Chauvet SM250 User manual

SM250
User Manual

SM250
SM250 User Manual Rev. 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Before You Begin ....................................................................... 1
What Is Included ........................................................................................... 1
Unpacking Instructions.................................................................................. 1
Claims ............................................................................................................... 1
Text Conventions.......................................................................................... 1
Symbols ........................................................................................................ 1
Disclaimer ..................................................................................................... 1
Product at a Glance ...................................................................................... 2
Safety Notes.................................................................................................. 2
2. Introduction ................................................................................ 3
Product Overview.......................................................................................... 3
Product Dimensions...................................................................................... 3
3. Setup ........................................................................................... 4
AC Power...................................................................................................... 4
Fuse Replacement............................................................................................ 4
Mounting ....................................................................................................... 5
Orientation......................................................................................................... 5
Rigging.............................................................................................................. 5
4. Operation .................................................................................... 6
Control Panel Operation................................................................................ 6
Menu Map..................................................................................................... 6
Configuration (DMX) ..................................................................................... 6
Starting Address................................................................................................ 6
DMX Channel Assignments and Values....................................................... 6
Remote Operation......................................................................................... 7
Wired Timer Remote Setup............................................................................... 7
Wired Timer Remote Operation............................................................................... 7
Timer Mode..................................................................................................................... 7
Continuous Mode............................................................................................................ 7
Manual Mode.................................................................................................................. 7
Optional Wireless Remote (FC-W).................................................................... 8
Standalone Operation................................................................................... 8
5. Maintenance and Storage.......................................................... 9
Snow Machine Maintenance......................................................................... 9
Storage.......................................................................................................... 9
6. Technical Specifications ........................................................... 10
Returns ............................................................................................ 11
Contact Us ...................................................................................... 12

Page 1 of 12
SM250 User Manual Rev. 1
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
1. BEFORE YOU BEGIN
What Is Included
Unpacking Instructions
Carefully unpack the product immediately and check the container to make sure all the parts are in the
package and are in good condition.
Claims
If the box or the contents (the product and included accessories) appear damaged from shipping, or show
signs of mishandling, notify the carrier immediately, not Chauvet. Failure to report damage to the carrier
immediately may invalidate your claim. In addition, keep the box and contents for inspection.
For other issues, such as missing components or parts, damage not related to shipping, or concealed
damage, file a claim with Chauvet within 7 days of delivery.
Text Conventions
Symbols
Disclaimer
Chauvet believes that the information contained in this manual is accurate in all respects. However,
Chauvet assumes no responsibility and specifically disclaims any and all liability to any party for any loss,
damage or disruption caused by any errors or omissions in this document, whether such errors or
omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. Chauvet reserves the right to revise the
content of this document without any obligation to notify any person or company of such revision, however,
Chauvet has no obligation to make, and does not commit to make, any such revisions. Download the latest
version from www.chauvetdj.com.
The works of authorship contained in this manual, including, but not limited to, all design, text and images
are owned by Chauvet.
© Copyright 2016 Chauvet & Sons, LLC. All rights reserved.
Electronically published by Chauvet in the United States of America.
CHAUVET, the Chauvet logo, and SM250 are registered trademarks or trademarks of Chauvet & Sons
LLC (d/b/a Chauvet and Chauvet Lighting) in the United States and other countries. Other company and
product names and logos referred to herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.
• SM250
• Power Cord
• Wired Timer Remote
• Hanging Bracket with Mounting Hardware
• Warranty Card
• Quick Reference Guide
CONVENTION MEANING
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
<ENTER> A key to be pressed on the product’s control panel
ON A value to be entered or selected
SYMBOL MEANING
Electrical warning. Not following these instructions may cause electrical damage to
the product, accessories, or the user.
Critical installation, configuration, or operation information. Not following these
instructions may make the product not work, cause damage to the product, or cause
harm to the operator.
Important installation or configuration information. The product may not function
correctly if this information is not used.
Useful information.

