Lights Alive FireFly FF-351 User manual

FireFly'FF-351'
Instructions'and'Specifications'
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QUICK START
If you’re one of those folks that just wants to start using your new FF-351 now and read the
instructions later, it’s quite easy to be up and running, literally in seconds. Three easy steps are
all that are necessary for professional lightning simulation.
1) Connect lights (up to 1500 watts per channel) to the left and right channel sockets on the
rear of your FF-351.
2) Connect your amplifier or amplified speakers to the 1/8” stereo AUDIO OUTPUT jack on
the rear of the lightning simulator.
3) Connect AC power.
No other connections or adjustments are required for basic operation.
WHEN POWERING UP…
Upon power up, the FF-351 goes through a quick self-test and the Lights Alive logo appears.
After about three seconds, the test is complete and the system is fully functional. If the audio
source was in the loop mode at power down, the 351 will begin operation automatically. If it was
in the triggered mode, it is now awaiting a trigger to begin operation.
CUSTOMIZED SETTINGS
Five pushbuttons allow you to fully customize your FF-351 settings. Pressing the center MENU
button gives you access to seventeen (17) additional windows. Pressing the UP and DOWN
buttons scrolls through the windows. The (+) and (–) buttons alters the setting for that particular
window. Pressing MENU again will exit the program mode and save your changes. The windows
in order are:
POWER OFF
A soft power off happens immediately at the press of the (+) button. The unit will be back
up and running after touching any button.
LEVEL-LEFT
Adjusts the audio level (sensitivity) of the left channel.
LEVEL-RIGHT
Adjusts the audio level (sensitivity) of the left channel.
DEPTH-DIMMER
Determines the amount (depth) of the dimming effect.
LEVEL-STROBE
Sets the level (sensitivity) of the strobe control channel.

THRESHOLD-LEFT
Adjusts the minimum amount of voltage applied to connected lights to increase sensitivity
and reaction time.
THRESHOLD-RIGHT
Same as left threshold, except affects right channel only
DIMMER MAX
Sets the maximum brightness of lights connected to the dimmer channel.
AUDIO MODE
Choose between continuous loop, triggered tracks or external audio.
AUDIO TRACK
Choose the specific audio track to use. In the LOOP mode, you can choose between
pure thunder or thunder plus rain and occasionally wind. In the TRIGGERED mode, the
options are 5-second, 15-second or 30-second.
LIGHTNING AUDIO
Determines the routing of the audio for the lightning channels. A drawing showing details
on audio routing may be found here:
http://www.lightsalive.com/skin/frontend/lightsalive/default/pdf/ff351_audio_routing.pdf
DIMMER SOURCE
Determines audio routing for the dimmer channel. The dimmer can react to left channel
audio, right channel audio or a combination of both.
TEST MODE
Tests each channel of the FF-351, as well as confirming the compatibility of any LED
fixtures in use. Lights will ramp up, fade down, then flash rapidly.
MENU BACKLIGHT
Sets the intensity of the LCD display while in any of the setup up menu windows. Range
is 0-10. The default is 9 (bright).
MAIN BACKLIGHT
Sets the intensity of the LCD display in the “run” mode. Range is 0-10. Default is 1.
FACTORY RESET
Restores all the factory default settings within seconds.
BACK TO TOP
Returns you to the to the top of the menu.
ADVANCED OPERATION
The FF-351 will work right out of the box with no adjustments as mentioned in the QUICK START
section. However, you can customize some of the settings to optimize the system to better fit your
needs.
LEVEL adjustments should be set so that lights react to subtle sounds, yet lights aren’t on solid
during a lightning strike. For the dimmer channel, the LEVEL will determine the depth of dimming
or how dim the light will become during a strike.

