PDA

View Full Version : DMX Flame Machine HELP!



PyroWalker
06-12-2022, 10:39 AM
I was testing my flame machines this morning and had 80% success. So, I need some help with the last 20%!!

I am using 5 Spray the Fire DMX machines. They are controlled with COBRA and scripted in Finale 3D. I have good DMX cables connecting them in the proper order from 1-5.
The first 4 are working fine and timing perfect with the script. The last machine does not even "click" like it is trying to work when I run the script. I have tried changing the channels, put a DMX terminator plug (and tried it without). The machine runs just fine out of DMX mode and fires flawlessly.

So... I am assuming something is wrong with my script or there is something important with the setup final position in the series that isn't working right.
Any help, thoughts, or things to try? It is getting close to shoot day and it is also getting HOT outside, so the less time I have to spend messing with these things the better!
Thanks!

Engineer Cat
06-12-2022, 04:29 PM
The guys were talking about that recently. Some people having issues with the way the script needs to be properly setup. You might be able to find some useful information in there.

https://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/showthread.php?9141-DMX-Fire-Machine-Not-Working&highlight=cobra

https://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/showthread.php?9145-Cobra-DMX-Lights-easy-start-Rookies

There's quite a few people here that use them with cobra so I'm sure someone can help you figure out the issue.

PyroWalker
06-12-2022, 07:51 PM
The guys were talking about that recently. Some people having issues with the way the script needs to be properly setup. You might be able to find some useful information in there.

https://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/showthread.php?9141-DMX-Fire-Machine-Not-Working&highlight=cobra

https://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/showthread.php?9145-Cobra-DMX-Lights-easy-start-Rookies

There's quite a few people here that use them with cobra so I'm sure someone can help you figure out the issue.

I did a search here and found those and while informative, they didn't answer my question! I think I MAY... Maybe have a bad DMX output on the 4th one. My script is good, Finale makes it practically simple and hard to mess up. Since everything else is firing right, I am going to try my theory in a few days when I can test again. Today I ran out of time and energy (and it is getting really hot and humid where I live) to keep testing. I have a spare machine to trade out, or I can try to move the 4th one to the 5th position (swap) and since it doesn't need an output, it may work just fine! Fingers crossed!

Engineer Cat
06-12-2022, 08:48 PM
I can try to move the 4th one to the 5th position (swap) and since it doesn't need an output, it may work just fine! Fingers crossed!

Good idea. That should help to figure out if its a bad output.

PyroWalker
06-26-2022, 11:56 AM
Asking for MORE help with DMX and Flame Machines....
Refresher:
I am using 5 Spray the Fire DMX machines. They are controlled with COBRA and scripted in Finale 3D. I have good DMX cables connecting them in the proper order from 1-5.
The first 4 are working fine and timing perfect with the script. The last machine does not even "click" like it is trying to work when I run the script. I have tried changing the channels, put a DMX terminator plug (and tried it without). The machine runs just fine out of DMX mode and fires flawlessly. I have moved the order of the flame machines, changed pin's, even rescripted to have different channels to see if that was the issue. I had an extra machine that I swapped out even! NONE of these or the original suggestions fixed my problem. I tried EVERYTHING I can think of. That last position just won't fire.
So, ANY more options or should I just rescript the show to only have 4 machines?
Show is Friday and I have limited time between now and then to mess with this.
Thanks!