RGB Lights FlexiFlex User manual

USER MANUAL

This product is for professional use only. It is not for household use.
This product presents risks of severe injury or death due to re hazards, electric shock and falls.
Read this manual before installing, powering or servicing this product, follow the safety precau-
tions listed below and observe all warnings in this manual and printed on the product. If you
have questions about how to operate the product safely.
PROTECTION FROM ELECTRIC SHOCK
• Shut down power to the entire installation at the building’s main power distribution board and lock
out power (by removing the fuse for example) before carrying out any installation or maintenance
work.
• Disconnect the product from AC power before removing or installing any cover or part and when
not in use.
• The total current draw of all devices connected in a chain via one product’s power input socket,
including that product, must not exceed 20 amps.
• Before using the product, check that all power distribution equipment and cables are in perfect
condition and rated for the current requirements of all connected devices.
• The outlet used to supply the product with power must be installed near the product and easily ac-
cessible so that the product can easily be disconnected from power.
• Connect this product to AC power using only a power cable that is listed, minimum 12 AWG or 3 x
2.5 mm2, SJT or better. Suitable cable jacket types include ST, SJT, STW, SEO, SEOW and STO.
• Connect this product to AC power using only listed power connectors rated 20 A minimum.
• Always ground (earth) the product electrically.
• Use only a source of AC power that complies with local building and electrical codes and has both
overload and ground-fault (earth-fault) protection.
• Do not use the product if the power cable or power plugs are in any way damaged, defective or
wet, or if they show signs of overheating.
• Do not expose the product to rain or moisture.
•Referanyserviceoperationnotdescribedinthismanualtoaqualiedtechnician. 2

PROTECTION FROM FIRE
• DO NOT stick lters, masks or other materials directly onto LED Nodes.
• DO NOT modify this product in any way not described in this manual.
• Install only genuine FlexiFlex parts in or on the product unless an alternative is described in this
manual.
PROTECTION FROM INJURY
• Ensure that any structure used for support as well as all fastening and connecting hardware can hold
at least 10 times the weight of all supported devices and equipment.
• DO NOT suspend the product from only one hanging point.
• When installing panels, fasten panels securely to prevent them from falling.
• Use a minimum of two approved secondary attachments (such as safety cables) to secure each
product. Secondary attachments must be able to hold at least 10 times the weight of all the devices
they secure and must be installed as described in this manual.
• Check that all connections and rigging hardware are securely fastened.
• DO NOT look at lit LEDs from a distance of less than 40cm (1 ft. 4 in.) without suitable protective eye
wear.
• DO NOT view lit LEDs with optical instruments that they may concentrate the light output.
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CONTENTS
Safety Information ............................................................................................................................................................2
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................5
Packing Panels ...................................................................................................................................................................6
Installing Touring Truss ...................................................................................................................................................6
Installing Panels ................................................................................................................................................................7
Hanging Installation.........................................................................................................................................................7
Connecting to a Break-Out Bracket.............................................................................................................................7
Installing the Cam-Lock ..................................................................................................................................................7
Connecting Video To FlexiFlex Panels ........................................................................................................................8
sPDS-480ca Functions .....................................................................................................................................................9
Button Functions ...............................................................................................................................................................9
Menu Structure of the LCD Display ............................................................................................................................9
Connecting to the sPDS-480ca .................................................................................................................................12
Connecting Power to sPDS-480ca ............................................................................................................................12
Connecting FlexiFlex to sPDS-480ca .......................................................................................................................12
Setting the IP Address ...................................................................................................................................................12
Mapping the Panels Using sPDS-480ca ..................................................................................................................13
Networking .......................................................................................................................................................................13
Service & Maintenance .................................................................................................................................................14
Cleaning .............................................................................................................................................................................14
Replacing FlexiFlex Strings ..........................................................................................................................................15
sPDS-480ca Maintenance ............................................................................................................................................15
Over-Temperature Detection......................................................................................................................................15
Cleaning Air Intake Filter ..............................................................................................................................................16
Replacing Fuses ...............................................................................................................................................................16
sPDS-480ca Specications ..........................................................................................................................................17
Troubleshooting Guide ................................................................................................................................................18
System Specications ...................................................................................................................................................18
Products Parts List ..........................................................................................................................................................19
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INTRODUCTION
FlexiFlex is a exible, thin and translucent modular LED panel system providing full-motion video,
graphics, messaging and lighting capabilities in large-scale venues for both indoor and outdoor
applications. The exible panels can be draped, wrapped, hung and adapted to a variety of surfaces
to create a uniform and robust LED grid.
