Chauvet NIMBUS User Manual

User Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Before You Begin .............................................................................. 3

What Is Included ............................................................................................... 3

Unpacking Instructions ...................................................................................... 3

Claims ........................................................................................................................ 3

Text Conventions .............................................................................................. 3

Icons .................................................................................................................. 3

Document Information ....................................................................................... 3

Safety Notes ...................................................................................................... 4

2. Introduction ....................................................................................... 5

Product Overview .............................................................................................. 5

Product Dimensions .......................................................................................... 6

3. Setup .................................................................................................. 7

AC Power .......................................................................................................... 7

About Dry Ice and CO² ...................................................................................... 7

Dry Ice Warnings ............................................................................................... 7

4. Operation ........................................................................................... 8

Basic Instructions .............................................................................................. 8

Operation ................................................................................................................... 8

5. Technical Information ....................................................................... 9

Maintenance ...................................................................................................... 9

General Troubleshooting................................................................................... 9

Contact Procedure .......................................................................................... 10

CHAUVET® Contact Information .................................................................... 10

Returning Products to CHAUVET® ................................................................ 10

6. Technical Specifications ..................................................................11

Page 2 of 11 Nimbus™ User Manual (Rev. 07)

What Is

Included

 1 x Nimbus™
 1 x Power Cord

 1 x Warranty Card
 1 x Quick Reference Guide

Unpacking

Instructions

Immediately upon receipt, carefully unpack the product and check the container to make
sure you have received all the parts indicated above in good condition.

Claims

If the container or the material inside the container (the product and included
accessories) appear damaged from shipping, or show signs of mishandling, notify the
carrier immediately, not CHAUVET®, upon receipt. Failure to do so in a timely manner
may invalidate your claim with the carrier. In addition, keep the container and all the
packing material for inspection.

For other issues such as missing components or parts, damage not related to shipping,
or concealed damage, file a claim with CHAUVET® within seven (7) days of receiving
the merchandise.

Text

Conventions

Convention

Meaning

1~512

A range of values

50/60

A set of values of which only one can be chosen

Settings

A menu option not to be modified

Menu > Settings

A sequence of menu options to be followed

<ENTER>

A key to be pressed on the product’s control panel

ON

A value to be entered or selected

Icons

Icon

Meaning

This paragraph contains critical installation, configuration, or
operation information. Failure to comply with this information may
render the product partially or completely inoperative, cause
damage to the product, or cause harm to the user.

This paragraph contains important installation or configuration
information. Failure to comply with this information may prevent
the product from functioning correctly.

This paragraph reminds you of useful, although not critical,
information.

Document

Information

The information and specifications contained in this document are subject to change
without notice. CHAUVET® assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or
omissions that may appear in this manual. CHAUVET® reserves the right to update the
existing document or to create a new document to correct any errors or omissions.

You can download the latest version of this document from www.chauvetlighting.com.

© Copyright 2011 CHAUVET®. All rights reserved

Electronically published by CHAUVET® in the United States of America

Author

Date

Editor

Date

A. Diaz

09/30/11

B. Pillow

09/30/11

1. BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Nimbus™ User Manual (Rev. 07) Page 3 of 11

Safety Notes

Please read the following Safety Notes carefully before working with the product. The
Notes include important safety information about installation, usage, and maintenance.

 Always connect the product to a grounded circuit to avoid the risk of electrocution.
 Always disconnect the product from the power source before cleaning.
 Make sure the power cord is not crimped or damaged.
 Never disconnect the product from power cord by pulling or tugging on the cord.
 Make sure there are no flammable materials close to the product when operating.
 Do not touch the product’s housing when operating because it may be very hot.
 Do not mount the product on a flammable surface (linoleum, carpet, wood, paper,

carton, plastic, etc.)

 The product’s nozzle is very hot during operation and it remains hot for a long time

after operation has stopped.

 The CO² exits the nozzle at a very high temperature. Keep a minimum distance of

6.5 ft (2 m) from the nozzle to the nearest object.

 Do not use the product as a space heater.
 Do not handle dry ice with bare hands. Thick gloves must be worn.
 Do not swallow dry ice. It may lead to severe internal injuries.
 Before breaking the dry ice, cover it with a piece of cloth or place the block in a cloth

bag. Eye protection must be worn.

 Do not use in a confined space. Make sure the room is well ventilated before

beginning usage.

 Dry ice should never be stored in a sealed container. It can lead to a pressure build-

up and a risk of an explosion.

 For safety reasons, we do not recommend mounting the product in any capacity.

Operate the product while it is on the ground only.

 During warm up and operation, water will be scolding hot. Do not place your hand

into the water.

 Do not remove basket when the unit is plugged in or when heaters are hot.

 Always make sure that the voltage of the outlet to which you are connecting the

product is within the range stated on the decal or rear panel of the product.

