Vaux Electronics Marc plus Owners manual

Vaux Electronics, Inc.

MARC+

Remote Control System

Table of Contents

Important Safety Information ............................................. 3

Introduction ...................................................................... 4

Parts Checklist ................................................................... 5

Installation ........................................................................ 6

Using a Vaux RC-8 Remote Control .................................. 9

Infrared Learning ............................................................ 11

MACRO Programming ..................................................... 13

Default Lighting Group ..................................................... 14

Security ID Code .............................................................. 15

Operation .......................................................................... 16

Maintenance and Service ................................................... 20

Warranty ........................................................................... 21

Questions & Answers ......................................................... 23

Troubleshooting Guide ...................................................... 24

Record for Future Reference:

Model Number: 1080 Serial Number: Date Purchased: Place of Purchase:

Attach your sales receipt to this manual. Rev. 1.0

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy which may interfere with residential radio and television reception if not properly installed and used in accordance with instructions contained in this manual. Reasonable protection against such interference is ensured, although there is no guarantee this will not occur in a given installation. If interference is suspected, and verified by powering this equipment on and off, try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: re-orient the radio/television receiver's antenna; relocate the television or radio equipment with respect to the MARC+ Receiver; plug the equipment into separate electrical outlets. The MARC+ Remote Control System complies with all limits for Part 95 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and Regulations.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Vaux Electronics, Inc. Arizona, USA Phone: (480) 354-5556 Fax: (480) 354-5558

Important Safety Information

As with any product, basic safety precautions should be observed during handling and use of this system.

• Before using your system, please follow and adhere to all warnings, safety and operating instructions located on the product and in this owner's manual.

• Do not expose the system to extreme temperatures, such as found near a hot radiator or stove.

• Do not use while you are in a bathtub, shower or pool. Immersion of the system in water could cause an electrical shock.

• Do not place lighted candles, cigarettes, cigars, etc. on the system.

• Never install or modify wiring during a lightning storm.

• Care should be taken so that objects do not fall onto, or liquids do not spill into, the system.

• Do not attempt to disassemble the enclosures. There are no customer serviceable components inside.

• If this system operates on batteries, adhere to the following precautions:

– Any battery may leak electrolyte if mixed with a different battery type, if inserted incorrectly, or if all batteries are not replaced at the same time.

– Any battery may leak electrolyte or explode if disposed of in fire or an attempt is made to charge a battery not intended to be recharged.

– Discard leaky batteries immediately. Leaking batteries can cause skin burns or other personal injury.

– Always dispose of batteries properly.

– Remove batteries from your system if it will not be used for an extended period of time.

Introduction

Thank you for selecting the MARC+ Remote Control System. It has been designed for the utmost in convenience and reliability. Read this owner's manual carefully to become familiar with the product and how it works. The manual explains in simple steps how to install, use, and care for your MARC+ System.

The MARC+ Remote Control System allows you to control virtually any device from any room in your house, even outside — without wiring your home!

With the MARC+ System, you can operate up to eight infraredcontrolled Audio/Video components, such as TVs, VCRs, and stereos, with one remote control. Additionally, the MARC+ System allows you to turn on/off appliances and lights (and dim also), all at the touch of a button.

From the MARC+ Remote Control, you can operate up to 100 X10® Powerhouse™-connected lights and appliances. The X-10 modules are easy to install — just plug them into standard power outlets.

The MARC+ System uses a small, hand-held Remote Control which broadcasts radio frequency (RF) signals to the MARC+ Receiver. Depending on the button you press, the MARC+ Receiver will take one of the following actions:

• Replay “learned” infrared signals to control your audio/video equipment,

• Send commands over the power lines to control your X-10 lighting and appliance devices, or

• Play a MACRO command to perform a sequence up to 10-steps.

• The “Auto-Source-Selection” feature make system operation easy.

As with any radio control system, the operating range is limited; this means that the MARC+ Remote Control can function only a certain distance away from the MARC+ Receiver. Under typical conditions, the MARC+ System will operate throughout an average home and immediately outside it.

