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Welcome!
Thank you for purchasing the Alcorn McBride DMX OverRide™. The DMX OverRide
allows you to take manual control of your DMX network. In normal operation it simply
feeds through your DMX stream. But activate any of its remote inputs or pushbuttons,
and it automatically overrides the streams with any of three pre-programmed looks. That
makes the DMX OverRide ideal for fire alarm lights, work-light presets, manual
Blackouts, and much more.
A simple press of the Resume button or remote input returns the unit to normal feed-
through operation. A switch on the rear of the unit enables or disables DMX input
termination, and the DMX output is re-buffered to maintain DMX signal integrity.
The DMX OverRide can also protect against DMX data problems by automatically
switching to a preset look when a dropout is detected, and it can even maintain a preset
DMX output in the event of a Control System power failure by using its built-in
rechargeable battery*.
Getting Started
Let’s get your DMX OverRide installed and up and running. Unpack the unit and verify
you have all the hardware and documentation. You should have the following:
1. DMX OverRide unit
2. DMX Patch Cable
3. This User’s Manual
Battery Connection
If your installation requires the use of the DMX OverRide’s backup battery, you’ll need
to open the top cover of the unit and plug it in. The unit ships from the factory with the
battery disconnected.
Remove the screw located in the upper center of the front panel. The top cover is hinged
to the rear of the unit. Plug the battery into the battery connector. It is keyed and clearly
marked “BATTERY” with a sticker. (WARNING: Do not plug the battery into any other
jumper or connector on the PCB or else it will damage the product.) Replace the cover
and screw. At this point, depending on whether or not the Battery Enable DIP switch is
turned on, some LEDs on the front panel may be lit.
The battery is good for over an hour of backup operation, and it charges in one to two
hours.
* The DMX OverRide
™
is not intended for emergency egress or other life safety applications. By setting
lighting to a known state it can assist in the response to unexpected events, but it is not a replacement for battery-
backed emergency lighting fixtures. The DMX OverRide is not safe to use for applications involving life safety,
such as controlling pyrotechnics or laser-lighting where audience or performer safety is involved.
