F4-B Pixel off at end.

[twooly]

So I've got a strange one that I thought was a dead pixel but doesn't look that way.  I've been running fine for several weeks now with these pixels no issues but all of a sudden I had part of a string no longer work past a certain pixel.  Ok sure dead pixel, so I replace one before the spot and the pixel that no longer worked (so cut out and put in two new pixels.  Run a test and still dead from that same spot on. 

Attached is a diagram of what I am talking about, data comes from BBB with about 6ft of cable to first pixel and then travels around the roof and garage (connected by about 8 ft of cable).  I also power inject at the end of the string also with a 2 ft short cable.  Blue is the controller, red are the cables connecting the string and green is the spot for the dead pixel.

199 total pixels in the whole setup (its worked this way for a couple years).  First 185 pixels works just fine....

Out of ideas besides starting to pull things down to do more in dept troubleshooting.  Double checked FPP config and just testing using FPP (although I see the same spot  in sequences too)

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[Emuney18]

My first thought was the pixel number in the BBB ports page.  Have you tried changing it to some other number greater than 199 and saving and then do display testing?  Maybe it's confused for lack of a better term and this would knock it back into shape. Then you could change back to 199.

[twooly]

My first thought was the pixel number in the BBB ports page.  Have you tried changing it to some other number greater than 199 and saving and then do display testing?  Maybe it's confused for lack of a better term and this would knock it back into shape. Then you could change back to 199.

Yep I tried, that I just did 250 to try, data is not getting past that mark.....or maybe power is lost at some point.  I it was just strange its been fine like this setup for 3rd year now....and worked fine since Halloween and now fails like a dead pixel but took out that pixel (and one before) and that didn't help.

[Blickensderfer]

If you have a spare string of pixels.  Without tearing down stuff to test.  Use the spare sting and connect it at the bottom right after the 8 foot cable before door frame look to see if all of these on the string work as expected.

[twooly]

If you have a spare string of pixels.  Without tearing down stuff to test.  Use the spare sting and connect it at the bottom right after the 8 foot cable before door frame look to see if all of these on the string work as expected.

This is why I love this forum different ideas, I wouldn't have thought to test there.  I would have only tested at my split at the left of the garage right before the issue spot.  Ill have to grab a couple strings to see if its the same exact spot.  Garage is 24-54-24 pixels.

[dkulp]

What version of FPP?   Make sure you are up to the 3.5.7.   There were a few bugs with longer stings on the BBB's that have since been fixed.

[twooly]

It's on 3.4.2 unfortunately and it's not an easy one to grab and upgrade.  I'll try to get it updated to see if that does it.  It's been on this 3.4.2 and working until now.  Plus I'm a wuss it's cold out now 😎

[twooly]

Ok little more testing on a sunny day....22 out. 

Swapped out the BBB with a new BBB loaded up with 3.5.8.  Same issue existed so, brought out two new strings of 50 count pixels, changed config to 300 and both of the new strings worked.  I tested after the roof portion before the garage section.  So appears I have an issue in the garage section somewhere.  I have one other place I'm going to test....half way in the garage.

[twooly]

and testing at that half way on the garage works past also.  I suspect that last connector is maybe the issue (top left of the garage).  Guess Ill have to do a swap of connectors there when I bring it down after the season.

[twooly]

Ok now just frustrated with it.  Replaced that last connector I thought was maybe causing the issue....................nope doesn't fix it.  Ok I know have a new place to test a new string of lights, new string lights up all the way.  GRRRRRRRRR.  So I now replace another pixel, I've not replaced three pixels (2 before the "dark spot" and the actual dark spot.  No dice.  I'm out of ideas now besides just tearing this section out and using these as spares (well the first part)

[twooly]

I said screw it and hobbled a string of 24 together from spares and just swapped that section out.  String now works as expected..... 

Now on to testing the why of this other bad string inside my warm house.

[twooly]

ok back to troubleshooting this string now that I have it inside.  Hooked it up to a different controller (another F4-B), same spot it stops.  But now I noticed the pixel that where it stops (black/dark/no light), is on with a dim green/blue.  Picture to show.  As you can see I've replaced two pixels before that pixel....and that pixel also.  Before I go hacking this up anymore you think its actually that dim pixel, even though its been replaced since thats where it stopped before replacement also? 

Wish there was a better way to test, meaning bypass that pixel without hacking it apart.  I guess I could just cut the data line before/after and connect bypassing that pixel.

[twooly]

Well bypassing the data on that pixel doesn't help get data to the rest of pixels.  Do see good power V+ and V- at the end of the string so power is going through, just seems to be a data issue.