Solaris Quasar User manual

Operating Manual
Revised: 072710

Quasar Operating Manual
2
GENERAL INFORMATION
Important: Read this manual before powering or
installing the unit. Follow the safety precautions listed
herein. Observe all warnings in this manual and printed
on the unit.
For technical service or other product related questions,
please contact TMB at [email protected]
or contact any of the following locations worldwide:
TMB LA
527 Park Avenue, San Fernando, CA 91340 USA.
Tel [phone] Fax [phone].
TMB UK
21 Armstrong Way, Southall, UB2 4SD England.
Tel [phone] Fax [phone].
TMB NY
100 Asia Place, Carlstadt, NJ 07072 USA.
Tel [phone] Fax [phone].
TMB Canada
545747 Sideroad 4A, RR#2, Markdale, Ontario N0C 1H0
Canada.
Tel [phone] Fax [phone].
TMB Beijing
No. 309, Building 6, San Li Tun Nan Lu,
Chao Yang District, Beijing 100027 PRC.
Tel [phone] Fax [phone]

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CONTENTS
OVERVIEW 4
Note for the customer 4
CAUTION 4
Safety precautions 4
Main features 5
INSTALLATION 6
Unpacking 6
Checking accessories 6
Controls and switches 7
Best location for installation 7
CONNECTING THE UNIT 8
Connection to mains power 8
Connection to a DMX 512 network 8
UNIT CONFIGURATION 9
Menu Operation 9
Menu Option 1: DMX Address 10
Menu Option 2: Fixture Modes 10
Menu Option 3: Turbo Mode 12
Menu Option 4: Continuous Mode 13
Operating the unit 14
Recommended controllers 15
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 16
Maintenance 16
Changing the Flash Tube 16
MENU MAP 17
Standard Menu Mode 17
Extended Menu Mode 18
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 20
Copyright © 2009 TMB. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this manual may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any
language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the
express written permission of TMB.
TMB PROVIDES THIS MANUAL “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL TMB, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES
OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
(INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE OR DATA, INTERRUPTION
OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE), EVEN IF TMB HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES
ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT.
SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED FOR INFORMATIONAL USE
ONLY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED
AS A COMMITMENT BY TMB. TMB ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR
INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS MANUAL.

Quasar Operating Manual
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OVERVIEW
Note for the customer
Thank you for purchasing the Solaris Quasar professional
strobe. Please read this manual carefully before operation
and keep it for future reference.
CAUTION!
To avoid danger of re and electric shock, do not expose the
unit to water or moisture and do not attempt to remove its
cover. Repairs should be done by qualied and authorized
personnel only. During operation, the unit’s discharge tube
may draw power exceeding limit values.
CAUTION! Do not look directly or indirectly into the
discharge tube without eye protection such as welder’s
goggles.
1. Prior to installation, ensure that the mains voltage is
between 190-260 VAC and the mains frequency is
between 50-60 Hz.
2. Make sure that the mains outlet used for powering
the unit is of the earthed/grounded type and in perfect
condition.
3. Should any kind of liquid or solid material penetrate
the unit, terminate operation immediately, then unplug
the connector from the mains outlet, and contact an
authorized repair facility.
4. Do not cover the vents on the unit. Adequate ventilation
is required for satisfactory operation and ensures long
operating life.
5. Even when turned off, the unit is powered if the connector
is plugged into the mains outlet.

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6. If you do not intend to use the strobe for a long period
of time, unplug the connector from the outlet. When
disconnecting from AC power, grab the mains connector
securely and pull. Do not pull on the power lead.
7. Replacing the connector should only be done by an
authorized repair person. Do not tamper with or remove
the mains plug from the end of the cord. Improper
connection may cause re owing to the unit’s high power
consumption.
8. Note to qualied service personnel: Before changing
the discharge tube, switch off the equipment, unplug the
mains lead, and wait for the strobe to cool down.
Main features
• Quasar, DMX 512, turbo, normal
• Extra-high intensity ashes
• Optional Continuous duty (100 Hz)
• DMX-512 In/Out
• Software controlled overdrive protection (ETV)
• Auto-detection of mains frequency
• Overheating protection
• Extra-high accuracy of ashes
• 3-phase compatibility
• Internal/external controllability: pulse, manual, DMX
• Chain compatibility (MASTER – SLAVE)
• Compact
• Self-test functions
• LED indication

