General, Dmx primer, Dmx control mode – Chauvet DMX-750 User Manual

Page 8: Operating instructions, General dmx primer dmx control mode

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O P E R A T I N G I N S T R U C T I O N S

DMX-750 Manual Version 1.1

8

Operating Instructions

General

The DMX-750 is a 750 watt high output xenon strobe light that can be remotely operated using any universal
DMX 512 controller. It is well suited for large rooms and can be daisy chained with additional DMX-750
strobes. You can vary the flash rate, intensity and trigger a preset lightning type effect commonly called “hyper-
flash” or “Blinder effect”.

DMX Primer

There are 512 channels in a DMX-512 connection. Channels may be assigned in any manner. A fixture
capable of receiving DMX 512 will require one or a number of sequential channels. The user must assign a
starting address on the fixture that indicates the first channel reserved in the controller. There are many
different types of DMX controllable fixtures and they all may vary in the total number of channels required.
Choosing a start address should be planned in advance. Channels should never overlap. If they do, this will
result in erratic operation of the fixtures whose starting address is set incorrectly. You can however, control
multiple fixtures of the same type using the same starting address as long as the intended result is that of
unison movement or operation. In other words, the fixtures will be slaved together and all respond exactly the
same.

DMX fixtures are designed to receive data through a serial Daisy Chain. A Daisy Chain connection is where
the DATA OUT of one fixture connects to the DATA IN of the next fixture. The order in which the fixtures
are connected is not important and has no effect on how a controller communicates to each fixture. Use an
order that provides for the easiest and most direct cabling. Connect fixtures using shielded two conductor
twisted pair cable with three pin XLR male to female connectors. The shield connection is pin 1, while pin 2 is
Data Negative (S-) and pin 3 is Data positive (S+). CHAUVET carries 3-pin XLR DMX compliant cables,
DMX-10 (33’), DMX-4.5 (15’) and DMX-1.5 (5’)

DMX Control Mode

This mode enables the use of a universal DMX controller device. Each fixture requires a "start address" from
1 to 512. A fixture requiring one or more channels for control begins to read the data on the channel indicated
by the start address. For example, a fixture that occupies or uses 6 channels of DMX and was addressed to
start on DMX channel 100, would read data from channels: 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105. Choose start
addresses so that the channels used do not overlap and notate the start address selected for future reference.
Set the start address using the group of DIP switches located usually on the exterior of the fixture. Each dip
switch has an associated value. Adding the value of each switch in the ON position will provide the start
address. Determining which switches to toggle ON given a specific start address can be accomplished in the
following manner. By subtracting the largest switch value possible from the selected start address which does
not cause a negative number.

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