Lowel Light IR DMX Controller manual Overview, IR Sensor, Software, Installation

Overview

The Lowel IR DMX Controller™

&IR Sensor™ are designed to allow wireless handheld control of 1 - 512 Lowel Fluo-Tec dimmable studio fluorescent fixtures.

They also allow communication with other DMX controllable fixtures & dimmers, added to the DMX chain.

The Fluo-Tec studio fixtures connect to each other via DMX in/out cables, with the IR Sensor being connected to the first fixture. The IR Sensor receives infrared signals from the IR DMX Controller and sends them to the first DMX-512 dimmable fixture in the chain, through the “telephone” style cable. This allows the IR DMX Controller to address each fixture, via its separate DMX-512 address, and send dimming commands to it, either separately or as part of

a larger group. The fixtures can be dimmed throughout their entire range (from maximum 100% light intensity to minimum 0% or 1% depending on how you have the fixtures set).

The IR DMX Controller can also control other DMX-512 dimmable fixtures, in this configuration, such as fresnels, color scrollers, or any other DMX-512 compatible fixtures that are connected to the same DMX-512 circuit path as the Lowel Fluo-Tec studio fixtures.

In addition, the Controller will allow storage of up to 10 “scenes”, with each scene containing dimming levels for up to 512 DMX-512 dimmable fixtures. This allows preset storage of 10 different “looks” for the set that is being lit.

The IR DMX Controller keeps all address and dimming information in an internal non-volatile memory, which is retained even if the controller has been shut off.

Important:

To use the IR DMX Controller, Lowel Fluo-Tec fluorescent fix- tures must first be ‘enabled’.

See Sub-Menu Mode, pg 4.

Note: If DMX chain is being controlled by IR DMX Controller, powering down 1st fixture in chain will restore control to attached DMX console when fixture

is powered back up. To return control to IR DMX Controller, it must be ‘enabled’ (see pg 4).

Note: When batteries are removed for longer than 15 seconds, all stored information will be lost and the unit will default all stored information to a level of 0%. See “Changing Batteries”

for more information.

IR Sensor™

Installation

Perform the installation with the fixture power OFF.

Attach the IR Sensor with

the sensing element to a lighting truss, fixture, yoke, ceiling, etc. using enclosed velcro in such a way that there will always be a line of sight between the IR DMX Controller and the IR Sensor from every point of the studio where remote operation is likely

to be needed.

Use only the supplied

telephone style interconnecting cable, and plug into both sensor and light.

Locate the IR Sensor

away from light sources that may compete with the signal from the IR DMX Controller, and therefore blind or desensitize the IR Sensor.

The IR Sensor is designed

to be used at an maximum range of

Software

Software revision updates:

IR DMX Controller:

To find the software version installed on your Controller, power it up and press the MODE button for a few seconds. The words “Scene Mode?” will be displayed on the LCD screen. Pressing the - LEVEL button once will scroll to the installed software version. number of the IR DMX Controller. It is important information in case technical support is needed.

Fluo-Tec Studio Fixtures:

all dimmable fixtures should have soft- ware Revision 2.3 or later installed, in order to work with the IR DMX Controller. To check the software ver- sion of your fixture, disconnect it from the DMX-512 circuit and power it up. The LED on the fixture back will display the model of the fixture and its software version. If it is not Revision 2.3 or later, contact Lowel (800-334-3426).

45 ft. between the IR DMX Controller and itself. If using the controller at a distance closer than 6 ft., you may need to slightly weaken the sensor’s “eye” with a piece of diffusion gel to cut down the strength of the incoming signal. Ambient light levels may affect m aximum operating distance.

Experiment to find the placement

and distance that works best for you.

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