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    TM Rambo
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Unison button station diagnostic

I've got a Unison ER with a CME prcessor system here at Symphony Hall in Phoenix.  At random times it's switching to a different preset from our performance look.  It always goes to the same preset (a tour look with a time out macro).  I've verified in light manager that the macro for the performance look does not have any timers on it, and it also does stop all the other macros that might be running. (We use macros with delay times to automatically turn off lights for cleaning crews and tour groups). 

 

We have experienced some dirty power coming into the building in the last couple of weeks.  I'm wondering if these power fluctuations could have damaged either the processor or one of the button stations. 

 

The diagnostic interface on the unison processor isn't that helpful, it's just showing me that the stations are connected. 

 

How can I get more information out of the system to diagnose the problem? 

 

Is it possible (for me) to reload the firmware on the processor?

 

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  • Hey Todd,

    It sounds like this preset is being intermittently triggered by something. There are a couple of options for this - the most obvious immediate one I can think of is a station somewhere on the bus that is (due to either an electrical or mechanical fault) triggering the preset.

     To diagnose this, what I would do if you are able is disconnect the stations from the CME processor. The stations are connected via a plug in header marked 'ULP' inside the ER4 cabinet, so I would set up the system how you want, then disconnect that, and see if the problem recurs.

    If it doesn't, you likely have a station triggering the preset. Check the faceplates on your stations - sometimes if they are mis-positioned a slight bump can cause them to activate a button. If not that, try disconnecting stations which have buttons on them for this preset one at a time to narrow it down, and look at having the station sent to ETC for repair and test.

     Of course, there are other possible causes, but that seems likeliest to me.

     Hope that helps,

    Tom

    P.S You can reload firmware on the processor, but this sounds much more likely a hardware failure to me. Similarly, as all the stations/control in Unison is on the other side of the low voltage power supply, effects due to power fluctuation are unlikely.

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  • Hey Todd,

    It sounds like this preset is being intermittently triggered by something. There are a couple of options for this - the most obvious immediate one I can think of is a station somewhere on the bus that is (due to either an electrical or mechanical fault) triggering the preset.

     To diagnose this, what I would do if you are able is disconnect the stations from the CME processor. The stations are connected via a plug in header marked 'ULP' inside the ER4 cabinet, so I would set up the system how you want, then disconnect that, and see if the problem recurs.

    If it doesn't, you likely have a station triggering the preset. Check the faceplates on your stations - sometimes if they are mis-positioned a slight bump can cause them to activate a button. If not that, try disconnecting stations which have buttons on them for this preset one at a time to narrow it down, and look at having the station sent to ETC for repair and test.

     Of course, there are other possible causes, but that seems likeliest to me.

     Hope that helps,

    Tom

    P.S You can reload firmware on the processor, but this sounds much more likely a hardware failure to me. Similarly, as all the stations/control in Unison is on the other side of the low voltage power supply, effects due to power fluctuation are unlikely.

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