 The product is for indoor use only! (IP20) To prevent risk of fire or shock, do not

expose the product to rain or moisture.

 Always install the product in a location with adequate ventilation, at least 20 in (50

cm) from adjacent surfaces.

 Be sure that no ventilation slots on the product’s housing are blocked.
 Never connect the product to a dimmer.
 Never carry the product from the power cord or any moving part
 The maximum ambient temperature (Ta) is 104° F (40° C). Do not operate the

product at higher temperatures.

 In the event of a serious operating problem, stop using the product immediately.
 Never try to repair the product. Repairs carried out by unskilled people can lead to

damage or malfunction. Please contact the nearest authorized technical assistance
center.

 Do not continue to use the machine once visibility is reduced to 20” (50cm) or

below.

 Do not direct output continuously directly at anything within close proximity of the

discharge nozzle.

 The area in front of the product may become wet during operation. Make sure not to

use near smooth floors as they may become slippery.

 Water temperature should be about 175° F for optimal operation.
 Keep this User Manual for future consultation. If you sell the product to another

user, be sure that they also receive this document.

Page 4 of 11 Nimbus™ User Manual (Rev. 07)

2. INTRODUCTION

Product Overview

Output Nozzle

Optional Power In

Power In

Lid Latch (x2)

Carry Handle (x2)

LED Indicators

Operation Output
Lever

Lid Latch

Nimbus™ User Manual (Rev. 07) Page 5 of 11

Product Dimensions

Page 6 of 11 Nimbus™ User Manual (Rev. 07)

AC Power

The Nimbus™ has a fixed voltage power supply and can work with an input voltage of
either 120 V, 60 Hz or 230 V, 50 Hz, depending on the specific model.

To determine the product’s power requirements (circuit breaker, power outlet, and
wiring), use the current value listed on the label affixed to the product’s back panel, or
refer to the product’s specifications chart. The listed current rating indicates the
product’s average current draw under normal conditions.

Always connect the product to a protected circuit (circuit breaker or fuse). Make
sure the product has an appropriate electrical ground to avoid the risk of
electrocution or fire.

Never connect the product to a rheostat (variable resistor) or dimmer circuit, even
if the rheostat or dimmer channel serves only as a 0 to 100% switch.

About Dry Ice

and CO²

Dry ice is a solid form of carbon dioxide. The term “dry ice” is used because of its ability
to sublimate — the process of transforming from a solid directly to a gas without any
liquid formation. Dry ice reaches a temperature of minus 189.5° F (-87.5° C).

When immersed in hot or boiling water, dry ice sublimates and agitates the water. The
released cold CO² gas causes the water vapor to form water droplets in the air. This
expansion of gas and moisture pushes its way out of the machine. Because the CO² is
cold and heavy, the moisture sinks to the floor. The droplets in the air create the fog
effect.

Dry Ice

Warnings

 DO NOT cover or plug the output nozzle during operation. Compressing the dry ice

will cause a chemical reaction that may lead to an explosion.

 Do not handle dry ice with bare hands. Thick gloves must be worn.

 Do not swallow dry ice. It will lead to severe internal injuries.

 Before breaking the dry ice, cover it with a piece of cloth or place the block in a cloth

bag. Eye protection must be worn.

 Do not use in a confined space. Make sure the room is well ventilated before

beginning usage.

 Dry ice should never be stored in a sealed container that can lead to a pressure

build-up and a risk of an explosion.

3. SETUP

Nimbus™ User Manual (Rev. 07) Page 7 of 11

Basic

Instructions

 The top plate has two LED indicators – one red and one green. The red LED

indicates that the heater is on, and the green LED indicates when the water is at its
optimal operating temperature. The heater will not turn on unless there is enough
water.

 As the dry ice sublimates, the green LED indicator will turn off indicating that the

water temperature has dropped below its optimal operating temperature. This is
normal and the Nimbus™ will continue to operate until all the dry ice has been used.

 During operation, the top plate becomes very hot. DO NOT TOUCH!

 There is an optional power input next to the main power input to increase the rate in

which the water is heated. Use the included power cable and connect this secondary
input to a separate circuit to heat the water in half the time. Do not plug both power
cords into the same circuit as the breaker will trip.

 The dry ice must be stored inside the internal basket for optimal performance. Do not

remove this basket as serious bodily injury may occur.

Operation

1. Place the machine on a level surface. Plug the power cord into the wall.

2. Raise the basket to its highest level with the operation lever.

3. Open the lid and fill with water until the red light comes on. The container can hold up
to 4.5 gallons (17 liters).

4. Using protective gear, load the basket with up to 10 lbs of dry ice. The dry ice should
be loaded at the last possible moment.

5. Close and latch the lid.

6. Grab the operating lever and slowly lower the handle to the middle notch for low
output or all the way down for high output.

