1. Introduction
The Strobe Runner control console is a powerful microprocessorbased unit designed to operate as many as 126 Diversitronics DMX strobes . (Via DMX control) .
The Strobe Runner eliminates having to program patterns on a DMX console. Instead pre-programmed Patterns and Effects are called up simply from front panel push-buttons. Yet in installations where strobe effectsneed to be activated from a DMX system it can be controlled from a singleDMX channel via the DMX input .
This allows the Strobe Runner to be operated stand alone or part of atotal DMX system . You can also change Programs and Effects from DMX . This,however, requires two additional DMX channels . (See sect. 9 External DMXcontrol) .
Other features include audio chase activation with sensitivity control, speed and intensity control,
LCD display, ability to activate one sequence or continue to repeat sequences, ability to activate programs from an external contact closure .
The Strobe Runner also features nonvolatile memory allowing itto return to its last operating state after a power interruption .
2. Power supply
The Strobe Runner comes with its own 120 volt (also available in 240 volt) wall mount style power supply that plugs into a connector at the rear of the console . It supplies 12 volts AC at 250ma .
3. Connections
All connections are made at the rear of the console.
PWR - Connect wall mount transformer to this jack then plug into appropriate power receptacle.
DMX - OUT All strobes are connected to this line.(5-pin femaleXLR)
EXT BUMP - 1/4" phone jack used to activate programs from an external switch (n.o).
DMX IN / THRU - Used to activate programs from an external DMXsource ( 5-pin XLR's) .
AUDIO INPUT - RCA jack used to input an audio signal.
DMX connector wiring (5-pin XLR) : Pin1= common ; Pin2= neg signal ; Pin3= pos signal ; Pin4&5 = n/c
4. Setting up the strobe fixtures
Any Diversitronics strobe fixtures with DMX inputs will operate with the Strobe Runner . Using the Strobes push button on the front panel select a number corresponding to the number of fixtures you have in your system . ( You can select increments of 4 from 4 to 126) .
You don't have to set the controller to match the number of strobe fixtures, for effect you can select a higher number to get a pause before the nextsequence starts. If you select a lower number the strobes above that numberwon't flash.
Set the DIP switch on the strobe fixtures in your system to odd channels in firing sequence, eg. 1,3,5,7,9,........253.
Connect the DMX line coming from strobes to the DMX OUT connector on the rear of the console .
5. Audio Input
You can run chase programs to music simply by connecting an audio source to the Audio Input
jack at the rear of the console and adjusting the Audio Gain slider upward until the Audio LED lights . When no audio signal is present or the slider is set all the way down the chase speed reverts back to the Speed slider setting . Audio with a strong bass component works best .
6. Programs and Effects
There are 7 modes of operation that can be selected by the Programpush button , they are shown in the LCD display and play as follows :
Chase Strobes flash in sequence one to N .
>Rev< Strobes flash in sequence one to N then back to one .
AllOn Strobes flash in unison .
<Alt> Flash alternately between adjacent strobes .
Merge Strobes flash in sequence from first and last convergingin the middle.
Whirl Strobes flash in sequence from one to N reducing intensity each pass .
Explode All strobes selected flash (in Burst mode) at four different (increasing) intensity levels pausing at each level for a time set by the speed slider ,then a hyperflash is activated ending the sequence.
N= the number of strobes selected .
In any of the above programs there are 7 different ways the strobes can flash , these are selected by the Effects push button and are shown in the LCD display as follows :
Burst Strobes flash at 15 flashes / sec for duration of sequence step .
Flash Strobes flash once per sequence step .
Hyper Hyperflash effect one blast each sequence step .
Xfade Strobes do an up /down intensity fade once per sequence step .
Fadwn Strobes fade intensity down once per sequence step
Litng Strobe flash to a simulated lightning pattern once per sequence step.
Solid Strobes operate in the continuous light mode for the duration of the step .
SR-II additional effects:
RapidFire Simulates gun fire.
Emergency Vehicle Simulates an ambulance flasher.
ArcWeld Simulates arc welding or electrical arcing.
Auto Lightning Each time activated a different lightningpattern
is produced.
In Whirl program only Burst and Flash effects can be selected .
The Explode program is fixed in Burst only.
7. Bump and Run push button control
Programs can be activated by pressing the Bump push button or closing an external contact on the Bump jack . Playing will continue as long as the button or contact is held, when released the program will play until the end of the chase sequence before stopping . The Run LED will signify this by blinking until the chase sequence ends .
Programs can be set to recycle continuously by pressing the Run push button ( locked mode), this is indicated by the Run LED beingin a steady on condition . This state is remembered during power down andwill be reactivated upon power up . To deactivate the locked condition momentarily press the Bump push button .
8. Speed and Intensity slide controls
The Intensity control slider allows the user to vary the intensity of the strobe fixtures. This only works when the console is set to Burstor Flash Effect . (Hyper effects have fixed intensities) .
The Speed control slider sets the chase rate of the program being played . When in the AllOn mode and Burst effect, the Speed control slider sets the flash rate of the strobes selected . You will see a visual indcation of speed in the first character of the LCD display ( ^) .
9. External DMX control
To control the Strobe Runner from an external DMX source connect the source to the DMX Input connector at the rear of console . The DMX Thru connector allows for daisy chaining.
Now set the front panel DIP switch to the desired DMX channel (DMX channel = the sum of binary switches set to the on position, ( ie. if 128,32,4,1are set on the DMX channel = 165 ) .
The DMX channel setting will now control activation or deactivation of the Strobe Runner program . A setting of 50% or greater will activate the program, a setting less than 40% will deactivate the program .
Setting the first channel to 45% will allow the second DMX channel tochange the Program settings and the third DMX channel to change tht Effectssettings according to the following table :
2nd DMX Channel % Program 3rd DMX Channel % Effects
95% Chase 100% Burst
85% >Rev< 90% Flash
75% AllOn 80% Hyper
65% <Alt> 70% RapidFire
55% Merge 60% EmergncyVehical
45% Whirl 50% Xfade
35% Explode 40% Weld
30% Fadwn
20% Autolitng
10% Litng
0% Solid
10. Nonvolatile memory
The Strobe Runner features EEPROM memory, and will remember the last operating state when powered down . So when powered back up you won't have to reset the programs or effects it will automatically return to its last operating state .
11. Specifications
Mechanical : Height = 3" ; Width = 8" ; Depth = 7" ; Weight = 3Lbs
Electrical : Power Supply = Operates on 12 Volts AC from 120 V wall mount transformer supplied with unit . ( 240 V wall mount is available ) .
Display = LCD .
Chase Speed Range = 30 flashes/sec to 30 flashes/min .
Audio Input Range = 100 millivolt to 10 Volt RMS , Input impedance = 2K ohm .
External Bump Jack = Contact closure @ 1ma, open circuit voltage = 5 Vdc .
Output = DMX 252 frame packet, refreshed 35 times per second .
DMX Input channels = 512 set by binary DIP switch (9-position) .
DMX Thru = passive .