Q Light Controller+

I have been using a "generic" low cost interface from 1.31 to DMX.

Manual attached here:
https://1drv.ms/b/s!ArhChX_42Vfch5B_nCl ... A?e=KTKMtR

This is a relatively simple, residential setup.
I am using 5 fixtures including 2 generic moving heads, a PAR, couple lazer and 1 interface DMX to RGB. They are all powered from the same outlet. I am using short wire runs for power and data

It works great, most of the time. Once I start experiencing flickering, It does it increasingly more until it does not anymore.

I have added/removed fixtures, changed wires, etc. If I remove the interface and use a generic DMX controller in place, all is fine. The one constant issue appears to be related to the interface.
I I am pretty sure upgrading to a ENTTEC or DMXking 1.31 interface will do but they are expensive and currently had to find in Canada.

I suspect power, ground and/or noise gets in the mix. I checked the unit design, no opto-isolation. The DMX ground is directly connected to -5V in.

Any suggestions on steps I can take to find a solution or a confirmation I just need a higher quality interface?

Thanks,

I find it disturbing that even now the interfaces are faulty... Ultimately, we'll have to be sceptical about every little thing.

Wasn't there an ESP32 sACN to DMX somewhere?

I agree, lots of moving parts.

Glad you mentionned ESP32 sACN to DMX. I could built it but I am a very bad coder. I would look for an implementation that uses a Ehernet shield to do fully wired.

Quick update: further investigation into the e1.31 to ethernet interface:

The 4 DMX outputs are each driven by a MAX485 chip. On my unit they happen to not be soldered directly on the board but rather mounted a 8 DIP socket.

Universe Output 1 chip = no good. Swap for another one = working again.

I suspect a spike/transiant/static fried the output.

I once had a production where the grid (the metal parts on which you mount things to) was constantly under tension ~80VAC. Who or what? I don't know. Galvanic isolation on the DMX interface did work perfectly (until the battery of the laptop died, because the power supply fried itself under these conditions.) That was a very long night!!