Blizzard Lighting EXA ToughStick User Manual

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TOUGH STICK
TM
exa
SUITABLE FOR OUTDOOR USE
Blizzard Lighting, LLC
www.blizzardlighting.com
Waukesha, WI USA
Copyright (c) 2014
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ToughStick™ 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 Stick Your Hand In The Toaster!) 4
2. Meet The ToughStick™ EXA 5
Features 5 DMX Quick Reference 5 The ToughStick™ EXA Pin-up Picture 6
3. Setup 7
Fuse Replacement 7 Connecting A Bunch Of ToughStick™ EXA Fixtures 7 Data/DMX Cables 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 Master/Slave Mode 12 Sound Active Mode 12 Standalone (Program) Mode 12 Manual Color Adjustment 12 DMX Channel Values In-Depth 13 Troubleshooting 14
5. Appendix 15
A Quick DMX Lesson 15 Keeping Your ToughStick™ EXA As Good As New 16 Returns (Gasp!) 16 Shipping Issues 16 Tech Specs 17 Dimensional Drawings 18
ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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1. GETTING STARTED
What’s In The Box?
• 1 x ToughStick™ EXA
• 1 x Waterproof Power Cable
• 1 x Waterproof DMX Cable
• 2 x Mounting Brackets
• This Lovely User Manual
Optional Accessories (sold separately)
The following accessories are available for this xture. But the lone wolves that they are, they
must be purchased separately. Contact your authorized Blizzard Lighting dealer for pricing!
• DMX-EXT: 3-Meter IP-Rated DMX Extension Cable
• PWR-EXT: 3-Meter IP-Rated Power Extension Cable
Getting It Out Of The Box
Yes way! Congratulations on your most excellent purchase and totally bodacious choice of one
stellar LED lighting xture! So now that you’ve got your ToughStick™ EXA xture (or hopefully,
ToughStick EXA’s!), 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, just give us a call or send an email. We’ll be happy to help, honest.
Blizzard Lighting N16 W23390 Stoneridge Dr. Suite E Waukesha, WI 53188 USA www.blizzardlighting.com 414-395-8365 Email: support@blizzardlighting.com
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 6/16/2014 J. Thomas 6/18/2014
ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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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 de-
cal or rear panel of the xture.
• 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 the unit. Do not open the housing or attempt any repairs yourself. In the unlikely event your unit may require service, please contact Blizzard Lighting at sup­port@blizzardlighting.com.
ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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2. MEET THE TOUGHSTICK™ EXA LED FIXTURE
CONTROL FEATURES
• RGBAW+UV color mixing via 9x 15W 6-in-1 LEDs
• Variable electronic strobe & dimmer
• Built-in color & chase macros via DMX
• Built-in automated programs via master/slave
• RGBAW+UV color mixing ability in standalone mode
• Easy to use 4-button LED control panel
• Flicker-free constant-current 400hz LED driver
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
• Built like a brick hmm hmm with anodized aluminum enclosure and tempered glass top.
• Totally silent convection cooling
• IP Rated AC power cord with cable cap
• IP Rated DMX in/out cables
• Dual mounting brackets for positioning exibility
DMX Quick Reference - 8 / 10 / 11-Channel Mode
Channel 8-Channel 10-Channel 11-Channel
1 Dimmer Dimmer Dimmer
2 Red Intensity Red Intensity Red Intensity
3 Green Intensity Green Intensity Green Intensity
4 Blue Intensity Blue Intensity Blue Intensity
5 Amber Intensity Amber Intensity Amber Intensity
6 White Intensity White Intensity White Intensity
7 UV Intensity UV Intensity UV Intensity
8 Strobe Strobe Strobe
9 --- Built-in Programs Built-in Programs
10 --- Program Speed Program Speed
11 --- --- 32-Bit Dimmer
DMX Quick Reference - 3-Channel (HSV) / 6-Channel Mode
Channel 3-Channel (HSV) 6-Channel
1 RGB Color Mixing Red Intensity
2 White Intensity Green Intensity
3 Dimmer Blue Intensity
4 --- Amber Intensity
5 --- White Intensity
6 --- UV Intensity
ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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Figure 1: The ToughStick™ EXA Pin-Up Picture
Black Powder Coated
Aluminum Housing
LED Control Panel
Weatherproof Power &
DMX Connections
Mounting Brackets with
Adjustment & Locking Knobs
9x 15-watt 6-in-1 RGBAW+UV LEDs
IP65-Rated
Figure 2: The Rear Connections
Extended, waterproof AC power and 3-pin DMX connections.
