Blizzard Lighting HotBox RGBW/RGBA Manual User Manual

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Blizzard Lighting, LLC

www.blizzardlighting.com

Waukesha, WI USA

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

HotBox™ LED 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 HotBox™ LED 5

Features 5 DMX Quick Reference 5 The HotBox™ Pin-up Picture 6

3. Setup 7

Fuse Replacement 7 Connecting A Bunch Of HotBox™ PAR Cans 7 Data/DMX Cables 7 Wicicle Wirelss DMX System 8-9 Cable Connectors 10 3-Pin??? 5-Pin??? Huh? 10 Take It To The Next Level: Setting up DMX Control 10 Fixture Linking (Master/Slave Mode) 11 Mounting/Rigging 11

4. Operating Adjustments 12

Navigating The Control Panel 12 Control Panel Menu Structure 13 DMX Mode 14 Master/Slave Mode 14 Sound Active Mode 14 Standalone (Program) Mode 14 Manual Color Adjustment 14 DMX Channel Values In-Depth 15 Troubleshooting 16

5. Appendix 17

A Quick DMX Lesson 17 Keeping Your HotBox™ As Good As New 18 Returns (Gasp!) 18 Shipping Issues 18 Tech Specs 19

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1. GETTING STARTED

What’s In The Box?

• 1 x HotBox™ Professional LED PAR Fixture

• A totally rockin’ DMX Cable

• This Lovely User Manual

Getting It Out Of The Box

Congratulations on purchasing one of the most rocking box-shaped PAR xtures

anywhere! Now that you’ve got your HotBox™ (or hopefully, HotBoxes!), 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 2/26/2013 J. Keeley 3/25/2013

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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.

• 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 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.

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2. MEET THE HOTBOX™ LED PAR

CONTROL FEATURES

• RGBW color mixing via 7x 10W Red/Green/Blue/White 4-in-1 LEDs

• Variable electronic dimming & strobe

• Built-in color & chase macros via DMX

• Built-in automated programs via master/slave

• Built-in sound active programs

• RGBW color mixing ability in standalone mode

• HSV (3-Ch), RGBW (4-Ch), RGBW + Dimmer (5-Ch) & Extended (8-

Ch) DMX Proles

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

• Rugged and well-built (It hits the gym regularly)

• Super-quiet variable-speed internal Fan Cooling

• Dual mounting brackets for positioning exibility

• Flicker-free constant-current 400hz LED driver

• 3-pin male input and 3-pin female output

• PowerCon™ compatible AC power In/Out connectors

DMX Quick Reference - 8 / 9 Channel Mode

Channel 8 Channel 9 Channel

1 Dimmer Dimmer

2 Red Intensity Red Intensity

3 Green Intensity Green Intensity

4 Blue Intensity Blue Intensity

5 White Intensity White Intensity

6 Strobe Strobe

7 Built-in Programs Built-in Programs

8 Program Speed Program Speed

9 --- 32-Bit Dimmer

DMX Quick Reference - 3 (HSV) / 4 / 5 Channel Mode

Channel HSV 4 Channel 5 Channel

1 Hue Red Intensity Dimmer

2 Saturation Green Intensity Red Intensity

3 Value Blue Intensity Green Intensity

4 --- White Intensity Blue Intensity

5 --- --- White Intensity

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Figure 1: The HotBox™ Pin-Up Picture

High Power 4-in-1

Quad Color LEDs

Heavy-Duty Cast Aluminum Enclosure

Dual Mounting Yokes &

Adjustment/Locking Knobs

Figure 2: The Rear Connections

AC Power Out

DMX InDMX Out

Menu Buttons AC Power In

LED Display

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3. SETUP

Fuse Replacement

CAUTION! The HotBox™ 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 HotBox™ fuse require replacement, please contact Blizzard Lighting for instructions, or to return your unit for service.

Connecting A Bunch of HotBox™ 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

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USING THIS FIXTURE WITH THE wiCICLE® WIRELESS DMX SYSTEM

In addition to the unbridled thrill you al-

ready received the rst time you plugged in your xture, you’ll be delighted to know that This xture also works seamlessly with

our wiCICLE® Wireless DMX system, without additional power.

• ONLY xtures bearing this logo are certied for use with the wiCICLE® without external power.

• Unauthorized modication and/or using the wiCICLE® with unapproved xtures may cause damage to the wiCICLE® or xture. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS BLIZZARD LIGHTING

RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE FROM SUCH OPERATION.

• Fixtures bearing the above logo MUST only use cable and connectors which separate chassis/case ground from cable shielding. Cabling with the shield connected to the connector’s case/chassis may cause malfunction and damage to the wiCICLE® or xture.

