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RED V-Raptor / Milo - Universal Sync Box Failure and Misconnection Risk

Summary

A Milo/V-Raptor setup showed a green sync light on the Universal Sync Box but no sync pulse reaching Flair. The final diagnosis was Universal Sync Box failure, with two possible causes: an internal ribbon/connector fault, or damage caused by routing sync through the Trigger Box while its camera emulator was enabled.

Symptoms

  • Universal Sync Box green LED shows incoming sync.
  • Camera run/stop still works.
  • Flair test window does not see sync pulse.
  • No sync reaches RT14/Cinebot/Milo path.
  • Issue persists after camera-side settings appear correct.

WhatsApp Excerpts

Timestamp User Evidence
2026-03-27 02:43 Jeremy Andrews Milo had no sync pulse from RED V-Raptor; tried Universal Sync Box through roll-axis D-type; box showed power and green sync light.
2026-03-27 02:57 Timothy Smith Described expected wiring chain: V-Raptor R/S and sync cables to Universal Sync Box, through roll slip-ring D-type camera accessories port, Milo umbilical to camera accessories port, trigger box ribbon cable to RT14; suggested spare ribbon cable.
2026-03-27 04:28 Arturo Asked whether RED sync cable to Universal Sync Box was used.
2026-03-27 07:17 Jeremy Andrews Confirmed Universal Sync Box failure; multiple issues.
2026-03-27 07:22 Jeremy Andrews Cam accessories cable had been plugged into the lower trigger-box plug rather than sync socket on ribbon cable, likely blowing the sync box.
2026-03-27 07:30 Jeremy Andrews Listed two causes: internal ribbon disconnect, or sync through trigger box while sync emulator is on blowing the Universal Sync Box.

Community Solutions

[CONFIRMED] Swap In A Known-Good Universal Sync Box

If green sync LED is present but no output reaches Flair, test with a spare Universal Sync Box. In the reported case, the box itself was faulty.

Confidence: 0.9

[LIKELY] Inspect Internal Ribbon / Connector Path

An internal ribbon disconnect or connector-pin issue can allow the box to show input activity while failing to pass sync onward.

Confidence: 0.74

[DANGEROUS] Do Not Route Sync Through Trigger Box With Camera Emulator Enabled

If a system routes camera sync to RT14, connecting sync through the Trigger Box while the trigger-box camera emulator is on may put additional voltage on the circuit and damage the Universal Sync Box.

Confidence: 0.86

No image/video attachment in the final diagnosis, but discussion references Milo cabling and Universal Sync Box routing.

Official Documentation References

Additional Community Notes

[FORUM — talk.mrmoco.com] DIY cable wiring for RED V-Raptor / Komodo EXT port — bypasses expander modules.

If the standard sync cable or expander blade is unavailable, the RED V-Raptor and Komodo can be connected using a RED EXT-to-Flying-Lead cable (RED part: 9-pin EXT to Flying Lead). Solder two BNC male connectors onto the flying leads as follows: GND wire → sleeve/outer ring of both BNCs; GPI wire → Trigger BNC; GPO wire → Sync BNC. Mate to the Epic/Phantom MRMC Sync Cable.

@runimation's cleaner variant: solder the three relevant flying leads from the RED EXT cable directly onto a LEMO FGG.0B connector — this plugs into the 4-pin Lemo port on the universal sync box and provides both trigger and sync in a single cable with no breakout box or expander blade required. Set V-Raptor to "Pulsed" trigger mode for correct cut-on-slate and cut-at-move-end behaviour.

Colour code reference (from jmahood, 2022-09-06): see the RED V-Raptor EXT wiring diagram (posted by jmahood on the forum). Tim HC confirmed: GND to outer sleeve on both BNCs, GPI to trigger BNC, GPO to sync BNC.

"Just solder 3 connectors of a flying lead RED Ext cable to a LEMO FGG.0B plug and you get trigger and sync without a breakout box." — @runimation, confirmed by Tim HC

Source: RED V Raptor/Komodo Sync (2022–2023, Tim HC + runimation + jmahood)