PowerBox Systems LightBox SR User manual

Instruction Manual
LightBoxLightBox
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LightBox
Sr

2PowerBox-Systems − World Leaders in RC Power Supply Systems
Dear PowerBox customer,
we are delighted that you have selected the LightBox SR from our range of pro-
ducts.
We wish you many hours of pleasure and success with the LightBox SR!
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
More and more pilots are keen to produce models which are not only 100 % true to
scale visually, but also lack nothing in terms of working systems. Naturally these
functions include a fully controllable lighting system which simulates every functi-
on of the full-size machine.
The newly developed LightBox SR from PowerBox Systems can control every ima-
ginable light sequence in your model, and is easy to set up using the Terminal PC
interface, which is available at no charge.
The system caters for landing lights, ashers and simulated beacons, and even an
afterburner control system. The intervals and burn times for the ashing light
function are user-variable, as is the speed of rotation for the beacon. The switching
point for all functions is also user-variable. Only one channel is required to switch
the various lighting circuits on and off independently.
As you would expect, the LightBox SR is pre-congured in such a way that it can be
used immediately, without any adjustment. With a single conventional receiver out-
put it is possible to switch landing lights, two ashers and one beacon on and off.

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FEATURES
Four outputs, separately user-variable
Landing light, asher, beacon and afterburner functions
Can be controlled via PWM or serial signal
Following serial systems are supported: PowerBUS, Futaba S-BUS, Multiplex
M-Link, Jeti EX and UDI, Graupner SUMD, Spektrum SRXL, JR X-BUS
User-variable switching thresholds
Fully congurable lighting functions
Simple PC interface
Many currently available USB adapters can be used for programming, e.g.
PowerBox, Multiplex, Jeti
Can be powered from the receiver, PowerBox or external battery
Stand-by circuit for external battery
Fused outputs
Low-voltage cut-off
Fail-safe function
Update capability

4PowerBox-Systems − World Leaders in RC Power Supply Systems
1. CONNECTIONS
Polarity of the LED outputs:
Outputs for the LEDs
Socket for the USB
Interface Adapter
Input for optional
external battery
Input for PWM or serial signal

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2. FIRST STEPS
Connect the LightBox SR to the receiver, and connect the LEDs to the unit. Take
care to maintain correct polarity, as shown in the diagram above. Connecting the
LEDs incorrectly will do no harm, but the LEDs will not light up.
Caution: most LEDs require a series resistor in the circuit; if you are not sure
about this, ask the light manufacturer for information.
If you intend to use an external battery for the lighting system, simply connect it to
the socket marked ext. Battery; a special circuit then automatically switches over
to this input. If the battery is at, or the cable defective, the circuit does not switch
automatically to the receiver power supply. This ensures that the receiver battery
is not subjected to an additional load even if an error occurs.The power supply can
take the form of a 1S – 3S LiPo or LiFePo pack. The wide input voltage range of
2.5 V – 13 V allows the use of a broad range of lighting sets. It is also possible to
wire multiple LEDs in series and use them with a higher battery voltage in order to
minimise the current.
If you wish to operate the LightBox SR without entering any settings at the PC, the
default settings for the various functions are as follows
Channel Function Switching threshold
LED output 1 Continuous light + 50 %
LED output 2 Flashing light - 50 %
LED output 3 Flashing light - 50 %
LED output 4 Rotary beacon - 50 %

6PowerBox-Systems − World Leaders in RC Power Supply Systems
With these standard settings, a single conventional servo output at the receiver
and a three-position switch operate the unit as follows: the rst position switches
2x ashing light and 1x beacon; at the second position an additional landing light
can be activated.
The low-voltage cut-off threshold for the lighting system is set at 2.5 V; the unit
switches itself off at this point.
3. SETTING THE LED FUNCTIONS USING THE PC
If you wish to assign other functions to the outputs, or activate the serial input, you
will need to use the PowerBox Terminal program, which can be downloaded from
our website:
http://www.powerbox-systems.com/downloads/powerbox-terminal.html
The program is free, and can be used to update the LightBox SR as well as ad-
just its settings. Instructions for installing the program can also be found in the
Download area. Once you have installed the program, connect the USB Interface
Adapter (Order No. 9020) to the PC. Other makes of USB adapter, such as those
made by Jeti or Multiplex, can also be used.
Connect the UNI plug on the adapter lead to the USB input on the LightBox SR. If
you have not yet installed the LightBox SR in a model, the power supply can take
the form of any battery in the range 4 V – 9 V. Plug the battery into the socket
marked Receiver.
Don’t start the Terminal program on your PC until have completed these steps.