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INSTALLATION
Unpacking
Do not dispose of the shipping box and the packaging, as
they are useful for transporting the unit. Before shipping,
make sure the unit is packed the same way it was at the
factory. During unpacking, check if the unit is undamaged
and clean. If the unit is damaged, contact the freight
company immediately. If the unit has become wet in the box,
make sure it is completely dry before power-up. If operation
should fail, contact the freight company with your complaint.
Checking accessories
After unpacking the unit, check all accessories and the
condition of the discharge tube (use the mirror behind
the tube). If the tube is damaged, report it to the freight
company immediately.
Accessories:
• XOP 15 (or equivalent) discharge tube
• Mains lead with powerCON connector
• Operating manual
• Rack ears
• 2 barn doors

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Controls and switches
1. Menu / Enter Button
2. Up / Down Menu Navigation buttons
3. Menu LED
4. DMX Out/Thru
5. DMX Input
6. powerCON Mains Input Connector
Best location for installation
Install the unit in a location with adequate ventilation. Avoid
locations where the strobe may be exposed to heat, dust,
vibration, or physical shock. Choose a location that enables
easy connection of both the mains lead and control cables.
Install the unit rst before connecting the leads.
CAUTION: The operating temperature of this xture
may exceed 120° C (240° F). Even after shutting down,
touching the body of the unit may cause burns. Always
wait for the xture to cool down before handling.
Do not place the unit near ammable materials.
1 2 3 45 6
ENTER
DMX INDMX THRU

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CONNECTING THE UNIT
Connection to 230 V mains
• Use connectors with protective earthed ground only.
• Connect the unit with controls set at minimum values.
• Check connection. Loose connections may cause
malfunction.
• Programmed settings are retained even after a power
loss. When powering up, the unit will return to its last
known settings.
Connection to a DMX-512 network
• Use standard (XLR 5) connectors. Check for loose
connections, as they are a common source of
malfunction.
• Use high-quality professional DMX cables only.
• The last strobe unit in a chain should have a TMB Arnold
(or equivalent 120 Ω termination plug) installed into its
DMX THRU XLR connector.
• It is possible to change input connections and DMX
base address while the strobe is turned on. The unit will
recognize, execute, and indicate commands even during
operation.

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UNIT CONFIGURATION
Conguration of the Quasar unit is performed using the
integrated menu system. Selection of menu options occurs
using the Menu/Enter Key and the Up and Down navigation
buttons. Menu options and user input are shown on an
alphanumeric display. These panel features are depicted
below:
DMX addressing and Fixture Mode are congured using
these panel controls to operate the unit menu.
Menu Operation
Fixture Mode is set across four (4) Menu options. Each
of these Menu modes is entered by pressing the MENU/
ENTER button.
Pressing MENU/ENTER once will allow entry into DMX
Channel Address option.
Pressing MENU/ENTER will allow entry into Control Type
(DMX/HF/TEST) option.
Pressing MENU/ENTER three times enters TURBO Enable/
Disable menu mode.
Pressing MENU/ENTER four times enters the Continuous
mode option.

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Menu Option 1: DMX Address
Entering DMX Mode
Press the MENU/ENTER button once. The current DMX
base address (Channel 1) will will be depicted on the
numeric display.
Pressing the UP/DOWN navigation buttons will increment
or decrement the base address on the display. A single tap
will alter the displayed address by one, while pressing and
holding a navigation button will cause the address to change
rapidly.
Valid addresses will range from 1 to 511. Once the desired
Base Address for Channel 1 is reached, pressing the MENU/
ENTER Button will save this address to as the new DMX
Base Address.
Chaining multiple units
Independent unit control of multiple ash units requires
unique channel addresses to be programmed into each
xture. As each unit requires two channels of DMX, these
addresses must be spaced by a value of two or more. If
identical control of multiple units from a single control source
is desired, each unit may have the same DMX base address.
Menu Option 2: Fixture Modes
The Quasar Fixture has three (3) modes of operation:
DMX, HF, and Test. Entry into one of the modes occurs by
pressing the MENU/ENTER button twice.
The current mode is depicted on the numeric display.
Example Fixture Mode Display:
DMX Mode HF Mode Test Mode

