Lightronics AS Series User manual

www.lightronics.com
Lightronics Inc. 509 Central Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 Tel: [phone]
AS42D
4 x 1200W COMPACT DMX DIMMER
OWNERS MANUAL
Version 2.2
06/01/2022

Page 2 of 4
AS42D COMPACT DMX DIMMER
Version 2.2 OWNERS MANUAL 06/01/2022
www.lightronics.com
Lightronics Inc. 509 Central Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 Tel: [phone]
DESCRIPTION
The AS42D is a compact four channel dimmer. It
has a maximum capacity of 1200 Watts per channel
and maximum total load capacity of 4800 Watts. It is
supplied with two input power cords which may be
connected to two different 120 VAC power phases.
The AS42D is intended for INDOOR USE ONLY.
The unit operates using the USITT DMX-512
protocol or an industry standard three wire multiplex
protocol. The AS42D may be operated in a relay
(non-dim) mode. The unit will also function as a
chaser and has several preset chase patterns which
may be used.
INSTALLATION
LOCATION: Locate the unit vertically with control
signal connectors on bottom in a well ventilated area
away from moisture and heat. Two ½” holes are
provided on the dimmer top cover to install a lighting
bar pipe clamp and suitable safety cables.
POWER CONNECTIONS: Extending from the
chassis are two 20 amp line cords for connection to
two separate 120 VAC grounded services in any
phase combination. Total capacity of the AS42D is
4800 watts.
LOAD CONNECTIONS: There are four numbered
duplex outlets on the top of the unit. Each provides
two connections for one output channel. You can
connect up to 1200 Watts of lighting to each
channel.
STAGE PIN OUTPUT CONNECTOR OPTION:
There are four numbered female stage pin
connectors on the top of the unit. One connection is
provided for each output channel. Wiring
information for the stagepin connectors is shown on
the top of the unit.
CONTROL SIGNAL CONNECTIONS:
MULTIPLEX OPERATION: The male three pin XLR
connector on the unit end panel connects to the
control console. The female connector is for
connection to additional dimmers. The AS42D
dimmer is compatible with the Lightronics and
NSI/Sunn three wire multiplexed protocol. If you
have older Lightronics dimmers which run in the
obsolete Lightronics mode only, contact Lightronics
for information on changing the mode. When using
multiple dimmers, ALL dimmers MUST be in the
SAME mode.
DMX-512 OPERATION: The male five pin XLR
connector on the unit end panel connects to the
control console. The female connector is for
connection to additional devices. If both multiplex
and DMX signals are available to the unit - it will
automatically lock on to the DMX signal. Note that
DMX does not provide for console power via the
dimmer chain. Therefore the DMX console used with
AS42D dimmers must be powered by other means.
AS42D END VIEW
CONTROL SIGNAL WIRING:
Connector Pin #
Multiplex
DMX
1
LMX Common
DMX Common
2
Console Power
DMX Data -
3
Multiplex Signal
DMX Data +
4
Not Used
Not Used
5
Not Used
Not Used
OPERATION
NORMAL MODE (non-chaser)
A solid green LED in the end panel will indicate that
a valid control signal (DMX or multiplex) is applied to
the unit.
A DIP switch block on the end panel selects the
starting channel number of the dimmer. The seven
right hand switches control this function. For
example, if all switch positions are down - the
dimmer will respond to channels 1-4. Moving the
switch position on the far right up will set the dimmer
to respond to channels 5-8. A complete table of
channel assignments is provided in this manual.
You can address up to 512 channels using DMX
control and up to 128 channels with multiplex
control.
RELAY MODE: Pairs of channels (1/2 and/or 3/4)
may be switched into the relay mode. In this mode
the output of these channels will be either off or full

