I run 2 AC Infinity systems, 4x4x80 setup and a 3x3x72 setup, both with Controller 69 and the respective AC Infinity IONBOARD S44 and S33. Both systems have been running great until yesterday when the 4x4 lights stopped responding to the controller, both in schedule mode and manual mode. I have tried unplugging the controller completely and resetting the parameters, but it made no difference. I am in mid flower with about three to 4 weeks left to go so this is a major problem. Has anyone experienced a similar issue, and, if so, how did you resolve it?
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Haven’t experienced the problem, but does the light work when plugged into the wall bypassing the controller? I know my ACI lights have a dial on them to control intensity. Could be a bandaid until the root problem is found.
I removed the connecting wire between the controller and the lights so it is plugged in direct now. I will report back if the lights fail again in this configuration. I do have a separate timer that I can use if needed. I hope its just this patch cable but not holding my breath lol.
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Glad to hear you still have working lights to get you to the finish! That would big time suck!
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Complete a factory re-set for controller.
Turn OFF all triggers (Temp, RH, VPD and others).
Wait 5 seconds between mode changes.
Complete another factory reset.
Any changes? All triggers OFF?
Use controller for ONE light ON.
Report back
Change lights for ON/OFF results.
Any change?
Hidden trigger selection or software update may have a hold on the lights.
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They just flickered off and back on with no controller connection and the knob setting on 100%. I am starting to fear the worse, that the light itself is overloading and beginning to fail.
I will do the reset steps you mentioned and see what happens.
Thanks Dave.
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Back down the 100% to 80% for testing.
Move cables while lights are on, looking for “flickers” or intermittent connection.
How many circuits are loading your sourced electricity?
Separate controller for ON/OF lights times alternative until issue is resolved.
I have some “power Strips” with bad connector-timer issues.
Kil-a-watt meter measures circuit loading.
Measure components indecently then collectively.
Any changes or anomalies?
Re-attach all electrical connections into different receptacles.
Lights need an independent power source and connection for controls from the 69Pro (maybe).
Are the lights cross-wired?
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I have both tents sourcing the same outlet box (two plug receptacles) so there is a heavy draw on that source, in total, two clip fans, two inline fans and two lights.
I have one ready after I make sure these lights will stay on.
The electrical connections on the units to the controller are always suspect. That type of connector they used is not really designed for vibrations. I have had to reseat connections and even repair an end of one of the uis connectors. Another use for your tricome lens.
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I use Ac-Infinity Cloudline Controllers 75Series for ON/OFF control of lights.
Then the 69P controls 'steps" (intensity) or fans.
Temp/RH monitoring for necessary changes, too.
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For using the Cloudline Controller 69P, UIS control a fan on Position #1mon controller. My HLG light use the UIS connections. Lights require power from independent circuit and controlled steps for output.
My UIS controlled circuit requires
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You probably already have, but I would get a support ticket in with ACI right away. They have always been very good, and very fast to respond and resolve when I have had issues.
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Thanks Pounder, yes I sent in a message this morning. This evening my second tent failed to shutdown as scheduled, I was watching it to see if it hiccupped and sure enough a minute passed time for lights out it was still on. I’m feeling a bit more hopeful as my 4x4 lights did stay on all day after removed from the controller.
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@SmittyJ , have you done all the firmware updates? I seems like there was one about a week or so ago. I had one (one of three) of my controllers go off line today, but it booted right back up when I got home.
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No, I didn’t do the firmware updates. I’ll do them now and see if that fixes the issue. Thanks for the suggestion, it totally makes sense now that both tents seem to be affected.
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@SmittyJ , Any update on the light situation?
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Hey my friend, I am still working it out. For the last few days I have been cycling them manually. I have updated the firmware on both controllers, my small tent is working fine now, cycling as scheduled . The equipment in my big tent, sans lights, responds to changes in the app and the controller. What I’m curious of is why my big tent lights flicker off and back on, sometimes staying off ten twenty seconds before I start pulling plugs and panicking to get it back on.
I have not, sadly, heard from AC Infinity but I know they are based in California so I hope all is well.
Good news through this is my gals are still developing, patches of trichs are starting to appear so hopefully I can get through this quickly.
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I have worked on low voltage signal systems in automotive for 25 years. Rj connectors are such systems. 5v and 12v control functions have the basic same problems. If this was a car I would say you have 1 of 3 problems that will cause a control flicker. I believe it is a control issue as you can bypass this function and the light works
1 /voltage drop at a connector. You only have to check the light circuit run. There are tools available for testing RJ connectors but they far exceed the cost of a new cable from ACi. I have a breaker box for RJ because some euro vehicles had sub systems for entertainment systems and I did spot tech diagnostics for VAG
- System voltage drop on controller. Would not be my first look but the fact that you turn a high draw system on and only that control function fails makes it on the list. There is no way to pin out properly an RJ connector it requires at least a breakout lead. Looks like a regular RJ connector but the middle has shielded alligator clips to attach test equipment.
3/ internal short in light causing controller circuit to max the protections of the circuit and shutting off. Without an internal diagram of the light I would not have a clue on a test. A weak ground for the light side of the light could cause this
#1 has fixed one less than a million cars if you count all the training and teaching on this subject with actual fixes. Sometimes this is called the magic fix and a freaking hate it. You unplug an engine sensor and plug it back in and the problem stops. For today or ever but it stops.
#2 Has fixed 100s of cars. Loose battery connections and corrosion on grounds.
#3 always required factory info but when provided it almost always fixed the car. These problems I did mobile mostly at dealerships.
Thanks for the excellent reply and explanation. I have a new cable, installing at lights out tonight. I sure hope it works!
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I solved this issue, If I had it, by including the Cloudline Controller 75 for using as a circuit breaker controls power to the HLG light which is UIS controlled using the AC-I Cloudline 69P.
Somehow I hope it solves the flicker.
If I smoked less, there might be fewer issues in the grow, too.
Shown below, the controllers for two tents.
Labeled for ON Dehumidifier (lung room).
Same controller-setup in both pictures, just different control modes.