LITTLE BLIZZARD DMX User manual

LITTLE BLIZZARD®DMX
LITTLE BLIZZARD®SP DMX
Operating Instructions
LB DMX P/N 100241 (120 VAC)
LB DMX P/N 100246 (230 VAC)
LBSP DMX P/N 100242 (120 VAC)
LBSP DMX P/N 100247 (230 VAC)

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Thank you for purchasing this LITTLE BLIZZARD®
As you will notice from the table of contents, the manual for your new
product is quite extensive.
To guarantee perfect and successful work with this machine, please
take some time to read the manual carefully.
And finally, we believe you will enjoy years of great snow effects if you
care for and maintain your LITTLE BLIZZARD®rev1209.
CITC
1420 80th St. sw #D
Everett, WA 98203
(888) 786-CITC
www.citcfx.com

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Contents
1. Set of Equipment Supplied 3
2. Accessories 3
3. Description 4
4. Safety Instructions 4
5. Operating the LITTLE BLIZZARD® 5
5.1 Selecting the Location
5.2 Electrical Power Requirements
5.3 Hooking things up
5.4 Selecting the Fluid
5.5 Operating the machine
5.6 DMX Control
5.7 Rest Period
5.8 Shut Down
5.9 Troubleshooting
5.10 Notes on DMX operation
6. Service and Maintenance 8
7. Technical Data 9
8. Warranty Conditions 10
rev1209

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1. Set of Equipment Supplied
1 LITTLE BLIZZARD® w/DMX (w/5-pin XLR in/out)
1 Remote Controller w/5-pin XLR in/out
1 Bracket for hanging w/hardware
Empty one-gallon bottle
Instruction booklet and warranty card
1 Power Cord
1 Extra fuse in fuse box
2. Accessories
C-Clamp with Safety Cable P/N 250110
C-clamp w/eyebolt & hanging harness for 5 gal. Cubitainer P/N 250076
LITTLE BLIZZARD® Road Case P/N 250205
LITTLE BLIZZARD® Basic Fluid – Long Lasting P/N 150215
Little Blizzard FluidTM Extra Dry (travels up to 50’) P/N 150160
Little Blizzard FluidTM Dry (travels beyond 50’) P/N 150190
Little Blizzard FluidTM Dry 100 (travels beyond 100’) P/N 150211
Little Blizzard FluidTM - Ultraviolet – Light blue P/N 150250
Little Blizzard FluidTM - Ultraviolet – Light Pink P/N 150280
Little Blizzard FluidTM - Ultraviolet – Bluish White P/N 150220
Director Fan P/N 100140 (230VAC P/N 100145)
Hurricane II Fan P/N 100160 (230VAC P/N 100165)
FX Fan P/N 100141 (230VAC P/N 100142)
Please check whether all the products you ordered are supplied.

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3. Description of the LITTLE BLIZZARD®
The LITTLE BLIZZARD® DMX is CITC’s most popular evaporating snow effect product.
Insulated for quietness, you can have optional super soundproofing in the SP
(soundproof) model. The unit incorporates a volume control to adjust pump output, a two-
speed fan control and a flake size adjustment lever. It can run continuously without
overheating. Flakes fly 15-20 feet. A remote with 25ft (7.6m) cable is included which
controls On/Off and pump Volume. Internal 5-pin DMX comes standard in this model.
4.Safety instructions
WARNING: Read and understand all labels and operating instructions
before attempting installation.
oNever open the machine as this could void your warranty!
Risk of electrical shock- This device is supplied with a grounding conductor. To reduce
risk of electrical shock, connect only to properly grounded, grounding type receptacles.
Never remove the third prong from the plug.
oDepending on type of voltage ordered, this machine requires a 120V/20Amp circuit or a
230V/10Amp circuit for operation. The LITTLE BLIZZARD® draws approximately 7 amps
at 120 VAC (4 amps at 230VAC). During LITTLE BLIZZARD® operation this circuit
should be dedicated to the LITTLE BLIZZARD®. If you have any doubts about the
capacity or grounding of your existing circuits, consult a qualified electrician.
oBe sure area around snow machine is dry before applying electrical power.
oMake sure that your unit is pointed in a direction that leaves at least a 10ft (3m) open
area out in front. More area is better. Place the front of the machine away from direct
contact with electrical instruments and people. Close output is wet.
oNever operate the pump without fluid passing through the tube. This could cause the
pump to overheat and damage the piston. Operating the pump without fluid is not
covered under warranty.
oFluid is very slippery when spilled. Care in keeping any drips or spills cleaned up is
necessary.
oDo not store LITTLE BLIZZARD® in freezing conditions.

