Blizzard StormChaser Supercell 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 StormChaser™ Supercell 5

Main Features 5

DMX Quick Reference (7/20/52-Channel Modes) 5

StormChaser™ Supercell Pin-Up Picture 6

The Rear Connections 6

3. Setup 7

Fuse Replacement 7

Connecting A Bunch of StormChaser™ Supercells 7

Data/DMX Cabling 7

Cable Connectors 8

3-Pin??? 5-Pin??? Huh?!? 8

Take It To The Next Level: Setting Up DMX Control 8

Fixture Linking (M/S Mode) 9

Lens Installation 9

Mounting & Rigging 9

4. Operating Adjustments 10

The Control Panel 10

Control Panel Menu Structure 11

Section Identication 11

DMX Mode 12

Starting DMX Address 12

DMX Channel Mode 12

M/S Mode 12

Auto Mode, Sound Active, & Manual Adjustments 12

Auto Programs 12

Sound Active Mode 12

Preset and Manual Colors 12

DMX Values In-Depth 13

Auto Mode Channel Values 13

5. Appendix 14

Keeping Your StormChaser™ Supercell As Good As New 14

Returns (Gasp!) 14

Shipping Issues 14

Tech Specs! 15

Dimensional Drawings 15

Page 3

1. GETTING STARTED

What’s In The Box?

• 1 x StormChaser™ Supercell

• 1 x PowerCON-Compatible Power Cord

• 3 x Lenses: Frosted (installed), Clear, and Opaque

• A Set of Mounting Brackets + Knobs

• This Lovely User Manual

Getting It Out Of the Box

Congratulations on purchasing one way cool, way exible, way original LED strip

light! Now that you’ve got your StormChaser™ Supercell, 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 goes wrong, please visit www.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 8/11/2020 J. Thomas 9/9/2020

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 STORMCHASER™ SUPERCELL

Main Features

• Color mixing via 224x 5050RGB/0.2W LEDs

• 16 individually controllable cells

• 59 built-in auto/sound active macros w/speed control

• Auto and sound active programs via DMX

• Variable electronic strobe

• 5V USB to power SoC-It™ wireless unit (not included)

• Flicker-free (10KHz PWM) dimming

• Built-in microphone

• Dual mounting brackets

• Includes 3 lenses (frosted, opaque, and clear)

Control

• Protocol: USITT DMX-512

• DMX channels: 7/20/52-channels

• Easy-to-use 4-button control panel with LED display

• Operating modes: DMX512, M/S, auto mode, sound active, RDM

DMX Quick Reference (7/20/52-Channel Modes)

7CH 20CH 52CH What It Does

1 1 1 Dimmer

2 2 2 Strobe

-- 3-18 -- Section 1-16 Color Presets

-- -- 3-50 Section 1-16 R/G/B Intensity (0% <--> 100%)

3 -- -- Red Intensity (0% <--> 100%)

4 -- -- Green Intensity (0% <--> 100%)

5 -- -- Blue Intensity (0% <--> 100%)

6 19 51 Auto (008-247) + Sound Active (248-255)

7 20 52 Auto Speed (slow <--> fast)

Page 6

The Rear Connections

StormChaser™ Supercell Pin-Up Picture

Mounting Bracket

& Locking Knob

224x 5050RGB/0.2W

LED Light Source

Power

Out

POWER IN

DMX IN

USB

MIC

ENTER

POWER OUT

+5V,700ma

DMX OUT

Right End

4-Button

Control Panel

DMX

Power

DMX

Out

POWER IN

DMX IN

USB

MIC

ENTER

POWER OUT

+5V,700ma

DMX OUT

USB

Left End

Lens Cover (Includes Frosted,

Clear, and Opaque)

Mounting Bracket

& Locking Knob

Page 7

Fuse Replacement

The StormChaser™ Supercell 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 eld replaceable, however it is an advanced

procedure suited to qualied individuals. Should the fuse require replacement,

please contact Blizzard Lighting for instructions, or to return your unit for

service.

Connecting A Bunch of StormChaser™ Supercells

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. 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

Before replacing a fuse, disconnect the power cord.

ALWAYS replace with the same type and rating of fuse.

3. SETUP

Page 8

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. 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 Pin 4

Data 2+ (Optional Secondary Data Link) Pin 5 Pin 5

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.

Page 9

Fixture Linking (M/S Mode)

1. Connect the male connector side of the DMX cable to the output female

connector of the rst xture.

2. Connect the end of the cable coming from

the rst xture which will have a female

connector to the input connector of the next

xture consisting of a male connector. Then,

proceed to connect from the output as stated

above to the input of the following xture

and so on.

A quick note: Often, the setup for Master-Slave and

Standalone operation requires that the rst xture in the

chain be initialized for this purpose via either settings in the

control panel or DIP-switches. Secondarily, the xtures 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 conguration.

DMX OUTDMX IN

First

Fixture

in Chain

Fixture

in Chain

DMX OUTDMX IN

Mounting & Rigging

This xture 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 xture

using a suitable “C” or “O” type clamp. The clamp should be rated to hold at

least 10x the xture’s weight to ensure structural stability. Do not mount to

surfaces with unknown strength, and ensure properly “rated” rigging is used

when mounting xtures overhead.

Adjust the angle of the xture by loosening both knobs and tilting the xture.

After nding 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 xture will be exposed to rain, high

humidity, extreme temperature changes or restricted ventilation.

Lens Installation

To replace the lens, follow these steps:

1. Remove the locking knob, bracket, 4 screws,

and end cap on either of the two ends.

2. Loosening the screws on the opposite end can

allow the lens to slide easier, if needed.

3. Slide the existing lens out, and slide the

replacement lens in.

4. Reinstall the end cap, 4 screws, bracket, and

locking knob.

Page 10

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 im-

mediately the rst available option for the selected menu function. To select a

menu item, press <ENTER>.

Use the <UP> and <DOWN> buttons to navigate the menu options. Press the

<ENTER> button to select the menu function currently displayed, or to enable

a menu option. To return to the previous option or menu without changing the

value, press the <MENU> button.

4. OPERATING ADJUSTMENTS

The Control Panel

All the features and dierent modes possible with the StormChaser™ Supercell

are accessed by using the control panel on the rear of the xture. There are 4

control buttons under to 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 conrm/store the current selection.

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