Page 8
TOURnado Sky W-DMX™ Manual Rev. A
© Copyright 2015 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
3. SETUP
Connecting A Bunch of TOURnado Sky W-DMX™ Fixtures
You will need a serial data link to run light shows using a DMX-512 controller or
to run shows on two or more fixtures set to sync in master/slave operating mode.
The combined number of channels required by all the fixtures on a serial data link
determines the number of fixtures the data link can support.
Fixtures on a serial data link must be daisy chained in one single line. Also,
connecting more than 32 fixtures on one serial data link without the use of a DMX
optically-isolated splitter may result in deterioration of the digital DMX signal. The
maximum recommended cable-run distance is 500 meters (1640 ft). The maximum
recommended number of fixtures on a serial data link is 32 fixtures.
Data/DMX Cabling
To link fixtures together you’ll need data cables. You should use data-grade
cables that can carry a high quality signal and are less prone to electromagnetic
interference.
For instance, Belden© 9841 meets the specifications for EIA RS-485 applications.
Standard microphone cables will “probably” be OK, but note that they cannot
transmit DMX data as reliably over long distances. In any event, the cable should
have the following characteristics:
2-conductor twisted pair plus a shield
Maximum capacitance between conductors – 30 pF/ft.
Maximum capacitance between conductor & shield – 55 pF/ft.
Maximum resistance of 20 ohms / 1000 ft.
Nominal impedance 100 – 140 ohms
Using The Built-in W-DMX™
In addition to the unbridled thrill you already received the first time you turned on
your fixture, you’ll be delighted to know that the TOURnado Sky W-DMX™ built-
in wireless system is designed to work seamlessly with any W-DMX™ products.
W-DMX™ is a two-time award winning wireless DMX technology, created and owned
by Wireless Solution Sweden AB.
To use the built-in W-DMX™
receiver, you will first need a W-DMX™ transmitter
or transceiver to broadcast the signal, such as our own LightCaster™ W-DMX™
transceiver unit. Paired up with a LightCaster™ W-DMX™ transceiver, you can
expect an outstanding wireless range of up to 500
meters (line-of-sight), and leave any worries behind
concerning loss of signal due to its built-in FHSS
technology (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum).
FHSS are frequency hopping techniques, in which the
transmitter jumps from one sub-channel to another
at a very rapid pace. This technique was first used by
the U.S. military precisely because they are difficult to disrupt, and unless you knew
the frequency hopping sequence, practically impossible to intercept.
Make sure to read the instruction manual of your LightCaster™ W-DMX™, or other
W-DMX™ transmission device for other product specific setup information.
