Predator
H X
U s e r Guide
User Guide Predator HX
Features of the P red a t o r H X
l X/ Y (Horizontal/Vertical) mirror control
l 7 g o b o (squares, tunnel, dots, star, circle,
triangle, flower)
l 7 dichroic colours (mag enta, yellow, cyan, pink, red,
green, blue) a n d white
l 7 split colours
l Colour scrolling
l Blackout shutter a n d l a mp on/off control
l 2 5 0 W halogen la m p with dichroic reflector
l Adjustable F o c u s
l D M X control
l 0 - 1 0 V A na log ue Control
M o d e s of Oper a t ion
l In dependent (internal micr ophone)
The Predator HX will move to each bass beat, going through a sequence
of patterns at random, including up/down, side-to-side, square, octogon,
diamond, figure-of-eight, random and chevron, along with colour and gobo
changing.
l Syn ch ronised (internal micr op hone)
The Predator HX will perform the above pattens either synchronised
together, or with the movement mirrored. In addition, the colours and
gobos will operate in one of three modes: random, synchronised or
chasing. The movement can be reversed by setting the control switches in
order that two rows of Predator HXs can be set up opposed to each other,
and will continue to move in synchrony.
l Externally controlled f r o m I Q - M X 8 0 , I Q - M X 4 0 ,
Merlin, o r an y D M X out put controller.
The IQ-MX80 has 10 preset programs, 10 user-programmable programs,
real-time programming and a joystick. and can control any number of
Predator HXs and Predator HXs arranged as up to 16 channels.
The IQ-MX40 can control 4 channels of Predator HXs and has a total of
256 selectable functions including fourteen patterns, each with selectable
colour/gobo, four different colour/gobo change modes (fill, random, shift
and sync), and four different run-sequences of colours and gobos.
With a programmable DMX controller such as Merlin, up to 32 channels
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User Guide Predator HX
(only 27 channel if your controller has only 108 outputs) of Predator HXs
can be controlled, there is no limit to the number of Predator HXs on each
channel. The beam can be positioned to an accuracy of 0.7°, and the
colour/gobo can be selected.
The Predator HX can also be controlled from any lighting desk with
0-10V analogue outputs.
Installation
The Predator HX is supplied with its handle pre-assembled. The handle
can be lengthened by removing the four pozidriv screws fixing the three
sections together, and re-assembling in a different position. The U-shaped
piece can also be fitted at right angles to the side pieces so that the
Predator HX canbe mounted on a wall.
By removing the handle completely and re-assembling the other way
round, the Predator HX can be tilted in the opposite direction.
Fix te Predator HX securely, and fit a safety chain. Tighten the handle
fixing screws with the Allen key provided.
The Predator HX should be operated with the fan at the lower end and
the mirror at the upper end. Operating the other way up may reduce lamp
life.0
The Predator HX should be installed more than 0.8 metres from any
object that it is illuminating. Connect the Predator HX to the mains supply
with the lead provided, via an isolating switch or a switching pack such as
the NJD SP10000. If the Predator HX circuit is connected via an MCB
then it recommended that a time-delay MCB (generally used for motors) is
used (Type 3 to BS3871). The Predator HX should not be dimmed.
The Predator HX is an inductive load.
When first powered up with no DMX leads connected the beam is in the
central position. Adjust the hanging bracket until the beam is in the best
position. The Predator HX may be moved whilst it is operating provided
that it is done carefully. It is recommended that the Predator HX is allowed
to cool for 5 minutes after switching off before moving - this is when
damage to the lamp is most likely to occur.
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User Guide Predator HX
C h a n g i n g the lamp.
Disconnect from the mains supply. Slacken the knob on the lamp cover
and remove the lamp/reflector assembly. Remove the lamp, holding it with
a cloth to avoid getting fingerprints on the glass. Replace with a new lamp,
type A1/259, being careful not to touch the glass envelope of the lamp.
Replace the cover and tighten the lid-fixing knobs.
C h a n g i n g the fuse
If the fuse blows, replace with a new fuse type 20mm x 5mm 3.15 Amp
Anti-surge, High breaking capacity. This type of fuse has a ceramic case.
Do not replace with any other type or value of fuse. If the new fuse blows,
consult a dealer. The fuse is located in a small drawer beneath the mains
inlet connector (remove the mains cable to gain access).
Focus ing.
To focus slacken the focusing control on the front of the unit, move
forwards or backwards as required, and re-tighten the screw when the best
image is obtained.
Cleaning.