AC Power In
3-Pin
DMX512 In
ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
AC Power Out
3-Pin DMX512 Out
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3. SETUP
Fuse Replacement
CAUTION! The ToughStick™ EXA utilizes a high-output switch-mode
power supply with an internal fuse. Under normal operating condi-
tions, the fuse should not require replacement. The fuse is eld replaceable, however it is an advanced procedure suited to qualied
individuals. Should your ToughStick™ EXA fuse require replacement, please contact Blizzard Lighting for instructions, or to return your unit for service.
Connecting A Bunch of ToughStick™ EXA 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.
For instance, Belden© 9841 meets the specications for EIA RS-485
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
ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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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 x- ture’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
DMX Data (-) Pin 2 Pin 2
DMX Data (+) Pin 3 Pin 3
Not Used. No Connection. No Connection.
Not Used. No Connection. No Connection.
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.
ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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Fixture Linking (Master/Slave Mode)
1. Connect the (male) 3 pin connector side of the DMX cable to the output (female) 3 pin connector of
the rst xture.
2. Connect the end of the cable coming from the
rst xture which will have a (female) 3 pin connec­tor to the input connector of the next xture con-
sisting of a (male) 3 pin connector. Then, proceed to connect from the output as stated above to the
input of the following xture and so on.
A quick note: Often, the setup for Master­Slave and Standalone operation requires that
the rst xture in the
chain be initialized for this purpose via either settings in the control panel or DIP-switches.
Secondarily, the xtures
that follow may also re­quire a slave setting.
Check the “Operating Adjustments” section in this manual for com-
plete instructions for this type of setup and conguration.
Mounting & Rigging
This xture may be mounted in any SAFE position provided there is
enough room for ventilation.
It is important never to obstruct the fan or vents pathway. Mount the
xture using a suitable “C” or “O” type clamp. The clamp should be rated to hold at least 10x the xture’s weight to ensure structural sta-
bility. Do not mount to surfaces with unknown strength, and ensure
properly “rated” rigging is used when mounting xtures overhead.
Adjust the angle of the xture by loosening both knobs and tilting the xture. After nding the desired position, retighten both knobs.
• When selecting installation location, take into consideration lamp replacement access (if applicable) and routine maintenance.
• Safety cables MUST ALWAYS be used.
• Never mount in places where the xture will be exposed to rain,
high humidity, extreme temperature changes or restricted ventilation.
ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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4. OPERATING ADJUSTMENTS
The Control Panel
All the goodies and different modes possible with the ToughStick™
EXA are accessed by using the control panel on the rear of the xture.
There are 4 control buttons below the LED display which allow you to navigate through the various control panel menus.
<MENU>
Is used to navigate to the previous higher-level menu item.
<UP>
Scrolls through menu items and numbers in ascending order.
<DOWN>
Scrolls through menu items and numbers in descending order.
<ENTER>
Is used to select and conrm/store the current selection.
The Control Panel LED Display shows the menu items you select from the menu map on page #11. When a menu function is selected, the
display will show immediately the rst available option for the selected
menu function. To select a menu item, press <ENTER>.
Press the <MENU> button repeatedly until you reach the desired menu function. Use the <UP> and <DOWN> buttons to navigate the menu options. Press the <ENTER> button to select the menu function currently displayed, or to enable a menu option. To return to the previ­ous option or menu without changing the value, press the <MENU> button.
ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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Control Panel Menu Structure
Addr d001 - d512 To choose the DMX address
SLAU SL.AU To run the xture in slave mode
CHnd 11CH 11 channel DMX mode
10CH 10 channel DMX mode
8CH 8 channel DMX mode
6CH 6 channel DMX mode
3CH 3 channel DMX mode
SP -- SP00 -SP15 Speed adjustments (0-15)
Pr -- Pr00 -Pr35 Built-in programs (0-35)
ASC - AC00 -AC15 Auto mode (0-15)
FAdE FA00 -FA15 Fade settings (0-15)
FLAS FL00 -FL15 Flash / strobe speed (0-15)
rL -- r.000 - r.255 Red dimmer (0% <--> 100%)
GL -- G.000 - G.255 Green dimmer (0% <--> 100%)
bL -- b.000 - b.255 Blue dimmer (0% <--> 100%)
AL -- A.000 - A.255 Amber dimmer (0% <--> 100%)
IL -- I.000 - I.255 White dimmer (0% <--> 100%)
UL -- U.000 - U.255 UV dimmer (0% <--> 100%)
SouA So.uA Sound active mode
LED on - oFF Display menu on/off
nodE nod0-nod4 Dimming mode (0-4)
UErn UE2.0 Software version
ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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DMX Mode
Allows the unit to be controlled by any universal DMX controller.
Setting the Starting DMX Channel:
1.) The default mode for the xture is DMX, which appears as d001 on the LED readout. To select a different DMX address, using the <MENU> button, select Addr, then hit
<ENTER>. Use the <UP/DOWN> buttons to select the correct address, then hit <EN­TER> to conrm.
Setting the DMX Channel Mode:
1.) To select a DMX channel mode, press the <MENU> button, then use the <UP> or <DOWN> buttons until the display reads Chnd and press the <MENU> button. Then
use the <UP> or <DOWN> buttons until the display reaches your desired channel mode. Press the <MENU> button to conrm.
Stand-Alone, Master/Slave, Sound Active Modes:
Allows a single or Master/Slaved units to run factory installed programs at user selectable speeds.
1.) To set the xture in Flash or Fade mode, select FLAS or FAdE. To conrm, press the <ENTER> button.
2.) Now, you can adjust the ash settings from FL00-FL15 or the fade settings from FA00-FA15. Then press the <ENTER> button to conrm.
3.) To use the xture in automatic mode, select ASC-, and press the <ENTER> button. Then use the <UP/DOWN> buttons to choose from AS00-AS15. Now press <ENTER>.
4.) Adjust the speed of the chase as above using SP15 (slowest) to SP00 (fastest) then press the <ENTER> button to conrm.
5.) To set the xture as a slave unit, select SLAU, and hit <ENTER>. The unit will display a ashing SL.AU to indicate it is in slave mode.
Sound Active Mode:
1.) To use sound active mode, select SouA, then press the <ENTER> button to conrm.
Standalone (Program) Mode:
Allows a single unit to display a variety of colors and programs without a DMX controller.
Manual Color Adjustment:
Allows the user to adjust the color balance of the xture. These settings are global, they will
effect all modes.
ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
1.) To set the xture in manual mode, select Pr--. To conrm, press the <ENTER> button.
2.) Select the program by using the <UP> and <DOWN> buttons to select Pr00-Pr15.
3.) To conrm, press the <ENTER> button.
1.) Use the <MENU> and <UP/DOWN> buttons to select either rL-- (Red Level), GL-- (Green Level), bL-- (Blue Level), AL-- (Amber Level), IL-- (White Level), or UL (UV Level), then hit the <ENTER> button.
2.) Using the <UP/DOWN> buttons, select the maximum level for each color between x000-x255 (000=off), then hit <ENTER> to conrm.
