Blizzard Lighting RGB The Puck Unplugged User Manual Rev B

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Blizzard Lighting, LLC
www.blizzardlighting.com
Wisconsin, USA
Copyright (c) 2011-2012
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Puck: UNPLUGGED™ RGB LED PAR Can 1
Lithium-Ion Battery Warnings & Information 3 What’s In The Box? 4 Getting It Out Of The Box 4 Powering Up! 4 Getting A Hold Of Us 4 Safety Instructions (Don’t Stick Your Hand In The Toaster!) 5
2. Meet The Puck: UNPLUGGED™ RGB LED PAR Can 6
Features 6 DMX Quick Reference (3 and 6-Channel Modes) 6
The Puck
3. Setup 8
Fuse Replacement 8 Connecting A Bunch Of Puck: UNPLUGGED™ RGBs 8 Data/DMX Cables 8 Using this xture with the wiCICLE® Wireless DMX System 11
4. Operating Adjustments 13
Using the Battery System 13 DMX Mode & DMX Mode Selection 14 Master/Slave Mode 14 Sound Active Mode 14 Custom Color Display 15 Fixture running hour display 15 Additional Operating Help 15 Troubleshooting 16
5. Appendix 17
A Quick DMX Lesson 17 Keeping The Puck: UNPLUGGED™ RGB As Good As New 18 Returns (Gasp!) 18 Shipping Issues 18 Tech Specs 19
: UNPLUGGED™ RGB Pin-up Picture 7
The Puck: Unplugged RGB Manual Rev. B Copyright (c) 2011-2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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LITHIUM-ION BATTERY WARNINGS & INFO
1. CAUTION! TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY AND/OR EQUIPMENT DAMAGE, DO NOT TAMPER WITH THE CHARGING CIR­CUITRY IN THIS FIXTURE. The use of other types of chargers may result
in personal injury or equipment damage. Under no circumstances attempt to connect the battery pack to any power supplies or other equipment that is not specically and expressly designated for use with this model battery pack.
2. USE THE LITHIUM ION BATTERY PACK ONLY WITH EQUIPMENT SPE­CIFICALLY AND EXPRESSLY DESIGNATED FOR USE WITH THIS MODEL BATTERY PACK. Use with other equipment may result in re, electric shock,
personal injury, and/or damage to equipment.
3. AVOID DANGEROUS CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENTS. Do not charge the battery pack in damp or wet conditions. Avoid using the pack in direct exposure to rain or snow. Do not use the battery pack or charger in the presence of explosive gases or ammable materials.
4. AVOID USING OR STORING THE BATTERY PACK IN EITHER EXTREME COLD OR EXTREME HOT TEMPERATURES. The battery pack
will disable itself under conditions of extreme heat (above 60 °C) and may not function to full performance under conditions of extreme cold (below –20 °C). Storage at elevated temperatures (above 25 °C) will shorten the life of the bat­tery pack.
5. DO NOT BURN OR INCINERATE BATTERY PACKS. Battery packs may explode causing personal injury, re, and/or damage. Fumes resulting from burning of battery packs may be toxic.
6. DO NOT DROP, CRUSH, IMPACT, OR MECHANICALLY ABUSE BATTERY PACKS. Cease use of xtures that have suffered a sharp
impact, been dropped, run over, or damaged in any other way. Such impacts may cause internal damage that is not externally visible and that, over time, may cause short circuits, battery cell leakage, or other events that may lead to re, personal injury, and or equipment damage.
7. DO NOT DISASSEMBLE BATTERY PACK. There are no user serviceable parts within battery packs. Disassembly may result in short circuiting or other damage that may cause re, personal injury, and/or other damage.
8. AVOID CONTACT WITH BATTERY CHEMICALS. If a battery pack leaks battery chemicals, avoid any contact with skin, eyes, or mouth. In the event of contact with skin, wash immediately with soap and water and rinse with vinegar. For eye contact, begin ushing with clean water, immediately call for medical help, and continue ushing for 20 minutes or until medical help arrives. exceptions.