The Predator HX should be cleaned periodically as the light output will
become less intense as smoke fluid residues build up on the mirror and
lenses. Disconnect from the mains supply and remove the cover as
follows: Remove the 6 screws at the positions indicated by the arrows
using a #2 Pozidriv screwdriver. The top section of the cover can be lifted
off vertically to gain access to the optics.
Clean the lens and the mirror using a soft lint-free cloth and methylated
spirit, isopropyl alcohol or hi-fi cleaning fluid. Also, make sure that the fan
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User Guide Predator HX
is not becoming obstructed.
The Predator HX has a thermal switch which will cut off power if it
overheats due to ventilation being obstructed.
Setti ng up.
If the Predator HX is to be operated in the “independent” mode, then
proceed as follows:
1) To allow the Predator HX to select a colour
and pattern at random, set all the DMX switches
to OFF.
2) If you wish to select the operating mode,
then turn switch 64 ON, then turn the following
switches on to decide which operating mode
you would like.
To select all gobos and magenta, yellow,
cyan or pink turn switch 2 ON.
To select colours with no gobos (red, green,
blue and white) turn switch 4 ON.
T o s e l e c t c h a n g e - c o l o u r - t o - s o u n d , b e a m
stationary, turn switch 8 ON.
To select flash-to-sound, turn switch 16 ON.
If more than one switch is turned ON the Predator HX will sequence
through all the selections in turn.
Con trol fr o m a low-voltage switch panel (such
as Logic S 1 2 l v or Logic T 1 2 )
Set the DMX switches as follows: Turn switch 64 ON and all
other switches OFF.Connect the output from the switching
panel to the 5-pin DIN socket. Connect to channel 1 (pin 3) if
you want to select gobos only, connect to channel 2 (pin 5) if
you want to select colours only. Connect to channel 3 (pin 4) if you want to
select change-colour-to-sound. Connect to channel 4 (pin 1) if you want to
select flash-to-sound.
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User Guide Predator HX
If more than one channel is used, the Predator HX will sequence through
all the selections in turn.
Direct A n al o g ue Control.
The x and y movement and the colours and gobos may be controlled
directly by using the 0-10V inputs.
Set the DIL switches as shown - Switch 128
ON all others OFF. Channel 1 controls the x
movement, channel 2 controls the y-movement,
channel 3 controls the colour and channel 4 controls the gobo and the
blackout shutter.
The 0-10V dimmer levels control the movement as follows:
x-motor - increasing voltage moves the beam to the right. Use the
X-REV switch to make the beam moves in the same direction os the
control, depending on whether the Predator HX is facing towards or away
from the operator
y-motor - increasing voltage moves the beam upwards
colour:
8.75V to 10V white
7.5V to 8.75V blue
6.25V to 7.5V red
5V to 6.25V green
3.75V to 5V pink
2.5V to 3.75V cyan
1.25V to 2.5V yellow
0V to 1.25V magenta
gobo:
8.75V to 10V blackout shutter
for strobe
7.5V to 8.75V circle
6.25V to 7.5V flower
5V to 6.25V triangle
3.75V to 5V star
2.5V to 3.75V dots
1.25V to 2.5V tunnel
0.5V to 1.25V squares
0V blackout/ shutdown
Volt age control.
The Predator HX may be controlled by two analogue channels from a
lighting desk such as the Stage 12 or the Fade-4.
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User Guide Predator HX
Set the DMX address switches with switch 32
ON and all the other switches OFF.
Connect the 0-10V input to channels 1 and 3
of the 5-pin DIN socket.
Channel 1 controls the pattern and channel 3 controls the colour, or the
colour chasing mode. The levels that select various patterns and colours
are explained overleaf.