7. When output slows or stops, raise and refill the basket.

Due to water evaporation, you may need to refill the Nimbus™ with water to trigger the
red light on. Once the red light comes on, repeat steps 4 through 7.

4. OPERATION

Page 8 of 11 Nimbus™ User Manual (Rev. 07)

Maintenance

The Nimbus requires minimal upkeep in order to maintain optimum performance.
However, some steps are needed in order to clean and maintain the product for
maximum usage. The recommended procedure is as follows:

1. After usage, wait for the machine to fully cool down.

2. Dump all water from the internal tank from the product.

3. If there is any water left over, wait until it has cooled down before transporting. You
may risk bodily harm and damage to transport items if the water is still hot.

General Troubleshooting

Symptom

Possible Cause

Possible Action

Circuit breaker keeps
blowing

 Excessive load on the circuit

 Make sure that the total load does not

exceed 80% of the breaker or fuse
nominal current

 Short circuit along the power lines

 Check the power lines and power cords

Product does not power
up

 No energy on power outlet

 Check power outlet
 Change to another outlet

 Loose or damaged power cord

 Check the power cord

 Internal problem

 Send product for repair

If you still experience problems after trying the above solutions, contact
CHAUVET® Technical Support.

5. TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Nimbus™ User Manual (Rev. 07) Page 9 of 11

Contact

Procedure

In case you need to return a product or request support, follow the procedure below:

 If you live in the US, contact CHAUVET® World Headquarters (see below).
 If you live in the UK or Ireland, contact CHAUVET® Europe Ltd.(see below).
 If you live in any other country, DO NOT contact CHAUVET®. Instead, contact your

distributor of record. Refer to our Web site for contact details of distributors outside
the US, United Kingdom, or Ireland.

CHAUVET®

Contact

Information

World Headquarters

CHAUVET®
General Information

Address: 5200 NW 108th Avenue
Sunrise, FL 33351
Voice: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Toll free: [phone]

United Kingdom & Ireland

CHAUVET® Europe Ltd.
General Information

Address: Unit 1C
Brookhill Road Industrial Estate
Pinxton, Nottingham, UK
NG16 6NT
Voice: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Technical Support

Voice: [phone] (Press 4)
Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Technical Support

Email: [e-mail]

World Wide Web

www.chauvetlighting.com

World Wide Web

www.chauvetlighting.co.uk

If you live outside the US, United Kingdom, or Ireland, contact your distributor of
record and follow their instructions on how to return CHAUVET® products to
them. Visit our Web site for contact details.

Returning
Products to
CHAUVET®

Call the corresponding CHAUVET® Tech Support office and request a Return
Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number before shipping the product. Be prepared to
provide the model number, serial number, and a brief description of the cause for the
return.

You must send the merchandise prepaid, in its original box, and with its original packing
and accessories. CHAUVET® will not issue call tags.

Clearly label the package with the RMA number. CHAUVET® will refuse any product
returned without an RMA number.

Write the RMA number on a properly affixed label. DO NOT write the RMA number
directly on the box.

Before sending the product, clearly write the following information on a piece of paper
and place it inside the box:

 Your name
 Your address
 Your phone number
 The RMA number
 A brief description of the problem

Be sure to pack the product properly. Any shipping damage resulting from inadequate
packaging will be your responsibility. As a suggestion, proper UPS packing or double­boxing is always a safe method to use.

CHAUVET® reserves the right to use its own discretion to repair or replace
returned product(s).

Page 10 of 11 Nimbus™ User Manual (Rev. 07)

Dimensions and

Weight

Length

Width

Height

Weight

20 in (513 mm)
18 in (465 mm)

19 in (470 mm)

Empty: 28.6 lbs (13 kg)

Full: 75 lbs (34 kg)

Note: Dimensions in inches rounded to the nearest decimal digit.

Power

Power Supply Type

Range

Voltage Selection

Model specific

120 V, 60 Hz or 230 V, 50 Hz

Voltage specific

Parameter

Single Element

Dual Element

Consumption

1500 W

3000 W

Operating

12.6 A

25.2 A

Power I/O

US/Worldwide

UK/Europe

Power input connector

Neutrik® powerCON® A

Neutrik® powerCON® A

Heat

Parameter

Heat Up Time

Reheat Time

Single Element

50 min

30 min

Dual Element

30 min

15 min

Average Runtime

Tank Capacity

Dry Ice Capacity

6 min

4.5 gal (17 l)

10 lbs (4.5 kg)

Thermal

Maximum External Temp.

Max Water Temperature

104° F (40° C)

175º F (79º C)

Ordering

Product Name

Item Code

Item Number

Nimbus™ (120 V)

09050429

NIMBUS

Nimbus™ (220 V)

09050451

220VNIMBUS

6. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Nimbus™ User Manual (Rev. 07) Page 11 of 11