11. STORE IN A COOL, DRY PLACE. Avoid leaving the xture in direct sun­light, vehicle cabs, compartments, or unventilated storage buildings during hot summer conditions. Under extreme temperature conditions damage may occur. Elevated temperatures in general shorten the life of your battery pack.
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1. GETTING STARTED
What’s In The Box?
• 1 x Puck: UNPLUGGED™ RGB Flat LED PAR Fixture
• 1x IEC Power Cord
• This Lovely User Manual
Getting It Out Of The Box
Congratulations on purchasing one way cool, way POWERFUL LED PAR xture! Now that you’ve got The Puck: UNPLUGGED™ RGB (or hopefully, Pucks!), 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 W220 N1531 Jericho Ct. Suite E., Waukesha, WI 53186 USA support@blizzardlighting.com www.blizzardlighting.com
866.493.6025
The Puck: Unplugged RGB Manual Rev. B Copyright (c) 2011-2012 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 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 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.
The Puck: Unplugged RGB Manual Rev. B Copyright (c) 2011-2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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2. MEET The Puck: UNPLUGGED™ RGB Flat LED PAR Can
CONTROL FEATURES
• RGB color mixing via 144 10mm Red/Green/Blue LEDs
• Variable electronic strobe
• Variable electronic dimmer
• Built-in automated programs via DMX and master/slave
• Built-in sound active programs
• Full RGB color mixing in standalone and master/slave
• RGB (3-Channel) and extended (6-Channel) DMX modes
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
• Lightweight and Compact (It kept its New Years’ resolution!)
• High-output, long-running Lithium-Ion rechargable battery system
• 4-Button LED control panel for easy programming
• Light source: 144x 10mm LEDs, 48 each Red/Green/Blue
• Dual bracket for exibility in mounting
• Power outlet for xture linking (up to 50 xtures, AC power only)
DMX Quick Reference (6-Channel Mode)
Channel What It Does
1 Red Intensity
2 Green Intensity
3 Blue Intensity
4 Built-in Programs
5 Strobe
6 Dimmer
DMX Quick Reference (3-Channel Mode)
Channel What It Does
1 Red Intensity
2 Green Intensity
3 Blue Intensity
The Puck: Unplugged RGB Manual Rev. B Copyright (c) 2011-2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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Figure 1: The Puck: UNPLUGGED™ RGB Pin-Up Picture
Dual Mounting Yokes
High Power LEDs
Ridiculously thin!
Figure 2: The Rear Connections
DMX In DMX Out
LED Control Panel
Microphone
The Puck: Unplugged RGB Manual Rev. B Copyright (c) 2011-2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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AC Power In/Out
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3. SETUP
Fuse Replacement
With a at head screwdriver, wedge the fuse holder out of its housing. Remove the damaged fuse from its holder and replace with exact same type fuse. Insert the fuse holder back in its place and reconnect power.
Connecting A Bunch of The Puck: UNPLUGGED™ RGB Flat LED PAR Cans
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 data­grade 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
The Puck: Unplugged RGB Manual Rev. B Copyright (c) 2011-2012 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 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
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.
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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 con­sisting 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 com­plete 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 sta­bility. 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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USING THIS FIXTURE WITH THE wiCICLE® WIRELESS DMX SYSTEM
In addition to the unbridled thrill you al­ready received the rst time you plugged in your xture, you’ll be delighted to know that This xture also works seamlessly with our wiCICLE
• 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.
®
Wireless DMX system, without additional power.
• 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)
The Puck: Unplugged RGB Manual Rev. B Copyright (c) 2011-2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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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 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)
Receiver into the “DMX IN” connector of the xture and
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
NOTE: “GROUP” number also corresponds to the “GROUP” setting on our LightCaster wireless DMX Transceiver.
· 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 estab­lished.
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!
