IR DMX Controller Instructions
Overview
2
Buttons/Arrows
5
IR Sensor
2-3 Using The IR DMX Controller
6
Software
Setting & Recalling Scenes
Buttons
2
3
Replacing Batteries
Preparing for Use
7
7
4-5 Warranty, Problems, Repairs & Info
Back Cover
For use
with Lowel/
Fluo-Tec Studio
Fluorescent
System
®
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IR Sensor™
Preparing for Use
After the installation,
4 After selecting the desired
DMX-512 address, hold down the
fixture’s MODE button for 4 seconds,
and the address will be saved in the
fixture, even when it is turned off and
unplugged, until it is reset again as
described above.
Preparing for DMX-512
control using the
IR DMX Controller
and IR Sensor.
make sure that the LED flashes steadily
from every intended point of operation
when operating the remote control,
and by watching the IR LED indicator
(located on the IR Sensor’s body).
By fine tuning its location using this
method, you will achieve the maximum
coverage of the room.
Whether you intend to control single
or multiple Lowel Fluo-Tec dimmable
fixtures (or other DMX-512 dimmable
fixtures (★) with the IR DMX Controller,
you must first assign DMX addresses
to them using the following procedure:
Note: While being controlled by DMX-
512 console or IR DMX-512 Controller,
the only button in the rear control panel
of the Lowel Fluo-Tec fixture that is
operational is the MODE button. Manual
dimming, change of DMX-512 address,
resetting hours of lamp operation,
and memory save/recall functions are
disabled during these two modes of
operation. As soon as an IR signal
is detected by the attached IR Sensor,
the rear LED display of the fixture
Signs of improper IR Sensor’s
positioning are a “jumping” displayed
level, or level differences between the
level indicated on the Remote IR Control
and the level displayed on the rear LED
of the fixture. Also, a non steadily
flashing LED in the pick-up IR Sensor
is an indication that the IR signal is not
being received properly.
1 Power up the Lowel Fluo-Tec
fixture and make sure it is not con-
nected to a DMX-512 console.
2 Press the fixture MODE button
repeatedly to scroll the LED
to DMX Address.
will show its DMX-512 address
Testing the
3 Hold down the fixture MODE
button for 4 seconds.The DMX
address will flash, and you can then
set or change that address by using
the Up/Down arrows to select
an address for 1- 64 fixtures.
Addresses must be from 1-64.
Care must be taken in properly
addressing the fixtures in multiple
unit configurations.
Configuration
★ For adding other DMX-512
dimmable fixtures to the chain,
see mfr.s instructions for DMX
addressing.
Power up the Studio fixture and make
sure that it operates properly by watch-
ing the scrolling model name of the fix-
ture in the rear LED display.
If it does not operate properly,
turn the unit off immediately and
disconnect the IR Sensor.
It is also recommended to set
the sensing (or master) fixture
to address #1 and the rest in
ascending order (#2, #3, etc.)
as they are physically positioned
in the DMX-512 daisy chain.
Check that the fixture operates
properly in a stand alone Manual mode.
If the problem appears to be
the IR Sensor, call Lowel Technical
Support (800-334-3426), and do not
attempt to reconnect the Sensor.
DMX-512 connections to multiple
fixtures must be daisy chained from
the 1st fixture’s DMX Out connector
to the 2nd fixture’s DMX In
connector, then from the 2nd fixture’s
DMX Out connector to the 3rd
Note: In cases where no DMX console
is connected, attaching the Sensor
automatically gives control of the DMX
chain to the IR DMX Controller, provid-
ed the Controller has been ‘enabled’
(see pg. 4). If a DMX console is con-
nected to the start of the DMX chain,
and a Sensor has also been connected
to the first fixture, the chain can be con-
trolled by either source but the console
has default control, when fixture is
powered up.
fixture’s DMX In connector, etc.
For proper DMX-512 operation,
the final fixture must have a DMX
terminator plugged into its DMX Out
connector.
