BLIZZARD 23535 Hotbox RGBW and RGBA Lighting User Guide

Blizzard Lighting, LLC
www.blizzardlighting.com
Waukesha, WI USA
Copyright (c) 2013

GETTING STARTED

What’s In The Box?

• 1 x HotBoxTM Professional LED PAR Fixture
• A totally rockin’ DMX Cable
• This Lovely User Manual

Getting It Out Of The Box

Congratulations on purchasing one of the most rocking box-shaped PAR fixtures anywhere! Now that you’ve got your HotBoxTM (or hopefully, HotBoxes!), 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 fixture must be returned to the factory, it is important that the fixture be returned in the original factory box and packing.

Powering Up!

All fixtures 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 fixtures have a voltage select switch, so please verify that the fixture you receive is suitable for your local power supply. See the label on the fixture or refer to the fixture’s specifications chart for more information. A fixture’s listed current rating is its average current draw under normal conditions. Check the fixture 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 fixture may result if the line voltage applied does not match the voltage indicated on the voltage selector switch. All fixtures 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
N16 W23390 Stoneridge Dr. Suite E
Waukesha, WI 53188 USA
www.blizzardlighting.com
414-395-8365
Email: support@blizzardlighting.com

Disclaimer: The information and specifications contained in this document are subject to change without notice. Blizzard LightingTM assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions that may appear in this user manual. Blizzard LightingTM reserves the right to update the existing document or to create a new document to correct any errors or omissions at any time. You can download the latest version of this document from www.blizzardlighting.com.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Please read these instructions carefully. They include important information about the installation, usage and maintenance of this product.

• 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 fixture.
• This product is intended for indoor use only.
• To prevent risk of fire or shock, do not expose fixture to rain or moisture.
• Make sure there are no flammable 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 fixture using a safety chain. NEVER carry the fixture 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.

MEET THE HOTBOxTM LED PAR

CONTROL FEATURES

• RGBW color mixing via 7x 10W Red/Green/Blue/White 4-in-1 LEDs
• Variable electronic dimming & strobe
• Built-in color & chase macros via DMX
• Built-in automated programs via master/slave
• Built-in sound active programs
• RGBW color mixing ability in standalone mode
• HSV (3-Ch), RGBW (4-Ch), RGBW + Dimmer (5-Ch), Extended (8Ch), and Extended plus 32-bit Dimming (10-Ch) DMX Profiles

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

• Rugged and well-built (It hits the gym regularly)
• Super-quiet variable-speed internal Fan Cooling
• Dual mounting brackets for positioning flexibility
• Flicker-free constant-current 400hz LED driver
• 3-pin male input and 3-pin female output
• PowerConTM compatible AC power In/Out connectors

**DMX Quick Reference – 8 (a/b) / 9 (a/b) Channel Modes

**

**DMX Quick Reference – 3 (HSV) / 4 / 5 Channel Modes

**

Figure 1: The HotBox™ Pin-Up Picture

Figure 2: The Rear Connections

SETUP

Before replacing a fuse, disconnect power cord. ALAYS replace with the same type and rating of fuse.

Fuse Replacement

CAUTION! The HotBoxTM utilizes a high-output switch-mode power supply with an internal fuse. Under normal operating conditions, the fuse should not require replacement. The fuse is field replaceable, however it is an advanced procedure suited to qualified individuals. Should your HotBoxTM fuse require replacement, please contact Blizzard Lighting for instructions, or to return your unit for service.

Connecting A Bunch of HotBoxTM Fixtures

You will need a serial data link to run light shows using a DMX-512 controller or to run shows on two or more fixtures set to sync in master/slave operating mode. The combined number of channels required by all the fixtures on a serial data link determines the number of fixtures the data link can support.
Fixtures on a serial data link must be daisy chained in one single line. Also, connecting more than 32 fixtures 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 fixtures on a serial data link is 32 fixtures.

Data/DMX Cabling

To link fixtures 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 specifications 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

USING THIS FIxTURE WITH THE wiCICLE® WIRELESS DMx SYSTEM

In addition to the unbridled thrill you already received the first time you plugged in your fixture, you’ll be delighted to know that This fixture also works seamlessly with our wiCICLE® Wireless DMX system, without additional power.

• ONLY fixtures bearing this logo are certified for use with the wiCICLE® without external power.
• Unauthorized modification and/or using the wiCICLE® with unapproved fixtures may cause damage to the wiCICLE® or fixture. 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 fixture.
• wiCICLE® transmitters have additional power requirements and therefore cannot be powered directly from the fixture. 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:

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 fixtures contain a built-in automatic, sound active or custom program which is designed to operate with the fixture NOT connected to a DMX chain.

Some of these programs will automatically run unless the fixture is set to slave mode. These fixtures 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 fixture 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® Receiver into the “DMX IN” connector of the fixture and 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)
   The 7-Color Status LED will change color to indicate the current channel group:

NOTE: “GROUP” number also corresponds to the “GROUP” setting on our LightCasterTM wireless DMX Transceiver.

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 fixture 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 flash 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!

**Cable Connectors

**

Cables must have a male XLR connector on one end and a female XLR connector on the other end. (Duh!)

A Word on Termination: DMX is a resilient communication protocol, however errors still occasionally occur. Termination reduces signal errors, and therefore best practices include use of a terminator in all circumstances. If you are experiencing problems with erratic fixture behavior, especially over long signal cable runs, a terminator may help improve performance.

To build your own DMX Terminator:
Obtain a 120-ohm, 1/4-watt resistor, and wire it between pins 2 & 3 of the last fixture. They are also readily available from specialty retailers.

CAUTION: Do not allow contact between the common and the fixture’s chassis ground. Grounding the common can cause a ground loop, and your fixture 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:

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 first fixture’s male connector (input). Note: It doesn’t matter which fixture address is the first one connected. We recommend connecting the fixtures in terms of their proximity to the controller, rather than connecting the lowest fixture number first, and so on.
Step 3: Connect other fixtures in the chain from output to input as above. Place a DMX terminator on the output of the final fixture to ensure best communication.

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 first fixture.
2. Connect the end of the cable coming from the first fixture which will have a (female) 3 pin connector to the input connector of the next fixture consisting of a (male) 3 pin connector. Then, proceed to connect from the output as stated above to the input of the following fixture and so on.

A quick note: Often, the setup for MasterSlave and Standalone operation requires that the first fixture in the chain be initialized for this purpose via either settings in the control panel or DIP-switches. Secondarily, the fixtures 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 configuration.

Mounting & Rigging

This fixture 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 fixture using a suitable “C” or “O” type clamp. The clamp should be rated to hold at least 10x the fixture’s weight to ensure structural stability. Do not mount to surfaces with unknown strength, and ensure properly “rated” rigging is used when mounting fixutres overhead.
Adjust the angle of the fixture by loosening both knobs and tilting the fixture. After finding 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 fixture will be exposed to rain, high humidity, extreme temperature changes or restricted ventilation.

OPERATING ADJUSTMENTS

The Control Panel

All the goodies and different modes possible with the HotBoxTM LED are accessed by using the control panel on the rear of the fixture. There are 4 control buttons below the LED display which allow you to navigate through the various control panel menus.
< MENU> Is used to navigate to the previous higher-level menu item.
< UP> Scrolls through menu items and numbers in ascending order.
< DOWN> Scrolls through menu items and numbers in descending order.
< ENTER> Is used to select and confirm/store the current selection.

The Control Panel LED Display shows the menu items you select from the menu map on page #11. When a menu function is selected, the display will show immediately the first available option for the selected menu function. To select a menu item, press < ENTER>.
Press the