RC4 Wireless DMX6dim-500 User manual

RC4
Wireless
Wireless Dimming | Wireless DMX | Wireless Motion
Since 1991
RC4Magic Series 3
DMX6dim-500
High Power Six-Channel Wireless Dimmer
Quick Start Guide
Rev. 1.0

2 32 3
RC4Magic DMX6dim-500
1. DMX Data Indicator
2. Function and COP* Indicator
3. Function Button
4. SetABC and SetDEF Buttons
5. DimA - DimF Dimmer Indicators
6. RF Connect Indicator
7. Anderson PowerPole Connections for Power and Outputs
8. DMX In/Out Data Port
9. Power Input Connections (45A PowerPole)
10. Load Connections (2 x Common +, DimA - through DimF -)
* COP means “Computer Operating Properly.” This indicator always shows a blink pattern,
proving that internal rmware is running. Dierent patterns indicate various modes and advanced
settings.
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5
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DMX6dim-500 System Components
To use your DMX6dim-500 wireless dimmer you will need:
• A DMX lighting console.
• An RC4Magic Series 2 or Series 3 DMXio Transceiver.
• A battery or DC power supply for the dimmer and loads you will
be operating with it.
• Anderson PowerPole shells and pins (one set has been provided
with your DMX6dim-500), and a crimping tool for those pins.
RC4Magic Private IDentitiesTM
RC4 Private IDentitiesTM, unique to RC4Magic wireless DMX systems, keep your
data private and safe on a Virtual Private Network (VPN) separate from other
systems, with robust resistance to signal loss and slow down.
Each Private ID transports a separate DMX universe. Multiple systems can
operate at the same time for multiple wireless universes in the same space.
Each new RC4Magic customer and project is assigned a unique set of Private
ID codes — nobody else has your IDs. They are marked on each device. Please
note your private IDs below. When you add devices to your system, you must
verify your IDs at time of purchase:
ID3, code 999, is the RC4 Public ID. It is identical in all RC4Magic Series 2 and
Series 3 devices ever made. Always use one of your private IDs when possible.
Your Private ID0, the factory default, is ideal for most users.
ID0 ___________ ID1 ___________ ID2 ___________
DMX6dim-500 Quick Start Guide
Most RC4Magic DMX6dim-500 users will nd all the information they need
right here. Your DMX6dim-500 also has a wide variety of advanced features.
You can nd out more about them in the RC4 Knowledge Base at http://rc4.
info.
RC4Magic devices arrive ready to use. You probably
do not need to change any settings. Just add DMX!
Registering Your Product
Registration ensures you’ll be notied of new rmware updates, and warranty
claims can be resolved more quickly. Please complete your registration at:
www.rc4wireless.com/support/register/
Get in Touch
North Carolina, USA: 1-866-258-4577 or 1-919-229-9950
London, UK: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.rc4wireless.com
Knowledge Base: http://rc4.info
We’re here to help!
James David Smith
President and Chief Product Designer
RC4 Wireless

