Scene Setter 24 Troubleshooting

sapianMember

Hi All,
Newbie here. I'm lighting a theatrical performance in a rented space that has a Scene Setter 24. I'll admit right off I don't know this particular board and am now sitting down with the user guide. However it looks like we are dealing with something defective and I don't have time to waste on defective gear and am looking for guidance on common problems or places to look that might be causing our problems. Here goes-

When we bring up a group of faders fast suddenly a couple of them start to flash. If we bring them up slow things seem OK but after a few minuets some of the channels start to flash. I'm suspicious that there isn't enough power supplied, for even the house and booth lights dim when loading the light system. If you flash everything ON a safety relay in the sound amp clicks on and off. My suspicion is that power surging is causing funky signals to be sent to the dimmer packs and they go into flash or chase mode. The owner suspects faulty dimmer packs and has some on order. I'm worried it might be more systemic to the wiring or installation, I see some long extension cords on some of the ellipsoid lamps etc.. any ideas would be very welcome for I only have a limed number of hours to get in there to set lights.
Thanks,
Sapian

3/27/0811:19 PM

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lightechMember

It certainly sounds like the Lighting system (including the fixtures and front-of-house controller) and the Sound system are all on the same circuit. They really need to be separated.

I'm not a sound guy, but to me, if everything is on the same circuit, the amp's relay click might be from the drop in available power, rather than a surge of too much voltage. I'm not sure though. If power is surging into it because of the lights, then I think there is a more serious problem at hand.

Power issues will certainly wreak havoc on communications signals, especially in DMX systems.

I've been in situations where my controller and lights HAD to be on the same circuit, and if they all lamped up at one time, the controller would flicker off and then back on causing huge problems when trying to program.

I understand the time constraints on setting things up and making it all work, but I would take the time to investigate the power situation and figure out how many circuits you have and how everything is divided up (if at all). That way, you don't tear out dimmer packs, just to experience the same problem.

You can troubleshoot it a variety of other ways as well in addition to the power, such as trying a different lighting console (if you have access to one). The idea should be to find the most-likely/exact source before spending time and money on replacements.

Best of luck, and let us know what you find.

3/28/085:41 AM

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sapianMember

Thanks for the quick reply, I think your right on the amp and power drop. The owner has been slowly adding fixtures in the system and probably is taxing the power, although even with just a few on I get flashing, so that makes me think the same circuit power issues are causing some "dirty" DMX signals and triggering chase functions. The space is booked up so I only get a few time slots to get in there and see what I can do.
Thanks again!

3/28/0810:54 AM

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