Blizzard Lighting MAX L User manual

Blizzard Lighting, LLC
http://www.blizzardpro.com
Waukesha, WI USA
Copyright (c) 2020

Page 2
MAX L™ User Manual - Rev. A © 2020 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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 4
2. Meet MAX L™ 5
Main Features 5
DMX Quick Reference 5
MAX L™ Pin-Up Picture 6
The Rear Connections 6
3. Setup 7
Fuse Replacement 7
Connecting A Bunch of MAX L's 7
Data/DMX Cabling 7
Cable Connectors 8
3-Pin??? 5-Pin??? Huh?!? 8
Take It To The Next Level: Setting Up DMX Control 8
Fixture Linking (M/S Mode) 9
Mounting & Rigging 9
4. Operating Adjustments 10
The Control Panel 10
Control Panel Menu Structure 11
DMX Mode 12
Starting DMX Address 12
DMX Channel Mode 12
M/S Mode 12
Auto, Sound Active, & Manual Adjustments 12
Color Jump & Color Fade 12
Color Mixing and Presets 12
5. Appendix 14
Keeping Your MAX L™ As Good As New 14
Returns (Gasp!) 14
Shipping Issues 14
Tech Specs! 15
Dimensional Drawings 15

Page 3
MAX L™ User Manual - Rev. A © 2020 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
1. GETTING STARTED
What’s In The Box?
• 1 x MAX L™ LED Strobe
• 1 x IEC Power Cord
• 1 x Mounting Bracket & Locking Knobs
Getting It Out Of the Box
Congratulations on purchasing the multi-talented MAX L™: color strobe, blinder
and wash eect. Now that you’ve got MAX L™, 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 o a switched circuit and cannot be run
o a rheostat (variable resistor) or dimmer circuit, even if the rheostat
or dimmer channel is used solely for a 0% to 100% switch.
Warning! All xtures must be connected to circuits with a suitable
Ground (Earthing).
Getting A Hold Of Us
If something goes wrong, please visit www.blizzardpro.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.blizzardpro.com.
Author: Date: Last Edited: Date:
J. Thomas 9/23/2020 J. Thomas 12/28/2020

Page 4
MAX L™ User Manual - Rev. A © 2020 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Please read these instructions carefully. They include
important information about the installation, usage and
maintenance of this product.
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
head. 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 open a support ticket at www.blizzardpro.com/support.

Page 5
MAX L™ User Manual - Rev. A © 2020 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
2. MEET MAX L™
Main Features
• 3-in-1 strobe, blinder, and wash eect
• 132x 0.2W high output SMD 5050 RGB LEDs
• RGB color mixing in DMX and stand-alone mode
• Flicker-free, constant current LED driver
• Multiple built-in color macros and strobe eects
• Auto and sound active programs via DMX
• Variable electronic strobe (1-30Hz)
• Beam angle: 80°
• Built-in microphone with sensitivity adjustments
• 8 DMX modes with dimmer, ash frequency, and duration
• 3-pin DMX input/output + IEC power input
• Compact black metal housing with mounting bracket
Control
• Protocol: USITT DMX-512
• DMX channel modes: 1/2/3/4/6-channels (8 total)
• 4-button control panel with LED display
• Operating modes: DMX512, M/S, auto mode, sound active
DMX Quick Reference (1/2/3-Channel Modes)
1CH 2CH(1) 2CH(2) 3CH(1) What It Does
-- 1 1 1 Dimmer (0% <--> 100%)
1 -- 2 2 Strobe (slow <--> fast)
-- 2 -- -- Color Macros
-- -- -- 3 Flash Duration (0ms to 510ms)
DMX Quick Reference (3/4/6-Channel Modes)
3CH(2) 3CH(3) 4CH 6CH What It Does
1 -- 1 1 Dimmer (0% <--> 100%)
2 -- 2 2 Strobe (slow <--> fast)
3 -- 3 -- Color Macros
-- 1 -- 3 Red Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
-- 2 -- 4 Green Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
-- 3 -- 5 Blue Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
-- -- 4 6 Sound Active (mic sensitivity)

Page 6
MAX L™ User Manual - Rev. A © 2020 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
The Rear Connections
MAX L™ Pin-Up Picture
132x 0.2W SMD 5050
RGB LEDs
Mounting
Bracket
Locking
Knob
Fuse Holder
Control Panel Menu
DMX Input
Power Input DMX Output
Safety
Loop

Page 7
MAX L™ User Manual - Rev. A © 2020 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Fuse Replacement
With a at head screwdriver, wedge the fuse
holder out of its housing. Remove the damaged
fuse from its holder and replace with exact same
type fuse.
Connecting A Bunch of MAX L's
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
Before replacing a fuse, disconnect the power cord.
ALWAYS replace with the same type and rating of fuse.
3. SETUP

Page 8
MAX L™ User Manual - Rev. A © 2020 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!)
To build your own DMX Terminator:
Obtain a 120-ohm, 1/4-watt resistor, and wire it between pins 2 & 3 of the last xture. They are also
readily available from specialty retailers.
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.
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. 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
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 - Do Not Use
Data 2+ (Optional Secondary Data Link) -- Pin 5 - Do Not Use
12
33
INPUT OUTPUT
Common
DMX +
DMX -
DMX OUTDMX IN
First
Fixture
in Chain
Next
Fixture
in Chain
DMX OUTDMX IN
A Word on Termination:
DMX is a resilient communication protocol, however
errors still occasionally occur. Termination reduces signal
errors, and therefore best practices include use of a
terminator in all circumstances. If you are experiencing
problems with erratic xture behavior, especially over
long signal cable runs, a terminator may help improve
performance.

Page 9
MAX L™ User Manual - Rev. A © 2020 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Fixture Linking (M/S Mode)
1. Connect the male connector side of the DMX cable to the output female
connector of the rst xture.
2. Connect the end of the cable coming from
the rst xture which will have a female
connector to the input connector of the next
xture consisting of a male 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.
DMX OUTDMX IN
First
Fixture
in Chain
Next
Fixture
in Chain
DMX OUTDMX IN
Mounting & Rigging
This xture may be mounted in any SAFE position provided there is enough
room for ventilation. The fan or vent pathway must never be obstructed.
IMPORTANT: Regardless of the rigging option you choose for your xtures,
always be sure to secure your xture with a safety cable.
Mount the xture using a suitable "C" or "O" type clamp. The clamps should be
rated to hold at least 10x the xture’s weight to ensure structural stability. Do
not mount to surfaces of unknown strength, and ensure properly rated rigging
is used when mounting xtures overhead.
Overhead mounting requires extensive experience, which includes calculating
working load limits, knowledge of the installation material being used, and
periodic safety inspections. If you lack these qualications, do not attempt the
installation yourself. Improper installation can result in bodily injury.
Bracket
Clamp
Safety Loop

Page 10
MAX L™ User Manual - Rev. A © 2020 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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.
4. OPERATING ADJUSTMENTS
The Control Panel
All the features and dierent modes possible with the MAX L™ are accessed by
using the control panel on the rear of the xture. There are 4 control buttons
under to the LED display which allow you to navigate through the various con-
trol 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.