Chauvet Minisphere 3 User manual

User Manual

Page 2 of 13 Minisphere™ 3 User Manual (Rev. 4)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Before You Begin................................................................................3
What Is Included ...........................................................................................3
Unpacking Instructions..................................................................................3
Claims...................................................................................................................3
Text Conventions ..........................................................................................3
Icons.............................................................................................................3
Document Information...................................................................................3
Product at a Glance.......................................................................................4
Safety Notes .................................................................................................4
2. Introduction.........................................................................................5
Product Overview..........................................................................................5
Product Dimensions......................................................................................6
3. Setup...................................................................................................7
AC Power......................................................................................................7
Fuse Replacement.................................................................................................7
Mounting.......................................................................................................8
Orientation.............................................................................................................8
Rigging..................................................................................................................8
4. Operation ............................................................................................9
Configuration (DMX)......................................................................................9
Starting Address ....................................................................................................9
Configuration (Standalone)............................................................................9
Sound Active Mode................................................................................................9
Automatic Mode.....................................................................................................9
Master/Slave Mode................................................................................................9
DMX Channel Assignments and Values.......................................................10
4-CH....................................................................................................................10
5. Technical Information ......................................................................10
Product Maintenance ..................................................................................10
General Troubleshooting.............................................................................11
Contact Procedure ......................................................................................12
CHAUVET® Contact Information.................................................................12
Returning Products to CHAUVET®..............................................................12
6. Technical Specifications..................................................................13

Minisphere™ 3 User Manual (Rev. 4) Page 3 of 13
1.BEFORE YOU BEGIN
What Is
Included
•1 x Minisphere™ 3
•1 x Power Cord
•1 x Warranty Card
•1 x Quick Reference Guide
Unpacking
Instructions
Immediately upon receipt, carefully unpack the product and check the container to make
sure you have received all the parts indicated above in good condition.
Claims
If the container or the contents appear damaged from shipping, notify the carrier
immediately, not CHAUVET®, upon receipt.
Failure to do so in a timely manner may
invalidate your claim with the carrier. In addition, keep the container and all the pa
cking
material for inspection.
For other issues such as missing parts, damage not related to shipping, or concealed
damage, file a claim with CHAUVET® within 7 days of receiving the product.
Text
Conventions
Convention Meaning
[10]
A DIP switch to be configured
1~512
A range of values
50/60
A set of values of which only one can be chosen
Settings
A menu option not to be modified
Menu > Settings
A sequence of menu options to be followed
<ENTER>
A key to be pressed on the product’s control panel
ON
A value to be entered or selected
Icons
Icon
Meaning
Critical installation, configuration, or operation information. Failure
to comply with this information may render the product partially or
completely inoperative, cause damage to the product, or cause
harm to the user.
Important installation or configuration information. Failure to
comply with this information may prevent the product from
functioning correctly.
Useful information.
Document
Information
The information and specifications contained in this document are subject to change
without notice. CHAUVET® assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or
omissions that may appear in this manual.
CHAUVET® reserves the right to update the
existing document or to create a new document to correct any errors or omissions.
Download the latest version of this document from www.chauvetlighting.com.
© Copyright 2012 CHAUVET®. All rights reserved.
Electronically published by CHAUVET® in the U.S.A.
Author Date Editor Date
A. Diaz 11/15/11 S. Graham 3/1/12

Page 4 of 13 Minisphere™ 3 User Manual (Rev. 4)
Product at a
Glance
Use on Dimmer

