Blizzard Weather System EXA Users Manual

Blizzard Lighting, LLC

www.blizzardlighting.com

Waukesha, WI USA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Weather System™ EXA 1

1. Getting Started 3

What’s In The Box? 3 Getting It Out Of The Box 3 Powering Up! 3 Getting A Hold Of Us 3 Safety Instructions (Don’t run with scissors!) 4

2. Meet The Weather System™ EXA 5

Main Features 5 DMX Quick Reference 5 The Weather System™ EXA Pin-up Picture 6

3. Setup 7

Connecting A Bunch Of Weather Systems 7 Data/DMX Cables 7 Setting the DMX Input Connector as the Active DMX Input 7 Cable Connectors 8 3-Pin??? 5-Pin??? Huh? 8 Take It To The Next Level: Setting up DMX Control 8 Fixture Linking (Master/Slave Mode) 9 Mounting/Rigging 9

4. Operating Adjustments 10

Navigating The Control Panel 10 Control Panel Menu Structure 11 DMX Mode 12 Set the Starting DMX Address 12 Setting the DMX Channel Mode 12 Slave Mode 12 Dimming Mode Settings 12 Static Colors and Strobe Effects 12 LED Display On/Off 12 Auto, Speed, and Sound Active Modes 13 Fixture Reset Functions 13 Footswitch Setup 13 Set the Footswitch Wireless Address 14 Multiple Fixtures With Footswitch Control 14 The Weather System™ EXA Footswitch Controller 14 Charging the Footswitch 14 DMX Value In-Depth Reference Guide 15 DMX In-Depth Reference 16

5. Appendix 20

A Quick DMX Lesson 20 Troubleshooting 20 Keeping Your Weather System™ EXA As Good As New 21 Returns (Gasp!) 21 Shipping Issues 21 Tech Specs 22 Dimensional Drawings 23

Page 2

1. GETTING STARTED

What’s In The Box?

• 1 x Weather System™ EXA Fixture w/Case

• 1 x Tripod Lighting Stand

• 1 x Footswitch Controller

• 1 x USB to Micro-USB Cable with AC Adapter

• 1 x Ever-So-Handy Power Cord

• 4 x Accessory Knobs

• This Lovely User Manual

Getting It Out Of The Box

Congratulations on purchasing the Weather System™ EXA, the most far-out, featurepacked portable LED lighting systems on the market today! Now that you’ve got your Weather System™ EXA (or hopefully, EXAs!), you should carefully unpack the box and check the contents to ensure that all parts are present and in good condition. If anything looks as if it has been damaged in transit, notify the shipper immediately and keep the packing material for inspection. Again, please save the carton and all

packing materials. If a xture must be returned to the factory, it is important that the xture be returned in the original factory box and packing.

Powering Up!

All xtures must be powered directly off a switched circuit and cannot be run off a rheostat (variable resistor) or dimmer circuit, even if the rheostat or dimmer channel is used solely for a 0% to 100% switch.

AC Voltage Switch - Not all xtures have a voltage select switch, so please verify that the xture you receive is suitable for your local power supply. See the label on the xture or refer to the xture’s specications chart for more information. A xture’s

listed current rating is its average current draw under normal conditions. Check the

xture or device carefully to make sure that if a voltage selection switch exists that it

is set to the correct line voltage you will use.

Warning! Verify that the voltage select switch on your unit matches the

line voltage applied. Damage to your xture may result if the line voltage

applied does not match the voltage indicated on the voltage selector switch.

All xtures must be connected to circuits with a suitable Ground (Earthing).

Getting A Hold Of Us

If something is wrong, please just visit our website at www.blizzardlighting. com/support and open a support ticket. We’ll be happy to help, honest.

Disclaimer: The information and specications contained in this document are

subject to change without notice. Blizzard Lighting™ assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions that may appear in this user manual. Blizzard Lighting™ reserves the right to update the existing document or to create a new document to correct any errors or omissions at any time. You can download the latest version of this document from www.blizzardlighting.com.

Author: Date: Last Edited: Date:

J. Thomas 4/27/2016 J. Thomas 1/15/2019

Page 3

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

• Please keep this User Guide for future use. If you sell the unit to someone else, be sure that they also receive this User Guide.