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5. Operating the LITTLE BLIZZARD®
5.1 Selecting the Location
Operate this machine in a level position, being sure the fluid bottle is not going to be
above the level of the machine. Un-level positions may cause siphoning or dripping.
5.2 Electrical Power Requirements
Check for proper electrical connection on the rear of the machine. Be sure your
supply can offer 10 amps at 120V; or for those of you that have purchased a separate
230v machine, 5A power supply.
5.3 Hooking things up
Plug the 5-pin XLR of the Remote Control to the inlet marked “Remote Control”. The
output may be used to run extensions to other machines, so they could all operate on
one remote control. Note: Maximum extension: 5-pin XLR cable should not exceed 50'
total distance or possible loss of control may occur.
Flake Size Adjuster
Fused (Power Receptacle)
On / Off Switch
Flake Size (Normal and Small)
Remote Control Send
Remote Control Input
DMX Send
DMX Input
DMX Address
|
o
FUSE
Flake Size
Large Small

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5.4 Selecting the fluid
Fill the bottle with CITC’s Little BlizzardFluid, placing the tubing with the filter inside
and at the bottom of the bottle. Use “Extra Dry” fluid for quickest evaporating snow.
For results that cause the snow to evaporate within seconds of touching, use a
Hurricane Fan to dry the water from the flakes as they leave the machine. This also
causes the snowflakes to stay airborne longer; creating a more realistic falling snow
that drifts and floats through the air. Without the use of a fan, the flakes will fall to the
floor due to the heaviness of the water content and could remain as a residue for
several minutes. Use “Dry fluid” for longer lasting snow when flying over 45 feet or
15m. Use "Dry 100" for falling snow over 100' or 30m.
5.5 Operating the machine
o The power button is located on the back and will illuminate when turned on, however
this will not start the machine without the remote control. Just above the plug-in for
the remote is another switch for speed control (see illustration on page 5). This
speed allows further adjustment of the type of flakes you can choose (see below).
o Before turning on the Little Blizzard, always start your lever adjustment on the
“Flake Size Adjuster” in the smallest position. Watch the flakes change size. This will
allow the snow size particles to the most consistent size w/ least use of fluid. For
applications where a larger particle is needed, slowly adjust the lever toward the
“largest” without changing the volume. For remote control of particle size, increase
the volume control knob (on the remote control). Notice the remote control knob will
also start and stop the machine. Similar to the control on DMX, the volume knob is
off at 0% – 5%, then starts the blower above 5%. At 50% the snow will slowly start.
60% - 80% is the best adjusted volume. 80% - 100% may possibly make too large a
flake size.
o The "Normal/Small" switch (located at the top back of the machine) should be set to
"Normal" position for best output of flakes. Use "Small" only when wanting the
smallest flakes to travel the farthest, as this setting will be noisier. For quiet
operation, only use the "Normal" setting. For driest evaporation in short distance, use
tiniest with the volume control turned low.
o Place a long distance fan (Hurricane Fan) under or close to the Little Blizzardfor
blowing the snow in an upward or outward movement. Use of a fan is highly
recommended even if a short distance. Fan air and falling snow should meet 20 - 30
inches (50cm – 75cm) in front of the LITTLE BLIZZARD®. The snow coming from the
machine will fall into the draft of the upward air movement and start to fly the direction
the fan is pointed. The fan air will also cause the “snowflakes” to dry while it is
traveling 30 feet (10m) or more. Never have the fan behind the LITTLE BLIZZARD®
blowing at it. This will cause a back draft and create the wrong effect.