Channel 1 (patterns)
8.75V to 10V - runs through
all patterns all colours
8.1V to 8.75V up-down
7.5V to 8.1V square
6.7V to 7.5V left-right
6.25V to 6.7V colour change
5.6V to 6.25V cross
5V to 5.6V diamond
4.4V to 5V figure of 8
3.75V to 4V octogon
3.1V to 3.75V up-down
2.5V to 3.1V square
1.8V to 2.5V left-right
1.25V to 1.8V random
0-1.25V shutdown
Channel 3 (colours)
9.3V to 10V white circle
8.75V to 9.3V blue circle
8.1V to 8.75V red circle
7.5V to 8.1V green circle
6.7V to 7.5V pink star
6.25V to 6.7V cyan dots
5.6V to 6.25V yellow tunnel
5V to 5.6V magenta squares
4.4V to 5V chase left
3.75V to 4.4V chase right
3.1V to 3.75V random
2.5V to 3.1V flash
1.8V to 2.5V chase left
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User Guide Predator HX
D M X
The DMX system is a high-speed digital data system, which can transmit
all the information required for light dimmers, multi-motor lighting effects
etc. down a single cable. The Predator HX outputs a DMX signal when
operating from its own microphone, which can be used to synchronise
other Predator HXs. There is no limit to the number of units that can be
connected to the DMX signal, but it is not recommended that the total
cable length should exceed 250m. Each unit connected to the DMX signal
is given an address, and it compares this
to the data being sent on the DMX cable,
s o i t c a n d e t e r m i n e w h i c h d a t a i s
addressed to it. It then uses this data to
move a motor or set a brightness level as
required by the controller. As the DMX system can transmit as much
information as 512 analogue control wires down a single cable, it has to
transmit very quickly, in fact, at a frequency 12 times higher than the
highest audio frequency. Anyone who has used long leads for audio will
realise that it is difficult to do without losing the higher frequencies.
To make the DMX system work at such high frequencies, it requires
special circuitry and special cable. Cable can be designed to pass high
frequencies with no loss if it has the correct resistance connected at each
end, this resistance is called the characteristic impedance of the cable.
DMX cable has a characteristic impedance of 120W .
All NJD DMX products are designed to ensure that the resistors are
connected automatically. Without them, the signal reflects off the end of
the cable and interferes with the new data coming the other way. If the
cable is not correct, the system will not work. Most good quality
low-capacitance screened twisted pair cables will work, but twin
individually screened will not. Also, if the cable is split or joined other than
end-to-end, the system will stop working.
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User Guide Predator HX
Synchronis e d O peratio n w i t hout a controller
To synchronise Predator HXs without a controller, connect a DMX lead
from the DMXout jack on the first Predator HX to DMXin on the second.
Connect from DMXout on the second Predator HX to DMXin on the third,
and so on. DMX line termination is performed automatically by the
Predator HX.
DMX IN DMX OUT DMX IN DMX OUT DMX IN DMX OUT DMX IN DMX OUT DMX IN DMX OUT
DMX leads must never be joined (apart from end-to-end) or split.
Using a 2-to-1 splitter or similar will prevent the system working.
To obtain the the correct movement and colour changing sequence the
switches on the back of each Predator HX must be adjusted to tell it which
channel it is set to. The switches are labelled 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4 and 2.
These set the DMX address.
The Predator HX produces 4-channel colour and gobo-changing
sequences, as well as mirrored operation in both X and Y directions, to
allow two rows of Predator HXs to be installed facing each other, the four
channels are set on the swtiches as follows: The first Predator HX, that is,
the one with no jack in its DMXin socket controls all the others. It operates
as channel 1, with no X or Y reversing, regardless of the position of the
switches.
If all Predator HXs are required to operate indentically, set all the
switches to channel 1. To achieve the colour and gobo changing
sequences, set the switches so that a group of 4 Predator HXs has the first
set to channel 1, the second to channel 2, the third to channel 3 and the
fourth to channel 4.
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Channel. DMX Switches ON
start address (other switches OFF)
1 1 None
2 5 4
3 9 8
4 13 8, 4
1 (reversed in X direction) 17 16
2 (reversed in X direction) 21 16, 4
3 (reversed in X direction) 25 16, 8
4 (reversed in X direction) 29 16 , 8, 4
1 (reversed in Y direction) 33 32
2 (reversed in Y direction) 37 32, 4
3 (reversed in Y direction) 41 32, 8
4 (reversed in Y direction) 45 32, 8, 4
1 (reversed in X and Y directions) 49 32, 16
2 (reversed in X and Y directions) 53 32, 16, 4
3 (reversed in X and Y directions) 57 32, 16, 8
4 (reversed in X and Y directions) 61 32, 16, 8, 4
Usi n g t he Pr e d a t o r H X with t he I Q - M X 8 0 or
I Q M X 4 0
To connect to a controller: Connect a DMX lead from the DMXout from
the controller to DMXin on the first Predator HX. Connect a DMX lead from
the DMXout jack on the first Predator HX to DMXin on the second.
Connect from DMXout on the second Predator HX to DMXin on the third,
and so on. DMX line termination is performed automatically by the
Predator HX.
DMX OUT
DMX IN DMX OUT DMX IN DMX OUT DMX IN DMX OUT DMX IN DMX OUT
CONTROLLER
User Guide Predator HX
DMX leads must never be joined (apart from end-to-end) or split.