• ALWAYS make sure that you are connecting to the proper voltage, and that the line voltage you are connecting to is not higher than that stated on the

decal or rear panel of the xture.

• This product is intended for indoor use only.

• To prevent risk of re or shock, do not expose xture to rain or moisture.

• Make sure there are no ammable materials close to the unit while operating.

• The unit must be installed in a location with adequate ventilation, at least 20in (50cm) from adjacent surfaces. Be sure that no ventilation slots are blocked.

• ALWAYS disconnect from the power source before servicing or replacing fuse and be sure to replace with same fuse size and type.

• ALWAYS secure xture using a safety chain. NEVER carry the xture by its

cord. Use its carrying handles.

• DO NOT operate at ambient temperatures higher than 104°F (40°C).

• In the event of a serious operating problem, stop using the unit immediately. NEVER try to repair the unit by yourself. Repairs carried out by unskilled people can lead to damage or malfunction. Please contact the nearest authorized technical assistance center. Always use the same type spare parts.

• NEVER connect the device to a dimmer pack.

• Make sure the power cord is never crimped or damaged.

• Never disconnect the power cord by pulling or tugging on the cord.

• Avoid direct eye exposure to the light source while it is on.

Caution! There are no user serviceable parts inside this unit. Do not open the housing or attempt any repairs yourself. In the unlikely event your unit may require service, please visit http://www.blizzardlighting.com/support.

Page 4

2. MEET THE WEATHER SYSTEM™ EXA

MAIN FEATURES

• 8 xtures, each with 3* 15W 6-in-1 RGBAW+UV LEDs, 100,000 hours

• Independent xture swivel & tilt positioning

• Wireless rechargeable battery powered footswitch

• Built-in color macros and auto programs via DMX

• Color mixing ability in standalone mode

• Easy to use LED digital control panel

• User selectable 32-bit dimming curves

• Flicker-free constant-current 1500HZ LED driver

• Adjustable stand, dual hanging brackets, & carrying case

• 6CH/7CH/12CH/18CH/30CH/48CH or 54-channel DMX modes

• Heavy duty, black aluminum housing

• Natural convection cooled, totally silent operation

• 3-pin XLR input and output connections

• PowerCon™ compatible AC power In/Out connectors

DMX Quick Reference - 54/48/30/18-Channel Modes

54CH 48CH 30CH 18CH What it Does 54CH 48CH 30CH 18CH What it Does

1 -- 1 1 Dimmer 28 27 -- -- Blue 5 2 1 2 2 Red 1 29 28 -- -- Amber 5 3 2 3 3 Green 1 30 29 -- -- White 5 4 3 4 4 Blue 1 31 30 -- -- UV 5 5 4 5 5 Amber 1 32 31 -- -- Red 6 6 5 6 6 White 1 33 32 -- -- Green 6 7 6 7 7 UV 1 34 33 -- -- Blue 6 8 7 8 8 Red 2 35 34 -- -- Amber 6 9 8 9 9 Green 2 36 35 -- -- White 6 10 9 10 10 Blue 2 37 36 -- -- UV 6 11 10 11 11 Amber 2 38 37 -- -- Red 7 12 11 12 12 White 2 39 38 -- -- Green 7 13 12 13 13 UV 2 40 39 -- -- Blue 7 14 13 14 -- Red 3 41 40 -- -- Amber 7 15 14 15 -- Green 3 42 41 -- -- White 7 16 15 16 -- Blue 3 43 42 -- -- UV 7 17 16 17 -- Amber 3 44 43 -- -- Red 8 18 17 18 -- White 3 45 44 -- -- Green 8 19 18 19 -- UV 3 46 45 -- -- Blue 8 20 19 20 -- Red 4 47 46 -- -- Amber 8 21 20 21 -- Green 4 48 47 -- -- White 8 22 21 22 -- Blue 4 49 48 -- -- UV 8 23 22 23 -- Amber 4 50 -- 26 14 Strobe/Shutter 24 23 24 -- White 4 51 -- 27 15 Auto 25 24 25 -- UV 4 52 -- 28 16 Auto Color 26 25 -- -- Red 5 53 -- 29 17 Auto Speed 27 26 -- -- Green 5 54 -- 30 18 32-bit Dimming

