Blizzard Lighting SnowBlind User manual

Blizzard Lighting, LLC
http://www.blizzardpro.com
Waukesha, WI USA
Copyright (c) 2021

Page 2
Snowblind User Manual Rev. C © 2021 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 the Snowblind 5
Main Features 5
DMX Quick Reference 5
Control 5
Snowblind Pin-Up Picture 6
The Rear Connections 6
3. Setup 7
Fuse Replacement 7
Connecting A Bunch of UVonix™ Blackstars 7
Data/DMX Cabling 7
Using This Fixture with the WiCICLE® Wireless DMX System 8
Cable Connectors 10
3-Pin??? 5-Pin??? Huh?!? 10
Take It To The Next Level: Setting Up DMX Control 10
Fixture Linking (M/S Mode) 11
Mounting & Rigging 11
4. Operating Adjustments 12
The Control Panel 12
Control Panel Menu Structure 12
DMX Values In-Depth 13
Troubleshooting 13
Keeping Your Snowblind As Good As New 14
Returns (Gasp!) 14
Shipping Issues 14
Tech Specs! 15

Page 3
Snowblind User Manual Rev. C © 2021 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
1. GETTING STARTED
What’s In The Box?
• 1 x SnowBlind™
• 1 x Power Cord
• This Lovely User Manual
Getting It Out Of the Box
Congratulations on purchasing one way cool, way exible, way original LED
strobe light! Now that you’ve got your SnowBlind™ (or hopefully, Snow
Blind’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 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 happens to go wrong, visit 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 2/25/2013 J. Thomas 11/8/2021

Page 4
Snowblind User Manual Rev. C © 2021 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
Snowblind User Manual Rev. C © 2021 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
2. MEET THE SNOWBLIND™
Main Features
• 18x 1-watt cool white LEDs
• Variable electronic strobe
• Variable electronic dimmer
• Controlled via 3-channel DMX and master/slave
• Sound active mode in standalone and DMX modes
• Microphone sensitivity adjustment in standalone and DMX modes
• 4-button easy to use LED control panel menu
• Aluminum mounting bracket with locking knobs
• Able to directly power the wiCICLE® wireless system via DMX
• Lightweight and Compact (It kept its New Years’ resolution!)
Control
• Protocol: USITT DMX-512
• DMX channels: 3-channel
• Easy-to-use 4-button control panel with LED display
• Operating modes: DMX-512, M/S, and Sound Active
DMX Quick Reference (3-Channel Modes)
3CH What It Does
1 Dimmer (Low <--> High)
2 Flash Speed (Slow <--> Fast)
3 Microphone Sensitivity Adjustment (Low <--> High)

Page 6
Snowblind User Manual Rev. C © 2021 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Figure 1: SnowBlind™ Pin-Up Picture
18x 1-Watt
Cool White LEDs
Aluminum Housing
Control Panel
Figure 2: The Rear Connections
AC Power In +
Fuse Holder
DMX
In
Mounting Bracket
Locking
Knobs
MicMic Sensitivity
DMX
Out

Page 7
Snowblind User Manual Rev. C © 2021 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Fuse Replacement
Remove the fuse holder from of its housing. Then take out the damaged fuse
from its holder and replace with exact same type of fuse. Reattach the fuse
holder, and then reconnect power.
Connecting A Bunch of Snowblinds
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. 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 the fuse, disconnect the power cord.
ALWAYS replace it with the same type and rating.
3. SETUP

Page 8
Snowblind User Manual Rev. C © 2021 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
USING THIS FIXTURE WITH THE wiCICLE® WIRELESS
DMX SYSTEM
In addition to the unbridled thrill you already
received the rst time you plugged in your x-
ture, you’ll be delighted to know that This x-
ture also works seamlessly with our wiCICLE®
Wireless DMX system, without additional power.
• ONLY xtures bearing this logo are certied for use with the wiCICLE®
without external power.
• Unauthorized modication and/or using the wiCICLE®with un-
approved xtures may cause damage to the wiCICLE® or xture.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS BLIZZARD LIGHTING RESPON-
SIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE FROM SUCH OPERATION.
• Fixtures bearing the above logo MUST only use cable and connectors
which separate chassis/case ground from cable shielding. Cabling with
the shield connected to the connector’s case/chassis may cause malfunc-
tion and damage to the wiCICLE® or xture.
• wiCICLE®transmitters have additional power requirements and
therefore cannot be powered directly from the xture. You will
need to utilize the supplied AC/DC adaptor to drive wiCICLE®
transmitters in your system.
WE HAD THIS SPACE, SO WE FIGURED WE’D DRAW
YOU A PICTURE:
Antenna Housing & 1/2-wave
Antenna
Antenna ferrule & articulation
joint
Stainless Steel Housing
Recessed Selector Button
Status LED
3-Pin XLR Connector
(Male on transmitter, Female
on receiver model)