FlexiFlex’s small prole, lightweight form, and slim-line aesthetics provide exibility in mounting in
most locations. The panels may be used vertically, horizontally, singularly, or as a multi-panel
system. FlexiFlex comes in a variety of standard sizes and resolutions, and can create fully-custom-
ized panels to achieve a unique eect.
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PACKING PANELS FROM MOLDED FLIGHT CASE
When packing panels
• Place the nodes facing up.
• Keep Breakout Bracket attached.
• Although rolling up FlexiFlex panels is acceptable, Fan-Fold is the preferred method for stowing (see
gure 1 & 2).
INSTALLING TOURING TRUSS
Figure 1. Fan-Folded Panel Figure 2. Rolled Panel
1. Roll Touring Truss into place.
2. Connect Touring Truss spigots together and insert the pin with cotter pin.
3. Attach required rigging, then attach the rigging to hoist.
4. Connect power the distro.
5. Connect data lines.
6. Turn on all breakers to the on position on the distro.
7. Remove wheel base pins.
8. Raise hoist.
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INSTALLING PANELS
HANGING INSTALLATION
An unlimited number of stacks of panels may be installed alongside each other.
To y panels from a rig or other structure:
1. Check that the structure can bear 10 times the weight of all the panels, clamps,
cables, etc. that it will have to support.
2. Check that the structure will not ex under the weight of the panels. Hanging
panels from a structure that is not straight will place a strain on the hanging brack-
et and panels.
3. Check that there are no combustible materials within 20 in. of the panels when
installed, and there are no ammable materials nearby.
4. Block access under the work area. Working from a stable platform, install the
hanging bracket by fastening the clamps to the truss or structure.
5. As soon as the panel is attached to the truss or structure, install two safety cables
to secure the hanging bracket. Safety attachments must bear 10 times the weight
of all panels they secure. Loop safety cables in a gure-eight around the hanging
bracket so that if a rigging clamp fails, the weight of the panels will be held by the
hanging bracket.
6. Continue hanging panels, attaching them with CAM-LOCKs for vertical & horizon-
tal connections.
CONNECTING TO A BRACKET
• Attach Break-Out Bracket to structure.
• Safety the Break-Out Bracket to your hanging structure
• Connect FlexiFlex panels via the Cam-Lock to the
Break-Out Bracket.
• Lock all Cam-Lock connections.
Figure 3. Strut Breakout Bracket
INSTALLING THE CAM-LOCK BUCKLE
Insert the male Cam into the female Cam. Make sure the male end is
securely attached. Using a standard screwdriver turn the quarter-screw
to lock both male and female ends together.
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Figure 4. Cam-Lock Buckle

CONNECTING VIDEO TO FlexiFlex PANELS
WARNING
Media server graphics cards, sPDS-480ca and other components on the video link are sensitive
and can easily be damaged by dierence in current. Observe the list of precautions below, or you
may cause damage that is not covered by the warranty:
1. Shut down power to all sPDS-480ca PSU’s and devices before connecting or disconnecting any
connection in the video link.
2. When inserting DVI connectors, ensure that the metal shields around the outside of male and female
connectors make contact before the pins. This will provide a path to ground for any dierence in
current between devices or components.
3. Apply power to the sPDS-480ca before you apply power to the media server.
4. When you shut down the entire installation, power o the media server before you cut power to the
sPDS-480ca.