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DMX Values In-Depth (11-Channel Mode)
Channel Value What It Does
1 000 <--> 255 Dimmer (0% <--> 100%)
2 000 <--> 255 Red Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
3 000 <--> 255 Green Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
4 000 <--> 255 Blue Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
5 000 <--> 255 Amber Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
6 000 <--> 255 White Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
7 000 <--> 255 UV Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
8
9
*The dimmer (Ch.1) and individual RGBAW
color intensity settings
(Ch. 2-6) are active
while utilizing this
channel. If channel 1-7
are off, you’ll get zero light output!
10
11
000 <--> 014 015 <--> 255
000 <--> 031 032 <--> 063 064 <--> 095 096 <--> 127 128 <--> 164 165 <--> 191 192 <--> 223 224 <--> 255
0 <--> 255
000 <--> 005 006 <--> 055 056 <--> 105 106 <--> 155 156 <--> 205 206 <--> 255
Strobe
Dimming Strobe (Slow <--> Fast)
Fade, Color Change, Sound Active
No Function Fade In (Ch. 10 Controls Speed) Fade Out (Ch. 10 Controls Speed) Fade In / Fade Out (Ch. 10 Controls Speed) Multicolor Fade (Ch. 10 Controls Speed) Fade In / Fade Out, Auto Run Multi-Color Jump (Ch. 10 Controls Speed) Sound Active, Multicolor (Ch. 10 Controls Speed)
Fade Speed
Fade Speed (Slow <--> Fast)
32-Bit Dimmer
As set in the control menu display Mode 0 = 8-bit, 256 dimming steps Mode 1 = 32-bit, 0-25% intensity range Mode 2 = 32-bit, 0-50% intensity range Mode 3 = 32-bit, 0-75% intensity range Mode 4 = 32-bit, full intensity dimming
DMX Values In-Depth (10-Channel Mode)
Channel Value What It Does
1 000 <--> 255 Dimmer (0% <--> 100%)
2 000 <--> 255 Red Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
3 000 <--> 255 Green Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
4 000 <--> 255 Blue Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
5 000 <--> 255 Amber Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
6 000 <--> 255 White Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
7 000 <--> 255 UV Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
8
9
*The dimmer (Ch.1) and individual RGBAW
color intensity settings
(Ch. 2-6) are active
while utilizing this
channel. If channel 1-7
are off, you’ll get zero light output!
10
ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
000 <--> 014 015 <--> 255
000 <--> 031 032 <--> 063 064 <--> 095 096 <--> 127 128 <--> 164 165 <--> 191 192 <--> 223 224 <--> 255
0 <--> 255
Strobe
Dimming Strobe (Slow <--> Fast)
Fade, Color Change, Sound Active
No Function Fade In (Ch. 10 Controls Speed) Fade Out (Ch. 10 Controls Speed) Fade In / Fade Out (Ch. 10 Controls Speed) Multicolor Fade (Ch. 10 Controls Speed) Fade In / Fade Out, Auto Run Multi-Color Jump (Ch. 10 Controls Speed) Sound Active, Multicolor (Ch. 10 Controls Speed)
Fade Speed
Fade Speed (Slow <--> Fast)
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DMX Values In-Depth (8-Channel Mode)
Ch. Value What It Does
1 000 <--> 255 Dimmer (0% <--> 100%)
2 000 <--> 255 Red Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
3 000 <--> 255 Green Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
4 000 <--> 255 Blue Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
5 000 <--> 255 Amber Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
6 000 <--> 255 White Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
7 000 <--> 255 UV Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
8 000 <--> 014
015 <--> 255
Dimmer Strobe Speed
DMX Values In-Depth (6-Channel Mode)
Ch. Value What It Does
1 000 <--> 255 Red Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
2 000 <--> 255 Green Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
3 000 <--> 255 Blue Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
4 000 <--> 255 Amber Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
5 000 <--> 255 White Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
6 000 <--> 255 UV Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
DMX Values In-Depth (3-Channel HSV Mode)
Ch. Value What It Does
1 000 <--> 255 RGB Color Mixing
2 000 <--> 255 White Intensity (0% <--> 100%)
3 000 <--> 255 Dimmer (0% <--> 100%)
Troubleshooting
Symptom Solution
Fixture Auto-Shut Off If it the fan has stopped or moving slower than normal, the unit may
Beam is Dim Check optical system and clean excess dust/grime.
