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10/01/2021 Rev. 02 

 

 

29 

If no number is displayed on the FMs, then the FMs might not be on the same RF 
channel. To set the RF channel manually, reference Section 4: Menu #2. RF (Radio 
Frequency) CH and follow these steps. 
 
4. 

Wire FM(s)

 – To wire an e-match to an FM, strip the wire of the e-match about one 

inch  (25mm)  long  each  and  separate  down  the  center  into  two  wires,  about  two 
inches (50.8mm) long. (See figure 32) Bend the tips of both ends into a U-shape and 
insert each end into the spring terminals of the respective slot of the FM. Each slot 
number corresponds to a channel. (See figure 33) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

5. 

Perform Continuity Test

 – 

CAUTION

 – You cannot ARM while in Continuity Test 

(CT) Mode and you cannot run CT while Armed. They are mutually exclusive for safety 
reasons. Please be advised that the FM screen will display the results from the last 
continuity check when CT Mode is NOT active on the CM. For live CT results you 
must have CT Mode enabled on the CM. While CT mode is enabled, you will be able 
to view live results on the FM or the CM. This will ensure that you are viewing live 
data

.

  

 

From the CM, press the CT button to open the CONTINUITY TEST page. Press OK 
to start the continuity test. The FM’s backlight LEDs will turn either blue, magenta, or 
yellow. Blue means there are no shots detected, magenta means one or more shots 
have been detected, and yellow means there is no current flowing through the firing 
pins. If the FM’s LEDs turn yellow, contact Firelinx support at 

www.firelinx.com

. If you 

press the up arrow (2) two times, it will bring you to the page that shows the icon 

Figure 32 

Figure 33 

Summary of Contents for Generation 3

Page 1: ... 833 FIRELNX 833 347 3569 FIRELINX MANUAL Generation 3 ...

Page 2: ...9 USB Input 9 2Wire Input Output 9 Power Input 10 SMPTE Input 10 Operator Presence Device OPD Input 10 Antenna Input 10 Graphic User Interface GUI 10 Section 2 Basic Setup 11 1 Turn on CM 11 2 Turn on and name FMs 11 3 Join FMs to CM 11 4 Load show file 12 5 Perform Continuity Test 13 6 ARM System 14 7 Fire Show 14 a Manual 14 b SMPTE 15 c Internal Clock 15 Section 3 Home Page 16 1 File icon 16 2 ...

Page 3: ...5 Section 1 Panel Diagram 25 Power Button 25 Repeater Button 25 Navigation Buttons 25 Batter Charging Indicator Battery Full Indicator 25 Continuity Test 25 Firing Module Illustration 26 Firing Pins 27 Power Input 27 Antenna Input 27 2Wire Input Output 28 Section 2 Basic Setup 28 1 Turn on FM s 28 2 Name all FM s 28 3 Join all FMs to CM 28 4 Wire FM s 29 5 Perform Continuity Test 29 6 ARM System 3...

Page 4: ...epeater 32 6 Continuity 33 General Troubleshooting and Maintenance 34 How to Replace Spring Terminals 34 How to Clean Modules 34 Battery Specifications 35 Replace Add additional battery 35 Installing Replacing Components 35 Module Graphics 37 Installing an OPN Expansion Card 38 Simple File Format 39 Glossary 40 ...

Page 5: ...d warnings carefully before operating units to ensure safe and appropriate use of this equipment WARNING This product contains a lithium polymer battery Please read the following cautions for proper handling and charging This product may ignite under certain conditions Use a Lithium Polymer charger only Do not use Ni Cd or Ni MH charger may cause fire Never exceed 1C 1xCapacity charger rate Never ...

Page 6: ... mutually exclusive for safety reasons Please be advised that the FM screen will display the results from the last continuity check when CT Mode is NOT active For live CT results you must have CT Mode enabled While CT mode is enabled you will be able to view live results on the FM or the CM This will ensure that you are viewing live data To arm the system insert the ARM key into the key slot and t...

Page 7: ...10 01 2021 Rev 02 7 Figure 1 ...

Page 8: ...HOME MENU CONTINUITY TESTING CT WIRELESS WIZARD WW MODULE STATUS MOD or SHOW screen The ARM SAFE button is used with the ARM key to arm disarm the system Timing Controls The timing controls are used to pause and stop the internal clock show With future updates these controls will control the Audio Module to reverse pause play stop or forward the show Open Pyro Network OPN Button The Open Pyro Netw...

Page 9: ...The CALIBERS DISABLES page can be reached via the SHOW screen or the MENU 1 function Mini USB Input The mini USB port is currently not in use In future releases this port will allow a tablet device to control the CM figure 2 USB Input The USB port is used to load choreography or software updates This port cannot be used to connect anything other than a USB storage device Files must be stored in th...

Page 10: ...e antenna should always be installed as a backup communications device even when 2Wire communications are connected For greater signal strength and range raise the height of the module so that the antenna is at least eight inches 200 millimeters off the ground figure 3 Graphical User Interface GUI The Graphical User Interface GUI is a 128x64 pixel OLED display at the top of both the CM and FMs fig...

