©
American DJ
®
- www.americandj.com - Tempest 250MSD™ Instruction Manual Page 7
©
American DJ
®
- www.americandj.com - Tempest 250MSD™ Instruction Manual Page 8
Tempest 250MSD™
Set Up
Figure 3
1 Ground
1 Ground
XLR Male Socket
XLR Pin Configuration
3 Hot
2 Cold
2 Cold
3 Hot
XLR Female Socket
Pin 3 = Data True (positive)
Pin 2 = Data Compliment (negative)
Pin 1 = Ground
Special Note: Line Termination.
When longer runs of cable are
used, you may need to use a terminator on the last unit to avoid erratic
behavior. A terminator is a 90-120 ohm 1/4 watt resistor which is con-
nected between pins 2 and 3 of a male XLR connector (DATA + and
DATA -). This unit is inserted in the female XLR connector of the last
unit in your daisy chain to terminate the line. Using a cable terminator
(ADJ part number Z-DMX/T) will decrease the possibilities of erratic
behavior.
DMX512 IN
3-PIN XLR
SOUND
REMOTE
CONTROL
INPUT
POWER
INPUT
OUTPUT
SOUND
REMOTE
CONTROL
INPUT
POWER
INPUT
OUTPUT
SOUND
REMOTE
CONTROL
INPUT
POWER
INPUT
OUTPUT
DMX512
DMX+,DMX-,COMMON
1
2
3
Termination reduces signal errors and
avoids signal transmission problems
and interference. It is always advisable
to connect a DMX terminal, (Resistance
120 Ohm 1/4 W) between PIN 2 (DMX-)
and PIN 3 (DMX +) of the last fixture.
1
2
3
1
2
3
DMX +
DMX -
COMMON
DMX512 OUT
3-PIN XLR
Figure 4
5-Pin XLR DMX Connectors.
Some manufactures use 5-pin XLR
connectors for DATA transmission in place of 3-pin. 5-pin XLR fixtures
may be implemented in a 3-pin XLR DMX line. When inserting stan-
dard 5-pin XLR connectors in to a 3-pin line a cable adaptor must be
used, these adaptors are readily available at most electric stores. The
chart below details a proper cable conversion.
Conductor
5-Pin XLR Male (In)
3-Pin XLR Female (Out)
Pin 1
Pin 5 - Do Not Use
Pin 4 - Do Not Use
Pin 3
Pin 2
Pin 1
Pin 3
Pin 2
Not Used
Not Used
Data True (+ signal)
Data Compliment (- signal)
Ground/Shield
3-Pin XLR to 5-Pin XLR Conversion
sound activation.
Assigning DMX Address:
Each dipswitch has a preset value. A
specific DMX address is set by combining the dipswitches that sum
your desired value. For example: To achieve a DMX address of 21,
combine dipswitches 1, 3, and 5. Since dipswitch 1 has a value of 1,
dipswitch 3 has a value of 4, and dipswitch 5 has a value of 16, the
combination of the three create a DMX value of 21.
Set DMX address 21:
Set DMX address 201:
Dip-switches # 1 = 1
Dip-switches # 1 = 1
3 = 4
4 = 8
5 = 16
7 = 64
= 21
8 = 128
= 201
Data Cable (DMX Cable) Requirements (For DMX and Master/Slave
Operation):
The Tempest 250MSD™ can be controlled via DMX-512
protocol. The Tempest 250MSD™ is a one channel DMX unit. The
DMX address is set on the side panel of the Tempest 250MSD.™ Your
unit and your DMX controller require a standard 3-
pin XLR connector for data input and data output
(Figure 1). If you are making your own cables,
be sure to use standard two conductor shielded
cable (This cable may be purchased at almost all
pro sound and lighting stores). Your cables should
be made with a male and female XLR connector on
either end of the cable. Also remember that DMX
cable must be daisy chained and can not be split.
Figure 1
Tempest 250MSD™
Set Up
Notice:
Be sure to follow figures two and three when making your own
cables. Do not use the ground lug on the XLR connector. Do not con-
nect the cable’s shield conductor to the ground lug or allow the shield
conductor to come in contact with the XLR’s outer casing. Grounding
the shield could cause a short circuit and erratic behavior.
DMX512 IN
3-PIN XLR
SOUND
REMOTE
CONTROL
INPUT
POWER
INPUT
OUTPUT
SOUND
REMOTE
CONTROL
INPUT
POWER
INPUT
OUTPUT
SOUND
REMOTE
CONTROL
INPUT
POWER
INPUT
OUTPUT
DMX512
DMX+,DMX-,COMMON
1
2
3
Termination reduces signal errors and
avoids signal transmission problems
and interference. It is always advisable
to connect a DMX terminal, (Resistance
120 Ohm 1/4 W) between PIN 2 (DMX-)
and PIN 3 (DMX +) of the last fixture.
1
2
3
1
2
3
DMX +
DMX -
COMMON
DMX512 OUT
3-PIN XLR
Figure 2
