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 Page  5  of 13 

RD - 121  RACK MOUNT DIMMER 

 Version 1.2   

 

 

 

 

 

 

OWNERS MANUAL

 

      

 

 

 

 

02/28/2005 

www.lightronics.com 

Lightronics Inc. 

 

 

 

 

 

509 Central Drive,  Virginia Beach, VA 23454 

 

 

 

 

       (757) 486-3588 

 
 
RESETTING THE UNIT 
 
The RD-121 may be reset to a "factory provided" configuration by holding down the 

MENU

 button on the front 

panel for about 5 seconds.  A message "SYSTEM RESET" will appear on the front panel LCD display.  Release 
the 

MENU

 button when you see the message.  Resetting the unit causes the following actions: 

 
1. 

Channel patch is set to 1 to 1. 

2. 

All channels are set to to DIM (relay mode turned off). 

3. 

The external switch sensing function is turned off. 

4. 

The internally stored scene is turned off. (it is not erased). 

5. 

The programmable chase pattern is turned off and erased. 

6. 

Chase parameters are set to a default set of conditions. The Default conditions are given in the table under 

 

the section CONTROLLING CHASER CHARACTERISTICS. 

 
You should perform a setup procedure before using the unit. Setup includes  (1)  Setting the channel assignments 
that the dimmer will respond to and  (2)  Setting individual channels to “DIM” or “NON-DIM” (relay). Once the 
setup is completed the unit will retain the settings until changed by the operator (including when the unit is 
powered off and restarted). 
 
ASSIGNING DIMMER CHANNELS (CHANNEL PATCHING) 
 
The RD-121 has 12 dimming channels labeled A-L. Each of these channels may be assigned to any console 
channel number from 1 to 512.  Multiple dimmer channels may be assigned to a single console fader if desired.  
This gives you the ability to soft patch at the dimmer itself.   
 
TO ASSIGN DIMMER CHANNELS: 
 
1. Press 

the 

MENU

 once to enter the patch mode.  The display will indicate “PTCH”. 

2. Push 

SELECT

.  The left display bargraph channel (for dimmer channel A) will flash and the currently 

 

assigned console channel will be shown on the display bottom row.  Use the 

UP

 and 

DOWN

 arrow buttons to 

 

change the console channel assignment for channel A. 

3. Push 

SELECT

 to advance to the next dimmer channel.  Continue to assign channels through channel L.  

4. Push 

MENU 

three times

 

to return to the normal operation mode. 

 
TO SET CHANNELS TO DIM OR NON-DIM (RELAY): 
 
1. Press

 MENU

 twice.  The LCD display will indicate “NDIM”. 

2. Push 

SELECT

.  The left display bargraph channel (for dimmer channel A) will flash.  The display will show 

 

“DMR” or “RLY” on the bottom row according to the current setting.  

3. Use 

the 

UP

 and 

DOWN

 arrow buttons to change between dim and relay modes for that channel. 

4. Push 

SELECT

 to advance to the next dimmer channel.  Continue to set channels through channel L. 

5. 

Press MENU twice to return to the normal display. 

 

MANUAL OPERATION  

 
Dimmer channels can be operated manually from the dimmer front panel.  Press the 

SELECT

 button until the 

desired channel's "bar graph" is flashing. Press the 

UP

 or 

DOWN

 arrow buttons until the desired level is reached.  

Press the 

SELECT

 button to advance to other channels. To return control to your console, press the 

SELECT

 

button until you go PAST the last channel and stop. After approximately 6 seconds the dimmer will return to 
console control.  A channel continues to respond to console settings when operating from the front panel unless 
you change the level for that channel at the dimmer front panel. Once this occurs - that channel will NOT respond 
to console settings until you return to normal console control.  
 
 

Summary of Contents for RD-121

Page 1: ...RD 121 RACK MOUNT DIMMER OWNERS MANUAL REVISION 1 2 02 28 2005 www lightronics com Lightronics Inc 509 Central Drive Virginia Beach VA 23454 757 486 3588...

Page 2: ...IMMER CHANNELS 5 TO SET CHANNELS TO DIM OR NON DIM 5 MANUAL OPERATION 5 NORMAL OPERATION 6 INTERNAL SCENE OPERATION 6 TO SAVE A SCENE 6 TO ACTIVATE A STORED SCENE 6 NOTES ABOUT INTERNAL SCENE 7 CHASER...

Page 3: ...r to determine the operating frequency One or more RD 121 dimmers are to be installed into a standard 19 equipment rack with provisions for connection to an appropriate electrical service in accordanc...

Page 4: ...tor into the upper 9 pin connector on the rear of the dimmer In either case the lower 9 pin connector and the ribbon cable jumper that is supplied can be used to connect from the lower connector of th...

Page 5: ...itself TO ASSIGN DIMMER CHANNELS 1 Press the MENU once to enter the patch mode The display will indicate PTCH 2 Push SELECT The left display bargraph channel for dimmer channel A will flash and the c...

Page 6: ...panel SELECT button until you see the front panel display appears as shown below Scene Save 01 You will have to hold the button down for about 6 seconds 3 Push SELECT The display will show the message...

Page 7: ...e chase The RD 121 may be set to begin chaser functions at power up or in response to a remote switch A bounce option can be imposed on a chase pattern This results in a pattern which runs in its norm...

Page 8: ...RANDOM 6 CHANNEL BUILD PROGRAMMABLE CONTROLLING CHASER CHARACTERISTICS You can control seven characteristics of a chase pattern These controls are described as follows Chase Rate The duration of each...

Page 9: ...nnel SELECT Advance to Next Channel Set Flashing Channel to Relay Dimmer Mode RLY Relay Mode DMR Dimmer Mode SELECT Advance to Next Channel Set Remote Switch Function Not Used Chaser Scene SELECT Exit...

Page 10: ...en channel to be on for a chase step then the channel must be set to greater than 50 intensity Note that the overall intensity of the whole chase pattern may be set using the menu system 2 Press and h...

Page 11: ...nsole Verify the loads and their connections OWNER MAINTENANCE There are no user serviceable parts inside the unit The best way to prolong the life of your unit is to keep is cool clean and dry It is...

Page 12: ...Supplied with each unit Ribbon Cable Jumper Supplied with each unit 3 Pin Multiplex Protocol Input 3 Wire Control Cable Console using 3 pin multiplex protocol DMX 512 CONNECTIONS MULTIPLEX CONNECTIONS...

Page 13: ...82 AND RD 121 DMX 512 CONNECTOR 5 PIN MALE XLR Used on adapter cable MULTIPLEX LMX CONNECTOR 3 PIN MALE XLR Used on rear of chassis 2 1 3 NOT USED 5 1 DMX DATA NOT USED 4 3 2 COMMON CONSOLE POWER DMX...

Page 14: ...s not cover loss or damage direct or indirect arising from the use or inability to use this product F Lightronics reserves the right to make any changes modifications or updates as deemed appropriate...

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