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5.6 DMX Control
With DMX control, you will be able to adjust the snow output. The blower starts above 5%
and snow starts above 50%. Adjustment of the snow is from 60% to 80% for best results.
Adjust slowly and visually set each machine. Section 5.10 for more details on the DMX
system.
5.7 Rest Period
The blower in the machine now can operate up to 60 minutes before needing a 5 to
10 minute cooling down period. Note: Test the air coming from the front of the
machine while the volume control or fluid is off. If after 60 minutes the air is not hot,
you may be in a cool environment that is conducive to running the LITTLE
BLIZZARD® for longer periods. Fluid should be 75˚ F (26˚C)+.
5.8 Shut down
When finished with the machine, clean the tube and pump with water, always leaving
water in the tube and pump to prevent oxidation. This will keep the pump piston from
becoming stuck and keep the valves operating. Leaving clean water in the pump will
help keep out oxidation.
5.9 Troubleshooting
1. If the pump does not draw fluid
If the pump does not draw fluid into the unit, be sure the tubing is in the fluid, not above
the fluid. Check electrical power to the machine. Hold up tubing, remove filter and push,
blow or use a turkey baster to force the fluid inside the pump. Try again to see if it will
pump now. Check to hear any sound coming from the pump side (nearest the top). A
slight vibrating sound should be heard if the pump is pumping fluid. A loud knocking
sound will be heard if only air is in the line and fluid has not come in yet. Force fluid
through the line to get it started. This is called “priming” and the line needs to be full of
fluid for the fog mechanism to work. Note: do not run the pump without fluid passing
through the tube. This will cause the pump to become hot and could damage the
piston. This is not covered under warranty.
5.10 Notes on DMX operation
Each DMXed unit will occupy a unique DMX address on the DMX chain. By adjusting the
dip switches on the side of the machine near the DMX cable plug-ins, the user may
assign one address to the machine, giving you on/off and volume control with one DMX
channel (there is no timer on this DMX).
Step 1). Attach the DMX cable to the upper “DMX Input” connector located on the back
of the fogger.

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Step 2). The DMX address is configured by adding the dip switch numbers together to
total the number required. For example, DipSwitch 1 + 6 = 33. Your DMX channel would
be 33. (Dip switches are set by moving the switch to the right toward the “on” arrow.)
Dip Switch 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Channel # 1 2 4 8 16 32 64 128 256
When you move the slide control or digital control;
0 – 20% = Standby (volume output off)
21 – 100% = Volume Control
Between the values 50% to 100% the volume of snow output is regulated, with 60%
being the minimum volume of snow produced and 80% approaching the maximum. The
volume output rises as the DMX value is increased.
If Channel A has a value of 100%, the machine will operate at maximum output and may
produce too large size flakes.
“Input” and “Output” designations on the DMX plugs are arbitrary (i.e., you can use the
input plug for output and visa-versa). It is not necessary to attempt converting your DMX
line’s connector to female/male to match the appropriate socket on the plug. As long as it
is looped in/out, it will work.
6. Service and Maintenance
6.1 Care of your LITTLE BLIZZARD® will give you years of service. Note:
cleaning your unit is going to pay off in constant good performance.
1. Each 50 hours of operation or when finished with the machine, clean the tube and
pump with water, always leaving water in the tube and pump to prevent oxidation.
2 After use, dry all areas on the exterior of the machine with a soft cloth. Remove any
LITTLE BLIZZARD® Fluid from inside the bottle compartment or outside area.
3 Do not transport or ship with LITTLE BLIZZARD® Fluid inside the machine.
4 Do not use or store in freezing conditions.

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7. Technical Data
Technical Data
LITTLE BLIZZARD® DMX P/N 100241 (230V P/N 100246)
LITTLE BLIZZARD® SP DMX P/N 100242 (230V P/N 100247)
Dimensions 20” x 10” x 12”
(51cm x 25cm x 30cm)
Weight 30 lbs (14 kg)
Shipping Weight 35 lbs. (16 kg)
Shipping Box Size 25” x 15” x 16”
(64 cm x 38 cm x 41 cm)
Snowflake control options Pump Volume Control, Two-speed
Fan and Flake Size Adjuster lever
Remote Control On/off and volume control 0-100%
Remote Control cable 25 ft (7.6 m)
Sound LB DMX: 71–75 db
LB Soundproof DMX: 60-65 db
Fluid CITC LITTLE BLIZZARD® Fluid
available in Long-Lasting, Dry,
Extra-Dry, Dry 100 & Ultraviolet
Run Time continuous
Electrical Supply 120 VAC, 10 amps, 60 hz
or 230 VAC, 5 amps, 50 hz
Fuse 120VAC: 10 A – 250 V, 5x20 mm
230VAC: 5A – 250V, 5x20 mm
CE approved CE approved parts
Limited Warranty One year Rev: 1/16/04