Blizzard Lighting StormChaser User manual

Blizzard Lighting, LLC
www.blizzardlighting.com
Waukesha, WI USA
Copyright (c) 2012

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StormChaser Manual Rev. C Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
StormChaser™ 1
1. Getting Started 3
What’s In The Box? 3
Getting It Out Of The Box 3
Powering Up! 3
Getting A Hold Of Us 3
Safety Instructions (Don’t Stick Your Hand In The Toaster!) 4
2. Meet The StormChaser™ 5
Features 5
The StormChaser Pin-up Picture 6
3. Setup 7
Fuse Replacement 7
Connecting A Bunch Of StormChasers™ 7
Data/DMX Cables 7
Cable Connectors 8
3-Pin??? 5-Pin??? Huh? 8
Take It To The Next Level: Setting up DMX Control 8
Fixture Linking (Master/Slave Mode) 9
Mounting/Rigging 9
4. Operating Adjustments 10
Control Panel Menu Structure 11
Auto Modes 11
Sound Active Modes 11
Manual Color Adjustment 12
Slave Mode 12
DMX Mode 12
DMX Channel Values In-Depth 12
Troubleshooting 13
5. Appendix 14
A Quick DMX Lesson 14
Keeping Your StormChaser™As Good As New 14
Returns (Gasp!) 14
Shipping Issues 14
Tech Specs 15

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StormChaser Manual Rev. C Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
1. GETTING STARTED
What’s In The Box?
 •1xStormChaser™
 •2xMountingbracketsw/bolts
 •ThisLovelyUserManual
Getting It Out Of The Box
Congratulationsonpurchasingonewaycool,wayexible,wayoriginalLED
strip light! Now that you’ve got your StormChaser™ (or hopefully, Storm-
Chasers!), you should carefully unpack the box and check the contents to
ensure that all parts are present and in good condition. If anything looks as
if it has been damaged in transit, notify the shipper immediately and keep
the packing material for inspection. Again, please save the carton and all
packingmaterials.Ifaxturemustbereturnedtothefactory,itisimpor-
tantthatthexturebereturnedintheoriginalfactoryboxandpacking.
Powering Up!
Allxturesmustbepowereddirectlyoffaswitchedcircuitandcannot
be run off a rheostat (variable resistor) or dimmer circuit, even if
the rheostat or dimmer channel is used solely for a 0% to 100%
switch.
AC Voltage Switch -Notallxtureshaveavoltageselectswitch,soplease
verifythatthextureyoureceiveissuitableforyourlocalpowersupply.
Seethelabelonthextureorrefertothexture’sspecicationschartfor
moreinformation.Axture’slistedcurrentratingisitsaveragecurrent
drawundernormalconditions.Checkthextureordevicecarefullyto
make sure that if a voltage selection switch exists that it is set to the cor-
rect line voltage you will use.
Warning! Verify that the voltage select switch on your unit matches
the line voltage applied. Damage to your xture may result if the
line voltage applied does not match the voltage indicated on the
voltage selector switch. All xtures must be connected to circuits
with a suitable Ground (Earthing).
Getting A Hold Of Us
If something is wrong, just give us a call or send an email. We’ll
be happy to help, honest.
Blizzard Lighting
W220N1531JerichoCt.SteE
Waukesha, WI 53186 USA
www.blizzardlighting.com
414-395-8365
Email:[email protected]

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StormChaser Manual Rev. C Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
•PleasekeepthisUserGuideforfutureuse.Ifyouselltheunittosomeone
else, be sure that they also receive this User Guide.
•ALWAYSmakesurethatyouareconnectingtothepropervoltage,andthat
the line voltage you are connecting to is not higher than that stated on the de-
calorrearpanelofthexture.
•Thisproductisintendedforindooruseonly.
•Topreventriskofreorshock,donotexposexturetorainormoisture.
•Makesuretherearenoammablematerialsclosetotheunitwhileoperating.
•Theunitmustbeinstalledinalocationwithadequateventilation,atleast
20in (50cm) from adjacent surfaces. Be sure that no ventilation slots are
blocked.
•ALWAYSdisconnectfromthepowersourcebeforeservicingorreplacingfuse
and be sure to replace with same fuse size and type.
•ALWAYSsecurextureusingasafetychain.NEVERcarrythexturebyits
cord. Use its carrying handles.
•DONOToperateatambienttemperatureshigherthan104°F(40°C).
•Intheeventofaseriousoperatingproblem,stopusingtheunitimmediately.
NEVERtrytorepairtheunitbyyourself.Repairscarriedoutbyunskilledpeople
can lead to damage or malfunction. Please contact the nearest authorized tech-
nical assistance center. Always use the same type spare parts.
•NEVERconnectthedevicetoadimmerpack.
•Makesurethepowercordisnevercrimpedordamaged.
•Neverdisconnectthepowercordbypullingortuggingonthecord.
•Avoiddirecteyeexposuretothelightsourcewhileitison.
Caution! There are no user serviceable parts inside the unit. Do not
open the housing or attempt any repairs yourself. In the unlikely event
yourunitmayrequireservice,pleasecontactBlizzardLightingatsup-
[email protected].