3
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Buttons
ON
MODE
ALL
Quickly press to turn the
a multifunction button.
a toggle function.
Controller ON.
Instant 100% ON / Instant OFF
ALL vs Single Fixture Command
■ To start or return to active operation
press the ON button.
■ By clicking on it once, an asterisk
will be displayed in the center of the
unit’s LCD display.
■ Pressing this button, allows
the IR DMX Controller to send
DMX-512 dimming commands
to ALL fixtures connected in the
circuit simultaneously.
Shutdown
■ To turn the IR DMX Controller OFF,
hold the SET button for 2 seconds.
■ After this, if the +LEVEL button
is pressed, the level will be increased
quickly to 100% (instant ON).
■ The Address field of the LCD display
will read “ALL”, meaning that ALL
512 channels will receive the same
level dimming level (%) indicated in
the Level field.
Auto Shutdown
■ To extend the life of the batteries,
the unit will shut down automatically
after 5 minutes of no operation
(if no button is pressed).
■ If the –LEVEL is pressed, the level
will be quickly decreased to 0%
(instant OFF).
■ Clicking the ALL button again
toggles it back to communicating
with a single chosen addressed
channel.
■ Clicking singly on any other button
will cancel the instant ON mode.
Note: When in ALL mode, the
Entering Sub-Menu Mode
ADDRESS and + ADDRESS buttons are
not active. It is important to understand
that once the ALL mode is turned off,
all channels but the one indicated in the
address field will revert back to their
previously set dimming levels.
Pressing the MODE button for several seconds yields 5 sub-menu
choices, see below chart.
MODE Sub-Menu List (scroll through sub-menus using
–Level / +Level buttons)
Example: if channel 15 is set to a level
of 38%, selecting the ALL mode will
take all fixtures in the DMX-512 line go
to 38% intensity.
1 Scene Mode? This selection gives the option of entering the Scene Mode.
To enter Scene Mode, press the MODE button again for several seconds.
See pg. 7 for instructions Setting & Recalling Scenes.
2 Enable IR/DMX? Press SET button in this mode to bypass a connected
DMX console and enable Controller.
Once this mode is reverted back to
single channel operation, ONLY address
15 will be set to 38%. The rest of
the remaining channels will revert to
the intensity levels previously stored
in memory.
3 Disable IR/DMX? Press SET button in this mode to bypass the Controller
and enable a connected DMX console. Note: Powering down the fixture that the
IR Sensor is connected to will also restore control of the DMX chain to the con-
nected console.
4 Set DMX Channels? This selection gives the option to enter a mode where
you can determine the number of DMX channels (fixtures) the IR DMX Controller
will communicate with. To enter, press the MODE button again for several sec-
onds and the LCD screen will display the maximum channels the controller is set
to control (min. 10, max. 512). Use –Address or + Address buttons to select total
number. Press MODE again to store that number & exit mode.
5 Software Version Number. This selection gives the revision number
of the software stored in the IR DMX Controller. It is important information in
case technical support is needed.
4
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Buttons
Buttons/Arrows
SET
+Level
–Address
will change
the address of
the fixture that is
being accessed,
descending
a multifunction button.
Transmitting Pre-stored
Levels
will increase the dim-
ming level (%) of the
fixture from 0–100%.
■ When pressed, the IR DMX
■ The level can be increased one
percent at a time by clicking the but-
ton singly.
Controller updates (retransmits) all
512 channel levels to their previously
set levels, as saved in the remote’s
internal, non-volatile memory.
from 512–1.
■ The + Address button advances
one at a time by clicking the
button singly.
■ Holding the button down,
will gradually increase the fixture
to 100%.
If the IR Sensor did not receive
any part of the infrared beam while
transmitting dimming commands
(ex. – something blocking the line of
sight between the Controller and the
IR Sensor unit), the dimmable fixture
will be set to a different level than is
displayed in the IR DMX Controller
LCD. By pressing the SET button,
all values will be retransmitted,
“re-synchronizing” the dimming
levels of the fixtures to the displayed
level in the IR DMX Controller.