• wiCICLE® transmitters have additional power requirements

and therefore cannot be powered directly from the xture. You

will need to utilize the supplied AC/DC adaptor to drive wiCICLE® transmitters in your system.

WE HAD THIS SPACE, SO WE FIGURED WE’D DRAW YOU A PICTURE:

Antenna Housing & 1/2-wave Antenna

Antenna ferrule & articulation joint

Stainless Steel Housing

Recessed Selector Button

Status LED

3-Pin XLR Connector (Male on transmitter, Female on receiver model)

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Each wiCICLE® acts as both a transmitter and a receiver, depending on whether a DMX source is applied to the integral XLR connector. This is an extremely powerful feature of the system, however, it also requires 1 piece of due dilligence, and that is the removal of extraneous DMX signals from your lighting rig BEFORE proceeding.

SO: BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ELSE, YOU SHOULD DISABLE ANY BUILT-IN PROGRAMS IN THE FIXTURES YOU WISH TO CONNECT AND/ OR SET THEM AS SLAVES PRIOR TO RETURNING THEM TO DMX MODE

(IF APPLICABLE). Most xtures contain a built-in automatic, sound active or custom program which is designed to operate with the xture

NOT connected to a DMX chain.

Some of these programs will automatically run unless the xture is set to slave mode. These xtures typically sense DMX automatically and switch to DMX

mode upon receiving DMX signal (our Pucks do that!)

If you plug a wiCICLE® “receiver” into an autosensing xture set as a “master, “chances are good that the wiCICLE® “receiver” will begin transmitting the

master program. Most times, this is undesirable, and taking the two seconds to switch these programs off will solve a lot of ails.

Got that done? Good! Then let’s proceed!

1. Plug the wiCICLE® Receiver into the “DMX IN” connector of the xture and verify it is receiving power (the STATUS LED should illuminate.)

2. Connect the AC/DC adaptor to the the wiCICLE® Transmitter and verify it is receiving power (the STATUS LED should illuminate.)

3. Press the RECESSED SELECTOR BUTTON on the Transmitter to select the operating channel group. (The system will store this setting for future use)

The 7-Color Status LED will change color to indicate the current channel group:

· GROUP 1: RED

· GROUP 2: GREEN

· GROUP 3: YELLOW

· GROUP 4: BLUE

· GROUP 5: VIOLET

· GROUP 6: CYAN

· GROUP 7: WHITE

4. Follow the same procedure on the Receiver to select the channel group.

5. Once both the transmitter and receiver(s) are both set to the same channel group, connect the transmitter to the DMX controller or the DMX out of a

xture on your DMX chain.

6. Once a DMX signal is provided to the transmitter, the status LED will blink

RED slowly until communication is established with the receiver. The status

LED on the receiver(s) will ash GREEN slowly until communication is estab-

lished.

7. Once the clearest channel is auto-selected, the status LEDs will blink quickly on both the transmitter and receiver. NOTE: The color of the LED DURING operation does not indicate channel group, instead it indicates whether the unit is transmitting or receiving. That’s It!

NOTE: “GROUP” number also corresponds to the “GROUP” setting on our LightCaster™ wireless DMX Transceiver.

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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.

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.

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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 xutres 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.

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4. OPERATING ADJUSTMENTS

The Control Panel

All the goodies and different modes possible with the HotBox™ LED 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.

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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 9CH 9 channel DMX mode

8CH 8 channel DMX mode

5CH 5 channel DMX mode

4CH 4 channel DMX mode

3CH 3 channel DMX mode

SP -- SP00 -SP15 Speed adjustments (0-15)

Pr -- Pr00 -Pr30 Built-in programs (0-30)

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%)

UL -- U.000 - U.255 White 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

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DMX Mode

Allows the unit to be controlled by any universal DMX controller.

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/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> to choose from AS00-AS15, then press the <ENTER> button to

conrm.

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.

1.) To set the xture in manual mode, select Pr--.

To conrm, press the <ENTER> button.

2.) Now, select the program by using the <UP> and <DOWN> buttons to select Pr00-

Pr15. To conrm, press the <ENTER> button.

Manual Color Adjustment:

Allows the user to adjust the color balance of the xture. These settings are global, they will effect all

modes.

1.) Use the <MENU> and <UP/DOWN> button to select rL-- (Red Level), GL-- (Green Level), bL-- (Blue Level) or UL-- (White Level), then hit <ENTER>.