The Puck: Unplugged RGB Manual Rev. B Copyright (c) 2011-2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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4. OPERATING ADJUSTMENTS
Using The Battery System
The Puck: Unplugged™ features an easy-to-use Lithium-Ion internal battery system which allows the user to the exibility to operate their light xture without AC power for up to 20 hours.
The battery system is controlled by two rocker switches located on the rear of the unit, as shown below:
As shown in the diagram, the top switch controls whether the battery of the xture is supplying power for operation, charging, or off. The bottom switch controls whether the unit is operating from AC power from a traditional power source (IE a wall outlet).
IMPORTANT: A full charge is obtained after charging the xture for at least 4 hours. The xture will automatically stop charging when the battery is in optimal condition.
Display color/fade/chase, strobe, wiCICLE operation, and environ­mental factors including ambient temperature will all impact battery life. Depending on program, bat­tery life may range from 3 to 20 hours.
To Operate The Fixture From The Battery:
1. Switch the top switch to position “I,” (BAT ON).
2. Switch the bottom switch to position “O, (OFF).
To Operate The Fixture From AC Power:
1. Switch the top switch to position “O,” (BAT OFF).
2. Switch the bottom switch to position “--,” (ON).
To Operate The Fixture From AC Power & Charge The Battery:
1. Switch the top switch to position “II,” (CHARGE).
2. Switch the bottom switch to position “--,” (ON).
To Charge The Battery With The Fixture Off:
1.) Switch the top switch to position “II,” (CHARGE).
2.) Switch the bottom switch to position “--,” (OFF).
The Puck: Unplugged RGB Manual Rev. B Copyright (c) 2011-2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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4. OPERATING ADJUSTMENTS
NOTE: After making any adjustment, hold the <MENU> button for approximately
3 seconds, otherwise the xture will return to the correct mode after approxi-
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 Readout. Use the <ENTER> button then the <UP> and <DOWN> buttons to
choose a channel between
2.) To change between 3 and 6 channel DMX mode, select
<ENTER>. Select either rm.
Master/Slave Mode (Auto/Sound Active/Color Preset/Custom):
Allows you to link up to 32 units together without a controller.
1.) Use standard DMX cables to daisy chain your units together via the DMX con­nector on the rear of the units.
2.) Choose a unit to function as the Master. Select MAST. The master unit must be the rst unit. Finally, chain the units together using DMX cable.
Master
3.) Select slave function by using the <UP>/<DOWN> keys to reach SLAV in the Master/Auto menu on the slave units, and they will react in the same as the Master.
Slave
mately 10 seconds.
Addr on the LED
1 and 512. Press <ENTER> again to conrm.
ChNd, then press
6Ch or 3Ch, then press <ENTER> again to con-
SLNd then NASt to conrm.
SLNd then SLAu to conrm.
NOTE: Fixtures in slave mode will display “ Return the xture to master mode to use it as a standalone xture.
4.) On the master xture, use the <UP>/<DOWN> keys to reach SHND, which allows you to select the Master/Slave mode.
Sound active
Auto mode
Color preset
Fade Mode
NOTE: Speed 1 = Fastest (Approx. 1.5 sec. per color), Speed 8 = Slowest (Approx. 2 min. per color).
The Puck: Unplugged RGB Manual Rev. B Copyright (c) 2011-2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
SoUn then <ENTER> to conrm. CoLo then Auto, then <ENTER> to conrm. CoLo then CoL 1 - CoL 7, <ENTER>. FAdE then SP 1 - SP 8, <ENTER>.
STBY“ (Standby). This is NORMAL.
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To set a custom color in Master/Slave / Standalone Mode:
Using this function, you can select any color by adjusting the Red, Green and Blue values from 0-255. You may also adjust the color balance of the xture.
Please note that modifying the values in this step will affect ALL modes, therefore we recommend resetting all levels to their highest value (255) after using this mode.
1.) Select
2.) Choose
3.) Using the <UP>/<DOWN> keys, select the color you wish to display by varying Red/Green/Blue intensity between 0 and 255, then hit <ENTER> to conrm each color choice.