DMX Quick Reference - 12/7/6-Channel Modes

CH 12-Channel Mode 7-Channel Mode 6-Channel Mode

1 Dimmer Dimmer Red Intensity 2 Red Intensity Red Intensity Green Intensity 3 Green Intensity Green Intensity Blue Intensity 4 Blue Intensity Blue Intensity Amber Intensity 5 Amber Intensity Amber Intensity White Intensity 6 White Intensity White Intensity UV Intensity 7 UV Intensity UV Intensity -8 Strobe/Shutter -- -9 Auto -- -10 Auto Color -- -11 Auto Speed -- -12 32-bit Dimming -- --

Page 5

Figure 1: The Weather System™ EXA Pin-Up Picture

Mounting

Bracket

24x 15-Watt

RGBAW+UV 6-in-1 LEDs

Threaded Accessory Knob

Mounting Holes

Mounting

Bracket

3.6 to 6.3 Foot

Adjustable Tripod

Lighting Stand

Figure 2: The Rear Connections

Power Input

Power Output

Control Panel

Menu Buttons

DMX In/Out

Page 6

DMX Sync OutMic

Mic Sensitivity Knob

3. SETUP

Fuse Replacement

CAUTION! The Weather System™ EXA utilizes a high-output switch-

mode power supply with an internal fuse. Under normal operating

conditions, the fuse should not require replacement. The fuse is eld replaceable, however it is an advanced procedure suited to qualied

individuals. Should your Weather System™ fuse require replacement, please contact Blizzard Lighting for instructions, or to return for service.

Connecting A Bunch of Weather System™ Fixtures

You will need a serial data link to run light shows using a DMX-512

controller or to run shows on two or more xtures set to sync in master/

slave operating mode. The combined number of channels required by all

the xtures on a serial data link determines the number of xtures the

data link can support.

Fixtures on a serial data link must be daisy chained in one single line.

Also, connecting more than 32 xtures on one serial data link without the

use of a DMX optically-isolated splitter may result in deterioration of the digital DMX signal. The maximum recommended cable-run distance is

500 meters (1640 ft). The maximum recommended number of xtures on a serial data link is 32 xtures.

Data/DMX Cabling

To link xtures together you’ll need data cables. You should use data-

grade cables that can carry a high quality signal and are less prone to electromagnetic interference.

applications. Standard microphone cables will “probably” be OK, but note that they cannot transmit DMX data as reliably over long distances. In any event, the cable should have the following characteristics:

2-conductor twisted pair plus a shield

Maximum capacitance between conductors – 30 pF/ft. Maximum capacitance between conductor & shield – 55 pF/ft. Maximum resistance of 20 ohms / 1000 ft. Nominal impedance 100 – 140 ohms

Page 7

Cable Connectors

Cables must have a male XLR connector on one end and a female XLR connector on the other end. (Duh!)

CAUTION: Do not allow contact between the common and the

xture’s chassis ground. Grounding the common can cause a ground loop, and your xture may perform erratically. Test cables with an

ohm meter to verify correct polarity and to make sure the pins are not grounded or shorted to the shield or each other.

3-Pin??? 5-Pin??? Huh?!?

If you use a controller with a 5-pin DMX output connector, you will need to use a 5 pin to 3 pin adapter. They are widely available over the internet and from specialty retailers If you’d like to build your own, the chart below details a proper cable conversion:

Conductor 3-Pin Female (Output) 5-Pin Male (Input)

Ground/Shield Pin 1 Pin 1

Data 1- (Primary Data Link) Pin 2 Pin 2

Data 1+ (Primary Data Link) Pin 3 Pin 3

Data 2- (Optional Secondary Data Link) Pin 4 Pin 4

Data 2+ (Optional Secondary Data Link) Pin 5 Pin 5

Take It To The Next Level: Setting Up DMX Control

Step 1: Connect the male connector of the DMX cable to the female connector (output) on

the controller.

Step 2: Connect the female connector of the

DMX cable to the rst xture’s male connector

(input). Note: It doesn’t matter which

xture address is the rst one connected. We recommend connecting the xtures in terms

of their proximity to the controller, rather than

connecting the lowest xture number rst, and

so on.

Step 3: Connect other xtures in the chain

from output to input as above. Place a DMX

terminator on the output of the nal xture to

ensure best communication.

Page 8

+ 16 hidden pages

Blizzard Weather System EXA Users Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual