AC lights on arches not working

[jonmtme]

Hi guys. So last year I started using xlights and my sequence came out looking the way I wanted. This year when I loaded the exact same sequence two sets of lights on my arches were not working correctly. All of the lights on the arches are AC lights. It almost seems like they don't get too full intensity. When I plug in a different set of lights I get the same result. Sometimes they come on at the right time. And other times they do not come on at all. When I go to testing mode in FPP and turn on all the lights those two sets of lights do not come on. However when I test just those two lights by themselves they come on at the correct intensity. I checked all the wires and everything is tight The red LED on the solid state relay looks the same as the other red lights. Any ideas? 

[JonD]

You posted this in the xlights section and did not mention which controller you are using.  What are you connecting the A/C lights to?

[jonmtme]

Sorry about that. I am using a raspberry pi and an Arduino mega. I have also tried adding an extra load to the plugs and it makes no difference. I added two extra sets of lights to the channel and it made no difference. 

[JonD]

I have no experience with Arduino's.  I don't see the Arduino's discussed much on this forum, and fear that a very vague question may go an answered.  If you posted all your settings, I am sure people would look them over and offer suggestions if something stuck out. 

[MikeKrebs]

What type of SSR/relay?
Which sketch is running on the arduino?

[jonmtme]

JonD I don't believe there is an issue with the Arduino. I did not change any setting. I also did not change anything in xlights. It almost seems like the intensity is different for those two sets of lights. When I look in x lights everything looks normal. Granted I'm just learning this program that's why I figured I would post it here. Maybe I am missing something obvious. At this point I am leaning towards that it could be a solid state relay issue. I ordered another solid state relay and I'm going to rewire to see if that fixes it. 

[jonmtme]

What type of SSR/relay?
Which sketch is running on the arduino?

SainSmart 8-Channel 5V Solid State Relay Module Board for Arduino Uno Duemilanove MEGA2560 MEGA1280 ARM DSP PIC. 

I'm not at home right now so I cannot post a sketch. Sorry. 

What is strange is that it does not dim all the time. The even stranger thing is that when I go into FPP and test all lights those two sets of lights do not come on. However during the show they come on and look fine 1/2 of the time. Does this happen with solid state relays. I thought if they failed they would just fail and not allow power to go through. 

[MikeKrebs]

SainSmart SSR modules generally use "P" relays that turn on (and off) at zero cross. You won't get good dimming from them.

You should be able to load a relay test sketch on the Arduino and it will show you if the relays are working. SSR  are much more reliable than the mechanical.