Really wierd problem

[Partyman]

Let me give a little info first.

I have been running Freestyler in this club for 3 years successfully with NO problems! We had an electrical surge that fried both computers. I rebuilt the two computers, installed Vista Ultimate and Freestyler 3.01, rebuilt all shows and seens. At this point all seems to work fine. I then notice that about every 5 minutes Freestyler loses sync with the lights (all lights go crazy) for about 5 seconds then goes back to whatever scene that was running. I backed up my Freestyler file and installed it on the second computer. The EXACT same problem started happening on that computer. I thought to myself "screw vista"! I reformatted the machines with XP sp3 and reinstalled Freestyler with my backupfile. The EXACT same problem again! Now I am baffled and think it must be something to do with the dongle (Enttec Open DMX) so I switch to another dongle (Velleman) and have the EXACT same problem.

I am at a complete loss as to what could be causing this and it is driving me crazy. I am running about 30 fixtures and yes they are terminated. Does anyone have any insight as to what could be causing this?

Rusty

[remco_k]

I am at a complete loss as to what could be causing this and it is driving me crazy. I am running about 30 fixtures and yes they are terminated. Does anyone have any insight as to what could be causing this?

The first thing I would normally ask is "Is the DMX universe terminated". But it is.
Now the second question: Maybe you should check if the terminator still works as a terminator. Get it out and check it with an ohm meter, pins 2 and 3 should be around 120 Ohm. If not, then its dead. In fact, you could leave it in and measure at the start of your DMX line. (Only if there are no DMX splitters in the universe).

Second, maybe you have a ground loop problem between your computers ground and the ground of your fixtures. For trying you should try to connect your computer (and ALL connected equipment, like the monitor) without ground. Then try if your problem persists.
If the problem has been gone, then you have a ground loop causing the fixtures to go crazy at random times. Install an optical seperated DMX splitter for solving that.

[Partyman]

I can gaurantee that none of the lights are plugged into the same circuit as the computers but I will try and lift the ground on the computer and see if that makes a difference. Halfway down the line I have Chauvet wireless DMX to take it to a different zone I then have it terminated at the end. I have not had ANY problems with the wireless DMX.

Rusty

[remco_k]

I can gaurantee that none of the lights are plugged into the same circuit as the computers

In fact that is also a good source for a ground loop.

Halfway down the line I have Chauvet wireless DMX to take it to a different zone I then have it terminated at the end. I have not had ANY problems with the wireless DMX.

Well, the wireless part is ground loop free to your computer I guess.
Still I think you should not be thinking that you never had any problems with that wireless DMX. You should try out if it has anything to do with your current problems.
Where did you terminate it? You will need to terminate it twice then. One terminator at the end of the wireless zone, and one terminator at the end of the wired zone. Wich could be the wireless transmitter or the last fixture in row.

On the other hand; we are looking around in the hardware zone now, but maybe its a FreeStyler problem. Maybe you can pull out 1 light and connect it with a short DMX cable as only fixture and run the same program. If the same problem occurs, then its most probably not the DMX universe itself but a software issue. Or an issue with the DMX interface.

[dmxlighting]

Its possible that one or more of your effects has a problem with the dmx board. I have seen this before. could be fine one minute and screwed the next.
Try linking out each unit one by one and see if you can isolate the problem.
Also i would not recommend running 30 units on one single dmx chain. I would always use a dmx splitter at 16 units. Otherwise you can get some similar problems to those you have.
The only other cause would be that some of your signal cables are damaged or intermitant open curcuit. Also dont dismiss that that wireless dmx unit could be faulty. They are unreliable unless you are paying a grand or more. Zero 88 make a really good one for that kinda money.

Good luck

[Partyman]

Well, the problem has temporarily solved itself. I did not change anything but have not seen the problem in over a week now (fingers crossed). I appreciate all off the suggestions
Rusty