ETC ColorSource User manual
User Manual
Color Changer and Power Supply
User Manual
Software version 1.011
Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................... 5
The ColorSource System ................................................................ 6
Using ColorSource .......................................................................... 7
ColorSource components................................................................ 8
Color Changer ........................................................................... 8
Gelstring .................................................................................... 8
Power Supply ............................................................................ 9
Cables ....................................................................................... 9
Installing ColorSource ................................................................... 10
Mounting the Power Supply ......................................................... 12
Installing rack mount brackets on the Power Supply .............. 12
Installing pipe mount brackets on the Power Supply .............. 13
Replacing a gelstring ..................................................................... 14
Replacing the mounting plate ....................................................... 16
Specifications ................................................................................ 17
Parts list ........................................................................................ 18
Custom gelstring order form ......................................................... 19
4 Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
ColorSource User Manual 5
Introduction
The ColorSource system includes a scrolling Color Changer and
Power Supply. Its ten-color capacity and DMX512 compatibility
makes it economical and versatile, particularly for designers with
limited budget and space. The lightweight Color Changer slides
easily into the gel frame holder of the light fixture and the compact
12 output Power Supply attaches easily to the truss of the lighting
rig or in a 19 inch rack.
This manual gives step-by-step instructions for preparation, setup
and operation of the ColorSource Color Changer and ColorSource
Power Supply.
The Color Changer is delivered to you with your choice of gelstring
and mounting plate installed. If you need to change gelstrings or
mounting plates, instructions are included in this manual.
6 Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
The ColorSource system
The ColorSource system consists of one or more ColorSource
Color Changers and a ColorSource Power Supply which can power
and control up to 12 scrolling Color Changers. The DMX512
control signal from the lighting board is connected to the power
supply and can continue on to more ColorSource power supplies
or other DMX512 controlled devices. The power supply sends
both power and control signal on a single cable, eliminating the
need for a separate power cable for each color changer.
COLORSOURCE OUTPUT
DMX IN
DMX OUT
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 AC POWER
To additional
ColorSource
Power Supplies
Control console
Power
ColorSource
Power Supply
ColorSource
Color Changer
DMX512
Power/signal cable (100 feet maximum)
Up to 12 per Power Supply
ColorSource User Manual 7
Using ColorSource
The Color Changer sets its frame position according to the DMX512 level
it receives from the control console using the channels set on the Power
Supply. The following chart shows the level settings that correspond with
each frame position, and the color of that frame, if you are using the
standard ColorSource gelstring. If you are using a custom gelstring, of
course, the colors are different, but the channels and frames are the
same.
Channel Frame Standard
level position color
0 Frame 1 Clear
11 Frame 2 Antique Rose
22 Frame 3 Chorus Pink
33 Frame 4 Magenta
44 Frame 5 Light Red
55 Frame 6 Deep Amber
66 Frame 7 Mellow Yellow
77 Frame 8 Light Green
88 Frame 9 Aztec Blue
99 Frame 10 Light Purple
If you send a channel level that is between the values shown, you can
create split frame effects. For example, if you send a level of 50, the
Color Changer positions the gelstring halfway between frame 5 and
frame 6 creating a blend of the two colors.
8 Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
ColorSource components
Color Changer
The ColorSource Color Changer holds a ten color gelstring. A
signal from the power supply controls the position of the gelstring.
Low voltage AC from the Power Supply provides power to the
Color Changer. This control signal and the low voltage AC power
are both supplied by the single cable connecting the Color
Changer to the Power Supply.
A fan in the base of the Color Changer runs whenever the Color
Changer is connected to the Power Supply. This protects the
gelstring from overheating. The fan is most effective when the
Color Changer is oriented with the fan directing air up.
Gelstring
The gelstring is a series of ten precisely cut colored gel frames,
joined together side-by-side to create a sequence of colors. Two
additional gels at each end of the gelstring are called the leader
and the trailer and are five inches wide to allow for proper attach-
ment to the rollers.
If you need to replace the gelstring in your Color Changer, the
ColorSource system’s Autoload feature walks you through the
simple gelstring loading procedure. See page 15.