Parts Checklist

When unpacking your MARC+ System, make sure that you have the following parts:

1. Vaux RC-8 RF Remote Control

2. MARC+ Receiver

3. Standard Antenna (25” wire w/ phono plug)

4. Power Adapter (12VDC, 200 mA)

You may also need some of these optional parts for your installation:

• One X1 Powerline Interface (X-10 Interface module and cable)

• Up to four EC-1 Infrared Emitter Cables, or EC-2 Dual Emitter

Cables

• Additional RC-8 RF Remote Controls for other rooms

• ANT-3 Folded Dipole Antenna, or an APA-1 Antenna Preamp to increase RF reception range

Installation

(NOTE: For the purpose of this installation the MARC+ Receiver will be referred to as the Receiver; the Vaux RC-8 RF Remote Control will be referred to as the Remote Control. An audio receiver or infrared remote control will be specifically referenced to as such.)

The rear panel of the MARC+ Receiver has the following connections:

1. 12 VDC Power Adapter (2.1 mm, center negative)

2. Antenna Connector (phono jack) — Standard wire antenna connects here, or, optionally, remotely-located antenna(s), such as the ANT-3 Folded Dipole, may be connected via RG-59 or

RG-6 coaxial cable, and the appropriate adapter.

3. Four Infrared Emitter Cable Connectors (3.5 mm phone jack) (Xantech®-compatible, center positive)

4. X-10® Interface Module Connector

("telephone-type" modular jack)

The bottom of the MARC+ Receiver also has a recessed pushbutton RESET switch (Caution: pressing the Reset button will restore factory settings and erase all infrared codes).

1. Place the Receiver beside your audio/video components. For best RF reception, locate the Receiver as high as possible, and as far as practical from cables and metal cases. Avoid placement close to large-screen TVs, computers, or fluorescent fixtures — these devices generate RF noise which can reduce range.

2. Attach IR emitters over each audio/video component's infrared (IR) sensor window. The emitter affixes with a small section of peel-off, doublesided, removable adhesive tape. Plug the connector end of the emitter cable into one of the four rear-panel emitter jacks on the Receiver.

The Receiver has four connectors (3.5 mm phone jacks) on the back panel for attaching infrared emitter cables. Each single emitter can control one audio/video component. Optionally, you can use dual emitters to control up to 8 A/V devices.

(NOTE: You may also choose to use a “Room Blaster” instead of, or in addition to, the emitter cables. A Room Blaster can transmit the invisible infrared (IR) signals across a room to a wall of components; this provides more installation flexibility, but the signals can also get blocked by people or objects in the IR path.

3. OPTIONAL: X-10® Lighting/Appliance Interface Module

a. Plug one end of the X-10 Interface Cable into the "telephone-type" jack on the back of the Receiver. b. Plug the other end of the X-10 Interface Cable into the "telephone-type" jack on the X-10 Interface Module. c. Plug the X-10 Interface Module into an unswitched standard electrical outlet. This allows the MARC+ System to send commands over the powerlines to control X-10 devices.

4. Plug the Antenna into the Receiver and straighten the wire up and away from cables and other metal.

5. Connect the Power Adapter to the Receiver and plug into an unswitched standard electrical outlet.

6. Install the Remote Control's batteries: The RC-8 Remote

Control uses 3 “AAA” batteries to power it. Alkaline, Heavy-Duty Carbon, or rechargeable NiCad batteries may be used. These batteries will last up to 6 months under normal conditions. Be certain to observe polarity markings when installing batteries. Remember to always dispose of batteries at a recycling center; more information about battery use and disposal may be found on page 3 of this manual.

When changing the batteries, lay the RC-8 keyboard-down on a flat surface; protrusions on the case prevent the keys from being pressed. Remove the old batteries and replace with new batteries within one minute. This process will ensure that the userselectable settings are not changed. If you want to restore the factory settings, remove the old batteries, press a key, and let the RC-8 sit for a minute or so before installing the new batteries — the red light will flash twice to indicate that factory settings have been restored.

USING A VAUX RC-8 REMOTE CONTROL

The Vaux RC-8 Remote Control supports the IR commands for up to 8 A/V components, as well as up to 100 X-10-connected lights and appliances.

When the batteries are first installed, the RC-8 will use the "factory settings" for the programmable features it stores. Upon battery insertion, the red light flashes twice to indicate that the factory settings have been loaded. The user may at any time change these settings.

The factory settings are: Current A/V Device: 1

( Tuner )

Default Light Group: 1

( X-10 House Code A ) Default Security ID Code: 1070 Default Zone: 1 (not used by the MARC+)

Batteries should be changed when the low-battery indication is given, that is the red and green lights flashing simultaneously when a button is pressed. Although you may continue to operate the RC-8, operating range will be reduced and remaining battery life is short.

+ 18 hidden pages