Blizzard Lighting weather system User manual

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

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Weather System User Manual Rev. A Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Weather System™ 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 Weather System™ 5
Features 5
DMX Quick Reference 5
The Weather System™ Pin-up Picture 6
3. Setup 7
Fuse Replacement 7
Connecting A Bunch Of Weather System™ Fixtures 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
Navigating The Control Panel 10
Control Panel Menu Structure 11
DMX Mode 12
Master/Slave Mode 12
Sound Active Mode 12
Standalone (Program) Mode 12
Manual Color Adjustment 12
The Weather System™ Foot Switch Controller 13
DMX Channel Values In-Depth 14
Troubleshooting 16
5. Appendix 16
A Quick DMX Lesson 16
Keeping Your Weather System™ As Good As New 17
Returns (Gasp!) 17
Shipping Issues 17
Tech Specs 18

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Weather System User Manual Rev. A Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
1. GETTING STARTED
What’s In The Box?
 •1xWeatherSystem™8FixtureLEDBar
 •1xFootSwitchController
 •1xTripodLightingStand
 •1xCarryingCase
 •ThisLovelyUserManual
Getting It Out Of The Box
CongratulationsonpurchasingoneofthecoolestLEDlightingsystems
anywhere! Now that you’re the proud owner of a Weather System™ (or
hopefully,MORE!),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

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Weather System User Manual Rev. A 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.
•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 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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Weather System User Manual Rev. A Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
2. MEET THE WEATHER SYSTEM™
MAIN FEATURES:
•Userselectable7or26DMXchannels
•8xtures,eachttedwith3Tri-ColorRGBLED’s
•Independentxtureswivel&tiltpositioning
•Fullcolormixinginstandalone,master/slaveandDMXmodes
•Built-inautomatedprogramsviamaster/slave
•Built-insoundactivatedprogramsviamaster/slave
•EasytouseLEDdigitalcontrolpanel
•3-pinmaleinputand3-pinfemaleoutput
•Adjustablestand,dualhangingbrackets,&carryingcase
•Heavyduty,blackaluminumhousing
OPTICAL:
•BeamAngle:25°
•LightSource:24*3-wattTri-ColorLEDs,100,000hours
CONTROL:
•USITTDMX-512(26/7Channels)
•Fourpetalfootswitch
•3-pinInput/Output
•LED4-buttoncontrolpanel
DMX Quick Reference (26-Channel Mode)
Channel Channel
1 Dimmer
2-25 Individual Fixture R/G/B Intensity
26 Strobe
DMX Quick Reference (7-Channel Mode)
Channel Channel
1 Dimmer
2 Global Red Intensity
3 Global Green Intensity
4 Global Blue Intensity
5 Built-in Programs + Sound Active
6 Speed + Mic Sensitivity
7 Strobe

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Weather System User Manual Rev. A Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
High Power
Tri-ColorLEDs
Dual Mounting Brackets with
Locking Knobs
Black Aluminum
Casing
4-ButtonLEDControlPanel
AC Power In
DMX In DMX Out
Adjustable
Stand
Footswitch Input
Figure 1: The Weather System™ Pin-Up Picture
Figure 2: The Rear Connections

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Weather System User Manual Rev. A Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
3. SETUP
Fuse Replacement
CAUTION! The Weather System™ 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 your unit 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 User Manual Rev. A 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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Weather System User Manual Rev. A 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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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Weather System User Manual Rev. A Copyright (c) 2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
4. OPERATING ADJUSTMENTS
The Control Panel
All the goodies and different modes possible with the Weather
System™ 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.
<MODE>
Is used to navigate the various modes.
<SETUP>
Is used to enter into the selected mode setup.
<UP>
Scrolls through menu items and numbers in ascending order.
<DOWN>
Scrolls through menu items and numbers in descending order.
TheControlPanelLEDDisplayshowsthemenuitemslistedonthe
Control Panel Menu Structure on page 11. Use the <MODE>
button to navigate your choices. To edit a setting, push the <SETUP>
button, then use the <UP> and <DOWN> buttons again to scroll
through your options.
Mode Setup doWNup