Non-DMX Red Head Lights and DMX control. Is it possible?

[Christopher Lowden]

Hello
I am looking for a solution to remotely control 4 800w red lights via a DMX control. I can't seem to find any kind of 'box' that will allow this. Anybody got an idea?

 

[Nick Gardner]

I think you are looking for a DMX dimmer? some thing like this

http://www.beachaudio.com/Eliminato..._medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ed15&utm_content=atr

 

[Cail Young]

Except that thing will explode if you try to run all 4 lamps from it.

Four single channel dimmers should do the trick.

http://www.lightingelstore.com/servlet/the-414/TECHNI-dsh-LUX-DX1-SINGLE-CHANNEL/Detail

Like that.

 

[Jarred Land]

that last link to BHphoto wont be able to carry the load of the 800w lights. Cail is right.. but if you dont want 4 separate boxes the same company makes a suitable 4 channel dimmer that can handle that load.

http://www.techni-lux.com/default.aspx?tabid=13&id=3100

 

[ericyoung]

that last link to BHphoto wont be able to carry the load of the 800w lights...

Oops. Sorry Christopher - forgot it was 120V rather than 240V in the US! :emote_whack:

Post with link deleted!

 

[Nick Gardner]

yeah, I wasn't suggesting that exact model, just the concept ;-)

 

[Ben Coleman]

There are many options out there.
This one is a new dimmer from ETC, the standard in theatrical dimming:
http://www.etcconnect.com/product.overview.aspx?ID=22027
They have a few different models depending on the load.

There is also Lex Products with their new Slim Dimmer Pro:
http://www.lexproducts.com/cs/entertainment_product?id=3604&market=Entertainment&productLineId=10
This is a single channel dimmer with DMX. They use to have 4 and 6 channel dimmers similar to the ETC ones but they seem to be discontinued.

These are also nice little single dimmers:
http://www.etdimming.com/index.php?...ts&srctype=detail&id=22&category=IGBT_Dimming
Not as easy to control if there is no DMX.

There are also a ton of different rack mount dimmers from many different manufactures including Lex and ETC. Are you looking to rent or buy? Any good lighting rental house would have something. Just like good glass, good dimmers can last a long time when taken care of. Cheap dimmers tend to have more issues and cause more problems in the long run.

The real standard for DMX is 5 pin XLR as well. The whole 3 pin stuff makes me cringe. I'm a LD and programmer by day, we often have to fight with people that think the proper way of running DMX is with mic cable.