THRESHOLD controls are one of the most important settings. Set too high, the lights will always
glow. If set too low, the system will still work, but the lights will seem more “choppy” and they will
lose sensitivity to subtle sounds. Always adjust this control until your lights just begin to glow,
then back it down a step or two.
MAXIMUM DIMMER LEVEL allows you set the maximum brightness of the lights connected to
the dimmer channel. You can now dim those lights, while still having the FF-351 flicker and dim
them more during a “lightning strike”. This adjustment is purely a matter of preference.
AUDIO SOURCE defaults to internal, so no adjustment is necessary to operate the FF-351 out of
the box. However, you may prefer your own thunder track audio. If so, you can select EXTERNAL
and connect your CD/DVD deck, portable CD player, MP3 player, iPod, iPad, laptop or other line
level or earphone level audio source. Most of these sources will require their levels to be set fairly
high. You can tweak the level using the level controls within the FF-351.
You may also like the idea of lightning on demand. When the AUDIO SOURCE is set to triggered
and you have connected a Lights Alive brand Intelligent Sensor or trigger through our proprietary
LADC connection, there will be a burst of thunder and lightning each time the sensor
is tripped. Most third party sensors may also be used by connecting to the screw terminals
located on the back of the FF-351. A simple switch closure is all that is required, making it
possible to use pushbuttons, pressure mats or other basic trigger devices. We also provide
regulated 12volt DC at up to 250mA at the screw terminals to power external triggers.
STROBE CONTROL While the use of strobes for lightning is strongly discouraged as the primary
light source, the FF-351 does offer a strobe control channel. When used to supplement ProLight-
400 LED fixtures or incandescent light, strobes can add to the light intensity and provide an
additional effect. Only professional strobes with low voltage control circuits should be used.
Strobes should be connected with industry standard cables utilizing ¼” TR (mono) plugs on both
ends. Assuming your strobe permits, multiple strobes may be daisy-chained together per the
instructions with your particular strobe. Strobes should NOT be connected via the FF-351’s AC
outlets.
SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES
MAXIMUM POWER HANDLING -
Left Lightning Channel –Up to 1,500 watts
Right Lightning Channel –Up to 1,500 watts
Dimmer Channel –Up to 750 watts
TOTAL SYSTEM – All lights combined must not exceed 3,000 watts
EXTERNAL INPUT: 10k ohm impedance, 1-volt peak-to-peak
ELECTRICAL ISOLATION – Low voltage is provided by an isolated switch mode power supply.
Solid-state optical isolation is utilized to separate low voltage and audio circuits from AC power
circuits.
SAFETY FEATURES – A user accessible master fuse (20 amp) is located on the back panel.
Individual channels are internally fused. Internal surge suppression is provided to protect your
investment from power surges. An internal heat sensing circuit measures the temperature inside
the enclosure and will temporarily shut the system down when overheated. The display will inform
you that it is overheated. Once it has cooled down to 50ºC (122ºF), the controller will resume
operation.

LIGHTS SUPPORTED – Lights Alive ProLight-400 LED (preferred), incandescent, halogen plus
many dimmable LEDs and dimmable compact fluorescent bulbs.
THRESHOLD – This feature extends the life, improves response time and increases sensitivity of
incandescent and halogen bulbs. It also improves apparent sensitivity of LED fixtures. Always
adjust to where the light just begins to glow, then back the setting down until the light goes out
again.
FACTORY DEFAULT – When in doubt, start over. The factory default option allows you to
quickly return to known working values and be back in operation within seconds.
CONTROL METHOD – Digitally generated phase cut dimming. The amplitude (volume) of the
thunder determines the intensity of the light.
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENT –
• Recommended: 120 volts, 60 Hz, up to 20 amps.
• Supported: 100-130 volt, 50/60Hz, 20 amps.
PREFERRED ENVIRONMENT – 0ºF to 100ºF, 10-90% (non condensing) relative humidity. This
unit is not weatherproof. Always protect from direct exposure to the elements.
WARRANTY – Lights Alive provides an unprecedented three (3) year limited warranty on all
FireFly models. We will repair or replace (our option) any unit that is found to be defective in
materials or workmanship within three (3) years of the date of purchase. This warranty does not
apply to units that have been physically opened, damaged, improperly connected, altered,
subjected to water, significant power spikes or any other issue beyond the control of Lights Alive.
No other warranty is expressed or implied. By using this equipment, you understand and agree
that Lights Alive will not be responsible for injuries or damages, whether direct or indirect, even if
they are a result of our negligence.
To obtain warranty service, please call or email [e-mail] for a return
authorization number, then return the unit, prepaid, including a copy of your original invoice and a
detailed description of the problem to Lights Alive at the address listed below. For your protection,
we suggest insuring your package and using a method that will provide tracking information. If we
find the unit to be defective and under warranty, we will promptly repair or replace it. If it is a non-
warranty issue, we will contact you with details and options.
WARNING-Your FF-351 is equipped with security screws to prevent personal injury and/or
damage to your system. There are no user serviceable parts inside. Any attempt to defeat these
security screws to gain entry into the enclosure will void your warranty and may subject you to
high voltage that could cause serious injury or death.
SUPPORT - If you need help with your FF-351, Lights Alive is there for you. Please feel free to
contact us at:
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone], option 2
Web: www.LightsAlive.com