Auto Programs

Outdoor Use

Auto-ranging Power Supply

Sound Activated

Replaceable Fuse

DMX

User Serviceable

Master/Slave

Duty Cycle

Safety Notes
Please read the following Safety Notes carefully before working with the product. The
Notes include important safety information about installation, usage, and maintenance.
•Always connect the product to a grounded circuit to avoid the risk of electrocution.
•Always disconnect the product from the power source before cleaning or replacing
the fuse.
•Avoid direct eye exposure to the light source while the product is on.
•Make sure the power cord is not crimped or damaged.
•Never disconnect the product from power cord by pulling or tugging on the cord.
•If mounting the product overhead, always secure to a fastening device using a
safety cable.
•Make sure there are no flammable materials close to the product when operating.
•Do not touch the product’s housing when operating because it may be very hot.
•Always make sure that the voltage of the outlet to which you are connecting the
product is within the range stated on the decal or rear panel of the product.
•The product is for indoor use only! (IP20) To prevent risk of fire or shock, do not
expose the product to rain or moisture.
•Always install the product in a location with adequate ventilation, at least 20 in (50
cm) from adjacent surfaces.
•Be sure that no ventilation slots on the product’s housing are blocked.
•Never connect the product to a dimmer.
•Make sure to replace the fuse with another of the same type and rating.
•Never carry the product from the power cord or any moving part. Always use the
hanging/mounting bracket or the handles.
•The maximum ambient temperature (Ta) is 104° F (40° C). Do not operate the
product at higher temperatures.
•In the event of a serious operating problem, stop using the product immediately.
•Never try to repair the product. Repairs carried out by unskilled people can lead to
damage or malfunction. Please contact the nearest authorized technical assistance
center.
•Keep this User Manual for future use. If you sell the product to another user, be
sure that they also receive this document.

Minisphere™ 3 User Manual (Rev. 4) Page 5 of 13
2.INTRODUCTION
Product Overview
DMX Out
DMX In
Power
In & Fuse Holder

Page 6 of 13 Minisphere™ 3 User Manual (Rev. 4)
Product Dimensions

Minisphere™ 3 User Manual (Rev. 4) Page 7 of 13
3.SETUP
AC Power
The Minisphere™ 3 has an auto-ranging power supply that works
with an input voltage
range of 100~240 VAC, 50/60 Hz.
To determine the product’s power requirements (circuit breaker, power outlet, and
wiring), use the current value listed on the label affixed to the product’s back panel, or
refer to the product’s specifications chart. The listed current rating indicates the
product’s average current draw under normal conditions.
Always connect the product to a protected circuit
(circuit breaker or fuse). Make
sure the product has an appropriate electrical
ground to avoid the risk of
electrocution or fire.
Never connect the product to
a rheostat (variable resistor) or dimmer circuit, even
if the rheostat or dimmer channel serves only as a 0 to 100% switch.
Fuse
Replacement Follow the instructions below to change the fuse, if necessary.
Disconnect the product from the power outlet before replacing the fuse.
1. Wedge the tip of a flat-head screwdriver into the slot of the fuse holder and pry out
of the housing.
2. Remove the blown fuse from the holder and replace with a fuse of the exact same
type and rating.
3. Insert the fuse holder back into place and reconnect power.
The product does not ship with a spare fuse; however, the safety cap has room
for a spare.
Installed fuse
(held by plastic clip)
Spare fuse holder
(inside safety cap)
Safety cap

Page 8 of 13 Minisphere™ 3 User Manual (Rev. 4)
Mounting
Before mounting the product
, read and follow the safety recommendations indicated in
the Safety Notes section in this manual).
Orientation
The Minisphere™ 3
may be mounted in any position; however, make sure adequate
ventilation is provided around the product.
Rigging
•Before deciding on a location for the product, always make sure there is easy
access to the product for maintenance and programming purposes.
•Make sure that the structure or surface onto which you are mounting the product
can support the product’s weight. Refer to the Technical Specifications secti
on of
this manual for weight information.
•When mounting the product overhead, always use a safety cable.
Mount the
product securely to a rigging point, whether an elevated platform or a truss.
•When rigging the product onto a truss, you should use a mounting clamp of
appropriate weight capacity.
Mounting Diagram
Teardrop
Mounting Holes
(x2)
Mounting Screw
Holes (x4)

