trying to add to the in house system. These lights require DMX to control them (make them brighter / dimmer / change colour) and 230v power to make them actually work.

 

The in house system consists of "generic", dimmable fixtures. These are simple and consist of a lamp and a lens, with no electronics. These are therefore controlled by a standalone dimmer, which is what your IEC sockets are connected to. You cannot control your own lights using these sockets, or even power them. Keep your lights well away from them and instead plug them into some hard 13a power, away from any dimmers.

 

Take a look at this dimmer, and around the stage, to try and find another DMX cable or patch panel. There should be one going into the dimmer, unless it's been hard wired in. Looking at the venue, I'd be surprised if the venue staff didn't know where this was. you need to split out of this, run through all your lights in a chain, and then reconnect it, so your lights, the dimmers, and the desk are all in one big chain. Alternitively, as Jex suggested, you need a DMX Splitter which will allow you to take several spurs off a single cable.

 

You will then need to program your lights in the desk to allow you to control them.

 

 

I hope this helps, please feel free to ask if you're at all uncertain!

[alglw]

Hello blue room readers There ere several liteputer DMX dimmer packs installed in level 8 of strathclyde union.These output on iec . Each dimmer feeds 1 lamp.The system had a zero 88 lighting desk which controlled the dimmers - and hence the lights.I would guess like many venues, only trained staff are permitted to use in house access plant (ie ladders).When this was installed many years ago our industry had a mix of xlr3 and 5 pin. At this time all Martin lighting products were 3 pin !DMX was run to each truss, to allow for future use.This was last century! Pre 2000!Asking the right questions can get the right answers too!

[harrison110]

Hello blue room readers There ere several liteputer DMX dimmer packs installed in level 8 of strathclyde union.These output on iec . Each dimmer feeds 1 lamp.The system had a zero 88 lighting desk which controlled the dimmers - and hence the lights.I would guess like many venues, only trained staff are permitted to use in house access plant (ie ladders).When this was installed many years ago our industry had a mix of xlr3 and 5 pin. At this time all Martin lighting products were 3 pin !DMX was run to each truss, to allow for future use.This was last century! Pre 2000!Asking the right questions can get the right answers too!

 

You wouldn't happen to know which model/type of litedimmer packs were installed?

 

Also that zero 88 desk is long gone, its an old GLP Show Designer, which is missing all of its faders, that is in there now.

 

Thanks for the great information alglw.

[Ynot]

Maybe it would be worth you popping over to lend a hand, ALGLW.....?

 

 

[bruce]

Moderation:

 

 

I've been through this thread and taken out lots of off-topic posts.

 

The root problem is that some of the initial terminology used was non standard. The venue appears to have a number of liteputer dimmers in the stage area, with IEC connections to lanterns and a DMX connection to the FOH position.

 

It also appears to have a separate dimming system for the house lights. These dimmers are in a different location, and I suspect they are perhaps not DMX.

 

The original poster was asking for ways to control these house lights from the FOH position.

[Don Allen]

One way to "break into" and "out of" an existing DMX system is to use a DMX merge so your DMX control signal can be added or merged with the existing DMX control signal going to the house lights. You will have to look for an audio tie cable to get from the foh position to where the house dimmers DMX cable is. You need to insert the DMX merge between their house light desk and the first house light dimmer. You may need a DMX splitter on the output of your desk if your desk DMX is already being used. If you want to break out of the existing cabling to go off to your fixtures, you will need a DMX splitter to take your feed from their cable, with their house cable into DMX splitter, one DMX splitter output going to their house cable, one DMX splitter output being used to your cable.

 

DMX mergers are a usefull tool to carry to all shows as they usually change the DMX timing and I find it allows me to control dj style lights that wont respond to my desks and lamptop dmxpro.