Blizzard Lighting Weather System EXA User manual

Blizzard Lighting, LLC
www.blizzardlighting.com
Waukesha, WI USA
Copyright (c) 2016
TM

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Weather System EXA Manual Rev. A © 2016 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Weather System™ EXA 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 run with scissors!) 4
2. Meet The Weather System™ EXA 5
Main Features 5
DMX Quick Reference 5
The Weather System™ EXA Pin-up Picture 6
3. Setup 7
Connecting A Bunch Of Weather Systems 7
Data/DMX Cables 7
Setting the DMX Input Connector as the Active DMX Input 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
Navigating The Control Panel 10
Control Panel Menu Structure 11
DMX Mode 12
Set the Starting DMX Address 12
Setting the DMX Channel Mode 12
Slave Mode 12
Dimming Mode Settings 12
Static Colors and Strobe Effects 12
LED Display On/Off 12
Auto, Speed, and Sound Active Modes 13
Fixture Reset Functions 13
Footswitch Setup 13
Set the Footswitch Wireless Address 14
Multiple Fixtures With Footswitch Control 14
The Weather System™ EXA Footswitch Controller 14
Charging the Footswitch 14
DMX Value In-Depth Reference Guide 15
DMX In-Depth Reference 16
5. Appendix 20
A Quick DMX Lesson 20
Troubleshooting 20
Keeping Your Weather System™ EXA As Good As New 21
Returns (Gasp!) 21
Shipping Issues 21
Tech Specs 22
Dimensional Drawings 23

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Weather System EXA Manual Rev. A © 2016 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
1. GETTING STARTED
What’s In The Box?
• 1 x Weather System™ EXA Fixture w/Case
• 1 x Tripod Lighting Stand w/Case
• 1 x Footswitch Controller
• 1 x USB to Micro-USB Cable with AC Adapter
• 1 x Ever-So-Handy Power Cord
• 4 x Accessory Knobs
• This Lovely User Manual
Getting It Out Of The Box
Congratulations on purchasing the Weather System™ EXA, the most far-out, feature-
packed portable LED lighting systems on the market today! Now that you’ve got your
Weather System™ EXA (or hopefully, EXAs!), 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, please just visit our website at www.blizzardlighting.
com/support and open a support ticket. We’ll be happy to help, honest.
Disclaimer: The information and specications contained in this document are
subject to change without notice. Blizzard Lighting™ assumes no responsibility or
liability for any errors or omissions that may appear in this user manual. Blizzard
Lighting™ reserves the right to update the existing document or to create a new
document to correct any errors or omissions at any time. You can download the
latest version of this document from www.blizzardlighting.com.
Author: Date: Last Edited: Date:
J. Thomas 4/27/2016 J. Thomas 4/29/2016

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Weather System EXA Manual Rev. A © 2016 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.
• 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
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 this unit. Do not open the
housing or attempt any repairs yourself. In the unlikely event your unit may
require service, please visit http://www.blizzardlighting.com/support.