Minisphere™ 3 User Manual (Rev. 4) Page 9 of 13
4.OPERATION
Configuration
(DMX)
Set the product in DMX mode to control with a DMX controller.
1. Connect the product to a suitable power outlet.
2. Turn the product on.
3. Connect a DMX cable from the DMX output of the DMX controller to the DMX input
socket on the product.
Starting Address
When selecting a starting DMX address,
always consider the number of DMX channels
the selected DMX mode uses. If you
choose a starting address that is too high, you
could restrict the access to some of the product’s channels.
The Minisphere™ 3 uses up to 4 DMX channels in 4-Channel DMX mode, which defines
the highest configurable address to 509.
If you are not familiar with the DMX protocol, download the
DMX Primer from
www.chauvetlighting.com.
To select the starting address, do the following:
1. Set DIP switch [10] to the OFF position.
2. Use DIP switches [1~9] to set the DMX starting address.
Configuration
(Standalone)
Set the product in one of the standalone modes to control without a DMX controller.
1. Connect the product to a suitable power outlet.
2. Turn the product on.
Never connect a product that is operating in any standalone mode (either Static,
Automatic, or Sound) to a DMX string connected to a DMX controller. Products in
standalone mode may transmit DMX
signals that could interfere with the DMX
signals from the controller.
Sound Active
Mode
To enable the Sound Active mode, do the following:
1. Set DIP switch [9] to the ON position.
2. Turn the music on and adjust the microphone sensitivity knob until the product
starts reacting to the beat of the music.
The product will only respond to low frequencies of music (bass and drums).
Automatic Mode
To enable the Automatic Mode do the following::
1. Set DIP switch [xx] to the ON position.
2. Use DIP switch [xx] to increase the operating speed.
Master/Slave
Mode
The Master/Slave mode allows a single Minisphere™ 3
(the “master”) to control the
actions of one or more Minisphere™ 3 product
s (the “slaves”) without the need of a
DMX controller. The master product
will be set to operate in either Automatic or Sound
Active mode, while the slave product
s will be set to operate in Slave Mode. Once set
and connected, the slave products will operate in unison with the master.
Configure the products as indicated below.
Slave products:
1. Set DIP switch [10] to the ON position.
2. Connect the DMX input of the first slave product to the DMX output of the master
product.
3. Connect the DMX input of the subsequent slave products to the DMX output of the
previous slave product.
4. Finish setting and connecting all the slave products.
Master product:

Page 10 of 13 Minisphere™ 3 User Manual (Rev. 4)
1. Set the master product to operate in either Automatic or Sound mode.
2. Make the master product the first product in the DMX daisy chain.
•Configure all the slave units before
connecting the master unit to the DMX
daisy chain.
•
Never connect a DMX controller to a DMX string configured for Master/Slave
operation because the controller
may interfere with the signals from the
master unit.
•Do not connect more than 31 slave units to the master unit.
DMX Channel Assignments and Values
4-CH
Channel
Function
Value
Setting
1 Effects
000 009
Blackout
010 019
Red rotation
020 029
Green rotation
028 039
Blue rotation
040 049
Red + Green rotation
050 059
Red + Blue rotation
060 069
Green + Blue rotation
070 079
Red + Green + Blue rotation
080 229
Red + Green + Blue chase
230 255
Automatic Sound
2
Strobe
000

255
0~100% (slow to fast)
3
Effect Speed
000 255
0~100% (slow to fast)
4
Rotation Speed
000 255
0~100% (slow to fast)
5.TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Product
Maintenance
Dust build-
up reduces light output performance and can cause overheating. This can
lead to reduction of the light source’s life. To maintain optimum performance and
minimize wear, you should clean your lighting products at least twice a month. However,
be aware that
usage and environmental conditions could be contributing factors to
increase the cleaning frequency.
To clean the product, use the following instructions:
•Unplug the product from power.
•Wait until the product is cold.
•Use a vacuum (or dry compressed air) and a soft brush to remove dust collected on
the external surface/vents and reachable internal components.
•Clean all glass/transparent surfaces with a mild soap solution, ammonia-free glass
cleaner, or isopropyl alcohol.
•Apply the solution directly to a soft, lint free cotton cloth or a lens cleaning tissue.
•Softly drag any dirt or grime to the outside of the glass/transparent surface.
•Gently polish the glass/transparent surfaces until they are free of haze and lint.
•When cleaning units with one or more movable mirrors, you should keep the contact
with the mirror’s surface to a minimum to avoid scratching or damaging it.
Always dry the glass/transparent surfaces carefully after cleaning them.

