DMX controllers freeze up when fog machines are "ready"

[crazybob]

I have my show wired and working fine. When I turn on the fog machines, the lights continue to work until the fog machine is fully heated and the "ready" light turns on. Then all the lights stop working and freeze. If I cut the power to the fog machines, they resume the show. It only happens when the Fog machines are "ready", not when they're heating up. I'm using a 4 channel DMX fog adapter hooked to non-DMX fog machines if that helps, but it has woked just fine in previous years.
Any ideas on how to fix this?

[DynamoBen]

Sounds likes a grounding problem. Lift (remove) the data common at the connector on the fog machine. DMX receiving devices don't typically have their common connected.

[crazybob]

Thanks for the reply-
Do you mean one of the DMX input pins, or one of the pins going from the DMX box to the fog machine?

Would I need to do it on both machines?

[crazybob]

I tried removing the common pin on the DMX cable coming out of the computer. It still had the same problem. I wish I could figure this out!

[Matt_Edwards]

I tried removing the common pin on the DMX cable coming out of the computer. It still had the same problem. I wish I could figure this out!

You would normally lift the receiving end, not the transmitting end. I think you were meant to lift the DMX Common / Gnd at the Fogger.
That said, I sounds like your 4ch DMX fog adaptor is pulling the DMX lines down.

Do you want to draw a quick connection diagram of how you are connecting the system?

When the system freezes, if Fogger is hte last item on the chain, pull the DMX out of the fogger. Does this fix the lights?

[crazybob]

I tried putting the fogger as the last item in the chain last night. It did resolve the problem if I unhooked the DMX from the fogger, so i'm sure it has something to do with the fog adapter. I'll work on a diagram to upload.

[crazybob]

I've attached a diagram of the system. Sorry for the lack of artistic skills!

[crazybob]

Ugh...

Got it figured out. I just needed to put dip switch #10 into the on position to receive the DMX signal. Man I feel stupid.

Thanks for all the help anyways...