No Light Output Check to ensure xture is operating under correct mode, IE sound ac-
Chase Speed Too Fast/Slow Check to ensure proper setup of speed adjustment.
No Power Check fuse, AC cord and circuit for malfunction.
Blown Fuse Check AC cord and circuit for damage, verify that moving parts are not
No Response to Audio Verify that the xture is in “Sound Active” mode.
Fixture Not Responding / Responding Erraticly
If your problem persists or isn’t listed contact support@blizzardlighting.com.
ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
have shut itself off due to high heat. This is to protect the xture from
overheating. Clear the fan of obstructions, or return the unit for service.
tive/auto/DMX/Etc., if applicable.
restricted and that unit’s ventilation is not obstructed
Make sure all connectors are seated properly and securely. Use Only DMX Cables and/or check cables for defects, install a Termina­tor.
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5. APPENDIX
A Quick Lesson On DMX
DMX (aka DMX-512) was created in 1986 by the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) as a standardized method for connecting lighting consoles to lighting
dimmer modules. It was revised in 1990 and again in 2000 to allow more exibility. The
Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) has since assumed control over the DMX512 standard. It has also been approved and recognized for ANSI standard clas-
sication.
DMX covers (and is an abbreviation for) Digital MultipleXed signals. It is the most common communications standard used by lighting and related stage equipment.
DMX provides up to 512 control “channels” per data link. Each of these channels was origi­nally intended to control lamp dimmer levels. You can think of it as 512 faders on a lighting console, connected to 512 light bulbs. Each slider’s position is sent over the data link as an 8-bit number having a value between 0 and 255. The value 0 corresponds to the light bulb being completely off while 255 corresponds to the light bulb being fully on.
DMX data is transmitted at 250,000 bits per second using the RS-485 transmission stan­dard over two wires. As with microphone cables, a grounded cable shield is used to prevent interference with other signals.
There are ve pins on a DMX connector: a wire for ground (cable shield), two wires for
“Primary” communication which goes from a DMX source to a DMX receiver, and two wires for a “Secondary” communication which goes from a DMX receiver back to a DMX source. Generally, the “Secondary” channel is not used so data ows only from sources to receiv­ers. Hence, most of us are most familiar with DMX-512 as being employer over typical
3-pin “mic cables,” although this does not conform to the dened standard.
DMX is connected using a daisy-chain conguration where the source connects to the input of the rst device, the output of the rst device connects to the input of the next device,
and so on. The standard allows for up to 32 devices on a single DMX link.
Each receiving device typically has a means for setting the “starting channel number” that
it will respond to. For example, if two 6-channel xtures are used, the rst xture might
be set to start at channel 1 so it would respond to DMX channels 1 through 6, and the next
xture would be set to start at channel 7 so it would respond to channels 7 through 12.
The greatest strength of the DMX communications protocol is that it is very simple and robust. It involves transmitting a reset condition (indicating the start of a new “packet”), a start code, and up to 512 bytes of data. Data packets are transmitted continuously. As
soon as one packet is nished, another can begin with no delay if desired (usually another
follows within 1 ms). If nothing is changing (i.e. no lamp levels change) the same data will be sent out over and over again. This is a great feature of DMX -- if for some reason the
data is not interpreted the rst time around, it will be re-sent shortly.
Not all 512 channels need to be output per packet, and in fact, it is very uncommon to nd
all 512 used. The fewer channels are used, the higher the “refresh” rate. It is possible to get DMX refreshes at around 1000 times per second if only 24 channels are being trans­mitted. If all 512 channels are being transmitted, the refresh rate is around 44 times per second.
