Gateway 4 giving poor quality DMX

[Desgeorge]

This is an ongoing problem dicussed previously with Edward has anyone else encountered this?

Using our new Gateway 4 with 2 universes With about 25 fixtures on universe 1 the DMX seems to become unstable lights flash on and off or don't detect a signal. With only 10 in the chain they are fine.

 

We have updated to software update 7.14. 1  it removed several curious problems

 

 What we have done 

• Installed new BT line so the data use is limited & all on cat6 cable
• Taken 4 Zero 88 dimmer racks out of the chain and put them on universe 2
• Tidied up all the DMX cables above the stage to minimise distance
• We have two Chauvet Ovation F-55FC when in the chain they do not recognise a DMX signal the selecon PLI's either side do. When at the end of a short chain they do pick up a signal and work correctly
• We have tried different network cables connecting the Gateway directly into the switch.
• The remote apps work perfectly indicating the network is fine

 

However the system works perfectly with copper wire universe 1 and 2 from FLX and Solution desks so it does not indicate a DMX cable problem

Our conclusion is that as the system works perfectly with copper wires  the DMX signal provided by the Gateway is of low strength. 

 

• Is this likely ?
•  Have you encountered this before?
• Is there anyway we can test the unit or should we send it backZero88 ?

Has anyone else encountered this problem?

 

Des George Neuadd Dyfi Aberdyfi

[Edward Z88]

Hi Des,

Hope you’re well. 

I’ll take a proper look at this when I’m back in the New Year. As mentioned, this is not something we have seen before.

I can’t remember what he had previously discussed regarding powering the unit - it might be worth attempting to use an external PSU rather than PoE, to see if you achieve better results. 

Edward

[Techie_v2]

Just thinking out the box as I don't really know about signal strengths but....

Have you used a terminator on the last fixture in the chain?

Perhaps the strength coming out of the desk is not strong enough and you don't need one but the strength coming out of the gateway 8 is strong and is causing some bounce back/reflection?

[Desgeorge]

On 12/23/2023 at 1:33 PM, Edward Z88 said:

Hi Des,

Hope you’re well. 

I’ll take a proper look at this when I’m back in the New Year. As mentioned, this is not something we have seen before.

I can’t remember what he had previously discussed regarding powering the unit - it might be worth attempting to use an external PSU rather than PoE, to see if you achieve better results. 

Edward

Thanks Edward. Look forward to sorting this in the New Year The unit doesn't come with a PSU and I cannot find the appropriate one on the varilite websie. I don't think a solution desk PSU will work Des

[Desgeorge]

On 12/26/2023 at 7:55 AM, Techie_v2 said:

Just thinking out the box as I don't really know about signal strengths but....

Have you used a terminator on the last fixture in the chain?

Perhaps the strength coming out of the desk is not strong enough and you don't need one but the strength coming out of the gateway 8 is strong and is causing some bounce back/reflection?

Techie We do use a terminator the problem occurs when there is a long chain of fixtures . No problem with a small number of fixtures when I would assume the signal was stronger Des

[Edward Z88]

On 12/28/2023 at 11:17 AM, Desgeorge said:

The unit doesn't come with a PSU and I cannot find the appropriate one on the varilite websie. I don't think a solution desk PSU will work

That is correct. You would need to source a suitable PSU from a third party should you wish to troubleshoot this. Although a Solution PSU also uses a 4-pin XLR, it is NOT compatible with Gateway 4. More information here…

https://www.zero88.com/manuals/gateway4/power-3

[iank99]

8 hours ago, Edward Z88 said:

That is correct. You would need to source a suitable PSU from a third party should you wish to troubleshoot this. Although a Solution PSU also uses a 4-pin XLR, it is NOT compatible with Gateway 4. More information here…

https://www.zero88.com/manuals/gateway4/power-3

Edward - what's the minimum current rating for the Gateway 4? There's plenty of 12v or 20v compatible supplies available but they vary in the current they can sink - it would be helpful to know what the unit is likely to draw so the correct unit is sourced. For example - if the Gateway draws 2 amps the supply will need to be able to sink that (or possibly use a higher rated unit).  

There is a degree of self interest here too - if i know the ratings then I can add a compatible supply to my range of FLX S & Solution/Leapfrog compatible supplies.

[Edward Z88]

2 hours ago, iank99 said:

Edward - what's the minimum current rating for the Gateway 4? There's plenty of 12v or 20v compatible supplies available but they vary in the current they can sink - it would be helpful to know what the unit is likely to draw so the correct unit is sourced. For example - if the Gateway draws 2 amps the supply will need to be able to sink that (or possibly use a higher rated unit).

Gateway 4 will only consume 2W. So roughly 222mA @ 9v, 42mA @ 48v. 

[iank99]

8 hours ago, Edward Z88 said:

Gateway 4 will only consume 2W. So roughly 222mA @ 9v, 42mA @ 48v. 

Brilliant! Thank you

[SimonH]

What addresses are you using? Are you using RDM?

I've had issues with non RDM fixtures flashing even if the console has RDM disabled as I think (Edward correct me if I'm Wrong) the Gateway 4 still transmits the RDM signal unless disabled in it's own config.

[Edward Z88]

1 hour ago, SimonH said:

the Gateway 4 still transmits the RDM signal unless disabled in it's own config.

Yep - exactly right. RDM can be enabled/disabled on the Gateway 4 for each of its ports...

https://www.zero88.com/manuals/gateway4/configuration-2/g4web-server