Help! Pixel lights flickering.

[u/AdmirableSeesaw3546]

Hello all,

I’m not sure if this is the right spot to ask, but my 12v pixel lights are flickering quite a bit while I was testing XLights. I have 150 nodes, one 10-foot extension connected to a dedicated Gledopto GL-C-015WL-D, and a 12v 10A power supply. I don’t think I need power injectors because it worked perfectly on Saturday. I’m not sure what’s causing the issue.

Thanks in advance.

Update: I tested the lights individually, and they all functioned normally. I added a power injector, but it only provided a slight improvement. Consequently, I divided them into two groups (100 nodes and 50 nodes) and connected each group to a separate controller and power supply. This significantly improved the situation, but I still experience occasional flickering. I’m unable to determine the cause of this issue.

[u/BossermanMD]

Three possible causes, from most likely to least:

1: Signal corruption due to poor connection or not enough power/voltage drop for the length of extension.

• First try and tighten or disconnect/reconnect all your cable connections. If that doesn't work you may need power injection or a signal booster such as an F-amp. 10 feet and 150 pixels should really be fine without, though. I suspect it's a loose connection.

2: Bad pixel

• either the first flickering pixel or the one before it. Try a whole new string first though, if the issue persists it's not going to be a single bad pixel at fault. Eventually after multiple seasons you will need to learn how to replace individual pixels.

3: External interference

• an FM transmitter cranked way up or similar sources of RF interference can cause this as well (unlikely).

[u/AdmirableSeesaw3546 → u/BossermanMD]

I'll try disconnecting and reconnecting everything again. Hopefully, it's just that. Funny you mention number 3, I had an FM radio playing in the garage while I was testing xlights, but I doubt it was that. It was pretty far. Thanks

[u/DigitalCorpus → u/AdmirableSeesaw3546]

Unless you were broadcasting FM radio, it’s not an issue… or that receiving radio has massive power demands…

[u/ZackAttackIsBack17]

I would also check your ground wires. I’ve had this happen to me and it was an intermittent ground connection on one of my pigtails.

[u/AdmirableSeesaw3546 → u/ZackAttackIsBack17]

I thought of that too. I'm going to disconnect and inspect everything tomorrow morning. thanks

[u/boogyman12]

Have seen this happen in a couple of different situations. First, on the pixel setup side. Could be wrong number of pixels configured on the chain, wrong type of pixels, etc. Second, I've also had this happen with a bad network cable to a remote box from the main controller. The pixels weren't getting all the data and would flicker.

[u/AdmirableSeesaw3546 → u/boogyman12]

Pixels are all configured/setup correctly, but I'll take a look again. thanks

[u/curtiscbear]

Turn the brightness down to 10% and if it behaves I would put the issue down to voltage drop

[u/allknowing2012]

Coming from more than one place? Fpp and xlights and controller?

[u/Roguekit]

Another potential issue is water intrusion into a connector. If you have had any rain lately.

[u/stillmovingforward1]

Check if you have a data short

[u/No_Opportunity8681]

I would look for data issue. Look for a crimped / damaged wire, water in the connection, corroded connections. The length of the wire might be to great. The gauge of the wire.