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Weather System EXA Manual Rev. A © 2016 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
2. MEET THE WEATHER SYSTEM™ EXA
MAIN FEATURES
• 8 xtures, each with 3* 15W 6-in-1 RGBAW+UV LEDs, 100,000 hours
• Independent xture swivel & tilt positioning
• Wireless rechargeable battery powered footswitch
• Built-in color macros and auto programs via DMX
• Color mixing ability in standalone mode
• Easy to use LED digital control panel
• User selectable 32-bit dimming curves
• Flicker-free constant-current 1500HZ LED driver
• Adjustable stand, dual hanging brackets, & carrying case
• 6CH/7CH/12CH/18CH/30CH/48CH or 54-channel DMX modes
• Heavy duty, black aluminum housing
• Natural convection cooled, totally silent operation
• 3-pin XLR input and output connections
• PowerCon™ compatible AC power In/Out connectors
DMX Quick Reference - 54/48/30/18-Channel Modes
54CH 48CH 30CH 18CH What it Does 54CH 48CH 30CH 18CH What it Does
1 -- 1 1 Dimmer 28 27 -- -- Blue 5
2 1 2 2 Red 1 29 28 -- -- Amber 5
3 2 3 3 Green 1 30 29 -- -- White 5
4 3 4 4 Blue 1 31 30 -- -- UV 5
5 4 5 5 Amber 1 32 31 -- -- Red 6
6 5 6 6 White 1 33 32 -- -- Green 6
7 6 7 7 UV 1 34 33 -- -- Blue 6
8 7 8 8 Red 2 35 34 -- -- Amber 6
9 8 9 9 Green 2 36 35 -- -- White 6
10 9 10 10 Blue 2 37 36 -- -- UV 6
11 10 11 11 Amber 2 38 37 -- -- Red 7
12 11 12 12 White 2 39 38 -- -- Green 7
13 12 13 13 UV 2 40 39 -- -- Blue 7
14 13 14 -- Red 3 41 40 -- -- Amber 7
15 14 15 -- Green 3 42 41 -- -- White 7
16 15 16 -- Blue 3 43 42 -- -- UV 7
17 16 17 -- Amber 3 44 43 -- -- Red 8
18 17 18 -- White 3 45 44 -- -- Green 8
19 18 19 -- UV 3 46 45 -- -- Blue 8
20 19 20 -- Red 4 47 46 -- -- Amber 8
21 20 21 -- Green 4 48 47 -- -- White 8
22 21 22 -- Blue 4 49 48 -- -- UV 8
23 22 23 -- Amber 4 50 -- 26 14 Strobe/Shutter
24 23 24 -- White 4 51 -- 27 15 Auto
25 24 25 -- UV 4 52 -- 28 16 Auto Color
26 25 -- -- Red 5 53 -- 29 17 Auto Speed
27 26 -- -- Green 5 54 -- 30 18 32-bit Dimming
DMX Quick Reference - 12/7/6-Channel Modes
CH 12-Channel Mode 7-Channel Mode 6-Channel Mode
1 Dimmer Dimmer Red Intensity
2 Red Intensity Red Intensity Green Intensity
3 Green Intensity Green Intensity Blue Intensity
4 Blue Intensity Blue Intensity Amber Intensity
5 Amber Intensity Amber Intensity White Intensity
6 White Intensity White Intensity UV Intensity
7 UV Intensity UV Intensity --
8 Strobe/Shutter -- --
9 Auto -- --
10 Auto Color -- --
11 Auto Speed -- --
12 32-bit Dimming -- --

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Weather System EXA Manual Rev. A © 2016 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Figure 1: The Weather System™ EXA Pin-Up Picture
24x 15-Watt
RGBAW+UV 6-in-1 LEDs
3.6 to 6.3 Foot
Adjustable Tripod
Lighting Stand
Mounting
Bracket
Figure 2: The Rear Connections
DMX In/Out
Control Panel
Power Output
Power Input
Menu Buttons
DMX Sync OutMic
Mic Sensitivity Knob
Threaded Accessory Knob
Mounting Holes
Mounting
Bracket

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Weather System EXA Manual Rev. A © 2016 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
3. SETUP
Fuse Replacement
CAUTION! The Weather System™ EXA 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 Weather System™ fuse require replacement,
please contact Blizzard Lighting for instructions, or to return for service.
Connecting A Bunch of Weather System™ 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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Weather System EXA Manual Rev. A © 2016 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Cable Connectors
Cables must have a male XLR connector on one end and a female XLR connec-
tor 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, it’s no problem! you can simply use the in-
stalled 5-pin DMX input and/or output connections found on the back of your xture(s).
Conductor 3-Pin Female (Output) 5-Pin Male (Input)
Ground/Shield Pin 1 Pin 1
Data 1- (Primary Data Link) Pin 2 Pin 2
Data 1+ (Primary Data Link) Pin 3 Pin 3
Data 2- (Optional Secondary Data Link) Pin 4 Pin 4
Data 2+ (Optional Secondary Data Link) Pin 5 Pin 5
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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Weather System EXA Manual Rev. A © 2016 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 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 suitable “C” or “O” type clamps. Clamps 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 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.
• When mounting the head, 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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Weather System EXA Manual Rev. A © 2016 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
4. OPERATING ADJUSTMENTS
The Control Panel
All the goodies and different modes possible with the Weather System™ EXA
are accessed by using the control panel on the rear 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 page #11. When a menu function is selected, the display will show im-
mediately the rst available option for the selected menu function. To select a
menu item, press <ENTER>.
Use the <UP> and <DOWN> buttons to navigate the menu options. Press the
<ENTER> 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.