blizzard 123685 SnowBlind LED Strobe FX User Manual

Blizzard Lighting, LLC
http://www.blizzardpro.com
Waukesha, WI USA
Copyright (c) 2021

GETTING STARTED

What’s In The Box?
• 1 x SnowBlind™
• 1 x Power Cord
• This Lovely User Manual

Getting It Out Of the Box

Congratulations on purchasing one way cool, way flexible, way original LED strobe light! Now that you’ve got your SnowBlind™ (or hopefully, Snow Blind’s!), 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 to 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.
Warning! All fixtures must be connected to circuits with a suitable Ground (Earthing).
Getting A Hold Of Us
If something happens to go wrong, visit blizzardpro.com/support and open a support ticket. We’ll be happy to help, honest.

Disclaimer: The information and specifications contained in this document are subject to change without notice. Blizzard Lighting™ assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions that may appear in this user manual. Blizzard Lighting™ 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.blizzardpro.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 the risk of fire or shock, do not expose the 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 the fuse and be sure to replace it with the same fuse size and type.

• ALWAYS secure fixtures using a safety chain. NEVER carry the fixture by its head. 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 of 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 open a support ticket at www.blizzardpro.com/support.

MEET THE SNOWBLIND™

Main Features

• 18x 1-watt cool white LEDs
• Variable electronic strobe
• Variable electronic dimmer
• Controlled via 3-channel DMX and master/slave
• The sound active mode in standalone and DMX modes
• Microphone sensitivity adjustment in standalone and DMX modes
• 4-button easy to use LED control panel menu
• Aluminum mounting bracket with locking knobs
• Able to directly power the wiCICLE® wireless system via DMX
• Lightweight and Compact (It kept its New Years’ resolution!)

Control

• Protocol: USITT DMX-512
• DMX channels: 3-channel
• Easy-to-use 4-button control panel with LED display
• Operating modes: DMX-512, M/S, and Sound Active

DMX Quick Reference (3-Channel Modes)

Figure 1: SnowBlind™ Pin-Up Picture

Figure 2: The Rear Connections

SETUP

Before replacing the fuse, disconnect the power cord. ALWAYS replace it with the same type and rating.

Fuse Replacement
Remove the fuse holder from its housing. Then take out the damaged fuse from its holder and replace it with exact same type of fuse. Reattach the fuse holder, and then reconnect power.

Connecting A Bunch of Snowblind’s
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 data-grade 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. The cable should have the following characteristics:

• 2-conductor twisted pair plus a shield
• The maximum capacitance between conductors – 30 pF/ft.
• The maximum capacitance between conductor & shield – is 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 iCICLE ®  Wireless DMX system, without additional power.

• ONLY fixtures bearing this logo are certified for use with the icicle® without external power.
• Unauthorized modification and/or using the icicle® with un-approved 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 that 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.

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 diligence, 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 that 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 the 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 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:
   • GROUP 1: RED
   • GROUP 2: GREEN
   • GROUP 3: YELLOW
   • GROUP 4: BLUE
   • GROUP 5: VIOLET
   • GROUP 6: CYAN
   • GROUP 7: WHITE
   NOTE: “GROUP” number also corresponds to the “GROUP” setting on our LightCaster™ 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 the 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 ohmmeter 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  f 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 the best communication.

Fixture Linking (M/S Mode)

1. Connect the male connector side of the DMX cable to the output female connector of the first fixture.
2. Connect the end of the cable coming from the first fixture which will have a female connector to the input connector of the next fixture consisting of a male connector.  hen, 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 Master-Slave and Standalone operation requires that the first fixture in the chain be initialized for this purpose via either set 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. The fan or vent pathway must never be obstructed.
IMPORTANT: Regardless of the rigging option you choose for your fixtures, always be sure to secure your fixture with a safety cable.
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 of unknown strength, and ensure properly rated rigging is used when mounting fixtures overhead.
Overhead mounting requires extensive experience, which includes calculating working load limits, knowledge of the installation material being used, and periodic safety inspections. If you lack these qualifications, do not attempt the installation yourself.

OPERATING ADJUSTMENTS

The Control Panel
All the goodies and different modes possible with the SnowBlind™ are accessed by using the control panel on the side of the fixture. There are 4 control buttons below the  LED display which allow you to navigate through the various control panel menus.

< MODE>
Is used to navigate the various modes.
< SETUP>
Is used to enter into the selected mode setup.
< UP>
Scroll through menu items and numbers in ascending order.
< DOWN>
Scroll through menu items and numbers in descending order.

The control panel display shows the menu items listed. Pushing the < MODE> button repeatedly will scroll through the menu settings. To edit one, push the < SETUP> button.  Then use the < UP/DOWN> buttons to scroll through your choices (if applicable). Push the mode button to confirm your choice.

