Blizzard Lighting SnowBlind User manual

Blizzard Lighting, LLC

http://www.blizzardpro.com

Waukesha, WI USA

Page 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Getting Started 3

What’s In The Box? 3

Getting It Out Of the Box 3

Powering Up! 3

Getting A Hold Of Us 3

Safety Instructions 4

2. Meet the Snowblind 5

Main Features 5

DMX Quick Reference 5

Control 5

Snowblind Pin-Up Picture 6

The Rear Connections 6

3. Setup 7

Fuse Replacement 7

Connecting A Bunch of UVonix™ Blackstars 7

Data/DMX Cabling 7

Using This Fixture with the WiCICLE® Wireless DMX System 8

Cable Connectors 10

3-Pin??? 5-Pin??? Huh?!? 10

Take It To The Next Level: Setting Up DMX Control 10

Fixture Linking (M/S Mode) 11

Mounting & Rigging 11

4. Operating Adjustments 12

The Control Panel 12

Control Panel Menu Structure 12

DMX Values In-Depth 13

Troubleshooting 13

Keeping Your Snowblind As Good As New 14

Returns (Gasp!) 14

Shipping Issues 14

Tech Specs! 15

Page 3

1. 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 exible, 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 xture must be returned to the factory, it is important that the

xture be returned in the original factory box and packing.

Powering Up!

All xtures must be powered directly o a switched circuit and cannot be run

o 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 xtures 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 specications 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.

Author: Date: Last Edited: Date:

J. Thomas 2/25/2013 J. Thomas 11/8/2021

Page 4

Please read these instructions carefully. They include

important information about the installation, usage and

maintenance of this product.

Safety Instructions

• 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 de-

cal or rear panel of the xture.

• This product is intended for indoor use only.

• To prevent risk of re or shock, do not expose xture to rain or moisture.

• Make sure there are no ammable 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 xture using a safety chain. NEVER carry the xture 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 tech-

nical 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 open a support ticket at www.blizzardpro.com/support.

Page 5

2. 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

• 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)

3CH What It Does

1 Dimmer (Low <--> High)

2 Flash Speed (Slow <--> Fast)

3 Microphone Sensitivity Adjustment (Low <--> High)

Page 6

Figure 1: SnowBlind™ Pin-Up Picture

18x 1-Watt

Cool White LEDs

Aluminum Housing

Control Panel

Figure 2: The Rear Connections

AC Power In +

Fuse Holder

DMX

Mounting Bracket

Locking

Knobs

MicMic Sensitivity

DMX

Out

Page 7

Fuse Replacement

Remove the fuse holder from of its housing. Then take out the damaged fuse

from its holder and replace with exact same type of fuse. Reattach the fuse

holder, and then reconnect power.

Connecting A Bunch of Snowblinds

You will need a serial data link to run light shows using a DMX-512 controller

or to run shows on two or more xtures set to sync in master/slave operating

mode. The combined number of channels required by all the xtures on a serial

data link determines the number of xtures the data link can support.

Fixtures on a serial data link must be daisy chained in one single line. Also,

connecting more than 32 xtures 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 xtures on a serial data link is 32

xtures.

Data/DMX Cabling

To link xtures 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 specications 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

• 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

Before replacing the fuse, disconnect the power cord.

ALWAYS replace it with the same type and rating.

3. SETUP

Page 8

USING THIS FIXTURE WITH THE wiCICLE® WIRELESS

DMX SYSTEM

In addition to the unbridled thrill you already

received the rst time you plugged in your x-

ture, you’ll be delighted to know that This x-

ture also works seamlessly with our wiCICLE®

Wireless DMX system, without additional power.

• ONLY xtures bearing this logo are certied for use with the wiCICLE®

without external power.

• Unauthorized modication and/or using the wiCICLE®with un-

approved xtures may cause damage to the wiCICLE® or xture.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS BLIZZARD LIGHTING RESPON-

SIBLE 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 malfunc-

tion and damage to the wiCICLE® or xture.

• wiCICLE®transmitters have additional power requirements and

therefore cannot be powered directly from the xture. 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:

Antenna Housing & 1/2-wave

Antenna

Antenna ferrule & articulation

joint

Stainless Steel Housing

Recessed Selector Button

Status LED

3-Pin XLR Connector

(Male on transmitter, Female

on receiver model)

Page 9

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 power-

ful 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 APPLI-

CABLE). Most xtures contain a built-in automatic, sound active or cus-

tom program which is designed to operate with the xture NOT connected

to a DMX chain.

Some of these programs will automatically run unless the xture is set to slave

mode. These xtures 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 xture 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 o 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 xture 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 receiv-

ing 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

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 xture

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 ash 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 opera-

tion does not indicate channel group, instead it indicates whether the unit is

transmitting or receiving. That’s It!

NOTE: “GROUP” number also

corresponds to the “GROUP”

setting on our LightCaster™

wireless DMX Transceiver.

Page 10

Cable Connectors

Cables must have a male XLR connector on one end and a female XLR connec-

tor on the other end. (Duh!)

To build your own DMX Terminator:

Obtain a 120-ohm, 1/4-watt resistor, and wire it between pins 2 & 3 of the last xture. They are also

readily available from specialty retailers.

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 rst xture’s male connector

(input).

Note: It doesn’t matter which xture address is the rst one

connected. We recommend connecting the xtures in terms

of their proximity to the controller, rather than connecting the

lowest xture number rst, and so on.

Step 3: Connect other xtures in the chain

from output to input as above. Place a DMX

terminator on the output of the nal xture to

ensure best communication.

CAUTION: Do not allow contact between the common and the xture’s chassis

ground. Grounding the common can cause a ground loop, and your xture 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:

Conductor 3-Pin Female (Output) 5-Pin Male (Input)

Ground/Shield Pin 1 Pin 1

Data 1- (Primary Data Link) Pin 2 Pin 2

Data 1+ (Primary Data Link) Pin 3 Pin 3

Data 2- (Optional Secondary Data Link) -- Pin 4 - Do Not Use

Data 2+ (Optional Secondary Data Link) -- Pin 5 - Do Not Use

INPUT OUTPUT

Common

DMX +

DMX -

DMX OUTDMX IN

First

Fixture

in Chain

Fixture

in Chain

DMX OUTDMX IN

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 xture behavior, especially over

long signal cable runs, a terminator may help improve

performance.

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