Page 2 of 12
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
SM250 User Manual Rev. 1
Product at a Glance
Safety Notes
Use on Dimmer Auto Programs 
Outdoor Use Auto-ranging Power Supply 
Sound-Active Replaceable Fuse 
DMX User-Serviceable 
Master/Slave 
• Not intended for permanent installations.
• Always connect the product to a grounded circuit to avoid the risk of electrocution.
• Always disconnect this product from the power source before cleaning it or replacing the
fuse.
• Make sure the power cord is not crimped or damaged.
• Never disconnect the power cord by pulling or tugging on the cord.
• If mounting this product overhead, always secure it to a fastening device using a safety
cable.
• Do not mount this product on a flammable surface (e.g., wood, linoleum, carton, plastic, or
carpet).
• Make sure there are no flammable materials close to the unit while operating
• Do not touch the output nozzle on this product.
• Do not drink the snow fluid. If you do, call your local emergency service (911 in the US) for
help.
• Do not add perfume, alcohol, gasoline, or any other flammables to the snow fluid.
• Incertain environments, snow fluid-based machines may leave a slippery residueonfloors
and surfaces.
• Use only CHAUVET® DJ water-based snow fluid.
• Drain the tank before transporting the product.
• Always make sure that the voltage of the outlet to which you are connecting the product is
within the range stated in the decal or rear panel of the product.
• This product is for indoor use only! To prevent risk of fire or shock, do not expose this
product to rain or moisture.
• Alwaysinstallthisproductin alocation withadequate ventilation,at least20 in(50 cm)from
adjacent surfaces.
• Be sure that no ventilation slots on the unit’s housing are blocked.
• Never connect this product to a dimmer or rheostat.
• 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.
• The maximum ambient temperature (Ta) is 104 °F (40 °C). Do not operate this product at
higher temperatures.
• In the event of a serious operating problem, stop using the product immediately.
• Nevertry to repair this product.Repairs carried out by unskilled peoplecan lead to damage
or malfunction. Please contact the nearest authorized technical assistance center.
• To eliminate unnecessary wear and improve its lifespan, during periods of non-use
completely disconnect the product from power via breaker or by unplugging it.
Keep this User Manual for future use. If you sell the product to someone else, be sure that
they also receive this document.

Page 3 of 12
SM250 User Manual Rev. 1
INTRODUCTION
2. INTRODUCTION
Product Overview
Product Dimensions
Fluid Tank
Wired Controller In
DMX In/Out
Blower Speed Switch
Power Switch
Power In
Fuse Holder
Menu Buttons
Wireless Receiver In
LED Display
Fluid Level Indicator
13.5 in
344 mm
17.6 in
449 mm
13.9 in
355 mm

Page 4 of 12
SETUP
SM250 User Manual Rev. 1
3. SETUP
AC Power
The SM250 has a fixed voltage power supply and it can work with an input voltage of 120 VAC, 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.
Fuse Replacement
1. Wedge the tip of a flat-head screwdriver into the slot of the fuse holder.
2. Pry the fuse holder out of the housing.
3. Remove the blown fuse from the holder and replace with a fuse of the exact same type and rating.
4. Insert the fuse holder back in place and reconnect power.
• Always connect the product to a protected circuit (a circuit breaker or fuse).
Make sure the product has an appropriate electrical ground to avoid the risk of
electrocution or fire.
• To eliminate unnecessary wear and improve its lifespan, during periods of
non-use completely disconnect the product from power via breaker or by
unplugging it.
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.
Disconnect the product from the power outlet before replacing the fuse.
Safety cap
Spare fuse holder
(inside safety cap)
Installed fuse
(held by plastic clip)

Page 5 of 12
SM250 User Manual Rev. 1
SETUP
Mounting
Before mounting the product, read and follow the safety recommendations indicated in the Safety Notes.
Orientation
Rigging
• Before deciding on a location, always make sure there is easy access to the product for
maintenance and fluid replenishment.
• Make sure adequate ventilation is provided around the product.
• Make sure that the structure or surface onto which you are mounting the product can support the
product’s weight. (see the Technical Specifications)
• When mounting the product overhead, always use a safety cable. Mount the product securely to a
rigging point, such as an elevated platform or a truss.
• When rigging the product onto a truss, you should use a mounting clamp of appropriate weight
capacity. The bracket has 13-mm holes, which are appropriate for this purpose.
• The rubber feet also serve as floor supports and allow for surface mounting. When mounting the
product on the floor, make sure that the product and cables are away from people and vehicles.
Mounting Diagram
This product may NOT be tilted. This product should be level when on a surface or
when mounted.
While operating the SM250, make sure there is adequate snow fluid in the machine
to prevent pump damage. When the snow fluid level becomes low, simply add more
snow fluid to continue using the SM250.
Mounting Bracket
Safety Cable
(such as CH-05 from
Chauvet)
Mounting Clamp
(such as CLP-15 or CLP-15N
from Chauvet)
Bracket
Adjustment Knob Sock