Note: Gelstrings may be ordered from either ETC or ColorExpress
by Wybron. See page 19 for an order form
ColorSource User Manual 9
Power Supply
The Power Supply converts the DMX512 signal level into a control
signal and sends this control signal along with low voltage AC on
one cable to power each color changer. The Power Supply fea-
tures a DMX512 bypass relay to pass the DMX512 signal to the
DMX512 output connector in the event of loss of power supply
AC power.
The Power Supply features a liquid crystal display (LCD) that lets
you select between the Channel display and the Autoload display.
When you turn it on, the Power Supply displays a scrolling intro-
duction including the Power Supply software version, then goes to
the Channel display.
The Channel display shows the 12 DMX512 channels and the
message DMX OK or NO DMX. This indicates whether or not the
Power Supply is connected to a DMX512 source.
Press [Menu] to switch from the Channel display to the Autoload
display.The Autoload display walks you through the process of
loading a gelstring onto the Color Changer’s rollers and testing it.
Cables
A ColorSource cable connects each Color Changer to one of the
12 Power Supply outputs and provides the Color Changer with
power and control signal. A DMX512 cable connects the Power
Supply to a DMX512 signal source, usually a lighting control
console
MENU
NO
POWER
YES[+][–]
001--012 DMX OK
Power Supply
display
Power Supply
controls
10 Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
Installing ColorSource
To get your ColorSource system up and running, follow these
hookup and checkout procedures.
1.Attach the Color Changer to the lamp
Slide the Color Changer’s mounting plate into the gel frame holder
of your lamp and lock the gel frame retention clip.
If the mounting plate installed on your Color Changer doesn’t fit
the fixture, you may replace it with a differently sized plate. See
page 16 for information on changing mounting plates.
The mounting plate allows you to position the Color Changer with
the gelstring rolling either horizontally or vertically. However,
ColorSource operates most effectively with the fan blowing air
vertically (as hot air naturally rises).
2.Attach safety cable
A safety cable is attached to the back and right-hand side of the
Color Changer. Run this cable around the pipe or truss from which
you hang the light fixture and clip it to itself.
3.Connect Color Changers to the Power Supply
Connect the Color Changers to the Power Supply using the
supplied 6-pin power/signal cable. The connectors are on the
bottom of the Color Changer and the back of the Power Supply.
Note: Both power and signal are supplied to the Color Changers
by the same cable. The Color Changer connected to output
connector 1 operates on the first of the 12 DMX512 channels, the
color changer connected to output connector 2 operates on the
second, and so on. Only one scroller may be connected to each
output connector.
COLORSOURCE OUTPUT
DMX IN
DMX OUT
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12
AUTO LOAD AC POWER
ColorSource User Manual 11
4.Connect Power Supply to AC power
Plug the pronged end of the AC power cord into a 115 VAC (50/
60Hz) non-dimmed circuit. Plug the other end into the connector
labeled AC Power on the back of the Power Supply. All connected
Color Changers position their gelstrings to frame 1.
Warning: Do not power the unit from a dimmer. Severe damage
will result, and is not covered by product warranty.
Note: Avoid line voltages lower than 105 VAC or higher than 125
VAC as the system may not run properly outside of these limits.
6. Connect and set the DMX512 source
Before you connect the DMX512 source, the Power Supply
display reads NO DMX. Connect the DMX512 signal source to the
DMX512 input connector on the Power Supply using standard
DMX512 cable. The display reads DMX OK and the Color Chang-
ers position their gelstrings according to their respective DMX512
signal levels.
7.Set the Power Supply DMX512 channels
Each Power Supply is assigned a range of 12 DMX512 channels,
corresponding to its 12 outputs. The Power Supply’s Channel
display shows the range of channels. To adjust the range of
channels, press [+] or [–] while in the Channel display.
Hint: Hold down [+] or [–] to scroll through the channels quickly
Note: The Power Supply automatically senses the number of
dimmers transmitted by the lighting console and won’t allow you
to set the DMX512 channels outside this range.
001--012 DMX OK
001--012 NO DMX
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