DMX Base Address Selection
DMX base addresses are selected by setting the three DMX address switches to within the normal DMX
channel range of from 1 to 512. When the address switches are set to within this range, the fixture will
respond to DMX control data corresponding to the channels selected. The three rotary address selector
switches are set to choose the base DMX address for the unit, and the selected address is read and stored
when power is applied to the unit. Changing to a new address setting will require that power be removed
from the unit and restored before the new address setting will become functional.
The FL-B Blaze
fixtures occupy from 1 to 4 consecutive DMX control channels, beginning with the channel
selected as the base address on the DMX address selection switches. For example, a unit in 2 channel mode
set to a base DMX address of 100 would occupy and respond to information on DMX channels 100 and 101.
A unit in 3 channel mode set to a DMX base address of 200 would respond to intensity control information on
DMX channel 200, with effects speed on channels 201 and 202.
Normal DMX Indicators and Operation
When power is applied to the unit in DMX mode, the green “Power” indicator will light immediately, and the
green “Sync” indicator will flash from one to four times depending upon the DMX Mode setting. The “Sync”
indicator will then illuminate steadily when valid DMX data is applied. Note that the “Sync” light is a global
indication of the presence of DMX data, and is not an indication that data specific to the address settings of
the unit are present.
When DMX data is being received, the unit will operate in response to the value of the data signals which are
transmitted on the appropria te channels. The light sources and effect motors will operate at the intensity and
speed settings as determined by the DMX data values. The unit will continue to operate in this manner until
the settings are readjusted to the users preference. The fixture is rated for continuous operation, and in
normal use, the unit will continue to display the desired output pattern until power is removed, or until the
DMX data settings are altered or reduced to minimum values.
Drop Out Tolerance
The green “Sync” indicator will respond immediately to the presence or absence of valid DMX data.
However, the fixture will continue to operate using the last valid data received before DMX data was lost for
a period of approximately 3 seconds. This data retention allows the unit to tolerate minor interruptions in the
DMX data stream caused by poor connections or brief “dropouts”. After this interval, the unit will default to
the normal “no DMX data” state, with all output channels inactive. Normal operation will resume
immediately when a valid DMX data stream is restored.
DMX Troubleshooting
If the “Sync” indicator is not steadily illuminated when DMX data is connected, then there is either a problem
with the DMX data or cables, or an internal problem with the Firelight unit. If the unit does not operate, and
the “Sync” indicator flashes constantly at a regular interval, then the DMX base address is set to an invalid
number. The “Sync” indicator will flash constantly if the base address is set to zero, or is set to a number
higher than the highest base address which will allow control of the fixture.
If the “Sync” indicator is erratic, then the DMX data connection is either intermittent due to a poor electrical
connection, or the DMX data is dropping out, which can be caused by poor connections, poor quality cables,
long data runs, or poor signal quality in general. Test the unit with different cables, or in a different location
closer to the DMX data source to determine what or where the problem is.