6 76
Performing a Factory Reset
If someone else has used your DMX6dim-500, or
you just want to get back to a known conguration,
performing a factory reset is easy:
Power on the device. Wait until start-up is complete
and the green COP indicator is blinking continuously.
Press and hold the Function (Func) button, briey
tap (press and release) the SetA button, then release
Func. The rst four indicators will blink to conrm that
factory settings are restored.
NOTE: This process restores your RC4 Private
IDentityTM to ID0. It does not change the Unit Number
if one has been assigned. Learn more about IDs on
the next page. Learn more about Unit Numbers when
using RC4 Commander conguration software.
PRO TIPS:
Bending a single paper clip into a U shape will enable
you to easily reach and press both buttons together.
If you are not sure what mode or setting you may have
selected, you can always get back to a known starting
point with a factory reset.
7
SetDEF
SetABC
Conrming and Setting an RC4 System ID
All RC4Magic devices being used together must be set to the same RC4 System ID.
On power-up, the currently selected System ID is indicated with a blink pattern on
the DMX Data and COP indicators. The four dierent patterns are noted below.
The factory default ID0 is indicated with a few rapid blinks of the yellow DMX Data
LED on power-up. A factory reset will restore this ID setting.
An ID can be selected by holding one button or a pair of buttons on power-up. The
blink pattern for the newly selected ID will appear on the indicators. You can also
conrm the currently selected ID at any time by cycling power and watching the
blink pattern that appears at start-up.
To select ID0, hold the SetA button, apply power, and release the button when the
blink pattern appears. To select ID1, hold the SetB button and apply power.
To select ID3 (the public, not private, ID), hold both SetA and SetB and apply power.
NOTE: On 3-button devices, ID2 can only be selected with RC4 Commander software.
All RC4Magic Series 3 devices indicate IDs in the same way, making it easy to
quickly conrm that all devices in your system are set correctly to work together.
ID0 (default), yellow blink. Hold SetA on power-up to select ID0.
ID1, green blink. Hold SetB on power-up to select ID1.
ID2, yellow and green blink together. Cannot be selected manually.
ID3 (public), yellow and green alternate. Hold SetA & SetB on pow-
er-up to select ID3. Note: ID3 is public and is less secure than Private IDs.

Title
Text
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PUSH
Blink Pattern Indicates
ID on Power Up
COP/RX/TX/Auto
DMX Data
RF Connect
Connecting with an RC4Magic DMXio Transceiver
All RC4Magic devices congured on the same RC4 Private IDentityTM will
automatically connect and form a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Conrm that each
device in your system is labeled with the same RC4 Private IDentityTM codes, and
that each device indicates the same System ID selection on power up (see page 7).
The default is ID0, which is ne for most users.
When rst powered up, or after a transmitter has gone o and then come back on
line, receivers can take up to 10 seconds to join the VPN. This is normal, and it is
usually much less than 10 seconds.
A DMXio transceiver in Auto Mode (the default setting) will automatically detect
wired DMX data from your console and establish itself as the master transmitter.
RC4Magic devices from a dierent system will not work with your RC4 Private IDs.
This is the key to RC4Magic data security and superior performance for all users.
Yellow blinks with data packets and may appear irregular:
Green long blinks indicate transmitter mode:
RC4Magic Indicator LEDs After Power-Up
The COP indicator blinks with dierent patterns to indicate various device modes.
The DMX Data LED indicates that DMX data is present, either from a connected
DMX controller, or from the VPN wireless link. If the yellow indicator is not active,
no DMX data is present.
DMX Data:
On DMXio transceivers operating in transmitter mode (see page 8), the RF Connect
LED blinks slowly to indicate that a wireless VPN has been formed and the DMXio
is the master transmitter:
DMXio, Transmit Mode COP Pattern:
RF Connect:
RC4Magic Series 3 (2.4GHz)
If your DMX6dim-500 has a purple and black label, it is part of an RC4Magic Series 3
system operating in the 2.4GHz band. The RF Connect indicator remains on (not
blinking) while the DMX6dim-500 is searching for your VPN. It blinks quickly and
continuously while your DMX6dim-500 is connected to your wireless VPN.
DMX6dim-500 RF Connect, Searching:
Connected:
RC4Magic-900 (900MHz)
If your DMX6dim-500 has a blue and black label, it is part of an RC4Magic-900
system operating in the 900MHz band. The RF Connect indicator is always
blinking, and indicates only that the RF system is functional, not whether or not
it has joined a VPN. Use the DMX Data indicator to conrm that streaming DMX is
present.
DMX Data Received Wirelessly:

10 1110 11
Assign the DMX Starting Address
Begin with all channels in the DMX universe o, at zero (0). This includes
channels used for house-lights, and moving-light parameters like pan and tilt.
Bring up the DMX channel that will be the DMX6dim-500 starting address. Set
it to 30% (Decimal 77) for a curve that is optimized for smooth LED dimming.
Tap the SetABC button to capture settings. They are now saved until you
change them. Proceed to setting other dimmers, or return to
using your DMX console as you normally do.
A channel level of 30% selects one of several dierent curves.
Other curves are explained on page 13.
Subsequent Channel Assignment
When you set DimABC, all 6 dimmers are automatically set
sequentially. For example, if you have set DMX channel 74 for
DimA, DimB is now assigned to channel 75, DimC is on 76, and
so on, all the way up to DimF being set on channel 79.
Non-Sequential Channel Assignment
Each set of 3 dimmers, ABC and DEF, are always sequential, but
the two sets do not have to be.
If you want DimDEF to be set to DMX addresses 11, 12, and 13,
bring up 11 @ 30% (for the LED curve) at the board and press
the SetDEF button.
Remember: SetABC assigns all 6 dimmers sequentially.
Always use SetABC rst, then SetDEF dierently if you need to.
SetDEF
SetABC
Test the Wireless Link with Default Address Settings
When you receive your new DMX6dim-500, or after restoring default settings, it
will be set to DMX channel 1 for dimmer A, and channel 2 for dimmer B.
Before changing any settings, play with DMX levels for these channels to see
your wireless dimmers work. DimA and DimB LED indicators are connected to
dimmer outputs to show you exactly what the dimmers are doing.
Setting DMX Addresses and Curves with RC4 OneTouchTM
RC4 OneTouchTM uses DMX channel levels to set parameters. To use it, the
DMX6dim-500must be paired with an RC4Magic DMXio transmitter, and live
DMX channel data must be streaming.
Begin with all channels in the DMX universe o, at zero (0). This includes
channels used for house-lights, and moving-light parameters like pan and tilt.
Bring up one DMX channel. This will become the DMX6dim-500 starting
address, and the level of the channel selects a dimmer curve.
Tap a dimmer Set button to capture settings. They are now saved until you
change them. Now you can return to using your DMX console normally.
DMX Chan:1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 . . . . 65 66 67 68 68 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 . . . .
DMX Lev: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 . . . . 0 0 0 . . . . 77 0 0 . . . .
Channels below Start MUST be at zero (0)
The rst channel up sets DMX Start.
In this example, it is channel 74.
Level of DMX Start sets
dimmer curve. Decimal
77 is 30%, selecting the
ISL Slow curve for LEDs.
RC4 OneTouchTM

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Dimming and Controlling Multicolor LEDs
The illustration on page 12 shows an RGBATD (T is tungsten or warm white, D is
daylight or cool white) color mixing LED device. There are 7 wires: a grey wire
for the 12V common positive (+), and six colored wires, red/green/blue/amber/
tungsten/daylight, for the six unique negative loads. The color of the common
positive may vary, it is not always grey.
The common positive wire should be connected to either of the (+) terminals.
All of the (+)terminals are connected together inside the DMX6dim-500. The
two (+)terminals make it easy to connect two RGB light sources, each with
their own common positive wire.
Dimming happens on the grey negative (–) terminals.
The red wire should be connected to the grey (–) terminal for DimA.
Green should be connected to the grey (–) terminal for DimB.
Blue connects to the grey (–) terminal for DimC.
Amber to DimD.
Tungsten (warm white) to DimE.
Daylight (cool white) to DimF.
If using two RGB xtures or LED devices, connect the rst one to DimA, B, and
C, and connect the second to DimD, E, and F.
* DimC, D, E, and F on the DMX6dim-500 can control a variety of devices including solenoids,
relays, servo motors, and much more. DimA and B are intended for LED dimming only.
Connecting Your Lamps, LEDs, Motors and More*
To really use your DMX6dim-500, you must connect a lamp, LED, motor, or other
load to each dimmer. Be sure to remove power while making connections.
The red output connections are positive (+), the grey connections are negative (-).
Dimming occurs on the negative side. The positive connections are all
connected together inside the DMX6dim-500.
Power Input: 6 - 35VDC
Do not exceed voltage
rating for connected loads.
Anderson PowerPole Connectors
PowerPole shells are available in a range of colors. Pins are available with
15A, 30A, and 45A ratings. If you are running your DMX6dim-500 at close
to the maximum rated power handling, you MUST use 45A pins at the power
input. Do not exceed 45A in total for the 6 combined dimmer loads.
Each dimmer output can deliver up to 10A of dimming power, but you cannot
run all 6 channels at 10A because this exceeds the input power limit. If all
channels are loaded equally, the maximum load per channel is 7.5A.
The legend on the back of your DMX6dim-500 provides part numbers of
commonly used shells and pins. A complete set of shells and pins is also
available directly from RC4 Wireless.
Common Positive (+)

