DIMMERMASTER 124 DIGITAL
SHOEBOX DIMMER
OWNER'S MANUAL
DM-124DSP
Dove Lighting Systems, Inc
3563 Sueldo Street Unit E
San Luis Obispo, California 93401
+1 805 541 8292 Fax +1 805 541-8293
dove@dovesystems.com / http://www.dovesystems.com
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 RECEIVING YOUR EQUIPMENT
2 FEATURES
3 INSTALLATION
A Mechanical Installation
B Electrical Installation
C Grounding
D Load Connections
4 CONTROL CONNECTIONS
A Starting Channel
B DMX Termination
C Load Test, Local Control, Non-dim,
and Emergency On Functions
D Crossfade Chase Function
5 IN CASE OF TROUBLE
A Troubleshooting
B Obtaining Service
7 WARRANTY INFORMATION
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RECEIVING YOUR EQUIPMENT
As soon as you have received your equipment, open the boxes and examine the contents. If the
XLR connectors, the control signal may be daisy-chained from pack to pack. The DMX signal may be
top or bottom hung by reversing the yoke. For portable use, set the Dimmermaster on a smooth, cool
40 degrees Centigrade (105 degrees Fahrenheit). Make certain that the vent holes all have at least 6
mended that no other equipment be connected to the circuit which is used for the pack, including that
equipment in the carton does not agree with your order or the packing slip, contact the factory immediately and we will be happy to help you. If any damage is noted, contact the carrier immediately to
file a claim for damages. You can be sure that when the equipment left the factory it was in good
condition, thoroughly tested, and properly packed.
FEATURES
The DM-124D "shoebox" dimmer is a compact unit with one 2400W dimmer. It may be pipe or tree
mounted and is perfect for tight spaces where conventional rackmount dimmer packs are too bulky.
Drawing no more than 20 amps, it may be powered from a single twistlock receptacle.
The unit is controlled by a DMX-512 control signal (0 to +10VDC control is available as a factory option). The starting channel is set on a thumbwheel switch, which also provides load testing and local
control. A status LED indicates the presence of a DMX control signal. With both male and female
terminated at the last pack by means of a DIP switch. Other switches set individual outputs for nondim operation or force all outputs to full.
INSTALLATION
A Mechanical Installation
For pipe mount use, a C-clamp and safety cable may be added to the mounting bracket. It may be
surface, preferably in an area which remains fairly cool. Maximum air temperature must not exceed
inches of free air around them. Do not block any vent holes. It is essential that this unit have ade-
quate cooling for safe, reliable performance.
B Electrical Installation
The pack consists of one 2400-watt dimming channel. It requires a source of 120 volts AC 50/60Hz
at 20 amperes for full-power operation. The actual amount of power consumed is determined by the
total wattage of the connected loads used; the dimmer itself consumes negligible power. It is recomon other outlets on same fuse or circuit breaker. If the building circuit breaker trips, it may be neces-
sary to reduce one of the loads.
Power input to the pack is via a flush-mount male connector on the back panel. Any standard heavy--
gauge extension cord will work for this purpose. Always use 3-wire, grounded cables. 12AWG cable
is recommended.
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The term "grounding" refers to a separate wire, usually with green insulation, which is connected from
be confused with it; the neutral is a separate, load-carrying conductor. When the pack is connected to
When power is connected, the status LED will light up in red (60Hz line), yellow (50Hz line), and turn
green when a DMX signal is present.
C Grounding
the equipment case to earth ground. This is not the same as the neutral, or "common" and must not
the power source by a flexible cable, this ground connection is made through a third wire in the cable
and the ground prong on the plug. For maximum safety, and to comply with electrical codes, this connection must be made. Do not use an adapter (or "cheater") plug.
D Load Connections
The pack will dim any load from 1 watt through 2400 watts. This includes conventional incandescent
and quartz incandescent loads. Fluorescent loads can be controlled by the pack with no damage to
the dimmer, but the nature of these loads requires specialized circuitry to get full range dimming.
Consult the factory if you need to dim such loads.
Merely plug the load or an extension cord to the load into the outlet which corresponds to the circuit
you wish to use. Always use grounded cords. Loads may be single fixtures or combinations of lights
not exceeding 2400 watts.
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The output channel is protected by a 20 amp fuse. Replace it only with another 20 amp fuse. The fuse
is in line with the output load. If the fuse blows, it is always due to an overload or short in the output
The dimmer packs are wired in series along the control cable: the cable is daisy-chained from pack to
addresses range from 001 to 512. The starting dimmer may be any channel, and dimmers on different
moving lights, and fog machines. It is not necessary to set the starting channels in sequence (i.e. 1, 2,
DMX termination may be made on the DIP switch on the case. It is necessary to terminate the end of
load.
CONTROL CONNECTIONS
DMX-512 control signals are input through the male five pin XLR connector on the case of the unit.
The connector is wired as follows:
Pins 4 and 5 are not used but are passed through to other equipment.
pack. Do not split the cable. Use one of the specialty interface boxes for this purpose.
A Starting Channel
The starting channel is set on a thumbwheel switch. When the switch reads 001, the dimmer pack
runs on channel 1. Setting 005 runs on channel 5, setting 009 runs on channel 9, and so on. Valid
packs can overlap some channels, though it is usually preferable to run them one dimmer per channel. Dimmer channels should not overlap channels for other DMX equipment, including strobe lights,
3, etc).
