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Running E1.11 / DMX 1990 Controllers (EasyPix, Dumb Controllers) from AlphaPix RS485 Interface
Last Updated: 09/04/2020
The AlphaPix pixel controller has the ability to output legacy, DMX 1990 / E1.11 data using RS485 to legacy controllers such as the EasyPix, common dumb RGB and non-RGB controllers and devices such as legacy Light-o-Rama controllers.

Requirements:
  • AlphaPix Controller
    • AlphaPix 16 - Contains three dedicated RS485 outputs (3 universes / 1,536 DMX channels)
    • AlphaPix 4 - Contains one dedicated RS485 output (1 universe / 512 DMX channels)
  • CAT5 or "DMX Cable"
    • Note that cable will vary based on specific controller and customer requirements. All HolidayCoro RS485 DMX based controllers work fine with CAT5 cable.
  • RS485 based / DMX 1990 Controller
  • Software application that outputs E1.31 data
Here is a diagram that shows the basic setup method:


Setup process for standard DMX E1.11 controllers:
  • Wire positive (+) and negative (-) wires from DMX controller to the corresponding connection point on the AlphaPix RS485 plug.
    • The AlphaPix controller has each wire type marked on the controller itself
    • It is not normally necessary to connect the third wire labelled "ground" or "GND"
    • It is not normally necessary to use a terminator
    • DMX + wires to the Orange+White Wire (pin 1)
    • DMX - wires to the solid Orange Wire (pin 2)
    • All remaining wires are not connected
  • Configure E1.11 DMX controller to DMX start address 1 (advanced users may need to configure a different address). Typically this will involve setting a DIP switch, if so, see our DIP switch chart page.
  • On the AlphaPix controller, using the web interface, configure the DMX universe(s) for the selected RS485 output. Typically this universe number will be unique from any configured for the SPI outputs, if you are unsure, enter 99 for the universe.
  • Ensure that the "Enable" check box is selected for the given RS485 output
  • Configure your sequencing application to output data to the E1.31 universe (e.g. 99) and configure the DMX start address as "1". This will vary by sequencing application, if you are unsure, contact your sequencing application vendor.
  • Add additional channels or "controllers" as needed to cover all the DMX channels used on your controller (e.g. 3, 27, 30, etc).
  • Test
Setup process for Light-o-Rama RS485 Based controllers (CTB16, CMB24D, etc)
  • Hook a standard CAT5 cable up to the LOR controller's CAT5 jack
  • Cut the connector off the opposing end of the CAT5 cable to expose the 8 CAT5 cable wires
  • Strip off the plastic wire sheeth of the blue and blue/white wires
  • Connect the solid blue wire to the "DMX +" connection on the AlphaPix (see diagram below)
  • Connect the blue/white striped wire to the "DMX -" connection on the AlphaPix (see diagram below)
  • Set the DMX channel on your LOR controller as described in this LOR document (off-site link): http://www1.lightorama.com/Documents/DMX-DOC.pdf
Here is a video showing how to wire up an AlphaPix controller to a 30 channel DMX controller:

Here is a video showing how to wire up an AlphaPix controller to an EasyPix controller:

AlphaPix 16 RS485 Wiring Diagram (note that LOR (blue wires) or Standard ESTA E1.11 DMX (orange wires) can be placed on any of the three outputs):


AlphaPix 4 RS485 Wiring Diagram (blue wires are for connections to LOR controllers, to standard ESTA E1.11, use orange wires):


The following video details the process on the AlphaPix 16 controller when used with a standard E1.11 DMX controller interface:

The following video shows how to setup an AlphaPix 16 controller's RS485 interface for use with xLights:



Additional information:

For general RS485 interoperation, including with LOR, see this article

For RS485 wiring diagrams - see this article

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