Page 11: ...M to the command module you ll first need to power on the FMs and name them Please reference 24 Channel Firing Module FM24 Section 2 Basic Setup to learn more Name your FM Each FM must have a unique ID number before joining a CM On each FM press MENU the NAME option on the menu will be pre selected press ENTER Use the left up right and down arrow keys to choose a unique ID Press ENTER to set ID va...

Page 12: ...icon see figure 6 then no show file has been uploaded and you may only fire manually Once in the FILES PAGE see figure 7 select the desired show file If there are more than four show files on the USB storage device the top of the FILES PAGE will display 1 1 1 2 1 3 etc The up and down arrows can be used to scroll between pages The CM will display the current download progress and the FM will displ...

Page 13: ...shots have been detected and yellow means there is no current flowing through the firing pins If the FM s LEDs turn yellow contact Firelinx support at www firelinx com If you press the up arrow once it will bring you to the page that shows the icon descriptions for the CT check results Once testing is complete go to the CONTINUITY TEST page and press OK to disable continuity testing Continuity tes...

Page 14: ... 7 Fire show Either a Manual SMPTE or Internal Clock show may be fired from the SHOW page see figure 10 Use the left and right arrow keys to navigate between these pages this may be done even while a show is running Manual From the MANUAL FIRING page use the up and down arrow keys to scroll through FMs in numerical order Use the Numpad to select any FM Use the channel selection buttons to select w...

Page 15: ...ress the FIRE button once to begin firing the show the show will not fire until the FIRE button has been pressed Show cues will advance automatically figure 12 Internal Clock From the INTRL FIRING page set all show cues if necessary Once a valid show file has been uploaded press the FIRE button to begin the show To advance to the next cue press the FIRE button again The Internal Clock show should ...

Page 16: ...le CM64 Section 2 Basic Setup 4 Load Show File 2 Link Quality Icon The Link Quality icon displays the average Link Quality between the CM and the FM s 3 Battery Level Icon The battery level icon displays the current battery charge level of the CM 4 Connected Module Status The first number in the connected module status displays the number of FMs connected to the CM The second number in the status ...

Page 17: ...en as shown in Figure 13 ENA indicates these shots are enabled and ready to be fired DIS indicates these shots are disabled and are not ready to be fired figure 16 2 RF Radio Frequency CH Use the WIRELESS WIZARD WW function to automatically determine the best RF channel or manually set the RF channel by going to MENU RF CH 2 ENTER From the RF CHANNEL screen use the Numpad and click on ENTER to cha...

Page 18: ...e been joined If the FM displays a different ID number than the CM then another CM is on the same RF channel Press NO to display the next CM ID number Continue pressing NO until the correct CM ID number is displayed If this happens you may want to change the RF channel of your system There are only 256 unique CM ID numbers It is possible although highly unlikely that two CMs with the same ID numbe...

Page 19: ...to download If FMs are connected to the CM during this process the CM will automatically upload your selected show file to each of the connected FMs To remove a show file from the CM either download a new show file or with no USB storage device inserted go to the FILE menu and switch to manual only mode figure 19 5 SMPTE The SMPTE page see figure 20 MENU SMPTE 5 ENTER is used to monitor the incomi...

Page 20: ...files into the CM Only one update should be on the USB device at a time The MENU screen will display whether the update is a CM or FM update as well as the update s version number Make sure to join all FMs before running the FM update so they update simultaneously If both a CM and FM update exists FM updates will be installed first followed by CM updates Press YES to install the update to the FM O...

Page 21: ...t enable Stealth Mode while your crew is on the field 10 Clear Guns From the menu page there is the ability to Clear Guns which fires all channels on all modules at once This can be useful for ensuring the field is clear after firing has completed and possibly send up a second finale if in case one or matches didn t fire the first time By entering 911 on the number pad and pressing ENTER you will ...

Page 22: ...for errors and to ensure good continuity while pinning Use this feature only if the leading pyrotechnician and the jurisdiction authority concur that it is safe to do so Individual continuity testing results can also be viewed on each FM Once testing is complete return to the CONTINUITY TEST page and press OK to disable continuity testing Continuity testing is automatically disabled when the syste...

Page 23: ...26 Press OK to begin scanning the RF space Once scanning is complete the CM will display the suggested RF channel If you wish to accept the suggested channel press OK Pressing OK will update the RF channel of the CM and all joined FMs If any FMs are turned off or not currently connected to the CM at this time their RF channels will not be updated FMs will need to be manually set to the new channel...

Page 24: ...typically be anywhere from 80 100 Scripted show files such as SMPTE and Internal Clock files will still fire even if LQ drops as low as 50 For manual firing LQ should not drop below 90 If LQ does drop below 90 designate more FMs as repeaters and raise all modules at least eight inches 200 millimeters off the ground Section 8 Operator Presence Device OPD Optional Equipment When an Operator Presence...

Page 25: ...in Press and release the power button to turn off the FM Repeater Button The repeater RPTR button enables the FM s repeater function Navigation Buttons The navigation buttons are used to navigate between menus on the FM Battery Charging Indicator Battery Power Indicator Charging LED indicator lights up when plugged in red Green LEDs turn on when charging is complete Continuity Test The continuity ...

