background image

VARI

LITE - VLX3 W

ASH

 L

UMINAIRE

 U

SER

S

 M

ANUAL

iv

17 December 2012

02.9703.0001 A

WARNING:
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION AGAINST EXCESSIVE EXPOSURE 
TO UV RADIATION

1. Many VARI

LITE luminaires use a lamp that produces UV radiation. DO NOT look directly at 

lamp.

2. It is hazardous to operate luminaires without lens or shield.  Shields, lenses, or ultraviolet screens 

shall be changed if they have become visibly damaged to such an extent that their effectiveness is 
impaired.  For example, by cracks or deep scratches.

WARNING:
RF INTERFERENCE

1. This is a Class A product.  In a domestic environment this product may cause radio interference, in 

which case, the user may be required to take adequate measures.

Summary of Contents for VLX3

Page 1: ......

Page 2: ...s subject to change without notice Please check www vari lite com for latest version Vari Lite assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this manual All...

Page 3: ...red user or organization If available you should have your sales invoice to establish the date of sale as the beginning of the warranty period Once you obtain the RMA pack the unit in a secure shippin...

Page 4: ...area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his her own expense Declaration of Conformity We declare under our sole responsibili...

Page 5: ...been designed for use with specific lamp types The VLX3 Wash Luminaire uses special LED devices Installing another type of light sources may be hazardous and will void your warranty 2 Luminaires may...

Page 6: ...rectly at lamp 2 It is hazardous to operate luminaires without lens or shield Shields lenses or ultraviolet screens shall be changed if they have become visibly damaged to such an extent that their ef...

Page 7: ...ten Sie auf den Lampentyp LED bevor Sie die jeweiligen Lampen ersetzen Die Installation eines anderen Lampentyps kann gef hrlich sein 2 Scheinwerfer k nnen auf jeder beliebigen Oberfl che montiert wer...

Page 8: ...pe 2 Es ist gef hrlich Leuchten ohne Linsen oder Blenden zu bedienen Blenden Linsen oder Ultraviolettschirme m ssen ausgetauscht werden sofern deren Schutzwirkung durch sichtbare Besch digung z B Spr...

Page 9: ...TE ont t con us pour tre utilis s uniquement avec certaines type de lampes V rifier le type de lampe LED avant de remplacer les lampes L installation d un autre type de lampe peut poser un danger 2 Le...

Page 10: ...2 L utilisation des luminaires sans lentille ou blindage pose des risques Tous blindages lentilles ou crans ultraviolet visiblement endommag s au point que leur efficacit en est affect e doivent tre...

Page 11: ...sido dise adas para ser usadas solamente con algunas l mparas Tome nota del tipo de l mpara LED antes de reemplazarla Instalaci n de otro tipo de l mpara puede ser peligroso 2 Las luminarias se pueden...

Page 12: ...ectamente a la l mpara 2 Es peligroso operar luminarias sin lentes o protectores Debe cambiar los protectores lentes o pantallas ultravioletas si se aprecia que han sido da adas y que su efectividad p...

Page 13: ...FOREWORD 02 9703 0001 A 17 December 2012 xi...

Page 14: ...VARI LITE VLX3 WASH LUMINAIRE USER S MANUAL xii 17 December 2012 02 9703 0001 A...

Page 15: ...13 Male Termination Connector 13 Installation Procedures Hanging the Luminaire 14 Floor Mounting the Luminaire 17 Connecting Data and Power 17 Powering Up Power Up and Configuration Procedure 18 Addr...

Page 16: ...to Luminaire 55 Chapter 4 Menu System Menu Operation What is the Menu System 58 Controls Operation 58 Default State 60 Menu Button Shortcuts 60 Menu Functions Menu System Overview 61 Menu System Func...

Page 17: ...Breakdown Note Performing maintenance procedures may void the product warranty Refer to the Vari Lite Limited Warranty card included in the product shipping package for more information Note The VLX3...

Page 18: ...and to provide support How to Reach Us For assistance in your area call the dealer from which your product was purchased or Contact an Authorized VARI LITE Service Center or Contact the Vari Lite Cust...

Page 19: ...02 9703 0001 A 17 December 2012 3 CHAPTER 1 Description This chapter contains descriptions of luminaire features and components along with a list of accessories that are available Features Components...

Page 20: ...tput of approximately 6 000 lumens white light Beam size control is achieved by the use of an optical zoom system that provides continuously variable field angle from approximately 15 to 55 High speed...