Minisphere™ 3 User Manual (Rev. 4) Page 11 of 13
General Troubleshooting
Symptom Possible Cause Possible Action
Circuit breaker or fuse
keeps blowing
Excessive load on the circuit
Make sure that the total load does not
exceed 80% of the breaker or fuse nominal
current
Short circuit along the power lines
Check the power lines and power cords
Product does not power
up
No energy on power outlet
Check power outlet
Change to another outlet
Loose or damaged power cord
Check the power cord
Blown fuse
Replace blown fuse with a good one of the
same type and rating
Internal problem
Send product for repair
Product does not
respond to DMX
Wrong starting address on the product
Set the correct starting address on the
product
Use the right fader(s) on the controller
Wrong DMX personality on the product
Set the correct DMX product’s personality
Assign the faders accordingly
Wrong polarity setting on the DMX
controller
Change the signal polarity on the controller
Loose or damaged DMX cable
Check the DMX cable before the faulty unit
Internal problem
Send product for repair
Intermittent DMX
Problems
Signal cables are not DMX compatible
Replace non DMX cables with true DMX
cables
Interference with AC or radio signals
Keep DMX cables away from AC wires or
radio equipment
DMX cable too long
Install an optically coupled DMX amplifier
right before the product with intermittent
problems
Too many products connected
Install an optically coupled DMX amplifier
after unit #32
Terminator not connected
Install a terminator.
If you still experience problems after trying the above solutions, contact
CHAUVET® Technical Support.

Page 12 of 13 Minisphere™ 3 User Manual (Rev. 4)
Contact
Procedure
•If you live in the U.S.A., contact CHAUVET® World Headquarters.
•If you live in the UK or Ireland, contact CHAUVET® Europe Ltd.
•If you live in any other country, contact your distributor of record. See
www.chauvetlighting.com for distributors outside the U.S.A.
CHAUVET®
Contact
Information
World Headquarters
CHAUVET®
General Information
Address: 5200 NW 108th Avenue
Sunrise, FL 33351
Voice: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Toll free: [phone]
United Kingdom & Ireland
CHAUVET® Europe Ltd.
General Information
Address: Unit 1C
Brookhill Road Industrial Estate
Pinxton, Nottingham, UK
NG16 6NT
Voice: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Technical Support
Voice: [phone] (Press 4)
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Technical Support
Email: [e-mail]
World Wide Web
www.chauvetlighting.com
World Wide Web
www.chauvetlighting.co.uk
If you live outside the U.S., United Kingdom, or Ireland, contact your distributor of
record and follow their instructions on how to return CHAUVET® product
s to
them. Visit our website for contact details.
Returning
Products
to
CHAUVET®
Call the corresponding CHAUVET®
Tech Support office and request a Return
Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number before shipping the product
. Be prepared to
provide the
model number, serial number, and a brief description of the cause for the
return.
You must send the merchandise prepaid, in its original box, and with its original packing
and accessories. CHAUVET® will not issue call tags.
Clearly label the package with the RMA number. CHAUVET® will refuse any product
returned without an RMA number.
Write the RMA number on a properly affixed label. DO NOT write the RMA number
directly on the box.
Before sending the product, clearly write
the following information on a piece of paper
and place it inside the box:
•Your name
•Your address
•Your phone number
•The RMA number
•A brief description of the problem
Be sure to pack the product
properly. Any shipping damage resulting from inadequate
packaging will be your responsibility. As a suggestion, proper UPS packing or double-
boxing is always a safe method to use.
CHAUVET®
reserves the right to use its own discretion to repair or replace
returned product(s).

Minisphere™ 3 User Manual (Rev. 4) Page 13 of 13
6.TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions and
Weight
Length
Width
Height
Weight
7.1 in (180 mm)
7.1 in (180 mm)
6.8 in (173 mm)
1.9 lbs (0.86 kg)
Note: Dimensions in inches rounded to the nearest decimal digit.
Power
Power Supply Type
Range
Voltage Selection
Switching (internal)
100~240 V, 50/60 Hz
Auto-ranging
Parameter
120 V, 60 Hz
230 V, 50 Hz
Consumption
36 W
40 W
Operating
0.3 A
0.2 A
Fuse
F 1 A, 250 V
F 1 A, 250 V
Power I/O
US/Worldwide
UK/Europe
Power input connector
IEC
IEC
Power output connector
Edison
IEC
Power Cord plug
Edison (US)
Local plug
Light Source
Type
Power
Lifespan
LED
3 W
50,000 hours
Color
Quantity
Current
Red
1
800 mA
Green
1
800 mA
Blue
1
800 mA
Thermal
Maximum External Temp.
Cooling System
104° F (40° C)
Convection
DMX
I/O Connectors
Connector Type
Channel Range
3-pin XLR
Sockets
4
Ordering
Product Name
Item Code
Item Number
Minisphere™ 3
04050423
MINISPHERE3