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Select LightBox at the top of the window, and click on Continue. You will now see
the following screen display:

8PowerBox-Systems − World Leaders in RC Power Supply Systems
Explanation of functions:
Solid Light: Switchable continuous light, typically used for landing lights or cockpit
illumination
Flash Light: Flashing light, typically used for navigation lights or stroboscopic ef-
fects
Beacon Light: Rotating light function, simulating a rotary beacon
Afterburner: Simulated afterburner
Various settings are available, depending on the function you select:
ON/OFF Setpoint: the switching point is set here. For example, if you wish to switch
on the landing light together with the landing aps using only one channel, you can
select the switching point in such a way that the landing light only comes on when
the aps are deployed.
Channel: this function is only displayed if you have selected a serial input signal.
In this mode a different channel can be assigned to each function; this makes it
possible to switch all four outputs on and off independently of each other.
ON/OFF Time: this function is used with the ashing light function, and controls the
duration of the light bursts, and the interval between them.
Speed: denes the speed of rotation of the rotary beacon.
Reverse: at this point you can set the range in which the output is active, i.e. below
or above the Setpoint (switching threshold).
All the settings are automatically stored immediately, and are executed in real time.
This means that you can see the result of any changes by observing the lighting
system itself.

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4. FUSED OUTPUTS
All four LED outputs are tted with integral fuses. If an output is overloaded, or a
short-circuit occurs in the wiring system, that output is switched off. This ensures
that the receiving system is not affected if an error occurs, even when the lighting
system draws its power through the receiver.
The maximum current per output is 1.2 A at the maximum voltage of 13 V. The
maximum permissible current load on all outputs is 4 A.
The fuses reset themselves as soon as the overload situation is corrected.
5. LOW-VOLTAGE CUT-OFF
To avoid the danger of deep-discharging the power source, the Cut Off Voltage
option can be used to set a threshold at which the LightBox switches off all consu-
mer units. If you intend to power the lighting system via the receiver, we strongly
recommend that you program a suitable threshold.
Recommended thresholds:
Cell count LiPo LiFePo
1 3.5 V 3.0 V
2 7.0 6.0 V
3 10.5 V 9.0 V

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6. TECHNICAL DATA
Operating voltage RC- Input: 4.0 V – 9.0 V
Power supply ext. Akku: 2.5 V – 13.0 V
Current drain, running: 19 mA
Current drain, stand-by: 150 μA
Switched channels: 4
Maximum current load: 1.2 A per channel
Maximum current load: 4.0 A total
Signal input: PWM or serial
Dimensions: 58 x 19 x 15 mm
Weight incl. patch-lead: 22 g
Temperature range: -30 °C to +75 °C
Note: if the receiver is powered by a stabilised voltage (e.g. from a PowerBox
battery backer), the Cut Off Voltage is set at a point about 0.3 V – 0.4 V below
the stabilised voltage. For 5.9 V this would be a Cut Off Voltage of 5.6 V. How-
ever, a long power cable to the LightBox SR may necessitate a lower cut-off
threshold.

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7. SPECIFICATION
8. SET CONTENTS
- LightBox SR
- Patch-lead 24 cm
- 4 x LED connecting lead
- Self-adhesive pad
- Operation instruction in German and English
9. SERVICE
We make every effort to provide a good service to our customers, and have now
established a Support Forum which covers all queries relating to our products. This
helps us considerably, as we no longer have to answer frequently asked questions
again and again. At the same time it gives you the opportunity to obtain assistance
all round the clock, and even at weekends. The answers come from the PowerBox
team, which guarantees that the answers are correct.

12 PowerBox-Systems − World Leaders in RC Power Supply Systems
Please use the Support Forum before you contact us by telephone.
You will nd the forum at the following address:
www.forum.powerbox-systems.com
10. GUARANTEE CONDITIONS
At PowerBox-Systems we insist on the highest possible quality standards in the
development and manufacture of our products. They are guaranteed “Made in Ger-
many”!
That is why we are able to grant a 24 month guarantee on our from the initial date
of purchase. The guarantee covers proven material faults, which will be corrected
by us at no charge to you. As a precautionary measure, we wish to point out that
we reserve the right to replace the unit if we deem the repair to be economically
unviable.
Repairs which our Service department carries out for you do not extend the original
guarantee period.
The guarantee does not cover damage caused by incorrect usage, e.g. reverse
polarity, excessive vibration, excessive voltage, damp, fuel, and short-circuits. The
same applies to defects due to severe wear.
We deny any further liability, e.g. for consequent damage. We also deny liability for
damage caused by the device or the use of the device.

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We accept no liability for transit damage or
loss of your shipment. If you wish to make a
claim under guarantee, please send the device
to the following address, together with proof of
purchase and a description of the defect:
11. LIABILITY EXCLUSION
We are not in a position to ensure that you observe our instructions regarding in-
stallation of the LightBox SR , full the recommended conditions when using the
unit, or maintain the entire radio control system competently.
For this reason we deny liability for loss, damage or costs which arise due to the
use or operation of the LightBox SR , or which are connected with such use in any
way. Regardless of the legal arguments employed, our obligation to pay damages
is limited to the invoice total of our products which were involved in the event, inso-
far as this is deemed legally permissible.
We wish you every success using your new LightBox SR!
Donauwoerth, September 2020
SERVICE ADDRESS
PowerBox-Systems GmbH
Ludwig-Auer-Straße 5
D-86609 Donauwoerth
Germany

PowerBox-Systems GmbH
certicated according to DIN EN ISO 9001
Ludwig-Auer-Straße 5
D-86609 Donauwoerth
Germany
[phone]
[phone]
www.powerbox-systems.com
09/2020