I have 16 single channel dimmers patched in to run 4 - 4 channel dimmers packs. These are powering 16 575 pars. WHen Emulation is sending DMX values from around 78 to 90 the lamps flicker like crazy. What gives?

I'm trying to run this on a mac.

This happens whether I'm using OSX or Windows.

The issue is not with the dimmers. When I plug a simple board in the dimmers work just fine.

Joel

I'm not am Emulation user(so, someone needs to stop calling me about it), but I use MyDMX, so I'm wondering if there are similar issues as far as signal strength output on the Emulation hardware.

Q1: How long is your cable run? Total length, and then lenth to those dimmers.

Q2: Are you using DMX cabling and a DMX terminator?

Q3: Although I feel you've answered this, are you running the same values through the consle as well? What about if you go to values around 200 or so from Emulation, what results do you get? As I am being nosy, what is your simple board that you use for this test?

Q4: Are you using anything like an OptiBranch/4 or an MultiBranch/4 unit(both are Elation products)? They may address this issue by boosting your signal as well as providing other features you would be able to take advantage of.

It doens't sound like a power issue, but there are still questions to be asked. I'm just right now assuming power isnt the issue to look at right now.

I will thank you for the inforation you've already shared. It saves a lot of time.

Someone with more Emulation knowledge will be along shortly with perhaps more questions, or perhaps even better, some answers to your issues.

Joel what brand are the dimmer packs? I did speak with my developer about this and he has no idea why this is occurring.
Sincerely,

Im having the same problem. I just posted a discussion on General. But I see im not the only one. Im running my LEDs in my church. I am running 1-100ft cable from Emulation computer to lights on truss on ceiling and 50ft fron truss to stage, then the rest are 25ft. Is there anyway to boost the signal if that is the problem? Or is this a problem still being worked on. Everytime I shut down I get two or more lights flickering. I hate having to unplug the light all the time this happens.

Hey Harvest. Yes you seems to need one of these OPTO BRANCH 4.
The reason this happens is after a certain length (usually around 75-100+ feet) of DMX cable the DMX signal will decrease in strength because the dmx is powered by USB which will not be the same as if it was coming from a console plugged directly into a wall outlet of 110-120 volts. This will be even worse if your not using actual DMX cable like mic cable which is not rated for data transmission at all.
Hope this helps. Any more questions let me know.
Sincerely,

Well, I don't run Emulation, I run MyDMX.

I suggest the following:

Opto-Branch 4(I tell everyone to get one)
DMX cabling(I tell everyone this too)
DMX terminator(I tell everone this too!)

Also, I hit a blackout scene before I quit the lighitng appliation and power down. Do you do this?

You're not using dimmers with the LED's, are you? I'm guessing no.

Thanks for your help. I am blacking out before powering down and the opto- branch is what i need to get. Im pass the 100 ft mark.

Thanks again, if i have anymore issues, I do know to come here.