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Pressing the UP/DOWN navigation buttons will increment or
decrement the Mode value on the numeric display. A single
tap will alter the displayed Mode by one, while pressing and
holding a navigation button will cause the Mode to change
rapidly.
DMX Features:
The Quasar unit can be remotely controlled using industry
standard DMX-512 protocol. In DMX Mode, Channel 1
dictates the Strobe Rate. DMX values from 1-90% increase
the frequency of strobe ash from 1-24 Hz. Above 90%
activates Continuous Mode (constant light output). Channel
2 accepts values which dictate ash intensity above 10%.
HF Mode Features:
The Quasar unit can be remotely controlled by optional
Solaris Remote or High End® ash control protocol. Similar
to DMX operation, two sequential channels are programmed.
In HF mode xture Intensity and ash Strobe Frequency are
controlled by the refresh rate of the HF signal on Channel 1.
The HF mode provides preset effects which are selected
based upon the value issued to Channel 2. These values
and the effect selected are depicted below.
FX Channel
0-25 No FX Normal strobe operation
26-50 Ramp Up
51-75 Ramp Down
76-100 Ramp Up/Down
101-125 Ramp Down/Up
126-150 Random 1 Async. Random Intensity
151-175 Random 2 Sync.
176-200 Random 3 Async. Constant Intensity
201-225 Random 4 Sync.
226-250 Random 5 Random Intensity & Duration
251-255 FX Restart

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TEST Features
The Test Mode causes effects and other pre-programmed
operations to continuously occur. The purpose of this mode
is to demonstrate the capability and operability of the xture.
Menu Option 3: Turbo Mode
The Quasar unit has a Turbo Mode. When Turbo is
selected, the power consumption in Strobe Mode is doubled.
Turbo has no effect in Continuous Mode.
Pressing the MENU/ENTER button three times will enter
Turbo Mode and the current value (0 for Off and 1 for On)
will be depicted in the center of the numeric display. Once
displayed, use up and down arrows to enable or disable
Turbo Mode. When desired setting is found, pressing the
MENU/ENTER button will save the new value.
Example Turbo Mode Display:
Turbo Mode Off Turbo Mode On

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Menu Option 4: Continuous Mode
The Quasar has a Continuous light option. When
Continuous is set to On, the unit will produce continuous
light. When it is set to Off, it will operate as a strobe unit
only.
Pressing the red button four times will show the current
Continuous setting (depicted as a single digit on the left
column of the display).
Once displayed, use up and down arrows to select or
deselect Continuous Mode. When the desired setting is
found, pressing the Red button will save the new value.
Example Continuous Mode Display:
Continuous Mode Off Continuous Mode On

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Operating the unit
After proper installation, connection, and Menu Setup, you
can start using all the outstanding features that the Quasar
offers.
• Extra-high intensity output. This can be achieved by
selecting Turbo Mode, which will double the unit’s light
output (except when in Continuous mode).
• Continuous ashes. The unit can re ashes at a rate
of 100 or 120 Hz if the mains frequency is 50 or 60 Hz,
respectively. Such a high rate of ashes is perceived
as continuous illumination. Regardless of the kind of
controller system being used, this function is always
available.
• During operation, the ash tube is under constant
electronic overdrive protection (EVD). In Continuous
Mode and with maximum intensity, the protection allows
ashes for 3.5 seconds, with a subsequent downtime of
51.2 seconds. In Turbo and Normal Modes, the protection
times are 11.7 and 52.5 seconds, respectively. Even if the
unit is used for shorter periods of time, the system switches
the tube off as soon as overall duration reaches the given
protection time. Protection time increases with lower
intensity.
In order to ensure maximum safety, the strobe has two more
protection systems against overheating. Both systems are
designed to activate in unusual operating conditions and are
“self-resetting”.

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When turned on for the rst time, the unit automatically
detects mains frequency. Thus, no manual setting is
required.
• Quasar can produce more accurate “jitter free” ashes,
even at frequencies higher than 10Hz.
• Any xture connected to any phase can be controlled in
the same way. When using more than one strobe, it is
advisable to assign different phases to the xtures owing to
high power draw.
Recommended controllers
• Solaris Quasar Controller
• High End Dataash AF1000 Mini Controller (Switch the
JUMPER from DMX to DFLASH position on the PCB).

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Maintenance
Keep the fan and surrounding area free of dust and dirt.
The mirror can be cleaned without having to dismantle the
unit. Simply blow air through the grid. The mirror does
require any further cleaning. More thorough cleaning of the
mirror and its surroundings should ONLY be done by the
manufacturer or qualied and authorized repair personnel.
Changing the Flash Tube
The Quasar ash tube may only be changed by the
manufacturer or a qualied repair person authorized by the
manufacturer.

