5
Installation
B u i l d i n g t h e S e r i a l L i n k
1.
Use shielded twisted-pair cable. Though standard microphone cable may
work, it is less reliable than shielded twisted pair cable. Use 24 AWG cable for
runs up to 300 meters (1000 ft) and use 22 AWG cable for runs up to 500
meters (1640 ft). Your Martin dealer has a range of cables, connectors, and
adaptors designed for lighting control.
2.
Starting from the controller, connect output to input. Check the pin-
out on Martin fixtures and be sure to connect hot to hot and cold to cold.
Use Table 2 to help plan your cable and connector needs.
3.
Never use a “Y” connector to split the link. It often convenient to split
the serial link into branches. If so, use a dedicated splitter/amplifier such
as the Martin 4-Channel Opto-Isolated RS-485 Splitter.
4.
Don’t overload the link. Up to 32 devices can be connected on a serial
link. Placing more than 32 devices on a link can cause unpredictable per-
formance. The control units for the RoboColor IIx and RoboColor III sys-
tems and the Martin DMX Switch Pack each count as 1device.
5.
Always terminate the link. Terminate the link by installing the provided
termination plug in the output socket of the last fixture on the link. The
termination plug, which is simply a male XLR connector with a 120 ohm
resistor soldered between pins 2 and 3, “soaks up” the control signal so it
cannot reflect back down the link. If a splitter is used, terminate each
branch of the link.
C o n n e c t i n g a P C
The 2518 Upload/Download Utility, available for download from the Martin web site at
http://www.martin.dk, is a Windows PC tool for managing lighting programs created with
the 2518 DMX Controller. The program allows the user to:
•
Download the memory of all banks from the 2518 DMX Controller to a PC.
•
Upload a set, or “memory”, of 30 banks from a PC to the controller.
•
Name, save and read individual banks.
•
Reconfigure, save and read memories of 30 banks
•
View and edit the DMX values for all scenes.
•
See the changes as you make them in real time.
To use the 2518 DMX Controller with a computer, a straight-through RS-232 cable must be
connected between the computer’s serial port and the controller’s RS-232 I/O port. Discon-
nect both devices from AC power before connecting the RS-232 cable.
2518 IV.BOOK Page 5 Tuesday, September 22, 1998 7:10 PM