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StormChaser Manual Rev. C Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
2. MEET THE STORMCHASER™
CONTROL FEATURES
•Poweredby252highpower10mmRed/Green/Blue/WhiteLEDs
•Variableelectronicstrobe
•4DMXmodesforultimatecontrolexibility
•Superexibledesignallowsforuseasaneffect/chaselightorasa 
7-pixel RGBW display device
•Built-incolor&chasemacrosviaDMX
•Built-inauto&soundactivatedprogramsviamaster/slave&DMX
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
•Compactandlightweight(itkeptitsnewyear’sresolution!)
•Lux:~3,250@1m
•Verylowpowerconsumption,highoutput
•IECoutputforpowerlink
•4-buttonLEDdisplayonrearpanel
•StaticcolorsandRGBWcolormixing
DMX Quick Reference - 31 Channel Mode
Channel What It Does
1 DMX Mode Selection
2 Dimmer (0 <-->100%)
3 Strobe (Slow <--> Fast)
4 -31 Individual Pixel Color Intensity
DMX Quick Reference - 10/7 Channel Mode
Channel What It Does (10-ch.) Channel What It Does (7-ch.)
1 DMX Mode Selection 1 DMX Mode Selection
2 Dimmer (0 <-->100%) 2 Dimmer (0 <-->100%)
3 Strobe (Slow <--> Fast) 3 Strobe (Slow <--> Fast)
4 Pixel 1 Global Intensity 4 Global Red Intensity
5 Pixel 2 Global Intensity 5 Global Green Intensity
6 Pixel 3 Global Intensity 6 Global Blue Intensity
7 Pixel 4 Global Intensity 7 Global White Intensity
8 Pixel 5 Global Intensity -- --
9 Pixel 6 Global Intensity -- --
10 Pixel 7 Global Intensity -- --
DMX Quick Reference - 2 Channel Mode
Channel What It Does
1 Built-in Programs
2 Speed Control

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StormChaser Manual Rev. C Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Figure 1: The StormChaser™ Pin-Up Picture
High Power
LED’s
Anodized Aluminum
Enclosure
MountingBracket&
Adjustment Screw
Figure 2: The Rear Connections
MENU UP DOWN ENTER
AC Power In
AC Power Out
DMX In DMX Out
LEDDisplayMenuMenu Buttons
Microphone
LeftEnd
RightEnd

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StormChaser Manual Rev. C Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
3. SETUP
Fuse Replacement
With a philips head screwdriver, unscrew the fuse holder from its hous-
ing. Remove the damaged fuse from its holder and replace with exact
same type fuse. Insert the fuse holder back in its place and reconnect
power.
Connecting A Bunch of StormChaser™ Fixtures
You will need a serial data link to run light shows using a DMX-512
controllerortorunshowsontwoormorexturessettosyncinmas-
ter/slaveoperatingmode.Thecombinednumberofchannelsrequired
byallthexturesonaserialdatalinkdeterminesthenumberofx-
tures the data link can support.
Fixtures on a serial data link must be daisy chained in one single line.
Also,connectingmorethan32xturesononeserialdatalinkwithout
the use of a DMX optically-isolated splitter may result in deterioration
of the digital DMX signal.
The maximum recommended cable-run distance is 500 meters (1640
ft).Themaximumrecommendednumberofxturesonaserialdata
linkis32xtures.
Data/DMX Cabling
Tolinkxturestogetheryou’llneeddatacables.Youshouldusedata-
gradecablesthatcancarryahighqualitysignalandarelessproneto
electromagnetic interference.
Forinstance,Belden©9841meetsthespecicationsforEIARS-485
applications. Standard microphone cables will “probably” be OK, but
note that they cannot transmit DMX data as reliably over long distanc-
es. In any event, the cable should have the following characteristics:
2-conductor twisted pair plus a shield
Maximum capacitance between conductors – 30 pF/ft.
Maximum capacitance between conductor & shield – 55 pF/ft.
Maximum resistance of 20 ohms / 1000 ft.
Nominal impedance 100 – 140 ohms