Page 21: ...d Items Included Items Unpack Quick VLX3 Wash Luminaire Mounting Brackets Warranty Card Product Registration Card Vari Lite Customer Service CD ROM User s Manual Product Support Sheet Vari Lite QA Cer...

Page 22: ...erminator 28 8500 0054 USB Luminaire Programming Kit Includes USB Upload Cable Programming Kit CD ROM Carry Bag and Instructions 55 6840 0001 Truss Hook Mega Clamp Round and Square 55 6841 0001 Truss...

Page 23: ...and power Menu Display Used to input manual commands program test set defaults and access internal status information Head Covers top and bottom Provides access to light source and LED cooling Front...

Page 24: ...us Menu Item Arrow Keys Left Right Up Down To Menu Navigate Menu Options and make Data Selections Status LEDs Power State Data Transmit Data Receive Data Error DMX Input Connection to DMX Controls DMX...

Page 25: ...ource or turning off source circuit breaker Note Shipping Transportation The zoom assembly on the VLX3 Wash should be fully retracted inside the head assembly when the unit is not in use being shipped...

Page 26: ...is not recommended to power any VARI LITE luminaire from a dimmer even in NONDIM mode Dimmer and non dim modules are not suitable sources of power because their output modifies the AC wave form This m...

Page 27: ...nt vs Voltage The following tables provide the luminaire s current draw at specific voltages Currents given are worst case with all motors sequencing Neutrik PowerCon Connector supplied AC Power Input...

Page 28: ...ms Low capacitance Two twisted pairs Foil and braid shielded 24 AWG minimum gauge for runs up to 1000 feet 300m 22 AWG minimum gauge for runs up to 1640 feet 500m Note Microphone type cables and other...

Page 29: ...s Note A male termination connector is also available as an accessory from Vari Lite See Replacement Items Accessories on page 6 Table 2 2 Recommended Cable Types Type Pairs Z Jacket AWG Use Temp F Be...

Page 30: ...than one point on a single bracket the attach points must be spaced as far apart as possible using the supplied mounting holes Install mounting hardware and brackets Step 1 Install truss hooks on two...

Page 31: ...ys face brackets in same direction as shown WARNING Ensure that the bracket locking mechanism is fully seated after the bracket is installed on the luminaire Figure 2 4 Installing Brackets on Luminair...

Page 32: ...under load Turn off circuit breaker or completely de energize circuit before connecting or disconnecting power cable at fixture Power is only removed from the fixture by disconnecting power cable fro...

Page 33: ...connectors of remaining luminaires in link Step 3 At last luminaire in link install male termination connector at DATA THRU connector Luminaires and other devices on the same DMX chain may not functi...

Page 34: ...power up WARNING DO NOT connect or disconnect energized power cable at fixture under load Turn off circuit breaker or completely de energize circuit before connecting or disconnecting power cable at...

Page 35: ...ge 58 The luminaire retains the DMX address even when power is removed Note Refer to your console operating instructions for specific information regarding its addressing requirements Program a DMX st...

Page 36: ...VARI LITE VLX3 WASH LUMINAIRE USER S MANUAL 20 17 December 2012 02 9703 0001 A Notes...

Page 37: ...s chapter contains instructions for operating the luminaire using DMX control and for updating the internal software For Menu options and detailed information see Menu Operation on page 58 DMX Operati...

Page 38: ...o page 29 For Mode 4 Channel Mapping refer to page 33 IMPORTANT When changing the DMX Map from one mode to another the luminaire will auto re calibrate Table 3 1 VLX3 Wash Luminaire Mapping Mode 1 DMX...

Page 39: ...DMX 194 195 Pulse Fast Rand DMX 196 197 Pulse Range DMX 198 255 19 Intensity Time 0 255 0 100 255 Allows for luminaire timing of intensity Profile should default to DMX 255 for smoothest con sole fad...

Page 40: ...14 16 Constant Fans Mode DMX 17 19 Normal Mode DMX 20 22 Dimmer Curve LINEAR DMX 31 32 Dimmer Curve SQUARE LAW DMX 34 35 Full Luminaire Reset DMX 81 87 Color Calibration OFF DMX 116 117 Color Calibra...

Page 41: ...Combined and Engines Independent When you first select Mode 2 the unit will default to Combined Control Combined Control Combined Control allows luminaire s set to Mode 2 to behave as if set to Mode 1...