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MENU MAP
Menu Mode = 0 (Standard Menu)

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1X 1X 1X 1X 1X
2X 2X2X 2X
3X
2X
4X
Wait 3 sec. to operate
3X
4X
5X
4X
3X
6X6X
5X
4X
5X
4X
3X 3X
DMX SELF TEST 4CH EFFECT
MODE SETTINGS MENU AS IT WAS SET LAST TIME
EEPROM ERRORPOWER REDUCTION = 1DISPLAY INTENSITY=0 BUTTONS LOCKEDNORMAL OPERATE
HF DMX HF 4CH EFFECT
DMX start addr. (001-511) DMX start addr. (001-511)DMX start addr. (001-511)DMX start addr. (001-511)TURBO MODE (0-1)
CONTINUOUS ON (0-1)
1X=4X
Wait 3 sec. to operate
TURBO ON (0-1)
1X=4X
Wait 3 sec. to operate
1X=5X
TURBO ON (0-1)
CONTINUOUS ON (0-1)
1X=6X
Wait 3 sec. to operate
1X=6X
Wait 3 sec. to operate
TURBO ON (0-1)
CONTINUOUS ON (0-1)
TURBO ON (0-1)
CONTINUOUS ON (0-1)
DMX effect addr. (003-511) DMX effect addr. (003-511)
Menu Mode = 1 (Extended Menu)

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1X 1X
+
1X
1X
1X1X 1X
2X
3X
4X
5X
2X
3X
4X
5X
2X
3X
4X
2X 2X
7X
6X
5X 5X 5X
4X
3X
4X
3X
ANALOG
Wait 3 sec. to operate
FIXTURE SETTINGS
FACTORY SETTINGS
RESETED
PRESS AT THE
SAME TIME
Wait 3 sec. to operate
ANALOG EFFECT
INTENSITY (000-100)
EFFECT SPEED (000-009)
EFFECT TYPE (1-6)
DMX start addr. (001-511)DMX start addr. (001-511)INTENSITY (000-100)
DURATION (002-250)
REPEAT RATE (002-250)
1X=5X
Wait 3 sec. to operate
2CH EFFECT HF 2CH EFFECT
TURBO ON (0-1)
CONTINUOUS ON (0-1)
1X=7X
Wait 3 sec. to operate
POWER REDUCTION (0-1)
DISPLAY INTENSITY (0-9)
MENU MODE (0-1)
1X=5X
1X=5X
Wait 3 sec. to operate
1X=5X
Wait 3 sec. to operate
TURBO ON (0-1)
CONTINUOUS ON (0-1)
TURBO ON (0-1)
CONTINUOUS ON (0-1)
Menu Mode = 1 (Extended Menu) continued

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
LAMP
Maximum continuous ash
discharge 57,000 Joules
Single ash discharge 150 Joules
Frequency of continuous mode 100 / 120 Hz
Flash tube type Special Quasar tube (with plugs)
Color temperature 6,000° Kelvin
PERFORMANCE
Intensity control 0-100 %
Adjustable ash frequency 0-20/24 Hz
Power draw (Turbo) 6 kW
Max. power draw (Continuous) 15 kW
Modes Normal
Turbo
DEVICES
Electronic overdrive protection 3.5 seconds max.
Overheating protection Dual, self-resetting
Programmed Self-Test 1
CONTROL
Channel 1 Frequency
Channel 2 Intensity
# of possible starting addresses 511 max.
Connection type XLR 3-Pin or 5-Pin
Data conversion From DMX to PULSE
Protocol DMX-512
POWER
Nominal mains voltage 190-260 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Maximum power consumption
Continuous 60 A (3.5 sec.)
Turbo 32 A (11.5 sec.)
FIXTURE
Protection from breaking ash tube Protective grid
Mounting Adjustable swivel yoke
Corrosion protection Electrostatic sintering
Unit weight 7.8 lb. (3.6 Kg)
Shipping weight 10.6 lb. (4.8 Kg)
Unit Dimensions (HxWxD) 7.5” x 21.5” x 5.5”
(19 x 54.6 x 14 cm)
Shipping Dimensions (HxWxD) 10.5” x 23.75” x 9”
(27 x 60.5 x 23 cm)