RC4 Wireless Issues

I have just added an RC4 wireless dim2 system to our peripherals package and am using it in our current show to only limited success.

The (2) wireless units are installed on a 20' turntable and are controlled from an rf transmitter in the booth at approximately 120' separation (well within the acceptable range).

One unit is controlling a 50w 12v lamp and is powered with a marine battery. This circuit is used fairly heavily in the second act, but a stress test on the battery proves that it is more than sufficient for the job. The dimmer is hidden under a twin bed

The other unit has both circuits in use. One powers a 6w 12v lamp. The other circuit powers (2) 50w 12v lamps and (10) 6w 12v lamps. This dimmer is powered by an even more powerful marine battery, and is placed behind a wooden box.

I seem to have a problem with losing data into the rf transmitter intermittently during the show which doesn't seem to correspond to anything predictable. After power-cycling the transmitter (un-plugging / re-plugging) the system will reboot and right itself almost immediately. I have moved the transmitter to a number of locations in the building including directly to the side of the stage, with no marked improvement. The reason that it's  in the booth now is so the board-op can power-cycle as needed.

Is there anything in the transmission of data from the eos that might confuse a simple dmx device?

I am coming directly out of the back of the console (ethernet) into a net 3 node and dmx into the transmitter.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with rc4 systems and could give any advice.

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  • Do you have any 802.11 networking equipment in the room?  Maybe an RFR?  I have some of the RC4 units (but I've never experienced your problem) and I believe they are also on the cursed 2.4Ghz band.  Try changing the channels of your other gear and see if it helps your connection troubles.  I did have trouble where the RC4 stomped on the RFR channels, forcing me to change the RFR settings.

  • Well,

    I've spoken to Jim at RC4 again, and he's discovered a problem while compiling a new version of the transmitter software. Apparently the issue arose the first time with my unit. Problem solving without precedent can be a bit tricky. Jim is sending me an older, known-to-work unit.

    Tim, you were correct about how helpful Jim is. After I reported the problem he was able to replicate it and fix it in a relatively short amount of time.

    Thanks all for your advice

    -T

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  • Well,

    I've spoken to Jim at RC4 again, and he's discovered a problem while compiling a new version of the transmitter software. Apparently the issue arose the first time with my unit. Problem solving without precedent can be a bit tricky. Jim is sending me an older, known-to-work unit.

    Tim, you were correct about how helpful Jim is. After I reported the problem he was able to replicate it and fix it in a relatively short amount of time.

    Thanks all for your advice

    -T

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