lucmeister Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Hi there, Just wondering if anyone has had the same problem as this and have any fixes? We have 48 ways of portable betapack 2 in 2 flightcases, fed from a seperate distro unit. The DMX is run through a splitter/buffer to the first rack and then daisy chained through. We find that the first way of each rack has an intermittent flicker. It just loses intensity for a split second but long enough to be REALLY obvious. We have tried running in another DMX run dedicated for it, terminating the last rack, re addressing each rack with a gap inbetween each, by passing the buffer altogether, all to no avail. We have been told that this is a known fault when controlling Beta 2's from a Strand 520, and that it is something to do with the grounding of some of the PCB in the rack however The Service Co at Whitelight have not been able to rectify it. We have shows in for the next 2 weeks and having removed our Arri reflexions backup (which we sold) the flicker has become very frequent. Its all a bit disastrous! Does anyone know of this fault and a fix for it. That is other than shoving them down a flight of stairs, which seems a shame as they are not very old! Thanks Ps we have also run a DMX scope in line and slowed down the DMX speed but this just reduced the frequency of the flicker! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody74 Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 We have been told that this is a known fault What did Zero 88 have to say about this? You did contact the manufacturer, correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ed_ Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Hi, If you are certain that the issue is due in some way to the DMX signal, then talking to Zero88 is definitely the way forward. Have you reproduced the problem with a different desk? I have had intermittent flicker issues with Betapack 2s due to the trim pots on the front panel for preheat etc. (behind the metal anti-tamper plate) being set near limit and 'jumping' to the other end of the scale... Make sure these are all set at some sensible intermediate position. I'd very much doubt that Strand desks are putting out non-standard DMX, so try Zero88 first. There is a known issue with Z88 Frogs and some dimmers, notably older Anytronics racks - though now that I think of it I've used a 520 with Betapack 2s without any hassle. Good luck... I'd be interested to hear how you get on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Send a PM to Peter the admin - he is rather exp with Z88....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregB Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 If it is a DMX issue you might find the flash happens at 'a' fader level on your desk. This level will prob. be very similar to all your 1st channels per rack. Other then checking all the usual DMX cable and termination you could try changing the DMX speed on your 520. I've cleared a prob like this when using a ETC Express with Z88 Betapacks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkyweb Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 We have seen this before. If you pm me or mail me from here I will check tomorrow with our service manager. I have vague recollections of the Zero88 receiving DMX faster than Strand sent it. I know for sure that the GSX and Betapack2 came up with this flicker. This was a long time ago and I believe it can be easily rectified with a new IC. (BTW I have not seen this for a long time, so believe that it was all sorted in later racks/ desks) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robloxley Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 AFAIR you can't change the DMX speed from a 520, but AFAIR DMX2 runs slower than DMX1 - I spent a few irritating weeks trying to solve possibly similar flickering issues with CCT Freedom dimmers on a 520. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcT Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 I have vague recollections of the Zero88 receiving DMX faster than Strand sent it. I know for sure that the GSX and Betapack2 came up with this flicker. This was a long time ago and I believe it can be easily rectified with a new IC. (BTW I have not seen this for a long time, so believe that it was all sorted in later racks/ desks) Sort of - see this post I ran into this at an Edinburgh fringe festival venue. Not the best time to find out your desk won't talk to the dimmers...! Regards,Marc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucmeister Posted February 20, 2007 Author Share Posted February 20, 2007 Thanks every one for the posts, I am struck down by fit up fever and cant get to the dimmers at the moment as a result! I will investigate the trim pots, I guess this is possible although I am suprised Whitelight didnt come up with this in their annual service. I havent contacted Zero 88 direct as Whitelight were handling their service but I have grown a little exasperated that this still isnt rectified so I am taking up the mantle. I am trying to contact Zero 88's help forum but cant get logged in so will call them direct.I read with interest the firmware issues with earlier GSX desks. Its entirely possible the betapacks are using older firmware I guess, who knows when they were manufactured. Whitelights investigations did mention DMX speed issues and compatibility with strand desks so I will have a look at the serial numbers.Sparkyweb, when I have some more info on the dimmers then I will send you a mail if thats ok, thanks for the offer of help to you and all! S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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