Small demux units

[london sound]

I have several 6ch dimmer units all analogue control, my question is are there six output demux units that I can site with each dimmer unit (mostly used for corporate work).

Obviously if too expensive might have to trade in dimmers.

 

 

Thanks in advance

 

 

 

Ian

[Jivemaster]

Unless the dimmer manufacturer has a retro-fit module You're likely to pay more for a small demux than a cheap DMX dimmer There are 4 chan 5a DMX dimmer modules for under £100 on the disco market.

 

On the other hand there are often 24 ish chan demux in the classifieds which would feed a rack full of dimmers.

 

Elsewhere again, look up XTBA who make boards for DMX of most functions.

[Paul J Need]

You could go for the Zero 88 DMUX 24, handy little unit - and 1U high. Or, a bit more fiddly the Strand S72 - 72 channel DMUX but user a 25 Pin D Type for the out from the back of the unit

[Brian]

These guys, Soundlight have got several unboxed solutions but I guess you'd not be wanting to mess around getting things put into boxes.

 

The cheapest way is probably going to be with a pile of the Showtec 72-way demux with one per dimmer rack. They are only going to set you back just over £100 each - way cheaper than new dimmers. Yes you will not be using 66 of the channels but hey...

[Ben]

The Light Processor demux is a good little unit, very easy to use, cheap and very reliable, plus when it does go wrong only ever costs pennys to fix.

[robloxley]

What kind of dimmers; some can be retrofitted with DMX cards?

[Darkfold]

Just been through this at school (rented a lovely LightProcessor rack dimmer to show what digital kit can do). Basically, if your dimmers wont retrofit to DMX or they are separated by a long way, it may end up cheaper buying replacements.

You may well be able to get away with a central demux and a star of cables running out to the analogue packs if they are close ish together. Ugly, but effective and you can usually find cheap second hand analogue cable around somewhere.

[Andyb]

After looking at the soundlight 6 channel demux, I continued looking round the web for cheaper projects....

 

I came across this one from elector electronics;

8-Channel DMX Demultiplexer.

 

I've paid the £1 for the article, which in fairness is pretty detailed. Has anyone else had a go at making this?

£8.50 for a programmed PIC seems somewhat fairer than 28 euros for the pcb. Has anyone persevered with this or found a similar project?

 

Many thanks

andrew

[bright spark]

Just make sure whatever DMUX you buy is the same pinout and the same +/- thing as your dimmers.

 

Its only really Pulsar who have a different to the 'standard' I think.

 

Zero88, Anytronics etc, follow the same pinouts.