Blizzard Lighting ToughSTICK RGBAW User manual

Blizzard Lighting, LLC
www.blizzardlighting.com
Waukesha, WI USA
Copyright (c) 2012
IP65 Rated:
Suitable For Outdoor Use

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ToughSTICK™ RGBAW Manual - Rev. C Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ToughSTICK™ RGBAW 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 ToughSTICK™ RGBAW 5
Features 5
DMX Quick Reference 5
The ToughSTICK™ Pin-up Picture 6
Rear Connections 7
3. Setup 7
Fuse Replacement 7
Connecting A Bunch Of ToughSTICKS™ 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
The Control Panel 10
Control Panel Menu Structure 11
DMX Mode 12
Master/Slave Mode 12
Standalone (Program) Mode 12
DMX Channel Values In-Depth 13
Troubleshooting 16
5. Appendix 17
A Quick DMX Lesson 17
Keeping Your ToughSTICK™ As Good As New 18
Returns (Gasp!) 18
Shipping Issues 18
Tech Specs 19

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ToughSTICK™ RGBAW Manual - Rev. C Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
1. GETTING STARTED
What’s In The Box?
 •1xToughSTICK™RGBAW
 •1xWaterproofPowerCable
 •2xWaterproofDMXCables(1male,1female)
 •2xMountingBrackets
 •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 ToughSTICK™ RGBAW (or hopefully,
ToughSTICKs!), 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important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 correct 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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ToughSTICK™ RGBAW 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
decalorrearpanelofthexture.
•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
technical 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
[email protected].

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ToughSTICK™ RGBAW Manual - Rev. C Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
2. MEET THE TOUGHSTICK™ RGBAW LED PAR
CONTROL FEATURES
•RGBAWcolormixingvia60x3WRed/Green/Blue/Amber/WhiteLEDs
•Variableelectronicstrobe
•Variableelectronicdimmer
•Built-incolor&chasemacrosviaDMX
•Built-inautomatedprogramsviamaster/slave
•RGBAWcolormixingabilityinstandalonemode
•Independentcontrolof3pixels(20LEDseach)
•Userselectable4/5/6/10/16/20-channelDMXmodes
•EasytouseLEDcontrolpanel
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
•Builtlikeabrickhmmhmmwithanodizedaluminumenclosureandtempered
glass top.
•Lightsource:60x3-wattLEDs
•Dualmountingbracketsforpositioningexibility
DMX Quick Reference - 20/16-Channel Mode
Channel What It Does (20-ch.) Channel What It Does (16-ch.)
1 Dimmer 1 Pixel 1 Red Intensity
2 Pixel 1 Red Intensity 2 Pixel 1 Green Intensity
3 Pixel 1 Green Intensity 3 Pixel 1 Blue Intensity
4 Pixel 1 Blue Intensity 4 Pixel 1 Amber Intensity
5 Pixel 1 Amber Intensity 5 Pixel 1 White Intensity
6 Pixel 1 White Intensity 6 Pixel 2 Red Intensity
7 Pixel 2 Red Intensity 7 Pixel 2 Green Intensity
8 Pixel 2 Green Intensity 8 Pixel 2 Blue Intensity
9 Pixel 2 Blue Intensity 9 Pixel 2 Amber Intensity
10 Pixel 2 Amber Intensity 10 Pixel 2 White Intensity
11 Pixel 2 White Intensity 11 Pixel 3 Red Intensity
12 Pixel 3 Red Intensity 12 Pixel 3 Green Intensity
13 Pixel 3 Green Intensity 13 Pixel 3 Blue Intensity
14 Pixel 3 Blue Intensity 14 Pixel 3 Amber Intensity
15 Pixel 3 Amber Intensity 15 Pixel 3 White Intensity
16 Pixel 3 White Intensity 16 32-Bit Dimmer
17 Strobe - -
18 Built-In Programs - -
19 Speed Adjustment - -
20 32-Bit Dimmer - -

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ToughSTICK™ RGBAW Manual - Rev. C Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
DMX Quick Reference - 10/6-Channel Mode
Channel What It Does (10-ch.) Channel What It Does (6-ch.)
1 Dimmer 1 Red Intensity
2 Red Intensity 2 Green Intensity
3 Green Intensity 3 Blue Intensity
4 Blue Intensity 4 Amber Intensity
5 Amber Intensity 5 White Intensity
6 White Intensity 6 32-Bit Dimmer
7 Strobe - -
8 Built-In Programs - -
9 Speed Adjustment - -
10 32-Bit Dimmer - -
DMX Quick Reference - 5/4-Channel Mode
Channel What It Does (5-ch.) Channel What It Does (4-ch.)
1 RGB Mixing 1 Red Intensity
2 Amber Intensity 2 Green Intensity
3 White Intensity 3 Blue Intensity
4 Dimmer 4 32-Bit Dimmer
5 32-Bit Dimmer - -
Figure 1: The ToughSTICK™ RGBAW Pin-Up Picture
High Power
LED’s
Anodized Black
Aluminum Housing
LEDControl
Panel
Mounting Brackets
and Adjustment/
Locking Knobs

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ToughSTICK™ RGBAW Manual - Rev. C Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Figure 2: The Rear Connections
AC Power In
3-Pin
DMX512 In
AC Power Out
3-Pin
DMX512 Out
Extended,waterproofACpowerand3-pinDMXconnections.
3. SETUP
Fuse Replacement
CAUTION! The ToughSTICK™ RGBAW utilizes a high-output switch-mode power supply
withaninternalfuse.Undernormaloperatingconditions,thefuseshouldnotrequire
replacement.Thefuseiseldreplaceable,howeveritisanadvancedproceduresuitedto
qualiedindividuals.ShouldyourToughSTICK™fuserequirereplacement,pleasecontact
Blizzard Lighting for instructions, or to return your unit for service.
Connecting A Bunch of ToughSTICK™ RGBAW 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master/slaveoperatingmode.Thecombined
numberofchannelsrequiredbyallthexturesonaserialdatalinkdeterminesthenumber
ofxtures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 distances. 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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ToughSTICK™ RGBAW 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
xture’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
connector (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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ToughSTICK™ RGBAW 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
connectortotheinputconnectorofthenextxture
consisting 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
requireaslavesetting.
Check the “Operating Adjustments” section in this manual for
complete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
stability. Do not mount to surfaces with unknown strength, and ensure
properly“rated”riggingisusedwhenmountingxutres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.

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ToughSTICK™ RGBAW Manual - Rev. C Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
4. OPERATING ADJUSTMENTS
The Control Panel
All the goodies and different modes possible with the ToughSTICK™
RGBAW 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.
<SAVE>
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 page #11. 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.