kopykat Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 HiI am trying to use a dimmer channel on a STRAND LD90 Dimmer Pack to turn on / off a 10m LED strip, 1st attemt melted the power pack (240v in 12v out) as DMX channel turned off, but left a residual 164volts going through the channel wich confused the power pack as the strip was pulsing on/off. To get it to 0volts we had to put a load on ie Par 64 floorcan or even a desk lamp did the trick, there is no pre-heat turnd on for the channels, is there a way aound this anomaly as the danger is that the extra item could get unplugged by mistake, and becomes a safety issue. We are only using the channel as a switch not as an effects controller, as the LED Strip in in the middle of the stage. ThanksMike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themadhippy Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 is there a way aound this anomaly as the danger is that the extra item could get unplugged by mistake, and becomes a safety issue.yep,dont use a dimmer pack ,use a proper switch pack instead.And it isn't an anomaly its the way semiconductors work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LampTramp Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 +1 for hard power!! Use the DMX to turn the thing on and off!! :wacko: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazeja Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Had a similar problem and for a one off, used one of the analogue outputs on the LD90 Processor configured as a non dim to drive a relay that switched the mains. K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kopykat Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 Many thanks for your illuminating replys, will work around them. Mike Thanks KIt is configured as non dim channel, we thought that would be the answer too Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathanhill Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Many thanks for your illuminating replys, will work around them. Mike Thanks KIt is configured as non dim channel, we thought that would be the answer too MikeJust because a dimmer channel has been set to non-dim does not change the fact that power is supplied via the dimmer and more importantly via the triac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazeja Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 Many thanks for your illuminating replys, will work around them. Mike Thanks KIt is configured as non dim channel, we thought that would be the answer too MikeJust because a dimmer channel has been set to non-dim does not change the fact that power is supplied via the dimmer and more importantly via the triac. Sorry, I should have clarified. I'm talking about the 2 analogue 0-10v outputs from the processor card, not analogue load (mains) terminations. On a typical 24x2k5 rack these would be channels 25 and 26. K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigclive Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Dimmers have snubber networks across them that pass a low current that can cause issues with switchmode supplies where the current charges up the supplies internal capacitor until the circuitry kicks in and discharges the cap again. This repeats causing the flickering. With a traditional core and coil transformer the dimmers sometimes fail to operate full wave due to differing polarity latch currents and can smoke the transformers. A packer load is the only option unless you use a relay switching pack or just use a single channel of a DMX controlled LED driver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slipstream Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 Old school wirewound power supplies(the heavy type) are more tolerant to dimmers and with a ballast load should survive, but no promises. Switchmode as you found well . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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