■ Holding the button down,
will gradually scroll through
the addresses.
■ The longer the +Level button is held,
the faster dimming will occur.
Note: Due to the nature of dimmable
ballast’s, the Lowel Fluo-Tec dimmable
studio fixtures begin their dimming lev-
els at 1%, to prevent flicker at lower
levels. You can set the fixture
to dim all the way to 0%, but that will
then require lamps to ‘start up’ before
full dimming up can occur.
■ The longer the button is held,
the faster it will scroll.
■ After unit 512 is reached,
the remote control will return
to unit 1.
+Address
will change the
address of the
fixture that is
being accessed
from 1–512.
–Level
Note: Pressing SET while sending val-
ues will interrupt transmission.
will decrease
the dimming level (%)
of the fixture from
100%–0.
If one or more dimmable fixtures were
turned off (i.e. at night, or for lamp
change), their dimming levels will be
different than what has been saved in
the IR DMX Controller’s memory.
Pressing the SET button, updates all
the fixtures to their desired levels
simultaneously.
■ The –Address button advances one
at a time by clicking the button
singly.
■ The level can be decreased
one percent at a time by clicking
the button singly.
■ Holding the button down,
will gradually scroll downward
through the addresses.
■ Holding the button down,
will gradually decrease the fixture
to 0%.
Saving Scenes
■ The longer the button is held,
the faster it will scroll.
■ A secondary function of the SET
button is to save Scenes. See pg. 7
for more information.
■ The longer the–Level button is held,
the faster dimming will occur.
■ After unit 1 is reached,
the remote control will return
to unit 512.
Shutting Down
■ To turn the IR DMX Controller
OFF, hold the SET button
for 2 seconds.
Note: See MODE sub-menu #5 (pg.4)
for more information on setting the
number of channels to be controlled.
5
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Using The IR DMX Controller
Once turned ON, the Left side
displays the DMX-512 Address channel asterisk = low battery.
Note: a flashing “dot” in place of the
Important -
To use the IR DMX Controller,
fluorescent fixtures must first
be ‘enabled’.
being accessed (1–512) or ALL
(in which case up to 512 fixtures will be
accessed simultaneously). The Right
side displays the dimming level
(0–100%) of the unit corresponding
to that address.
See Sub-Menu Mode, pg 4.
In addition, an asterisk will also be
displayed in the center of the lower line
when the MODE button has been
pressed, to indicate an instant ON
(level of 100%) or an instant OFF
(level of 0%) capability, upon pressing
the +LEVEL or –LEVEL. Otherwise,
the unit will dim up or down when the
LEVEL buttons are pushed.
LCD
2 line, 8 character Liquid
Crystal Display.
Buttons
Familiarize yourself with the location of the control buttons. Some buttons control more than one function.
Read pages 4-5 for more information.
LCD
(Liquid Crystal Display)
+Level
Will increase the dimming level (%) of
the fixture from 0-100%.
–Address
Will change the address
+Address
of the fixture that is being accessed,
Will change the address of the fixture
descending from 512–1.
that is being accessed from 1–512.
SET
–Level
Will decrease the dimming level (%)
of the fixture from 100%–0.
This is a multifunction button.
ON
ALL This is a toggle function.
Quickly press to turn the unit ON.
MODE
This is a multifunction button.
6
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Setting & Recalling Scenes
The IR DMX Controller can store
up to 10 different scenes, with
each scene containing dimming
levels for up to 512 Lowel/Fluo-
Tec dimmable fixtures.
All scenes are saved in non-
volatile memory.
To recall a stored scene:
■ You may now adjust the dimming
levels of any fixture you want to vary
in that scene.
■ Press the MODE button for
2 seconds, the LCD screen will
display “Scene Mode?”.
■ Press the MODE button once
more, quickly.