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 (9-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 White Intensity (0% <--> 100%)

000 <--> 014 015 <--> 255

Strobe

Dimming Strobe (Slow <--> Fast)

000 <--> 031 032 <--> 063 064 <--> 095 096 <--> 127 128 <--> 159 160 <--> 191 192 <--> 223 224 <--> 255

Fade, Color Change, Sound Active

No Function Fade In (Ch. 8 Controls Speed) Fade Out (Ch. 8 Controls Speed) Fade In / Fade Out (Ch. 8 Controls Speed) Multicolor Fade (Ch. 8 Controls Speed) Fade In / Fade Out, Auto Run Color Jump (Ch. 8 Controls Speed) Sound Active, Multicolor (Ch. 8 Controls Speed)

0 <--> 255

Fade Speed

Fade Speed (Slow <--> Fast)

000 <--> 005 006 <--> 055 056 <--> 105 106 <--> 155 156 <--> 205 206 <--> 255

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 (8-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 White Intensity (0% <--> 100%)

000 <--> 014 000 <--> 255

Strobe

Strobe Off Strobe (Slow <--> Fast)

000 <--> 031 032 <--> 063 064 <--> 095 096 <--> 127 128 <--> 159 160 <--> 191 192 <--> 223 224 <--> 255

Fade, Color Change, Sound Active

0 <--> 255

Fade Speed

Fade Speed (Slow <--> Fast)

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Troubleshooting

Symptom Solution

Fixture Auto-Shut Off

Check the fan in the xture. If it is stopped or moving slower than

normal, the unit may 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.

Beam is Dim Check optical system and clean excess dust/grime. Also ensure that

the 220V/110V switch is in the correct position, if applicable.

No Light Output Check to ensure xture is operating under correct mode, IE sound

active/auto/DMX/Etc., if applicable.

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 restricted and that unit’s ventilation is not obstructed

Slow Movement Verify that 220V/110V switch is in the correct position, if applicable.

Also check that speed channels are set appropriately.

No Response to Audio

Verify that the xture is in “Sound Active” mode.

Adjust Audio Sensitivity, If Applicable.

Fixture Not Responding / Responding Erraticly

Make sure all connectors are seated properly and securely. Use Only DMX Cables and/or check cables for defects Install a Terminator.

Reset xture(s).

Intermittent Lamp

Check lamp for properly installation. Relamp, lamp may have reached end of life.

Remote Doesn’t Work

Verify remote control cable is installed properly and securely. Verify remote is correct type (CA-9 or other as applicable.)

Fixture Moving On Its Own

Verify proper mode of operation. Is the xture in “Auto” mode?

If your problem persists or isn’t listed contact support@blizzardlighting.com.

DMX Values In-Depth (HSV Mode)

Ch. Value What It Does

1 000 <--> 255 Hue

2 000 <--> 255 Saturation

3 000 <--> 255 Value

DMX Values In-Depth (4/5-Channel Mode)

Ch. Value What It Does (5 Ch.) What It Does (4 Ch.)

1 000 <--> 255 Dimmer (0% <--> 100%) Red Intensity

2 000 <--> 255 Red Intensity Green Intensity

3 000 <--> 255 Green Intensity Blue Intensity

4 000 <--> 255 Blue Intensity White Intensity

5 000 <--> 255 White Intensity ---

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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.

Page 18

Keeping Your HotBox™ 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.

Page 19

Tech Specs!

Weight & Dimensions

Length 4 inches (102 mm)

Width 5 inches (127 mm)

Height 5 inches (127 mm)

Weight 3.5 lbs (1.60 kg)

Power

Operating Voltage 100-250VAC, 40-60 Hertz

Fuse 2A 250V

Power Consumption 47W

Light Source

LED 7x 10W 4-in-1 LEDs 100,000 hours.

Optical

Beam Angle 25 degree optics standard

26 degree beam

30 degree eld

Thermal

Max. Operating Temp. 104 degrees F (40 degrees C) ambient

Control

Protocol USITT DMX-512

DMX Channels 3 / 4 / 5 / 8 / 9

Input 3-pin XLR Male

Output 3-pin XLR Female

Other Operating Modes

Standalone, Master/Slave, Sound Active, Color Preset

Random Fact

Polar Bears Are Left Handed

Warranty

2-year limited warranty, does not cover malfunction caused by damage to LED’s.

DISCLAIMER:

The power connector tted to the xture and xture cord are designed for compatibility

with products manufactured by Neutrik AG, Neutrik USA and their related entities, howev-

er they are not manufactured by, afliated with or endorsed by Neutrik AG, Neutrik USA,

or any related entity. Neutrik® and powerCON® are registered trademarks of Neutrik AG.

Page 20

Enjoy your product!

Our sincerest thanks for your purchase!

--The team @ Blizzard Lighting

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