Using a 2-to-1 splitter or similar will prevent the system working.
Refer to the User Guide accompanying your controller for information on
how to set the switches. The X-REV switch reverses the movement in the
x direction. Use this to make the Predator HX move the same way as the
controller joystick, which depends on whether the Predator HX is facing
towards or away from the controller.
Con n e c t i n g to Merlin o r a n y Lighting control
d e s k wit h D M X out put.
The DMX system has 512 addresses, each address can be the
brightness of a single dimmer, or a position on a motor. Because the
Predator HX controls 4 motors, it requires four DMX addresses.
The Predator HX can be programmed to any address from 1 to 255 in
steps of two, so there can be up to 64 channels of Predator HXs on a
controller. Any number of Predator HXs can be assigned to each channel
or address. If two Predator HXs are assigned to the same address then
they will perform identically.
Each Predator HX occupies four DMX channels. The switches are
labelled 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4 and 2. Add up the numbers of the switches
that are on and add 1, to give the start address.
The X-motor appears at the start address, the Y-motor at start address
plus 1, gobo/colour motor at start address plus 2 and blackout/lamp control
at start address plus 3. (i.e. If switches 32 and 8 are ON, then start
address is 32+8+1 = 41, the X motor is on channel 41, the y-motor on
channel 42, the colour motor on channel 43, and the gobo motor on
channel 44.)
The X-REV switch reverses the movement in the x direction. Use this
switch to make the Predator HX move the same way as the controller
joystick, which depends on whether the Predator HXs is facing towards or
away from the controller. This switch has no effect on the DMX address set
on the other 7 switches.
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User Guide Predator HX
The DMX dimmer levels control the movement as follows:
X-motor: 0 is extreme left (right for X-REV selected), 255 is extreme right
(left for X-REV selected), 128 is central.
Y-motor: 0 is reflected back down lens, 128 is central, 255 is fully up.
DMX data colour gobo
0 - 31 magenta squares
32 - 63 yellow tunnel
64 - 95 cyan dots
96 - 127 pink star
128 - 159 green triangle
160 - 191 red flower
192 - 207 blue circle
208 - 255 white blackout
The gobo is always centralised but the colour can take any intermediate
position allowing split colours and colour scrolling.
Portable Applian ce Testing
The Predator HX should be checked for Electrical Safety annually, and if
it is hire equipment, before it is hired out. A high-voltage test (at 500V or
1000V) should be carried out between live and earth, and an earth
bonding test between the case and the earth connection (at 10A or 16A).
Insulation resistance should be greater than 10MW and earth bonding
resistance less than 0.1W. A high voltage test may also be carried out
between the DMX and analogue inputs and live, if the equipment has
passed the live-earth test.
Not all parts of the case are bonded to earth - these are separated from
live parts by double insulation.
Do not test high-voltage or earth bonding between DMX or analogue
inputs and earth - this will destroy the electronics.
Note: a common cause of failure of the insulation test is the build up of
smoke fluid inside the lantern.
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User Guide Predator HX
Technical Specification.
Power supply: 230V nominal @ 50Hz 300VA (1.25A)
Power factor: 0.99
210V minimum 255V maximum.
Fuse: T3.15A (3.15 Amp anti-surge)
5×20mm HBC to IEC127
Lamp: A1/259
Colours: 7 dichroic plus white
CIE Chromaticity Co-ordinates
Magenta: (0.399,0.137)
Yellow: (0.544,0.452)
Cyan: (0.119,0.396)
Pink: (0.523,0.318)
Green: (0.246,0.686)
Red: (0.700,0.296)
Blue: (0.128,0.153)
White: (0.242,0.400)
Gobos: 7
Beam intensity: 90,000 candela (high brightness)
60,000 candela (long life)
Lamp life: 100 hours nominal @ 230V AC (high brightness)
60 hours nominal @ 240V AC (high brightness)
700 hours nominal @ 230V AC (long life)
800 hours nominal @ 240V AC (long life)
Beam width: 210mm diameter at 1 metre
Beam Angle: 13° (227mrad)
Motors: Unipolar Hybrid stepper: microstepping
Microstep size: 6'45" (1.95mrad)
DMX input/output: complies with DMX512 (1990) 4µsec and
EIA RS-485
Connectors: ¼" jack
Data+: Tip
Data-: Ring
Earth: Sleeve
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User Guide Predator HX
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User Guide Predator HX
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