AI3 drops out while recording

[matt vallo]

My Alesis AI3 has been dropping out all of the its channels that I am recording. It usually happens 25-45 minutes into continuos recording session. The other 8 channels from the digi001 will keep recording. The AI3 has power and the green signal indicators will still be flickering demonstrating I still have signals. If I turn the AI3’s power off and then on the signal is them picked up again. I purchased this unit new 6 months ago and have these problems for the last 2 months.

I have tried several setups and so far nothing has helped.
1. Used 1 optical connector from aI3 (out) to digi001 (in) ; set sync to optical.
2. Same set up as above but switched from 3ft Radio Shack to a 3ft Hosa optical cable.
3. Used 2 optical cables connecting aI3 (out) to digi001 (in) and the Digi (out) to the AI3’(in); set the sync to internal.

The protools sessions were recording in 24bit/48k to match up with the aI3’s specs. AI3’s optical out source was set to “optical in”

Am I doing something wrong?
Am missing something?

If anyone has had similar problems and solutions please do tell.
Thanks, Matt