Page 9
Snowblind User Manual Rev. C © 2021 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Each wiCICLE®acts as both a transmitter and a receiver, depending on whether a
DMX source is applied to the integral XLR connector. This is an extremely power-
ful feature of the system, however, it also requires 1 piece of due diligence, and
that is the removal of extraneous DMX signals from your lighting rig BEFORE
proceeding.
SO: BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ELSE, YOU SHOULD DISABLE ANY BUILT-
IN PROGRAMS IN THE FIXTURES YOU WISH TO CONNECT AND/OR SET
THEM AS SLAVES PRIOR TO RETURNING THEM TO DMX MODE (IF APPLI-
CABLE). Most xtures contain a built-in automatic, sound active or cus-
tom program which is designed to operate with the xture NOT connected
to a DMX chain.
Some of these programs will automatically run unless the xture is set to slave
mode. These xtures typically sense DMX automatically and switch to DMX mode
upon receiving DMX signal (our Pucks do that!)
If you plug a wiCICLE® “receiver” into an autosensing xture set as a “master,
“chances are good that the wiCICLE®“receiver” will begin transmitting the master
program. Most times, this is undesirable, and taking the two seconds to switch
these programs o will solve a lot of ails.
Got that done? Good! Then let’s proceed!
1. Plug the wiCICLE® Receiver into the “DMX IN” connector of the xture and
verify it is receiving power (the STATUS LED should illuminate.)
2. Connect the AC/DC adaptor to the wiCICLE®Transmitter and verify it is receiv-
ing power (the STATUS LED should illuminate.)
3. Press the RECESSED SELECTOR BUTTON on the Transmitter to select the
operating channel group. (The system will store this setting for future use)
The 7-Color Status LED will change color to indicate the current channel group:
· GROUP 1: RED
· GROUP 2: GREEN
· GROUP 3: YELLOW
· GROUP 4: BLUE
· GROUP 5: VIOLET
· GROUP 6: CYAN
· GROUP 7: WHITE
4. Follow the same procedure on the Receiver to select the channel group.
5. Once both the transmitter and receiver(s) are both set to the same channel
group, connect the transmitter to the DMX controller or the DMX out of a xture
on your DMX chain.
6. Once a DMX signal is provided to the transmitter, the status LED will blink RED
slowly until communication is established with the receiver. The status LED on
the receiver(s) will ash GREEN slowly until communication is established.
7. Once the clearest channel is auto-selected, the status LEDs will blink quickly on
both the transmitter and receiver. NOTE: The color of the LED DURING opera-
tion does not indicate channel group, instead it indicates whether the unit is
transmitting or receiving. That’s It!
NOTE: “GROUP” number also
corresponds to the “GROUP”
setting on our LightCaster™
wireless DMX Transceiver.

Page 10
Snowblind User Manual Rev. C © 2021 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.
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
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 11
Snowblind User Manual Rev. C © 2021 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 clamp 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.

Page 12
Snowblind User Manual Rev. C © 2021 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
4. OPERATING ADJUSTMENTS
The Control Panel
All the goodies and dierent modes possible with the SnowBlind™ 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 display shows the menu items listed. Pushing the <MODE>
button repeatedly will scroll through the menu settings. To edit one, push the
<SETUP> button. Then use the <UP/DOWN> buttons to scroll through your
choices (if applicable). Push the mode button to conrm your choice.
Control Panel Menu Structure
CON 000 - 255 Brightness Control (Low <--> High)
F.00 - F.30 Sets the Strobe Speed (Slow <--> Fast)
SE- SE.0 - SE.9 Sound Active, Mic Sensitivity (0-9, 0=o)
*Note: The rear sensitivity knob must be turned up (clockwise) for the control panel settings will function.
Also, for the knob to function, the menu settings must not be set to o (SE.0).
SLA Sets Fixture to Slave Mode
d-- 001 - 255 Selects the Starting DMX Channel
MODE SETUP DOWNUP