Page 3 of 4
AS42D COMPACT DMX DIMMER
Version 2.2 OWNERS MANUAL 06/01/2022
www.lightronics.com
Lightronics Inc. 509 Central Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 Tel: [phone]
on depending on the control console channel
setting. The trip point for turn on is approx. 50%. The
two left hand switches on the DIP switch block
control relay mode channel selection.
CHASER MODE:
When operating in the chaser mode the AS42D
becomes independent of the control console and
other dimmers. The green LED indicator is OUT
when in the chaser mode. Chaser mode is turned
on and off by one of the DIP switches on the end of
the unit. A diagram on the unit cover unit shows the
switch settings for chaser operation.
Eight different chaser patterns are available. A
“bounce” condition may be used on several of the
chase patterns by setting one of the DIP switches.
The bounce condition causes the chase pattern to
run in alternating directions.
The chase step time may be controlled for up to 64
seconds per step. Step fade time is proportional to
the step time. If a channel is in the relay mode
during chaser operation - it will “snap” on and off
(zero fade time). The tables below show the details
of chaser settings.
ADDRESS AND CONTROL SWITCH SETTINGS
CHASER PATTERN SELECTION
SWITCHES
PATTERN
4 chan. sequence
4 chan. build
4 chan. build/unbuild
4 chan. random
3 chan. sequence +
3 chan. build
3 chan. build/unbuild
2 chan. alternating
CHASER TIMING SELECTION
SWITCHES
PATTERN
.5 seconds
1.0 seconds
2 seconds
4 seconds
8 seconds
16 seconds
32 seconds
64 seconds
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
TROUBLESHOOTING
•Check that power is applied to the dimmer.
•Check that all light fixtures are functional.
•Check the fuses.
•Check the multiplex and/or DMX cable.
•Check the settings of the dimmer DIP switches.
•Check the console setup for correct patching.
REPAIR
The only user serviceable parts are externally
accessible fuses. Replace fuses ONLY with 10
Amp, 250VAC, fast blow fuses. Internal service on
the unit by other than Lightronics authorized agents
will void the warranty. If service is required, contact
the dealer from whom you purchased the dimmer, or
Lightronics Service Department, 509 Central Drive,
Virginia Beach, VA 23454. Tel: [phone].
WARRANTY INFORMATION AND
REGISTRATION – CLICK LINK BELOW
www.lightronics.com/warranty.html
NORMAL MODE SWITCH FUNCTIONS
RELAY C/D
RELAY A/B
NORMAL/CHASER
(down for normal)
ADDRESS
CHASER MODE SWITCH FUNCTIONS
RELAY C/D
RELAY A/B
NORMAL/CHASER
(up for chaser)
BOUNCE
CHASER CHASER
PATTERN TIMING

Page 4 of 4
AS42D COMPACT DMX DIMMER
Version 2.2 OWNERS MANUAL 06/01/2022
www.lightronics.com
Lightronics Inc. 509 Central Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 Tel: [phone]
CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT SETTINGS
The DIP Switch Setting column shows the positions of the DIP switches on the dimmer. The Start Channel
column shows the resulting channel assignment for the first channel of the dimmer
NOTE: Some control consoles can be programmed or "patched" to alter their channel order. You may get
unexpected results if you are not aware of the console patch condition when you assign channels at a dimmer.
EXAMPLE: If a dimmer's DIP switches are set to  then the first channel of the dimmer will respond
to console channel 173. The remaining dimmer channels will respond to console channels 174, 175, 176 …etc.
DIP Switch
Setting
Start
Channel
DIP Switch
Setting
Start
Channel
DIP Switch
Setting
Start
Channel
DIP Switch
Setting
Start
Channel

1

129

257

385

5

133

261

389

9

137

265

393

13

141

269

397

17

145

273

401

21

149

277

405

25

153

281

409

29

157

285

413

33

161

289

417

37

165

293

421

41

169

297

425

45

173

301

429

49

177

305

433

53

181

309

437

57

185

313

441

61

189

317

445

65

193

321

449

69

197

325

453

73

201

329

457

77

205

333

461

81

209

337

465

85

213

341

469

89

217

345

473

93

221

349

477

97

225

353

481

101

229

357

485

105

233

361

489

109

237

365

493

113

241

369

497

117

245

373

501

121

249

377

505

125

253

381

509