In summary, since its design and evolution in the 1980’s DMX has become the standard
for lighting control. It is exible, robust, and scalable, and its ability to control everything
from dimmer packs to moving lights to foggers to lasers makes it an indispensable tool for any lighting designer or lighting performer.
ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Page 15
Page 16
Keeping Your ToughStick™ EXA As Good As New
The xture you’ve received is a rugged, tough piece of pro lighting equip­ment, and as long as you take care of it, it will take care of you. That said, like anything, you’ll need to take care of it if you want it to operate as designed.
You should absolutely keep the xture clean, especially if you are using it in an
environment with a lot of dust, fog, haze, wild animals, wild teenagers or spilled drinks.
Cleaning the optics routinely with a suitable glass cleaner will greatly improve the quality of light output. Keeping the fans free of dust and debris will keep
the xture running cool and prevent damage from overheating.
In transit, keep the xtures in cases. You wouldn’t throw a prized guitar,
drumset, or other piece of expensive gear into a gear trailer without a case, and similarly, you shouldn’t even think about doing it with your shiny new light
xtures.
Common sense and taking care of your xtures will be the single biggest thing
you can do to keep them running at peak performance and let you worry about designing a great light show, putting on a great concert, or maximizing your cli­ent’s satisfaction and “wow factor.” That’s what it’s all about, after all!
Returns (Gasp!)
We’ve taken a lot of precautions to make sure you never even have to worry about sending a defective unit back, or sending a unit in for service. But, like any complex piece of equipment designed and built by humans, once in a while,
something doesn’t go as planned. If you nd yourself with a xture that isn’t behaving like a good little xture should, you’ll need to obtain a Return Authori-
zation (RA).
Don’t worry, this is easy. Just send an email to support@blizzardlighting.com, and we’ll issue you an RA. Then, you’ll need to send the unit to us using a trackable, pre-paid freight method. We suggest using USPS Priority or UPS.
Make sure you carefully pack the xture for transit, and whenever possible, use
the original box & packing for shipping.
When returning your xture for service, be sure to include the following:
1.) Your contact information (Name, Address, Phone Number, Email address).
2.) The RA# issued to you
3.) A brief description of the problem/symptoms.
We will, at our discretion, repair or replace the xture. Please remember that
any shipping damage which occurs in transit to us is the customer’s responsibil­ity, so pack it well!
Shipping Issues
Damage incurred in shipping is the responsibility of the shipper, and must be reported to the carrier immediately upon receipt of the items. Claims must be made within seven (7) days of receipt.
ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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Tech Specs!
Weight & Dimensions
Length 26.5 inches (672 mm)
Width 3.37 inches (85.4 mm)
Height 5.35 inches (135.7 mm)
Weight 7.8 lbs (3.5 kg)
Power
Operating Voltage 100-240VAC, 50-60 Hertz
Power Consumption
Drive Current
TBA
400mA
Light Source
LED 9x 15W 6-in-1 LEDs 50,000 hours.
Optical
Beam Angle 25 degree optics
Thermal
Max. Operating
104 degrees F (40 degrees C) ambient
Temp.
Control
Protocol USITT DMX-512
DMX Channels 3 / 6 / 8 / 10 /11
Input 3-pin XLR Male
Output 3-pin XLR Female
Other Operating Modes
Standalone, Master/Slave, Sound Active, Color Preset
Other Information
Life can be so unpredictamqijigko1!
2-year limited warranty, does not cover malfunc-
Warranty
ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
tion caused by damage to LED’s.
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Dimensional Drawings
3.5” (87.5 mm)
5.4” (135.7 mm)
3.4” (85.4 mm)
26.5” (672.94 mm)
22.76” (578 mm)
ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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23.8” (604 mm)
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ToughStick™ EXA User Manual Rev. A Copyright 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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Enjoy your product!
Our sincerest thanks for your purchase!
--The team @ Blizzard Lighting
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