Page 6 of 12
OPERATION
SM250 User Manual Rev. 1
4. OPERATION
Control Panel Operation
To access the control panel functions, use the four buttons located underneath the display. Please refer to
the Product Overview to see the button locations on the control panel.
Menu Map
Configuration (DMX)
The SM250 works with a DMX controller. Information about DMX is in the CHAUVET DMX Primer, which is
available from the Chauvet website http://www.chauvetlighting.com/downloads/
DMX_Primer_rev05_WO.pdf.
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 SM250 uses 1 DMX channel, which defines the highest configurable address as 512.
If you are not familiar with the DMX protocol, download the DMX Primer from www.chauvetdj.com.
To select the starting address, do the following:
1. Press <MENU> repeatedly until Addr shows on the display.
2. Press <ENTER>.
3. Use <UP> or <DOWN> to select the starting address, from d 1–512.
4. Press <ENTER>.
DMX Channel Assignments and Values
BUTTON FUNCTION
<MENU> Press to find an operation mode or to back out of the current menu option
<UP> Press to scroll up the list of options or to find a higher value
<DOWN> Press to scroll down the list of options or to find a lower value
<ENTER> Press to activate a menu option or a selected value
PROGRAMMING LEVELS DESCRIPTION
Addr d 1–512 DMX starting address
SnoU S 0–3 Standalone snow output
CHANNEL FUNCTION VALUE PERCENT/SETTING
1 Snow Volume 000 010 No function
011 255 Snow volume, low to high

Page 7 of 12
SM250 User Manual Rev. 1
OPERATION
Remote Operation
The SM250 can be operated with the included wired timer controller (FC-T).Additionally, the product can
be operated with the FC-W wireless remote, available separately.
Wired Timer Remote Setup
The Wired Timer Remote allows you to automatically trigger snow output by setting output, interval time,
and duration time. LED indicator lights display the machine and controller’s current state. Rotary knobs set
interval, output, and duration times, while manual and continuous buttons allow overriding control.
1. Plug in the snow machine to power.
2. Plug in the wired timer controller to the Wired Remote socket on the back of the snow machine.
(See the Product Overview.)
Wired Timer Remote Overview
Wired Timer Remote Operation
The Wired Timer Remote has three modes of operation: timer, continuous, and manual.
Timer Mode
To trigger the SM250 with the timer function, follow the instructions below:
1. Set the desired output level with the OUTPUT knob.
2. Set the INTERVAL and DURATION knobs to the desired positions.
• The INTERVAL knob sets the amount of time in between bursts of snow.
• The DURATION knob sets the length of time that the snow machine will run during the burst.
3. Press the <TIMER ON/OFF> latching button. The LED indicator above the button will light up.
The timer will now run as set by the INTERVAL, DURATION, and OUTPUT knobs.
4. Press the <TIMER ON/OFF> button again to turn off the timer.
Continuous Mode
To trigger the SM250 to continuously cycle snow, follow the instructions below:
1. Set the desired output level with the OUTPUT knob.
2. Press the <CONTINUOUS> latching button. The LED indicator above the button will light up. The
snow machine outputs snow until the <CONTINUOUS> button is pressed again.
3. Press the <CONTINUOUS> button again to stop the snow output.
Manual Mode
To trigger the SM250 manually, do the following:
1. Set the desired output level with the OUTPUT knob.
2. Press and hold the <MANUAL> button on the Wired Timer Remote. The LED indicator above the
button will light up. The snow machine will output snow for as long as you hold down the
<MANUAL> button.
3. Release the <MANUAL> button to stop the snow output.
The MANUAL Button will override the timer function.
• The duration of Continuous snow output is based on the capacity of the tank.
• Fluid consumption will be significantly increased during Continuous mode.
INTERVAL Knob
OUTPUT Knob
TIMER ON/OFF Button
DURATION Knob
MANUAL Button
CONTINUOUS Button

Page 8 of 12
OPERATION
SM250 User Manual Rev. 1
Optional Wireless Remote (FC-W)
The optional FC-W wireless remote allows the user to trigger the SM250 to produce snow from up to 100 ft
away.
1. Plug in the snow machine to power.
2. Plug the FC-W wireless remote receiver into the Wireless Receiver socket on the back of the
SM250. (See the Product Overview.)
3. Press and hold the <1>, <2>, <3>, or <4> button on the wireless remote. (Download the FC-W
User Manual from www.chauvetdj.com for more information on addressing the FC-W)
4. Release the button to stop the snow output.
FC-W Wireless Remote Overview
Standalone Operation
The SM250 can be operated without a controller through the options in the menu.
To trigger the SM250 to output snow without a controller:
1. Press <MENU> repeatedly until SnoU shows on the display.
2. Press <ENTER>.
3. Use <UP> or <DOWN> to increase or decrease the snow output volume, from S 0–3.
4. Press <ENTER>.
• Ensure the FC-W has an unobstructed view of the receiver for maximum
performance.
• The <2>, <3>, and <4> buttons are reserved for future use.