Page 26: ...10 01 2021 Rev 02 26 Figure 29 ...

Page 27: ...e for cleaning replacement or upgrade Power Input The power input is used to charge the FM If the FM battery dies a 12V power supply can be connected to this port A Lithium Polymer compatible power supply or battery should be able to produce at least 3A of current Figure 30 Antenna Input The radio antenna is necessary for shows requiring wireless communication The antenna should always be installe...

Page 28: ...he power button until internal lights turn on approximate 3 to 5 seconds A logo splash screen will appear before the Home screen 2 Name all FMs Each FM must have a unique ID number before joining a CM On each FM press MENU the NAME option on the menu will be pre selected press ENTER Use the left up right and down arrow keys to choose a unique ID Press ENTER to set ID valid ID numbers are 001 to 99...

Page 29: ...e Armed They are mutually exclusive for safety reasons Please be advised that the FM screen will display the results from the last continuity check when CT Mode is NOT active on the CM For live CT results you must have CT Mode enabled on the CM While CT mode is enabled you will be able to view live results on the FM or the CM This will ensure that you are viewing live data From the CM press the CT...

Page 30: ...apacitor bank is fully charged the FMs will turn RED and the CM will automatically transition to the SHOW page Section 3 Home Page Reference Figure 34 for Section 3 1 Clock Icon The clock icon is displayed when the FM and the CM are synchronized Symbol Meaning There is a loaded shot currently in the choreography This shot is ready to be fired There is a loaded shot currently NOT in the choreograph...

Page 31: ...during and after the show 7 Messages Messages generated by the FM are displayed here such as CONNECTED if the FM is currently connected to the CM 8 Find Software Version Press the down arrow key to display the current software version installed on the FM Section 4 Menu Buttons 1 Name Each FM must have a unique ID number before joining a CM On each FM press MENU the NAME option on the Figure 35 men...

Page 32: ...CB and OPN functions If no OPN is detected you ll see the screen on figure 37 5 Repeater Press RPTR to designate an FM as a repeater A repeater will rebroadcast messages received from the CM to other FMs Use repeaters if some FMs are not within range of the CM or behind an obstruction that is not within line of sight to the CM If firing manually only designate the minimum number of repeaters neces...

Page 33: ...e CT mode is enabled you will be able to view live results on the FM or the CM This will ensure that you are viewing live data From the CM enable continuity testing Press the CT button on the FM to view individual continuity results See Section 2 Basic Setup 5 Perform Continuity Test for additional information Please note that Continuity Test Mode will only run with e matches The LEDs Test Lights ...

Page 34: ...r into the two screw holes Hold the wiring spring terminal 90 degrees to the module and check that both left and right connectors and PCB pins are aligned as you slowly seat the terminal and gasket Tighten screws until snug and lock washer has slightly collapsed Gasket should sit flat Repeat the continuity test to ensure the block is correctly seated If you have recently replaced the wiring termin...

Page 35: ...ery to the enclosure bottom Plug the new battery 2 position connector into the PCB connector marked battery making sure to locate the key tab lock on the battery connector to the key tab on the PCB connector To add a second battery to the enclosure follow steps 1 4 below Remove the adhesive back from the piece of hook Velcro and apply it to the bottom of the enclosure to the right of the existing ...

Page 36: ...bles before opening the board See Figure 41 red arrows 7 After installing or replacing your component s replace the PC board install the 11 screws holding the PC board and reconnect the ribbon cables location shown by red arrows in figure 41 Carefully close the top making sure you do not pinch the white power button wire and that the white gasket is sitting securely in the top enclosure channel Se...

Page 37: ...10 01 2021 Rev 02 37 Figure 40 Figure 41 ...

Page 38: ...three connectors on the OPN card shown below with the three connectors on the bottom of the FM PC board Line up the pins of the OPN expansion card see Figure 42 43 with the connectors located on the FM board and firmly but gently press until headers on OPN seat against connectors on the FM PCB See Figure 42 Secure with 4 92000A113 M3 x4 screws and 4 90295A332 M3 nylon washers Tighten until snug to...

Page 39: ...ME MODULE PIN CALIBER DESCRIPTION 1 10 1 1 2 1ST Shot 1 11 1 2 2 1 12 1 3 2 1 13 1 4 2 1 14 1 5 4 Duel Fire Start 1 14 1 6 4 1 15 1 7 4 1 15 1 8 4 1 16 1 9 4 1 16 1 10 4 1 16 1 11 6 Ripple Fire Start 1 17 1 12 6 1 17 1 1 13 6 1 17 2 1 14 6 1 17 3 1 15 6 ...

Page 40: ...the strength of the radio signal Used to ensure CM and FMs are communicating effectively System Network The connection between multiple FMs and the CM is supported by a wireless network and 2Wire communication A system can also communicate via Ethernet if connected to an OPN OLED A type of LED graphical interface Used to create the pictures displayed on module screens OPD Operator Presence Device ...

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