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StormChaser Manual Rev. C Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Cable Connectors
Cables must have a male XLR connector on one end and a female XLR
connector on the other end. (Duh!)
CAUTION:Donotallowcontactbetweenthecommonandthex-
ture’s chassis ground. Grounding the common can cause a ground
loop,andyourxturemayperformerratically.Testcableswithan
ohm meter to verify correct polarity and to make sure the pins are not
grounded or shorted to the shield or each other.
3-Pin??? 5-Pin??? Huh?!?
If you use a controller with a 5 pin DMX output connector, you will need to use a 5 pin to 3 pin adapter.
They are widely available over the internet and from specialty retailers If you’d like to build your own, the
chart below details a proper cable conversion:
Conductor 3-Pin Female
(Output)
5-Pin Male
(Input)
Ground/Shield Pin 1 Pin 1
DMX Data (-) Pin 2 Pin 2
DMX Data (+) Pin 3 Pin 3
Not Used. No Connection. No Connection.
Not Used. No Connection. No Connection.
Take It To The Next Level: Setting Up DMX Control
Step 1: Connect the male connector of the
DMX cable to the female connector (output)
on the controller.
Step 2: Connect the female connector of the
DMXcabletotherstxture’smaleconnec-
tor (input). Note: It doesn’t matter which
xtureaddressistherstoneconnected.
Werecommendconnectingthexturesin
terms of their proximity to the controller,
ratherthanconnectingthelowestxture
numberrst,andsoon.
Step 3:Connectotherxturesinthechain
from output to input as above. Place a DMX
terminatorontheoutputofthenalxture
to ensure best communication.

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StormChaser Manual Rev. C Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Fixture Linking (Master/Slave Mode)
1. Connect the (male) 3 pin connector side of the
DMX cable to the output (female) 3 pin connector of
therstxture.
2. Connect the end of the cable coming from the
rstxturewhichwillhavea(female)3pinconnec-
tortotheinputconnectorofthenextxturecon-
sisting of a (male) 3 pin connector. Then, proceed
to connect from the output as stated above to the
inputofthefollowingxtureandsoon.
A quick note: Often,
the setup for Master-
Slave and Standalone
operationrequiresthat
therstxtureinthe
chain be initialized for
this purpose via either
settings in the control
panel or DIP-switches.
Secondarily,thextures
that follow may also re-
quireaslavesetting.
Check the “Operating Adjustments” section in this manual for com-
pleteinstructionsforthistypeofsetupandconguration.
Mounting & Rigging
ThisxturemaybemountedinanySAFEpositionprovidedthereis
enough room for ventilation.
It is important never to obstruct the fan or vents pathway. Mount the
xtureusingasuitable“C”or“O”typeclamp.Theclampshouldbe
ratedtoholdatleast10xthexture’sweighttoensurestructuralsta-
bility. Do not mount to surfaces with unknown strength, and ensure
properly“rated”riggingisusedwhenmountingxturesoverhead.
Adjusttheangleofthexturebylooseningbothknobsandtiltingthe
xture.Afterndingthedesiredposition,retightenbothknobs.
•Whenselectinginstallationlocation,takeintoconsiderationlamp
replacement access (if applicable) and routine maintenance.
•SafetycablesMUSTALWAYSbeused.
•Nevermountinplaceswherethexturewillbeexposedtorain,
high humidity, extreme temperature changes or restricted ventilation.

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StormChaser Manual Rev. C Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
4. OPERATING ADJUSTMENTS
The Control Panel
All the goodies and different modes possible with the StormChaser™
Areaccessedbyusingthecontrolpanelonthesideofthexture.
Thereare4controlbuttonsbelowtheLEDdisplaywhichallowyouto
navigate through the various control panel menus.
<MENU>
Is used to navigate to the previous higher-level menu item.
<UP>
Scrolls through menu items and numbers in ascending order.
<DOWN>
Scrolls through menu items and numbers in descending order.
<ENTER>
Isusedtoselectandconrm/storethecurrentselection.
TheControlPanelLEDDisplayshowsthemenuitemsyouselectfrom
themenumaponpages11&12.Whenamenufunctionisselected,
thedisplaywillshowimmediatelytherstavailableoptionforthe
selected menu function. To select a menu item, press <ENTER>.
Press the <MENU> button repeatedly until you reach the desired
menu function. Use the <UP> and <DOWN> buttons to navigate the
menu options. Press the <SAVE> button to select the menu function
currently displayed, or to enable a menu option. To return to the
previous option or menu without changing the value, press the
<MENU> button.