Control Panel Menu Structure

| Brightness Control (Low <–> High)
Sets the Strobe Speed (Slow <–> Fast)
Sound Active, Mic Sensitivity (0-9, 0=off)
---|---

*Note: The rear sensitivity knob must be turned up (clockwise) for the control panel settings will function. Also, for the knob to function, the menu settings must not be set to off (SE.0).

| Sets Fixture to Slave Mode

0 Selects the Starting DMX Channel

---|---

DMX Values In-Depth (3 Channel Mode)

Microphone Sensitivity (Low <–> High)

Troubleshooting

moving slower than normal, the unit may have shut itself off due to high heat. This is to protect the fixture from overheating. Clear the fan of obstructions, or return the unit for service.
Beam is Dim| Check the optical system and clean excess dust/grime. Also ensure that the 220V/110V switch is in the correct position, if applicable.
No Light Output| Check to ensure the fixture is operating under the correct mode, IE sound active/auto/DMX/Etc., if applicable.
Chase Speed Too Fast/Slow| Check to ensure proper setup of speed adjustment.
No Power| Check fuse, AC cord, and circuit for malfunction.
Blown Fuse| Check AC cord and circuit for damage, verify that moving parts are not restricted and that unit’s ventilation is not obstructed
Slow Movement| Verify that 220V/110V switch is in the correct position, if applicable.    Also, check that speed channels are set appro-
privately.
No Response to Audio| Verify that the fixture is in “Sound Active” mode. Adjust Audio Sensitivity, If Applicable.
Fixture Not Responding / Responding Er- article| Make sure all connectors are seated properly and securely. Use Only DMX Cables and/or check cables for defects Install a Terminator. Reset fixture(s).
Intermittent Lamp| Check lamp for proper installation. Relamp, the lamp may have reached the end of life.

Keeping Your SnowBlind™ As Good As New

The fixture you’ve received is a rugged, tough piece of pro lighting equipment, and as long as you take care of it, it will take care of you. That said, like anything, you’ll need to take care of it if you want it to operate as designed. You should absolutely keep the fixture clean, especially if you are using it in an environment with a lot of dust, fog, haze, wild animals, wild teenagers, or spilled drinks.
Cleaning the optics routinely with a suitable glass cleaner will greatly improve the quality of light output. Keeping the fans free of dust and debris will keep the fixture running cool and prevent damage from overheating.
In transit, keep the fixtures in cases. You wouldn’t throw a prized guitar, drumset, or another piece of expensive gear into a gear trailer without a case, and similarly, you shouldn’t even think about doing it with your shiny new light fixtures.
Common sense and taking care of your fixtures will be the single biggest thing you can do to keep them running at peak performance and let you worry about designing a great  light show, putting on a great concert, or maximizing your client’s satisfaction and “wow factor.” That’s what it’s all about, after all!

Returns (Gasp!)
We’ve taken a lot of precautions to make sure you never even have to worry about sending a defective unit back or sending a unit in for service. But, like any complex piece of equipment designed and built by humans, once in a while, something doesn’t go as planned. If you find yourself with a fixture that isn’t behaving as a good little fixture should,  you’ll need to obtain a Return Authorization (RA).
Don’t worry, this is easy. Just open a support ticket at www.blizzardpro.com/ support, and we’ll issue you an RA. Then, you’ll need to send the unit to us using a trackable, pre- paid freight method. We suggest using USPS Priority or UPS. Make sure you carefully pack the fixture for transit, and whenever possible, use the original box & packing for
shipping.
When returning your fixture for service, be sure to include the following:
1.) Your contact information (Name, Address, Phone Number, Email address).
2.) The RA# issued to you
3.) A brief description of the problem/symptoms.

We will, at our discretion, repair or replace the fixture. Please remember that any shipping damage which occurs in transit to us is the customer’s responsibility, so pack it well!
Shipping Issues
Damage incurred in shipping is the responsibility of the shipper and must be reported to the carrier immediately upon receipt of the items. Claims must be made within seven (7) days of receipt.

Tech Specs!

Weight & Dimensions

Length| 12.59 inches (32 cm)
Width| 5.51 inches (14 cm)
Height| 3.54 inches (9 cm)
Weight| 3.52 lbs (1.6 kg)
Power
Operating Voltage| AC100V/240V 50/60Hz
Power Consumption| 19W, .24A
Power Factor| .67
Light Source
LED| 118x 1-Watt LEDs (Cool White), 100,000 hours.
Optical
Beam Angle| 15 degrees
Luminous Intensity| 2,497 Lux © 2.5m, 432 Lux © 2m
Thermal
Max. Operating Temp.| 1104 degrees F (40 degrees C) ambient
Control
Protocol| USING DMX-512
DMX Channels| 3 Channel
Input| 3-pin XLR Male
Output| 3-pin XLR Female
Operating Modes| Sound Active, Master/Slave, DMX
Warranty| The 2-year limited warranty does not cover malfunction caused by damage to LEDs.

Enjoy your product!
Our sincerest thanks for your purchase!
–The team @ Blizzard Lighting

Documents / Resources

| blizzard 123685 SnowBlind LED Strobe FX [pdf] User Manual
123685, SnowBlind LED Strobe FX, 123685 SnowBlind LED Strobe FX, LED Strobe FX, Strobe FX, SnowBlind
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