Blizzard Lighting Northstar Spec-Z User manual

Blizzard Lighting, LLC
www.blizzardlighting.com
Waukesha, WI USA
Copyright (c) 2013

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NorthStar™ SPEC Z Manual Rev. A (c) 2013 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NorthStar™ SPEC-Z LED Moving Head Wash 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 NorthStar™ SPEC-Z 5
Main Features 5
Additional Features 5
DMX Quick Reference 5
The NorthStar™ SPEC-Z Pin-up Picture 7
3. Setup 8
Fuse Replacement 8
Connecting A Bunch Of NorthStar™ SPEC-Z’s 8
Data/DMX Cables 8
Cable Connectors 9
3-Pin??? 5-Pin??? Huh? 9
Take It To The Next Level: Setting up DMX Control 9
Fixture Linking (Master/Slave Mode) 10
Mounting/Rigging 10
4. Operating Adjustments 11
The Control Panel 11
Control Panel Menu Structure 12
DMX Channel Values In-Depth 13
LED Groups 14
Troubleshooting 15
5. Appendix 16
A Quick DMX Lesson 16
Keeping Your NorthStar™ SPEC-Z As Good As New 17
Returns (Gasp!) 17
Shipping Issues 17
Tech Specs 18

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NorthStar™ SPEC Z Manual Rev. A (c) 2013 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
1. GETTING STARTED
What’s In The Box?
 •1xNorthStar™SPEC-Z
 •Agroovypowercord
 •Asweetsafetycable&mountingbracket
 •OnereallyclassyDMXcable
 •Thislovelyusermanual
Getting It Out Of The Box
Congratulations on purchasing the NorthStar™ SPEC-Z, the next generation of LED moving
head washes! Now that you’ve got your NorthStar™ SPEC-Z (or hopefully, Z’s!) 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
N16 W23390 Stoneridge Dr. Suite E
Waukesha, WI 53188 USA
www.blizzardlighting.com
414-395-8365
Email: [email protected]
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 9/6/2013 J. Thomas 9/9/2013

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NorthStar™ SPEC Z Manual Rev. A (c) 2013 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
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contactBlizzardLightingatsup-
[email protected].

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NorthStar™ SPEC Z Manual Rev. A (c) 2013 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
2. MEET THE NORTHSTAR™ SPEC-Z
MAIN FEATURES
•37x10-wattCREE®MC-E4-in-1LED’s,60,000hours
•RGBWcolormixing+CTC
•3individuallycontrollableLEDpixel-rings
•14,18or30-channelDMXLEDmovingyoke
•Zoomable13-45°beamanglecapabilities
•Fast16-bitpan:0-450º(2.2sec.),andtilt:0-300º(1.2sec.)
•Adjustablepan/tiltnetunepositioncorrection
•Variableelectronicstrobe
•Variableelectronicdimmer
•Multiplebuilt-incolormacros
•Multiplebuilt-inautomatedprograms
•Master/Slavesynchronization
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
•Easytouse5-buttoncontrolpanelwithLCDdisplay
•Dualquarter-turn“OMEGA”clampbrackets
•PowerCon™compatiblein/outpowerconnectors
•Internalfancoolingsystem
DMX QUICK REFERENCE - 14 CHANNEL MODE
Channel What It Does?
1 Dimmer
2 Strobe (Slow <--> Fast)
3 Tilt
4 Tilt Trim (16-bit)
5Pan
6 Pan Trim (16-bit)
7 Full Fixture Color Chase / Fade (Slow <--> Fast)
8 Built-in Programs / Gobo Effects
9 Dimmer Speed / Fade Time
10 Zoom
11 Red Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
12 Green Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
13 Blue Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
14 White Intensity (0% <--> 100%)

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NorthStar™ SPEC Z Manual Rev. A (c) 2013 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
DMX QUICK REFERENCE - 18/30 CHANNEL MODE
Channel What It Does?
1 Dimmer
2 Strobe (Slow <--> Fast)
3 Tilt
4 Tilt Trim (16-bit)
5Pan
6 Pan Trim (16-bit)
7 Full Fixture Color Chase / Fade (Slow <--> Fast)
8 Built-in Programs / Gobo Effects (Color: Ch. 11-14)
9 Dimmer Speed / Fade Time
10 Multifunction Strobe Pre-Delay (Short <--> Long)
11 Multifunction Strobe Flash Speed (Fast <--> Slow)
12 Multifunction Strobe Fade-In (Fast <--> Slow)
13 Multifunction Strobe Fade-Out (Fast <--> Slow)
14 Zoom
15 Red Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
16 Green Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
17 Blue Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
18 White Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
19 1st LED Group - Red Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
20 1st LED Group - Green Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
21 1st LED Group - Blue Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
22 1st LED Group - White Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
23 2nd LED Group - Red Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
24 2nd LED Group - Green Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
25 2nd LED Group - Blue Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
26 2nd LED Group - White Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
27 3rd LED Group - Red Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
28 3rd LED Group - Green Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
29 3rd LED Group - Blue Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
30 3rd LED Group - White Intensity (0% <--> 100%)

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NorthStar™ SPEC Z Manual Rev. A (c) 2013 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Figure 1: The NorthStar™ SPEC-Z Pin-Up Picture
4-in-1 LEDs
Control ButtonsLCD Readout
Figure 2: The Rear Connections
DMX In
Head/Arms
Carry Handle
DMX Out
Power In Power Out

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NorthStar™ SPEC Z Manual Rev. A (c) 2013 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
3. SETUP
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. Insert the fuse
holder back in its place and reconnect
power.
Connecting A Bunch of NorthStar™ SPEC-Zs
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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NorthStar™ SPEC Z Manual Rev. A (c) 2013 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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NorthStar™ SPEC Z Manual Rev. A (c) 2013 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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.
•Nevermountinplaceswherethexturewillbeexposedtorain,
high humidity, extreme temperature changes or restricted ventilation.