Page 42: ...e Range DMX 13 slowest 127 fastest Pulse Slow Rand DMX 128 129 Pulse Med Rand DMX 130 131 Pulse Fast Rand DMX 132 133 Pulse Range DMX 134 191 Pulse Slow Rand DMX 192 193 Pulse Med Rand DMX 194 195 Pul...

Page 43: ...d DMX 194 195 Pulse Fast Rand DMX 196 197 Pulse Range DMX 198 255 34 Unused N A N A N A For Future Use 35 Unused N A N A N A For Future Use 36 Beam 0 255 0 100 255 Controls beam angle from 15o DMX 0 t...

Page 44: ...DMX 34 35 Full Luminaire Reset DMX 81 87 Color Calibration OFF DMX 116 117 Color Calibration ON DMX 118 120 Manual Color Adjust ENABLE DMX 121 122 Manual Color Adjust STORE DMX 124 125 Engines Combin...

Page 45: ...m If you move the Engine Modifier channel up in the range of 21 through 83 you will notice that the colors you have selected are now rotating around each of the three engines By adjusting within this...

Page 46: ...en LED Engine 1 from 0 to full 10 Green 1 Low Byte 11 Blue 1 High Byte 0 65535 0 100 0 16 bit control of Blue LED Engine 1 from 0 to full 12 Blue 1 Low Byte 13 White 1 High Byte 0 65535 0 100 0 16 bit...

Page 47: ...ngine 3 0 255 0 100 0 Controls strobe operations as follows Open DMX 0 2 Closed DMX 3 5 Slow Rand DMX 6 7 Med Rand DMX 8 10 Fast Rand DMX 11 12 Strobe Range DMX 13 slowest 127 fastest Pulse Slow Rand...

Page 48: ...et different modes parameters and functions of the VLX Wash Set control channel value for desired action Hold value for at least 3 seconds Set control channel value to 0 without any scaling Default Se...

Page 49: ...engines separately users can set the fixture to Engine Modifier channel to a DMX value of 15 11 20 range Enabling Engine Modifier separates the LED engines for individual control using their own indiv...

Page 50: ...ult values Description 1 Intensity High 0 65535 0 100 0 16 bit control for Intensity of LED settings 2 Intensity Low 3 Pan High Byte 0 65535 0 100 32768 16 bit control of Pan 540o of movement 4 Pan Lo...

Page 51: ...e DMX 20 22 Dimmer Curve LINEAR DMX 31 32 Dimmer Curve SQUARE LAW DMX 34 35 Full Luminaire Reset DMX 81 87 Color Calibration OFF DMX 116 117 Color Calibration ON DMX 118 120 Manual Color Adjust ENABLE...

Page 52: ...ue 1 High Byte 0 65535 0 100 0 16 bit control of Blue LED Engine 1 from 0 to full 21 Blue 1 Low Byte 22 White 1 High Byte 0 65535 0 100 0 16 bit control of White LED Engine 1 from 0 to full 23 White 1...

Page 53: ...Green 3 High Byte 0 65535 0 100 0 16 bit control of Green LED Engine 3 from 0 to full 37 Green 3 Low Byte 38 Blue 3 High Byte 0 65535 0 100 0 16 bit control of Blue LED Engine 3 from 0 to full 39 Blu...

Page 54: ...erical keypad is required for sending values An encoder or fader does not allow for a quick value change which is required to effect the control functions However the encoders on some consoles include...

Page 55: ...olor Calibration OFF 116 117 Color Calibration ON 118 120 Manual Color Adjust ENABLE 121 122 Manual Color Adjust STORE 124 125 Engines Combined 150 152 Engines Independent 153 155 Notes When resetting...

Page 56: ...tant Fans Mode 17 19 Normal Mode 20 22 Dimmer Curve LINEAR 31 32 Dimmer Curve SQUARE LAW 34 35 Full Luminaire Reset 81 87 Color Calibration OFF 116 117 Color Calibration ON 118 120 Manual Color Adjust...

Page 57: ...exceed the set lower noise limit Level Light Mode All Modes Level Light Mode maintains a reduced LED output to keep various fixtures from operating at different levels depending upon thermal situatio...

Page 58: ...ion of luminaire s dimming Full Luminaire Reset All Modes Luminaire Reset causes the luminaire to run its entire calibration routine Tilt Pan Zoom Color Calibration OFF All Modes Turns off the interna...

Page 59: ...is manually through the menu system The manual color adjustment is located in the menu path Configure LED Modes LED Correction Must be turned ON Field Adj As shown in Figure 3 1 a window will appear...

