Has Anybody Else Used the Behringer LD6230 for Lighting?

[Paulb1310]

This is my very first post here....

Has anybody else used the Behringer LD6230 for their lighting (and ceiling fan) control?

So, what is the LD6230? It is a DMX 3U hardwired rack mount lighting control. It is capable of controlling 1200 watts for EACH of its six legs. Each leg has an individual circuit breaker. I use the Enttec USB Pro ($160) as an interface between the computer and the lighting modules. Cost of the LD6230 in quantity is less than $200 shipped (which is about $33 per leg.)

DMX is a concert lighting standard that has been around for 20-30 years. Each USB Pro will control 512 outputs.

I currently have 60 hardwired outputs. However, we are planning on building a house and I have written my software for up to 240 outputs.

Of course, this is a solution for BUILDING only. Retrofit would be close to an impossibility.

Paul.

 

[FaderJockey]

Coming from a 20 year background in theater and concerts, I always thought that that would be the route I'd go if I was building.

I'd set up a rack of dimmers and just run the house off of DMX. Simple, straightforward and highly reliable.

That being said..

I, personally, would avoid anything made by Behringer like the plague. Especially any device of theirs designed to handle high current.
My experience with their products is that they are usually reverse-engineered knockoffs built on the cheap, hence the attractive price.

Will the unit work great for your application? Probably.

Will the unit fail, start a fire and burn down your house? Possibly.

Your mileage may vary, but know that in the world of professional audio many technical riders usually include a specific clause that states something to the effect of "Behringer Not Acceptable".

ETC, Leprechaun and NSI are other options you might want to look in to.

(Interestingly, it appears NSI was bought by Leviton, though the gear still looks the same as I remember it)

 

[Paulb1310]

Yes, I DO realize the pitfalls of using Behringer. I did a lot of research before I went full in. I tested a unit for two years before I bought more. I am currently running 11 units and they have all worked like a champ for the last four years.

On the topic of high current loads: Currently my heaviest loading is 200 watts on a leg with the typical being a max of 100 watts. I would imagine in a theatrical environment that the box would struggle switching its full 7200 watt load (and hence that increasing possibility of fire you mentioned). But since I'm running it at less than 10% power capacity, there is almost NO heat generated inside. As a matter-of-fact, I put a mechanical thermostat in line with the chassis fan and set it for 100 degrees in the event it gets warm. None of the fans ever come on. I didn't want the energy usage of the fan (about 5 watts) to be a constant 24/7 power drain when there was little use for it.