Page 9 of 12
SM250 User Manual Rev. 1
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
5. MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
Snow Machine Maintenance
Do not allow the snow machine to become clogged. After every 40 hours of continuous operation, use
clean water through the system to prevent the accumulation of particulate matter in the pump.
The recommended cleaning procedure is as follows.
1. Unplug the product from power.
2. Empty all snow fluid from the machine.
3. Add clean water to the tank.
4. Connect the product to power and allow it to warm up.
5. Run the unit in a well-ventilated area until the tank is almost empty. Do not allow the pump to run
dry.
6. Refill with snow fluid to continue using the snow machine. Run the machine briefly to clear any
remaining water from the pump.
Storage
Before storing the snow machine, run clean water through the system as described in the cleaning
procedure above; however, only follow steps 1 through 5. Do not refill the tank with snow fluid if storing
the snow machine. Cleaning the system prior to storage will help prevent any particles from condensing
inside the pump while not in use.
Do Not operate the machine without fluid at any time.
Test-run your SM250 on a monthly basis to achieve the best performance.

Page 10 of 12
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
SM250 User Manual Rev. 1
6. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions and Weight
Note: Dimensions in inches rounded to the nearest decimal digit.
Power
Operation
Thermal
DMX
Ordering
LENGTH WIDTH HEIGHT WEIGHT
17.6 in (449 mm) 13.5 in (344 mm) 13.9 in (355 mm) 20.2 lb (9.2 kg)
POWER SUPPLY TYPE RANGE VOLTAGE SELECTION
Fixed 120 VAC, 60 Hz Fixed
PARAMETER 120 V, 60 HZ
Consumption 1650 W
Operating Current 13.5 A
Fuse F 15 A, 250 V
POWER I/O U.S./WORLDWIDE UK/EUROPE
Power input connector IEC IEC
Power Cord plug Edison (U.S.) Local Plug
TANK CAPACITY FLUID CONSUMPTION
1.3 gal (5 l) 580 ml/min
MAXIMUM EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE COOLING SYSTEM
104 °F (40 °C) Convection
I/O CONNECTOR CHANNEL RANGE
3-pin XLR 1
PRODUCT NAME ITEM CODE UPC NUMBER
SM250 (120 V) 09071210 781462215583

Page 11 of 12
SM250 User Manual Rev. 1
RETURNS
RETURNS
In case you need to get support or return a product:
• If you are located in the U.S., contact Chauvet World Headquarters.
• If you are located in the UK or Ireland, contact Chauvet Europe Ltd.
• If you are located in Mexico, contact Chauvet Mexico.
• If you are located in Benelux, contact Chauvet Europe BVBA.
• If you are located in any other country, DO NOT contact Chauvet. Instead, contact your local
distributor. See www.chauvetdj.com for distributors outside the U.S., UK, Ireland, Mexico, or
Benelux.
Call the corresponding Chauvet Technical 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.
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 RMAnumber. Chauvet will refuse any product returned without an RMA
number.
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
• 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. FedEx packing or double-boxing are recommended.
If you are located outside the U.S., UK, Ireland, Mexico, or Benelux, contact your
distributor of record and follow their instructions on how to return Chauvet products to
them. Visit our website www.chauvetdj.com for contact details.
Write the RMA number on a properly affixed label. DO NOT write the RMA number
directly on the box.
Chauvet reserves the right to use its own discretion to repair or replace returned
product(s).

Page 12 of 12
CONTACT US
SM250 User Manual Rev. 1
CONTACT US
Outside the U.S., United Kingdom, Ireland, Mexico or Benelux, contact the dealer of record. Follow the
instructions to request support or to return a product. Visit our website for contact details.
World Headquarters
General Information Technical Support
Address: 5200 NW 108th Ave. Voice: [phone] (Press 4)
Sunrise, FL 33351 Fax: [phone]
Voice: [phone] Email: [email protected]
Fax: [phone] Website
Toll Free: [phone] www.chauvetlighting.com
EUROPE
General Information Technical Support
Address: Stokstraat 18 Email: [email protected]
9770 Kruishoutem Website
Belgium www.chauvetlighting.eu
Voice: [phone]
General Information Technical Support
Address: Unit 1C Email: [email protected]
Brookhill Road Industrial Estate
Pinxton, Nottingham, UK Website
NG16 6NT www.chauvetlighting.co.uk
Voice: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
MEXICO
General Information Technical Support
Address: Av. Santa Ana 30 Email: [email protected]
Lerma, Mexico C.P. 52000 Website
Voice: [phone] www.chauvet.com.mx