TroubleshootingThe RC4 system is VERY tolerant of radio signal degradation and electrical noise. Most users have no problems... in fact, at the time of this writing only one radio interference problem has ever been reported with an RC4 system, and was corrected when the transmitter was moved away from an unusually noisy lamp. If you think you're suffering radio interference problems, FIRST be absolutely certain your batteries are good.
Problems:
When channel levels are brought up, the load (lamp, motor, etc.) operates for a brief moment then goes off. A second or so later, it comes back on. The problem appears cyclical or intermittent.
Cause:
When a lead-acid battery is measured with no load it reads approximately 12V. This is true even for a substantially discharged battery. RC4 electronics require very little current to operate, and a discharged battery still provides enough power for the receiver to come on and indicate traffic.
Here’s the problem cycle:
1. When RF control data indicates an output level, the output driver delivers battery power to the load. If the battery is under-rated or under-charged, voltage will drop substantially under load.
2. When the battery voltage drops below 8V the RC4 receiver will shut down. This disconnects the load from the battery.
3. With the load disconnected, battery voltage drifts back up. (It eventually drifts back up to 12V, unless the battery is seriously damaged). When battery voltage climbs above 9V, the RC4 receiver comes back on and starts monitoring control data again.
...And the cycle starts all over again.
In some cases, exactly the same symptoms are caused by undersized wire or poor connections between the battery and the RC4 receiver. These cause resistance, resulting in a voltage drop at the receiver when the load increases (Ohm’s Law).
This cycle through steps 1, 2, 3 and back to 1, results in the symptom described. The actual cycle time varies with battery size, battery charge, the size of the load, power levels selected, and wire sizes used. Eventually the battery is damaged and fails to drift back up enough to continue the cycle.
To prove this is happening, put a volt-meter across the power input terminals at the RC4 receiver. The voltage will drop when the load comes on. When the voltage drops enough, the load will go off. When the voltage drifts back up enough, the load will switch back on.
If these voltage fluctuations are apparent at the receiver but not at the battery terminals, then wire and connections are at fault -- you must conduct adequate current from the battery to the receiver to avoid these unwanted voltage drops.
Solution:
Ensure the battery is fully charged using a smart charger that accurately indicates the condition of the battery. Be sure the battery is rated large enough for the intended load for the operating time you require. Be sure wire gauges are large enough, especially between the battery and the receiver/dimmer. Be sure connections are tight and strong. Hot wires or connections are probably causing problems.
Problem:Fades are not smooth, channels intermittently black-out for a second or more.
Cause:
The RC4 system depends on RF signals getting from the transmitter to the receivers. An antenna is under the top cover of each 7” x 4” x 2” enclosure -- one at the transmitter, and one in each receiver.
The RC4 system operates in the 902 – 928Mhz range using spread-spectrum digital radio. Although output power is quite low, high frequency signals bounce easily and receivers are very sensitive. This means that receivers can find good data most of the time.
The system will not work, however, if the tops of the plastic enclosures are blocked with batteries or metal coverings. Signals must be able to get in and out of the top of each box, both at the transmitter and at each receiver.
Solutions:
Make sure the top area of each plastic enclosure is not blocked by batteries or metal obstructions. These block radio signals.
Small clusters of wiring, gridwork, bars across the top of the enclosures, etc. generally DO NOT cause problems. Make sure there is a path for SOME signal to get through and the system should work fine.
Where quasi-line-of-sight is attainable:
1. Position the transmitter tranceiver overhead, above the stage or other area where receivers are positioned. The top of the transceiver should be facing down, towards the receivers.
2. Position receivers facing up, towards the transmitter tranceiver.
Where line-of-site cannot be acheived, or there are numerous obstructions between transmitter and receiver:
1. Position the transmitter transceiver so the top of the box is facing the ceiling above the stage. Signals will bounce back down and flood the stage. Avoid metal obstructions or large harnesses of wiring in the signal path.
2. Position receivers so the top of each box is facing the ceiling of the stage. Reflected signals will bounce directly into the receiver antennas.
The RC4 system is VERY tolerant of signal degradation and electrical noise. Most users have no problems... in fact, at the time of this writing only one radio interference problem has ever been reported with an RC4 system, and the problem was corrected when the transmitter was moved away from an unusually noisy lamp. If you think you're suffering radio interference problems, FIRST be absolutely certain your batteries are good.
You need to operate two or three RC4 systems in close proximity without interference. Out of the box, systems do not directly address each other's receivers but responsiveness is clearly degraded.
Cause:
RC4 radios have 3 radio channels available, but most systems are set for the default channel 2. To ensure the fastest response time with the largest number of channels, almost all available radio bandwith of a channel is used by a single system. When two systems try to share bandwidth on the same radio channel, both systems perform poorly.
Even when this happens, multiple RC4 systems cannot directly address each other's receivers because they have different digital System Numbers.
Solution:
Set nearby RC4 systems to operate on different channels. When operating two systems, set them to operate on channels 1 and 3. We do not recommend operating more than 3 RC4 systems in close proximity.
You only have one RC4 system but you suspect there might be another one operating nearby.
Solution:
Radio power and sensitivity of RC4 transceivers are tuned for good performance within most interior spaces, with little chance of signals getting outside a building, or into an adjacent building. There is always a possibility, however, of interference between spaces within a single facility. If you suspect there is another RC4 user within radio range, change your radio channel.
At the time of this writing, the need for such measures has never been reported by any RC4 user.
