American DJ Rainbow-250 User manual

American DJ
4295 Charter Street
Los Angeles Ca. 90058
www.americandj.com
User Instructions

Introduction:
Thank you for purchasing the Rainbow 250™ color changer from American DJ®. To optimize the per-
formance of this product, please read these operating instructions carefully and familiarize yourself with
the basic operations of this unit. The American DJ®Rainbow 250,™ is a dual channel, DMX, intelligent
color changer. This unit has been shipped with a lamp installed and tested at the factory before being
shipped to you. There is no assembly required.
The American DJ®Rainbow 250™ has sound active capabilities so you can use this unit without a
controller. This unit can also be controlled via a standard DMX controller such as the American DJ Show
Designer,™ or the American DJ®DMX Operator,™ giving the user independent control over the color
wheel and dimmer.
Customer Support:
American DJ®provides a toll free customer support line, to provide set up and installation help and to
answer any question should you encounter problems during your set up or initial operation. You may
also visit us on the web at www.americandj.com for any comments or suggestions. Toll free customer
service hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
Voice: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Set Up:
Power Supply:
Before plugging your unit in, be sure the source voltage in your area matches the required voltage for
your American DJ®Rainbow 250.™ The American DJ®Rainbow 250™ is available in a 120v and 220v
version. Because line voltage may vary from venue to venue, you should be sure to plug your power
supply into a matching wall outlet before attempting to operate you controller.
Data Cable (DMX Cable) Requirements:
Your fixture and your controller require a standard 3-pin XLR connector for data
input and data output (Figure 1). If you are making your own cables, be sure to use
standard two conductor shielded cable (This cable may be purchased at almost all
pro sound and lighting stores). Your cables should be made with a male and female
XLR connector on either end of the cable. Also remember that DMX cable must be
daisy chained and can not be “Y”ed or split.
Notice: Be sure to follow figure three when making your own cables. Do not use the ground lug on
the XLR connector. Do not connect the cable’s shield conductor to the ground lug or allow the shield
conductor to come in contact with the XLR’s outer casing. Grounding the shield could cause a short
circuit and erratic behavior.
© American DJ Supply - Los Angeles Ca. 90058 - www.americandj.com Rainbow 250™ Page 2
1 Ground 1 Ground
XLR Male Socket XLR Pin Configuration
3 Hot
2 Cold 2 Cold
3 Hot
XLR Female Socket
Pin 3 = Data True (positive)
Pin 2 = Data Compliment (negative)
Pin 1 = Ground
Figure 1
Figure 2

Special Note: When longer runs of cable are used, you may need to use a terminator on the last
unit to avoid erratic behavior. A terminator is a 90-120 ohm 1/4 watt resistor which is connected between
pins 2 and 3 of a male XLR connector (DATA + and DATA -). This unit is inserted in the female XLR
connector of the last unit in your daisy chain to terminate the line. Using a cable terminator (ADJ part
number ZDMX/T) will decrease the possibilities of erratic behavior.
Operation Modes:
For best results use fog or special effects smoke to enhance the beam projections.
Stand-Alone Operation (Sound Active):
1. To operate as a stand alone unit via its internal chases and microphone, turn all dip switches off (See
page 6/figure 5).
2. Adjust the sensitivity knob on the rear of the unit so the unit will react to sound.
3. Turning the sensitivity knob in the clockwise direction will increase the sensitivity to sound. Turning
the knob in the counter clockwise direction will decrease the fixture’s sensitivity to sound.
4. The American DJ®Rainbow 250™ will now react to the bass sound of music via the internal
microphone.
Master-Slave Operation (Sound Active):
1. This function will allow you to link up to 16 units together. The units will run as a synchronized light
show.
2. In Master-Slave operation one unit will act as the controlling unit and the others will react to the
controlling unit’s program. Any unit can act as a Master or as a Slave.
3. Daisy chain your units via the XLR connectors on the rear of the units.
4. Use standard XLR microphone cables to link your units together. Remember that the Male XLR con-
nector is the input and the Female XLR connector is the output.
5. The first unit in the chain (master) will use the female XLR connector only - The last unit in the chain
will use the male XLR connector only.
6. Turn the master unit’s dip switch 10 to the on position. Be sure all other dip switches are set to the
off position (See page 6/figure 5).
7. Tur n al l di p switches to the off position on the slave units. Please see the chart on page 6 for all slave
dipswitch settings. Note only one fixture may use the master units dip switch settings (See page
6/figure 5)
8. After all the units’ dip switch settings have been set, plug the units in.
9. Adjust the sensitivity knob on the rear of the master unit to make them react to sound.
© American DJ Supply - Los Angeles Ca. 90058 - www.americandj.com Rainbow 250™ Page 3
DMX512 IN
3-PIN XLR
1
2
3
1
2
3
DMX +
DMX -
COMMON
DMX512 OUT
3-PIN XLR
Figure 3
1
2
3
Termination reduces signal errors and
avoids signal transmission problems
and interference. It is always advisable
to connect a DMX terminal, (Resistance
120 Ohm 1/4 W) between PIN 2 (DMX-)
and PIN 3 (DMX +) of the last fixture. Figure 4