To connect video to the FlexiFlex panels:
1. Power down all devices while making connections.
2. Connect DVI or VGA cable from source computer or media server to a Philips Video System
Engine (VSM).
3. Connect CAT 5e from VSM to a gigabit Ethernet switch.
4. From the gigabit Ethernet switch, connect another CAT 5e cable to the sPDS-48ca Power-Data
Supply Unit.
5. Also connect a CAT 5e cable to the gigabit Ethernet switch and connect it to the temporary
mapping computer.
6. Connect the break in to the multi- cable from the panels and then connect the break in ends
into the sPDS-480ca.
7. When you have made all connections, set up the panels as described in the next section of this
manual.
Figure 5. Typical System Setup
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sPDS-480ca FUNCTIONS
sPDS-480ca features on-board conguration and monitoring functions. Using the control buttons
and LCD display located on the front of the supply, you can congure the unit’s behavior, monitor its
status, and test attached lights.
Button Functions
The four front panel buttons (CANCEL, UP, DOWN, and SELECT) let you navigate through the menu
tree and select functions.
UP — Pressing the UP button scrolls up through the menus, and increments numeric options.
DOWN — Pressing the DOWN button scrolls down through the menus, and decrements numeric
options.
SELECT — Press the SELECT button to choose a menu option, performance action, or to save a
setting.
CANCEL — Press the CANCEL button to return to the previous screen.
Menu Structure of the LCD display
This section details the various menu options available on the front panel of sPDS-480ca . Use the
control buttons to navigate through the menus. The main menu tree consists of ve main menus:
VIEW STATUS, CONFIGURE,TEST, RESET SYSTEM, and ABOUT.
•VIEWSTATUS:FromtheViewStatusmenu,youcanreviewtheunit’snetworkcongurationand
performance, thermal conditions, and the number of lights detected on each port.
•CONFIGURE:FromtheConguremenu,youcansettheIPAddress,discoverhowmanylightsare
attached, congure thermal properties, adjust the brightness of the LCD backlight,
and restore certain settings to factory defaults.
•TEST:FromtheTestmenu,youcanperformbasictestsoftheattachedlightswithouttheneedfor
an external controller.
•RESETSYSTEM:TheResetSystemcommandrebootstheunitasifyouhadturnedthepowero
and back on.
•ABOUT:TheAboutmenudisplayssysteminformation,includingmodelnumberandrevision.
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VIEW STATUS
Command Options Description
NETWORK NET: IP ADDRESS 0.0.0.0 Displays the IP address for the
sPDS-480ca.
MAC ADDRESS Displays the MAC address for
the sPDS-480ca.
DATA RATE Displays an estimate of net-
work bandwidth being used, in
kilobytes per second.
SERIAL NUMBER Displays the unit’s unique serial
number.
LIGHTS LIGHTS PER PORT (1-8) Displays the number of lights
detected per port. note: The
message “(not yet scanned)”
indicates that you must choose
the Scan Lights option from the
Congure menu rst.
TEMPERATURE INTERNAL TEMP. Displays an estimate of the
unit’s internal temperature.
MIN / MAX TEMP Displays minimum and maxi-
mum temperature recorded
since power was turned on.
FAN STATUS Displays whether the fan is o
or on, and how fast it is running
(as a percentage of max speed).
CONFIGURE
Command Options Description
SET IP ADDRESS 10.0.0.0 (Last three segments
can be 0-255).
Allows you to set the IP address
(see Setting the IP Address.)
SCAN LIGHTS Press the Select button to start
scanning.
Counts how many lights are
attached to each port. Results
are then shown in the Lights
Per Port section of the Status
menu.
FAN SETTINGS Low
Medium
High
Auto
Low or Medium: Fan runs
continuously at low or medium
speed, unless a temperature
rise is detected which forces
the fan to High.
High: The fan runs continuously
at high speed at all times. Auto:
The fan turns on and the speed
modulates based on internal
temperature.
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