Page 13
Snowblind User Manual Rev. C © 2021 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
DMX Values In-Depth (3 Channel Mode)
Ch. Value What It Does
1 000 <--> 255 Dimmer (Low <--> High)
2 000 <--> 255 Flash Speed (Slow <--> Fast)
3000 <--> 009
010 <--> 255
No Function
Microphone Sensitivity (Low <--> High)
Troubleshooting
Symptom Solution
Fixture Auto-
Shut O
Check the fan in the xture. If it is stopped or moving
slower than normal, the unit may have shut itself o due to
high heat. This is to protect the xture from overheating.
Clear the fan of obstructions, or return the unit for service.
Beam is Dim Check optical system and clean excess dust/grime. Also
ensure that the 220V/110V switch is in the correct position,
if applicable.
No Light Output Check to ensure xture is operating under correct mode, IE
sound active/auto/DMX/Etc., if applicable.
Chase Speed
Too Fast/Slow
Check to ensure proper setup of speed adjustment.
No Power Check fuse, AC cord and circuit for malfunction.
Blown Fuse Check AC cord and circuit for damage, verify that moving
parts are not restricted and that unit’s ventilation is not
obstructed
Slow Movement Verify that 220V/110V switch is in the correct position, if
applicable. Also check that speed channels are set appro-
priately.
No Response to
Audio
Verify that the xture is in “Sound Active” mode.
Adjust Audio Sensitivity, If Applicable.
Fixture Not
Responding /
Responding Er-
raticly
Make sure all connectors are seated properly and securely.
Use Only DMX Cables and/or check cables for defects
Install a Terminator.
Reset xture(s).
Intermittant
Lamp
Check lamp for properly installation.
Relamp, lamp may have reached end of life.

Page 14
Snowblind User Manual Rev. C © 2021 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Keeping Your SnowBlind™ As Good As New
The xture you’ve received is a rugged, tough piece of pro lighting equip-
ment, and as long as you take care of it, it will take care of you. That said, like
anything, you’ll need to take care of it if you want it to operate as designed.
You should absolutely keep the xture clean, especially if you are using it in an
environment with a lot of dust, fog, haze, wild animals, wild teenagers or spilled
drinks.
Cleaning the optics routinely with a suitable glass cleaner will greatly improve
the quality of light output. Keeping the fans free of dust and debris will keep
the xture running cool and prevent damage from overheating.
In transit, keep the xtures in cases. You wouldn’t throw a prized guitar,
drumset, or other piece of expensive gear into a gear trailer without a case,
and similarly, you shouldn’t even think about doing it with your shiny new light
xtures.
Common sense and taking care of your xtures will be the single biggest thing
you can do to keep them running at peak performance and let you worry about
designing a great light show, putting on a great concert, or maximizing your cli-
ent’s satisfaction and “wow factor.” That’s what it’s all about, after all!
Returns (Gasp!)
We’ve taken a lot of precautions to make sure you never even have to worry
about sending a defective unit back, or sending a unit in for service. But, like
any complex piece of equipment designed and built by humans, once in a while,
something doesn’t go as planned. If you nd yourself with a xture that isn’t
behaving like a good little xture should, you’ll need to obtain a Return Authori-
zation (RA).
Don’t worry, this is easy. Just open a support ticket at www.blizzardpro.com/
support, and we’ll issue you an RA. Then, you’ll need to send the unit to us
using a trackable, pre-paid freight method. We suggest using USPS Priority or
UPS. Make sure you carefully pack the xture for transit, and whenever pos-
sible, use the original box & packing for shipping.
When returning your xture for service, be sure to include the following:
1.) Your contact information (Name, Address, Phone Number, Email address).
2.) The RA# issued to you
3.) A brief description of the problem/symptoms.
We will, at our discretion, repair or replace the xture. Please remember that
any shipping damage which occurs in transit to us is the customer’s responsibil-
ity, so pack it well!
Shipping Issues
Damage incurred in shipping is the responsibility of the shipper, and
must be reported to the carrier immediately upon receipt of the items.
Claims must be made within seven (7) days of receipt.

Page 15
Snowblind User Manual Rev. C © 2021 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Tech Specs!
Weight & Dimensions
Length 12.59 inches (32 cm)
Width 5.51 inches (14 cm)
Height 3.54 inches (9 cm)
Weight 3.52 lbs (1.6 kg)
Power
Operating Voltage AC100V/240V 50/60Hz
Power Consumption 19W, .24A
Power Factor .67
Light Source
LED 18x 1-Watt LEDs (Cool White), 100,000 hours.
Optical
Beam Angle 15 degrees
Luminous Intensity 2,497 Lux @ 2.5m, 432 Lux @ 2m
Thermal
Max. Operating Temp. 104 degrees F (40 degrees C) ambient
Control
Protocol USITT DMX-512
DMX Channels 3 Channel
Input 3-pin XLR Male
Output 3-pin XLR Female
Operating Modes Sound Active, Master/Slave, DMX
Warranty
2-year limited warranty, does not cover malfunction caused by
damage to LEDs.

Enjoy your product!
Our sincerest thanks for your purchase!
--The team @ Blizzard Lighting