DMX Operation:
1. Operating through a DMX controller gives the user freedom to create their own programs tailored to
their own individual needs. This function also allows you to use your fixtures as spots.
2. This operation will allow you to control each fixture’s colors and dimmer with a standard DMX 512
controller such as the American DJ Show Designer™ or the American DJ®DMX Operator.™
3. The American DJ®Rainbow 250™ uses two DMX channel to operate; Channel 1 is the color and
channel 2 is dimmer.
4. To run your fixture in DMX mode, plug in the fixture via the XLR connections to any standard DMX
controller. - Follow the set-up specifications that come with the controller.
5. Use the chart on page 6 (figure 4) to set the DMX values for up to 16 units to be controlled by a
DMX controller.
Lens Focusing:
1. To focus a American DJ®Rainbow 250 DMX,™ it is best to first turn down the music sensitivity knob
to its minimum position. This will prevent the color wheel from changing during focusing.
2. Adjust the focus by manually turning the lens in and out (clockwise & counter-clockwise), until the
outer edge of the beam is a sharp clear image.
Lamp Replacement:
Caution: Always replace with the exact same type lamp and fuse, unless otherwise specified by an
authorized American DJ®technician. Replace with anything other than the specified part can damage
your unit and will void your manufactures warranty.
Warning: If after you have replaced the lamp or fuse and you continue to blow either one, STOP
using the unit. Contact customer support for further instructions, you may have to return the unit for
servicing. Continuing to use the unit may cause serious damage.
1. Be sure to follow the proper procedures when handling halogen bulbs.
2. Lay the fixture flat on a stable surface.
3. Remove the three Phillips located on the top of the unit.
4. Remove the cover.
5. Remove and replace the bulb.
6. Reassemble.
Cleaning:
Due to fog residue, smoke, and dust, cleaning the internal and external optical lenses must be carried
out periodically to optimize light output.
1. Use normal glass cleaner and a soft cloth to wipe down the outside casing.
2. Use a brush to wipe down the fan grill.
3. Clean the external optics with glass cleaner and a soft cloth every 20 days. If used heavily in clubs
with lots of fog, cleaning may be required more often.
4. Clean the internal optics with glass cleaner and a soft cloth every 30-60 days.
5. Always be sure to dry all parts completely before plugging the unit in.
REMEMBER: Cleaning frequency depends on the environment in which the fixture operates (i.e.
smoke, fog residue, dust, dew).
Warranty: The American DJ®Rainbow 250 DMX™ comes with a one year (365 days) limited war-
ranty. We recommend you fill out the enclosed warranty card to validate your purchase. All returned service items
whether under warranty or not, must be freight pre-paid and accompany a return authorization (R.A.) number. If
the unit is under warranty, you must provide a copy of your proof of purchase invoice. Please contact American
DJ®customer support for a R.A. number.
© American DJ Supply - Los Angeles Ca. 90058 - www.americandj.com Rainbow 250™ Page 4

DMX Traits:
Channel 1: Channel 2:
DMX Value: Color: DMX Value: Trait:
0-16 Blackout 00 Blackout
17-33 SLOW Strobe 01-254 Dimmer
34-50 White 255 Full Intensity
51-68 Red
69-84 Blue
85-101 Green
102-118 Light Orange
119-135 Dark Orange
136-152 Yellow
153-169 Magenta
170-179 Light Green
180-255 Color Scroll
255 Fastest Color Scroll
© American DJ Supply - Los Angeles Ca. 90058 - www.americandj.com Rainbow 250™ Page 5
Use your controller’s slider to adjust
the DMX value to reach your desired
setting
HALOGEN LAMP WARNING!
This fixture is fitted with halogen lamps
which are highly susceptible to damage
if improperly handled. Never touch lamp
with bare fingers as the oil from your
hands will shorten lamp life. Also, never
move fixture until lamp has had ample
time to cool. Remember, lamps are not
covered under warranty conditions.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Model - Rainbow 250™
Weight: 16 Lbs
Dimensions: 12.75” x 11.75” x 8.5”
Fuse: 4 Amp
Voltage: 120v 60Hz
Bulb: ELC-3 24v/250w Long Life
Duty Cycle: Several Hours
Colors: 8 Colors plus white
• Fan Cooled
• Sound Active
• DMX 512

© American DJ Supply - Los Angeles Ca. 90058 - www.americandj.com Rainbow 250™ Page 6
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Rainbow 250™ Universal DMX Settings for the first 16 fixtures
(If you will not be starting from channel one please follow standard DMX protocol for binary addressing)
Rainbow 250™ Master/Slave Settings - SYNC Mode
Please note: You may connect up to 16 units together in master/slave mode. All off for the master and all slave units will have
dip switch one on). This function will sync all your fixtures together.
Fixture 1 - Address 1
Slave 3 etc...,Slave 2Slave 1Master Unit
Fixture 16 - Address 31Fixture 12 - Address 23Fixture 8 - Address 15Fixture 4 - Address 7
Fixture 15 - Address 29Fixture 11 - Address 21Fixture 7 - Address 13Fixture 3 - Address 5
Fixture 14 - Address 27Fixture 10 - Address 19Fixture 6 - Address 11Fixture 2 - Address 3
Fixture 13 - Address 25Fixture 9 - Address 17Fixture 5 - Address 9
Rainbow 250™ Master/Slave Settings - Chase Mode
For a more dramatic light show you may set-up your fixtures to run in a four-channel chase pattern. This function will run
through a random built in pattern.
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Slave 3Slave 2Slave 1Master Unit