14 15
Advanced Features
The DMX6dim-500 is a multifaceted device for users of all experience levels.
The features below can be explored further at http://rc4.info/ or by asking us
for help at [email protected]:
• RC4 Commmander software, available for Mac OSX and Windows,
provides a rich user interface for conguring multiple RC4Magic devices
remotely.
• The DMX6dim-500 can also be congured with an RDM controller, via
a wired connection to the DMX/RDM data port. Wireless RDM is not
supported.
• Using a small adaptor cable, the DMX6dim-500 can be used as a wireless
data receiver to deliver DMX to other devices. It can also be used as a
wired DMX dimmer: the miniplug DMX port becomes an input when the
device is not linked to a transmitter.
• When using the DMX6dim-500 for cinema (motion picture capture), PWM
frequencies can be adjusted for the smoothest dimming without banding
or other artifacts.
• The DMX6dim-500 has a wide variety of dimmer curves that can ring
telephones, position servo motors, and more (using DimC, D, E, and F).
• Using the RC4 Flkr Eects Engine™, you can create many unique eects
including candle icker, analog tv screen noise, welding spark, and much
more.
• An HSL (Hue/Saturation/Level) processor can be enabled, making it easy
to nd a specic color and dim it up and down without color variation.
14 15
Choosing Other Dimmer Curves or Proles
The DMX6dim-500 default is the ISL dimmer curve, which is best for LEDs. This
is also the curve that is selected with RC4 OneTouch™when the DMX level is
at 30%.
There are dimmer curves for dierent kinds of lamps, motors, and more.
Detailed information can be found online by searching dimmer curves at
http://rc4.info/.
The most common curves are selected using these DMX channel levels and
RC4 OneTouch™with the Set buttons as outlined on page 9:
Non-Dim 100% (80% or higher)
Use for relays, solenoids, air valves, etc.
Linear 70% (60 - 79%)
For incandescent, halogen, tungsten lamps.
ISL Fast 50% (40 - 59%)
For LEDs when fast blinks and ashes are required.
RC4 Digital Persistence™is disabled.
ISL Slow 30% (20 - 39%)
Best for typical LED applications, with RC4 Digital Persistence™.
For super smooth 19-bit dimming. (default setting)

1616
Caring for Your DMX6dim-500
• The DMX6dim-500 should not be used with AC power or with any voltage
higher than 35VDC. Doing so will severely damage the device and is
extremely dangerous for the operator.
• Do not exceed the maximum total power handling of the DMX6dim-500,
which is 45A. That is 500W at 12V, 1000W at 24V, shared across the six
dimmer channels.
• Always use a fuse or circuit breaker at the source of power and always use
an appropriate wire size for the fuse rating. For example, if using a 40A
fuse, use wire that can safely carry 40A.
• The DMX6dim-500 should be kept away from excessive heat, cold, dust and
moisture.
• Do not immerse in water or other uids.
• Dimmers generate heat when operating. Allow space for air to move around
the unit for cooling, especially when using high-current loads.
The DMX6dim-500 is a high-power, high-current device. Failing to
observe appropriate safety precautions can result in re or other risk. RC4
Wireless cannot be held responsible or liable in such cases. Operate the
DMX6dim-500 at your own risk.