OWNERS MANUAL
Page
2
of
12
SM - 280 DMX LIGHTING CONTROLLER
Version
20080324
Lightronics
Inc.
509
Central
Drive
Virginia
Beach,
VA
23454
757
486
3588
CONTROLLER FEATURES
280 DMX Channels - 14 units of 20 channel fixtures
14 Chases with up to 255 steps each
14 Scene banks with 22 scenes in each bank
Chases can be run with sound activation
Chases can be run at a preset speed and fade
2 Row X 16 Character LCD Display
DMX Polarity output switch.
Removable 4 MB Memory Card
Power Input: 13 - 15 VDC, 500 mA minimum
Power Connector: 2.1 mm, Center Pin +
Dimensions: 19"W X 9"H X 3.25"H
Weight: 6.7 Pounds
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The SM-280 is a fixture (or scanner) oriented DMX
controller. It can control up to 14 fixtures of 20 DMX
channels each. The unit can also be used to control
conventional dimmer packs. The SM-280 includes 14
scene banks. Each bank can contain up to 22 scenes.
There are also 14 programmable chases. Each chase
may contain up to 255 steps. Scene banks can be
automatically run like chases.
Each fixture is permanently assigned a block of DMX
addresses. The table below shows the assignments.
The fixtures must be set to accommodate these DMX
assignments. This is usually done using DIP switches
on the fixture to set its starting address. Refer to the
fixture manual for exact instructions. The information
is sometimes shown on a tag or chart on the fixture. If
you set multiple fixtures to the same addresses then
they will controlled together.
FIXTURE FUNCTIONS
You will need to know which channel within a fixture
is assigned to each fixture function (Pan, Tilt, Color,
Dimming, etc.). This information is contained in the
fixture manual.
DMX CONNECTIONS
Any system using DMX control should be connected
together as a chain of devices. The control cable
should proceed from the controller to the first fixture
and then on to other fixtures in a continuous "daisy
chain" fashion. Most fixtures have a DMX IN and a
DMX OUT connector to be used to connect the chain.
The control cable should NOT be split into a multiple
run star arrangement with a cable running from the
controller directly to each fixture.
DMX CONNECTOR PIN ASSIGNMENTS
There are two different connectors which can be used
for DMX control. They are both XLR connectors.
Some units use 3 pin connectors. Others use 5 pin
connectors. The SM-280 transmits DMX from a 3 pin
female connector on the back edge of the unit. If your
fixtures use 5 pin connectors then you can make up an
adapter cable to accommodate this. The table below
shows the pin assignments.
Some fixtures use a reversed signal assignment. In
this case the DATA - and DATA + pins are reversed.
The SM-280 has a reversing switch on the back edge
to accommodate this situation.
DMX TERMINATION
A DMX chain should be terminated at the last fixture
(and ONLY the last fixture) on the chain. This is
done by installing a commonly available 1/4 Watt,
120 Ohm resistor across the DATA - and DATA +
wires at the last fixture. If you have only a few
fixtures close together and a very short run to the
controller then you may be able to operate without the
terminator.
Fixture # Channels
1 1-20
2 21-40
3 41-60
4 61-80
5 81-100
6 101-120
7 121-140
8 141-160
9 161-180
10 181-200
11 201-220
12 221-240
13 241-260
14 261-280
PIN #
SIGNAL NAME
1 DMX
COMMON
2
DMX DATA -
3
DMX DATA +
4 NOT
USED
5 NOT
USED
