JZenor Posted October 14, 2010 Posted October 14, 2010 I recently built 2 CTB16PC controllers and have been working on some kinda simple Halloween sequences to get some practice before Christmas. The controller I've been testing with I occasionally notice 1 or 2 channels randomly flashing - not full output, looks like 50% maybe or just really fast. I first noticed this while working on sequences - controller powered on and connected to PC but sequence stopped for editing. I was just testing the full 15 minute Halloween show and about halfway through almost half the channels started randomly flashing. Could barely tell the sequence was actually running. It did this for about 2 songs then stopped. Now it has run through the show 2 more times and no flashing problems since the first time. I didn't do anything it just stopped.Any suggestions what might be causing this or how to fix. Don't want that to happen in the front yard.I should mention some channels have a single jack o'lantern with 9W bulb but some of the channels have 60 or 100W floods. Doesn't seem to matter.Thanks!
Victory402 Posted October 14, 2010 Posted October 14, 2010 If it were a consistant flash I would say you may have accidentally put something into the sequence editor for that song, but since it's random I would look at things like you controllers. Last year I had a spider semi shorting out a triac causing the lights on that channel to flicker randomly. Look real close at the triacs. Also I would make sure all your 110v wiring is up to snuff. If the problem has stopped, leave it alone, cause "if it ain't broken, don't fix it"
LightORamaDan Posted October 14, 2010 Posted October 14, 2010 Please try resetting the controller. How you reset depends on the controller.If the controller has Unit ID switches on it:Power off, Set the Unit ID switches to "00"Power on for 1-2 seconds (until you see the LED blink fast)Power off, Set the Unit ID back to the original valueIf the controller does not have Unit ID switches then:Power off, Remove the jumper from the 2nd row of the 18 pin headerPower on for 1-2 seconds (until you see the LED blink fast)Power off, Replace the jumper on the SECOND ROWDan
Victory402 Posted October 14, 2010 Posted October 14, 2010 Or you could try resetting the controller...lol, thanks Dan
JZenor Posted October 14, 2010 Author Posted October 14, 2010 It comes and goes. the random flashes went away for a while then returned (different point in the show) then stopped again. I have reset the controller a couple of times but the random flashes have always eventually come back.Even after the show ended (via the scheduler) a couple channels continued flashing randomly for 15-20 minutes.I have not swapped to the other controller yet so I will have to give that a try.Any other suggestions are welcomed.
Randy Posted October 14, 2010 Posted October 14, 2010 Last year we had a power outage one night after the show was off (the controllers were all still powered on).The next night I noticed some random lighting on one of the controllers. Very strange. I decided to reload the firmware and that fixed the problem.It might be worth a try for you...Randy
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