Stages Electrics
Member
Hi everyone,
We are using some LTech DMX512 24 Channel decoders (http://www.ltechonline.com/html/en/LED-Controller/DMX-RDM-Controller/DMX-PWM-CV-type/LT-880.html) in one of our shows and we're having a strange problem with them. Every so often (but way too often) we need to turn them off and on again. We've had this issue when they turn on for the first time in a show and halfway through the show and we can't figure out what is going on with them. Our lightboxes are made up of SMD5050 LED modules, each channel using fewer watts than the output of the decoder.
We've narrowed it down to the decoders and specifically a power issue on the decoders.
Things we've found interesting but still puzzling
Issues we've eliminated
If anyone has any idea what is going wrong, need more information, have questions or possible fixes I'd love to hear them. Thank you!
We are using some LTech DMX512 24 Channel decoders (http://www.ltechonline.com/html/en/LED-Controller/DMX-RDM-Controller/DMX-PWM-CV-type/LT-880.html) in one of our shows and we're having a strange problem with them. Every so often (but way too often) we need to turn them off and on again. We've had this issue when they turn on for the first time in a show and halfway through the show and we can't figure out what is going on with them. Our lightboxes are made up of SMD5050 LED modules, each channel using fewer watts than the output of the decoder.
We've narrowed it down to the decoders and specifically a power issue on the decoders.
- When put on 'fun mode' aka non DMX controlled mode they don't turn the LEDs on until power is cycled.
- They are receiving power through recommended power supplies (MeanWell 1000W power supplies https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...-100-1000w-enclosed-power-supply-24v-dc/2252/) with extra watts left over from the decoder's power needs.
- Decoders' power supplies are run through CD80 parked on dimmers and then through a line conditioner (https://tripplite.com/2400w-120v-po...tion-avr-ac-surge-protection-6-outlets~LC2400) except for two decoders that are going from a constant power distro box. We've had issues with decoders receiving power from both systems.
- We've metered the input connections on the decoders and they are receiving proper voltage even though the decoder isn't working.
Things we've found interesting but still puzzling
- DMX is still going from decoder to decoder.
- We've swapped decoders out for brand new decoders of the same type and experienced the same issues.
- These decoders have been used in previous shows in a similar application and have never had this issue before. Plenty of other issues, but never THIS issue.
- Each decoder is only running 12 of the possible 24 channels except for one. Problems persist with both.
- We had no issues like this until we experienced a brownout in one leg before everything was connected to line conditioners. We changed bad decoders and bad power supplies out. Since then we've continued to change out decoders before we realized that they needed to cycle power.
- This show is kind of hard on them. They turn on and off, change color rapidly, and cycle through rainbow colors.
Issues we've eliminated
If anyone has any idea what is going wrong, need more information, have questions or possible fixes I'd love to hear them. Thank you!