Page 60: ...a DMX value of 0 This will set the fixture into a color calibration adjustment mode While in Adjustment Mode modify Red Green Blue and or Dimmer channels to desired color intensity Once color is dete...

Page 61: ...esired value and set cue and or parameter time to zero A combination of time controls can produce unexpected results The default value setting in the profile should be 255 proportional control to allo...

Page 62: ...hich parameter groups will use timing channels Step 3 Assign a value to the particular timing channel s you wish to use for timing information see chart on next page Step 4 Set console timing or cue f...

Page 63: ...igned Table 3 10 Timing Channels Map Value DMX Seconds 0 Full Speed 1 0 2 2 0 4 1 3 0 6 4 0 8 2 5 1 6 1 2 7 1 4 3 8 1 6 9 1 8 4 10 2 11 2 2 12 2 4 5 13 2 6 14 2 8 6 15 3 16 3 2 17 3 4 7 18 3 6 19 3 8...

Page 64: ...45 9 18 46 9 2 47 9 4 19 48 9 6 49 9 8 50 10 20 51 10 2 52 10 4 53 10 6 21 54 11 55 11 22 56 12 57 12 58 13 23 59 13 60 14 24 61 14 62 14 63 15 25 64 15 65 16 26 66 16 67 16 68 17 27 69 17 70 18 28 71...

Page 65: ...89 25 90 25 91 26 36 92 26 93 27 37 94 27 95 27 96 28 38 97 28 98 29 39 99 29 100 29 101 30 40 102 30 103 30 104 31 41 105 31 106 32 42 107 32 108 32 109 33 43 110 33 111 34 44 112 34 113 34 114 35 45...

Page 66: ...41 131 41 132 42 52 133 42 134 43 53 135 43 136 43 137 44 54 138 44 139 45 55 140 45 141 45 142 46 56 143 46 144 47 57 145 47 146 47 147 48 58 148 48 149 49 59 150 49 151 49 152 50 60 153 50 154 50 1...

Page 67: ...174 58 175 59 69 176 59 177 59 178 60 70 179 60 180 65 71 181 65 182 65 183 70 72 184 70 185 75 73 186 75 187 75 188 80 74 189 80 190 85 75 191 85 192 85 193 90 76 194 90 195 95 77 196 95 197 95 198...

Page 68: ...16 170 85 217 170 218 180 86 219 180 220 180 221 190 87 222 190 223 200 88 224 200 225 200 226 210 89 227 210 228 210 229 220 90 230 220 231 230 91 232 230 233 230 234 240 92 235 240 236 250 93 237 25...

Page 69: ...PERATION LUMINAIRE TIMING 3 02 9703 0001 A 17 December 2012 53 249 300 98 250 300 251 310 99 252 310 253 310 254 310 100 255 Follows Cue Data Table 3 10 Timing Channels Map Continued Value DMX Seconds...

Page 70: ...054 The USB Luminaire Programming Kit can be ordered directly from your Authorized VARI LITE Dealer The VARI LITE USB Luminaire Programming Kit 28 8500 0054 includes VARI LITE USB Upload Cable 25 9600...

Page 71: ...are data linked together refer to Connecting Data and Power on page 17 however only a maximum of 32 luminaires can be updated at once Hardware Requirements Data cables used in this process must have...

Page 72: ...5 seconds The number of blocks displayed is less in a luminaire to luminaire download than in a PC to luminaire download for the same software version Step 7 When download is complete luminaire automa...

Page 73: ...Main Control Boards MCBs both old style and new style Users with VLX3 Wash Luminaires are encouraged to make sure their VLX3 Wash Luminaires have this new version of software or later loaded into thei...

Page 74: ...able at the enclosure input panel Figure 4 1 Menu Display Location Controls Operation The menu system is controlled by an ENTER ESC Escape and four Arrow YUVZ buttons These buttons function as follows...

Page 75: ...ncreases current data value LCD Display automatically sets to hanging orientation See Disp Tilt in the Menu System Func tion Chart on page 62 Table 1 1 Menu Control Buttons Button Description Action U...

Page 76: ...1 Press ESC Step 2 Press Up Down arrows until Config Configuration appears Press Enter Step 3 Press Up Down arrows to access Display Press Enter Step 4 Press Up Down arrows to select either 30 Sec 30...