4.) Select Color preset mode as instructed above, then select
<ENTER> to conrm.
To Show the Fixture Running Hours:
1.) Select
NAnu from the control panel, then hit <ENTER>.
rEd, GrEE, or bLuE, then hit <ENTER> to conrm.
CoL 7. then
FhrS from the control panel, then hit <ENTER> to conrm.
Stuck? Want More
Information?
Check out our
helpful tutorial video
HERE:
http://youtu.be/xVKhmV-v0jA
That should tell you everything you need to
know!
The Puck: Unplugged RGB Manual Rev. B Copyright (c) 2011-2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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Troubleshooting
Symptom Solution
Fixture Auto­Shut Off
Beam is Dim Check optical system and clean excess dust/grime. Also
No Light Output Check to ensure xture is operating under correct mode, IE
Chase Speed Too Fast/Slow
No Power Check fuse, AC cord and circuit for malfunction.
Blown Fuse Check AC cord and circuit for damage, verify that moving
Slow Movement Verify that 220V/110V switch is in the correct position, if
No Response to Audio
Fixture Not Responding / Responding Er­raticly
Intermittant Lamp
Remote Doesn’t Work
Fixture Moving On Its Own
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.
ensure that the 220V/110V switch is in the correct position, if applicable.
sound active/auto/DMX/Etc., if applicable. Contact service for more information.
Check to ensure proper setup of speed adjustment.
parts are not restricted and that unit’s ventilation is not obstructed
applicable. Also check that speed channels are set appropri­ately.
Verify that the xture is in “Sound Active” mode. Adjust Audio Sensitivity, If Applicable.
Make sure all connectors are seated properly and securely. Use Only DMX Cables. Install a Terminator. Check all cables for defects. Reset xture(s).
Check lamp for properly installation. Relamp, lamp may have reached end of life.
Verify remote control cable is installed properly and securely. Verify remote is correct type (CA-9 or other as applicable.)
Verify proper mode of operation. Is the xture in “Auto” mode?
If your problem isn’t listed, or if problems persist,
please contact support: support@blizzardlighting.com.
The Puck: Unplugged RGB Manual Rev. B Copyright (c) 2011-2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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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 clas­si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 indispensible tool for any lighting designer or lighting performer.
The Puck: Unplugged RGB Manual Rev. B Copyright (c) 2011-2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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Keeping Your Puck: UNPLUGGED™ RGB 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 satistfaction 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 Authori­zation (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.
The Puck: Unplugged RGB Manual Rev. B Copyright (c) 2011-2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
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Tech Specs!
Weight & Dimensions
Length 8.25 inches (210 mm)
Width 3.75 inches (63.5 mm)
Height 8.25 inches (210 mm)
Weight 4.5 lbs (2.05 kg)
Power
Operating Voltage 90-230VAC, 50-60 Hertz
Fuse 3A 250V
Power Consumption 20W
Light Source
LED 144x 10mm Red/Green/Blue 100K hrs.
Optical
Beam Angle 21 degrees
32 degree eld
Luminous Intensity 3,920 Lux @ 1m
Thermal
Max. Operating Temp. 104 degrees F (40 degrees C) ambient
Control
Protocol USITT DMX-512
DMX Channels 3 or 6 (User Selectable)
Input 3-pin XLR Male
Output 3-pin XLR Female
Standalone, Master/Slave, Sound Active,
Other Operating Modes
Color Preset, Standalone color mixing
Battery
Field-replacable Lithium-Ion, 11.1V 8.0Ah
Type/Rating
with built-in protection circuit.
Coolness Factor
Leventy Billion Percent
Fixture: 2-year limited warranty. Battery: 1-year limited warranty covering
Warranty
The Puck: Unplugged RGB Manual Rev. B Copyright (c) 2011-2012 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
failure only.
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Enjoy your product!
Our sincerest thanks for your purchase!
--The team @ Blizzard Lighting
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