Weird flickering on 3 models...but not all the time??

[Stormyblade]

So I've got 9 total outputs for my house outline strings, with all of them Pixabulb style lights, right at 600 total. Everything works perfectly...for a while...then suddenly 3 of the models will start flickering, on all of the pixels, in a rainbow of colors (not the selected palette for that sequence). However, during the sequence the pixels will also behave perfectly normal.

I'm running either .37 or .38, and it all looks correct in the Preview...any ideas on what could cause this?

[Rudy B.]

Check the wiring for loose connections and for moisture.

[Gilrock]

I've got the same issue in one of my icicle strings.  Its usually deterioration in the data signal.  First I inserted a null pixel about halfway down the wire to the first pixel and that helped but didn't cure it.  Then I started reducing the output power percentage in the controller for that output and that also helped.  This is when I start not liking the 18/3 cable I used it just doesn't carry the data signal as well at cat5e.

[Stormyblade]

I'll go out and re-check the connections...here in Oregon we do tend to get a lot of drizzly/misty wet days during this season so it's possible there's some moisture, even though I use the waterproof heat-shrink butt connectors (marine grade off Amazon) on all my wires.

It's funny though, I went out last night, powered off the controller that drives those lights (because when it was getting no sequence data those models were flickering like crazy), then powered it back on, and all pixels were off. Then, this morning, I unplugged everything else but that controller, powered on, and again, all pixels were off - no flickering. I then ran my static/test sequence and it ran through it perfectly, with no flickering.

[Stormyblade]

Another update:

Created an entirely new 3-wire cable to run from the controller to one of the strings that has flickering and that didn't make it go away. I unscrewed then re-screwed the connection points on all 3 wires leading into the green plug for the board. After I did both of these things and powered up the display, the first thing I noticed is that the models were once again flickering across all the pixels in the string, for several seconds, then they just stopped, and went dark, just like they should (no sequence/data, no lighting, right?) So I fired up a sequence and within a couple minutes into the sequence I started seeing the flickering again on all the pixels that weren't being addressed/lit by the sequence.

[Gilrock]

Maybe re-read my reply.  Null pixels, f-amps, and power injection are the only things I think will fix this.  I've gotten where I can easily recognize it when it happens and it matches what you are describing.