Page 77: ...Tilt Pan Tilt Strobe LED Beam Sprdr Encoders Run Test Run Test Run Test Run Test Run Test Run Test Run Test Pan Tilt Value Value LED Fans Fan X LED Temps LED Temp 1 2 or 3 LED Status LED Status 1 2 o...

Page 78: ...ether to use factory calibration or not LED Correction Sets LEDs to factory calibration level ON OFF Field Adjust When CAL is ON field adjust will allow for manual adjustment of LEDs Display Display I...

Page 79: ...ON OFF Inv Tilt Invert Tilt ON OFF DMX Map Selects DMX Map Mode Mode 1 Selects Mode 1 DMX map operation See DMX Mode 1 Channel Mapping Normal Operational Mode on page 22 Mode 2 Selects Mode 2 DMX map...

Page 80: ...ilt operational test RUN TEST Pan Selects fixture to run Pan operational test RUN TEST Tilt Selects fixture to run Tilt operational test RUN TEST Strobe Selects fixture to run Strobe operational test...

Page 81: ...e CMD Lock Command Lock Selects whether to set Command Lock to lock out access to various settings from the console using the Control Channel Configure System Configuration Accesses options for pan ti...

Page 82: ...LED Operational Temperature Measures temperature associated with LED operation displays in degrees Celsius Level Light Fixture Mode Luminaire setup is in set to Level Light mode by user This mode main...

Page 83: ...tion values RS232 Log RS232 Logging WARNING For factory use only DO NOT use OR select RS232 Log On unless instructed by Vari Lite technical support to do so RUN TEST Run Test Indicates that a mechanis...

Page 84: ...VARI LITE VLX3 WASH LUMINAIRE USER S MANUAL 68 17 December 2012 02 9703 0001 A Notes...

Page 85: ...emove protective covers when luminaire is powered Wear appropriate protective eye wear and gloves when servicing the fixture All service and maintenance other than described herein should be performed...

Page 86: ...in Figure A 1 press ESC to access the main menu screen Step 2 Press Up Down arrows until Fixture appears Press Enter Step 3 Press Up Down arrows to access Status Press Enter Display will now scroll th...

Page 87: ...r Board Number x LED Driver Board X detected a commu nication error with MCB Faulty LED Driver Board Faulty connection between LED Driver Board and Motherboard Faulty Motherboard Faulty comm between M...

Page 88: ...DMX Data Input Self tests will not run or software download does not work Detecting DMX data disconnect DMX input cable n a DMX Failure No response to DMX data MCB connector disconnected check MCB DA...

Page 89: ...fixtures operating at same control settings Calibration turned On or Off Check fixture calibration setting Make sure calibration is set to same setting On or Off as other fixtures Check dimming curve...

Page 90: ...or oil is just redistributed and not cleaned off the optic then a mild soap and water solution can be used to gently wash the lens Repeat the cleaning with isopropyl alcohol to eliminate streaks and s...

Page 91: ...d proper gloves when performing this procedure To clean the cooling system heatsinks Step 1 Remove power from luminaire and allow unit to completely cool Step 2 Carefully set luminaire on upper enclos...

Page 92: ...LX3 Wash Cooling System Heatsink Cleaning Step 6 Using compressed air duster blow any remaining debris from heatsink fins in the same direction as indicated in previous step WARNING DO NOT direct comp...

Page 93: ...B and White W LED s Strobe High speed with multiple strobe effects Pan and Tilt Smooth time controlled continuous motion by way of a pair of three phase stepper motor systems Pan range is 540 Tilt ran...

Page 94: ...2 27 3 x 120W RGBW LEDs Zoom Setting LED Mode Distance ft Field Diameter ft Center Beam Illuminance fc Narrow 15 o 4400 Lumens RGBW at Full 16 32 48 64 80 4 3 8 5 12 8 17 1 21 4 16 32 48 64 80 22 8 45...

Page 95: ...d operated in any orientation 21 50 in 546 10 mm 18 88 in 479 56 mm 23 36 in 593 34 mm 21 50 in 546 10 mm 3 00 in 76 20 mm lens extended NOTE Vari Lite reserves the right to change details of design m...

Page 96: ...rmation contained herein is for reference only Vari Lite cannot be responsible for issues arising from non approved parts and accessories installed on any VARI LITE product Customers of such products...

Page 97: ......

Page 98: ...Vari Lite 10911 Petal Street Dallas Texas 75238 USA 1 877 VARI LITE 1 214 647 7880 www vari lite com 2009 2012 Vari Lite a Philips group company All Rights Reserved...

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