■ Find the desired scene using
the UP/DOWN arrow buttons and
press the MODE button once to
transmit those dimming values and
return to normal operation.
■ When you have set all selected
fixtures to their desired levels, hold
down the MODE button again for two
seconds and then use the UP/DOWN
arrow buttons to select the number
for the new scene to be stored in.
■ Pressing the SET button stores
the levels for that scene in the IR
DMX Controllers memory.
Note: see Replacing Batteries (pg. 7)
for important information.
To set and store scenes:
■ Select any addressed channels from
1–512 and set levels for them.
■ When you have set all selected
fixtures to desired levels, hold down
the MODE button for two seconds.
The LCD display will show a Scene
number, from 1–10.
■ Use the UP/DOWN arrow buttons
to move between scenes.
■ Once the desired scene is selected,
pressing the SET button to store the
levels for that scene in the IR DMX
Controllers memory.
To save a variation of a stored
scene as a different scene:
■ Hold down the MODE button
for two seconds. The LCD display
will show Scene Mode?. Press the
MODE button again to nter.
The display will show the Scene
number, from 1–10.
■ Use the UP/DOWN arrow buttons
to move between scenes.
Note:
the SET button will “refresh”
(re-send) the values of all 512 channels
corresponding to the values stored in
the current chosen scene. The display
again will show Sending Values,
as it updates itself.
■ Once the scene you want to create
a variation of is selected, press the
MODE button again to exit.
■ Press the MODE button again
to exit.
The display will show Sending
Values as the fixtures are set to the
values of the scene.
Replacing Batteries
A flashing “dot” in place of
the asterisk = low battery.
In order to replace batteries
and keep stored address dimming
level & scene information:
3 Close the battery compartment.
If the IR DMX Controller is left
without batteries for a period
longer than 15 seconds,
all the previously stored dimming,
addressing & scene information
will be lost, reverting to a default
value of 0%.
4 After turning the IR DMX Controller
back ON, point it at the IR Sensor and
press the SET button a few times.
This will guarantee that the dimmable
fixtures are set to the same levels that
were previously saved
Note: Be careful to properly install the
batteries. Battery reversal may cause a
permanent damage to the remote con-
trol.
in the IR DMX Controller.
Note: Remove the batteries from the
compartment if you plan on not using
the IR DMX Controller for an extended
period of time
When powering the IR DMX Controller
up for the first time after a battery
change, the Controller’s LCD will show
its installed software version. Make
note of this number in case it is needed
for technical assistance.
1 Press the SET button for 2 seconds
to turn the unit off, or wait until the IR
DMX Controller shuts down on its
own (after 5 minutes of no activity).
Read battery manufacturers warnings
for safe use.
2 Remove the 2 AA alkaline batteries
and quickly insert a new set within 15
seconds of the removal, making sure
Dispose of batteries safely per state
and federal guidelines.
Note: Be careful to properly install
the batteries. Battery reversal may
to properly orient the battery contacts cause a permanent damage to the
as shown on the bottom of the battery
compartment.
remote control.
7
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Warranty, Problems, Repairs & Info
Lowel IR DMX Controller, Lowel IR Sensor, IR DMX Translator,
and Lowel Fluo-Tec Studio Fluorescents are trademarks of
Lowel-Light Manufacturing, Inc.
Lowel equipment and kits
are sold through authorized Lowel Dealers and,
in some countries, Authorized Lowel Distributors.
Patent Pending
Repairs, problems, suggestions,
and requests for brochures, instructions, parts lists
may be handled by your authorized Lowel Dealer (Distributor)
or directly through Lowel. Electrical repairs should be made
only by Lowel or a qualified electrician.
version: 3.1 © Lowel-Light Mfg., Inc. 2006
325
Lowel-Light
Manufacturing, Inc.
140 58th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11220
Call: 800 334-3426 or 718 921-0600
Fax: 718 921-0303
e-mail [email protected]
®
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