Simple DMX Terminator / Tester Info..

[dsli_jon]

Hey Kats -

Someone asked me earlier about a DMX-terminator, and I just figured I'd share my reply, for those that might ever need the info - why spend $8.99 for a terminator at a retail music-store, etc, when you can DIY for less than $3. with an XLR Male connector and the resistor...



..also, the little simple 'tester' is nice, as-well...

FWIW...
j

[lasersmith23]

Hey Jon... I built a couple tester / terminators using the exact same schematic and they work GREAT! A couple of times I had bad cables while daisy-chaining a bunch of DMX stuff and the led indicator was a real help. Having just a terminator during show troubleshooting is kind of a bad idea, eh?

[Shawnb]

ive made the testers simply aoldering a led no resistor across pin 3 and 3 works just fine

[dsli_jon]

Hey Sir T -

Yep... been a boon to us, at times, as-well...

@ Shawn - interesting... I know you meant pin 2-3.. but, I can see the LED being ok, if it's rated for the V, but interesting that the DMX does not get squirrelly w/o the resistors, in-place...I can see how it would be fine for just testing XLR-cables, just surprized it doesn't wierd-out the DMX..

njoy, Gents...
j

[Shawnb]

oops yah pin 2 and 3 and yah it works as a tester to see if you are getting DMX having the resistor works better but when in a pinch it works

[dsli_jon]

..but when in a pinch it works

..Heh, and isn't that 90% of what 'making it' in this krazy-biz is all about, anyway.. lol...

cheers...
j