PRO PAR Quad 12
User Manual
PRO PAR Quad 12
P a g e
|
6
Stage Light Company, LLC
©
2014
3.
LEDs & DMX
LED Expected Lifespan
Over time LEDs gradually decline in brightness. This is mostly caused by heat given off by clustered
LEDs. Using clustered LEDs at their full intensity is not recommended as it significantly reduces the
lifespan of the LEDs. On average, an LED can have the lifespan of 40,000 to 50,000 hours. To extend
this lifespan, ensure proper ventilation near the fixture to reduce the overall ambient temperature.
Starting Out with DMX
DMX is a data protocol most commonly used in lighting and stage equipment. DMX or DMX-512
provides control of up to 512 channels per run. A run is commonly known as a universe. Essentially
each universe provides you with 512 channels.
When connecting DMX, each fixture is daisy chained. This means that the cable comes out of the
lighting console or usb module into the first light, then the data comes out of the first light into the
second light. Please see diagram below.
Fixture 1
Fixture 2
Fixture 3
Fixture 4
Fixture 5
4ch
4ch
6ch
10ch
10ch
Addr: 001
Addr: 005
Addr:009
Addr:015
Addr:025
Each fixture must also have an address. This address is the starting channel number. You can see in the
example above we have a range of fixtures. Some use 4 channels, some use 6 channels, etc. All of this
depends on the fixture and parameters, each fixture is different in the amount of channels it uses. The
easiest for a PRO PAR fixture is to use the 4 channel profile. You can see that before we add a new
fixture, we have to make sure we do not start the address in a channel of a previous fixture. For Fixture
1 there are 4 channels it needs to run so it occupies channels 1, 2, 3, and 4. Which means Fixture 2 will
start at channel 5 and take up 4 channels as well. Fixture 2 occupies channels 5, 6, 7, and 8. Fixture 3 will
now start at channel 9. Since it uses a profile of 6 channels, it occupies channels 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.
Try the next 2 on your own. Did you get that Fixture 5 should start at channel 25 and Fixture 6 would
start at channel 35?
Lighting Console Profiles
We are currently working with manufacturers to incorporate our products into their software. If you
do not see SLC as a manufacturer, the best place to look is under the generic section. On the PRO PAR
fixtures, set the “CHA” to 4 channels and most digital lighting consoles have a generic RGBW profile.
This is the one you want to use.
For more information please visit our site at www.stagelightcompany.com