B DMX Termination
a DMX-512 cable to avoid signal reflections. Signal reflections can cause corruption of the DMX-512
data, typically causing flickering or flashing of lights in the system. Only the last pack in the chain
should have termination enabled.
Controller channels 1 - 12 Pack #1 Pack #2 Pack #3
Dim 1 Dim 2 Dim 3
C Load Test, Local Control, Non-dim, and Emergency On Functions
The thumbwheel switch enables the load testing / local control function. The load test is useful for determining which load is plugged in, finding a burnt-out lamp, and putting light on stage when the controller is not plugged in. Set the first digit to 6. Set the second digit to 1. Set the third digit to the
dimming level, from 0 (off) to 9 (full on). Levels thus set remain in effect until the power is
disconnected.
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In addition to DMX termination, the DIP switch sets individual channels for non-dim (full on or off)
function or forces the output of all channels to full. In non-dim mode, the dimmer forces the load to full
A review of the following paragraphs may save you a long distance phone call, a trip to the service
center, or the cost of shipping and/or repair. Even if something is still wrong, this process will help you
There are two forms of malfunctions common to solid state dimmers: "failed off", in which the lights do
Verify that the dimmer pack is on (the LED will glow). Use the load test feature (see previous page) to
saw it and to be in the theatre or otherwise have access to the equipment when placing a service call.
when it receives a DMX value of 128 or more (about halfway to full on the slider) and forces the load
off when it receives a DMX value of 127 or less (about halfway or less on the slider). The emergency
on function forces all outputs to full regardless of the level of control.
IN CASE OF TROUBLE
A Troubleshooting
explain the malfunction to the service technician.
Read the operating instructions carefully. Be sure you know how to operate the equipment. Do not
expect this equipment to operate exactly like others. Many apparent failures result from not being familiar with the operating characteristics of the unit.
not come on, and "failed on", in which the lights cannot be turned off.
If a load has "failed off", check that the instrument is plugged in and that the lamp has not burned out.
see if the load can be controlled at the pack. Test the channel output fuse for continuity. Check that
the control cable runs all the way back to the controller and that the signal has not been terminated at
a pack somewhere up the chain. Check the controller, paying particular attention to the softpatch feature if so equipped.
If a load has "failed on", especially after replacing a fuse, it is due to a shorted triac. The triac fails
when a short in the output overloads it. The short can be in the cable, in the connectors, in the light
fixture, or in the lamp itself. Although the fuse will blow, it is often not fast enough to save the triac,
and it will need to be replaced. Please check the load by plugging it into a known good wall outlet before plugging it into other dimming channels.
Channels which flicker or cut in and out can be victims of an intermittent connection somewhere, including broken slide controls. This can occur if dirt, coffee, or some other liquid is spilled into the slide
control slot. Curing this problem usually requires the replacement of the control. Cleaning with WD 40
or TRI-FLOW may fix it temporarily.
Sometimes flickering is caused by a problem with the control cable. If DMX termination has not already been set at the last pack, set it. Try an opto isolator to eliminate any potential control cable
ground loop problems. Swap control cables. Route them away from motors or other sources of noise.
Do not use splitters.
Service technicians are generally available between 8am and 5pm, Pacific time, on Monday through
Friday at (805)541-8292. It is helpful to have a complete description of the problem from those who
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It is recommended that all equipment be repaired at the factory. If the unit is under warranty, it MUST
be repaired at the factory. Replacement parts are available, but because the DM-406D is a microcontroller based product running proprietary software, schematics will not be released.
B Obtaining Service
To have equipment repaired, please call the factory at (805)541-8292 for a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number. Pack the unit securely in a sturdy box with plenty of padding material. Include
a note with the unit describing the problems experienced, the return address, the date the unit is
needed back, and a daytime phone number. This will help the technician identify the cause faster.
Pack the unit securely, and ship it to:
Dove Systems
3563 Sueldo Unit E
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
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LIMITED WARRANTY
apply if equipment is used under conditions of service for which it is not specifically intended.
manufacturer in connections with the manufacture and sale of its equipment. This warranty is
The manufacturer agrees that its products shall be free from defects in material or workmanship over a period of one year from date of shipment from the factory. Said warranty will not
The manufacturer is not responsible for damage to its apparatus through improper installation, physical damage, or poor operating practice.
If any device is found unsatisfactory under the warranty, the buyer should notify the manufacturer, and after receipt of shipping advice, buyer may return it directly to Dove Systems, San
Luis Obispo, CA, shipping prepaid. Such equipment will be replaced or put in proper operating condition, free of all charges except transportation. The correction of any defects by repair or replacement by the manufacturer shall constitute fulfillment of all obligations to the
purchaser. Manufacturer does not assume responsibility for unauthorized repairs to its apparatus, even though defective.
Manufacturer shall not be liable for any consequential damage in case of any failure to meet
the conditions of any warranty of shipping schedule, nor will claims for labor, loss of profits,
repairs, or other expenses incidental to replacement be allowed.
No other representation, guarantees or warranties, expressed or implied, are made by the
non-transferable and applies to the original buyer only.
Copyright Dove Systems 1996
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