Prop-1 Not Always Recognizing Switch

[IMTim]

We set up several control boxes with Prop-1's and AP-16+ as sort of generic controls to be moved year to year for different scares. (I'll post the details later in the completed project area.)  Of the six boxes I made one of them doesn't always recognize the push button switch when we power it up.  I use one of the three pin extension cables to a terminal strip then tie the push button into the terminal strip.  I've used a multimeter to test the connection between the terminal strip and the plug at the end of the extension cable where it plugs into the Prop-1, they were good.  When I unplug the existing extension cable and plug a test button I have set up the Prop-1 responds.  Then I plug back in the control box cable and the normal push button works fine.

I have two theories.  The first is there is a break in the existing extension cable and when I move it the wire makes contact again.  But we turn power off external to the box so no one disturbs the cable.  The second theory has to due with gremlins, if that one is true I'd like to hire them to be part of the haunted house...

Any ideas? 

Tim

[bsnut]

This is what I think the problem is. You could have a connection that is not very tight inside the extension cable when it plugs into header pins on the Prop-1. So, I would try another cable to see if this solves your problem. Since it seems the problem is between the terminal strip and the Prop-1.

[JonnyMac]

One quick way to determine if the problem is in the cable or Prop-1, move one of them to a known good setup. If the problem moves, you found it.

[IMTim]

Thanks for the help.  I thought I was out of the extension cables but I just found a spare new one.  I'll swap it out and see if that works.  If not I do have an extra Prop-1 I use for testing and such that I can swap out with the one in the control box.  We went with the Prop-1 for reliability over the push button Maestro controller.  With those it seemed like it was always something to get them working right everyday.  This is the only one out of the nine we have running that is giving us any problems.

Again, thanks for the help.

Tim

[JackMan]

When I unplug the existing extension cable and plug a test button I have set up the Prop-1 responds.

I think you answered your own question there. If the Prop-1 works without the extension cable, it's not the Prop-1.  ;)