Chroma-Q™ M8 Plus™ User Manual Version 1.
Warranty Statement Chroma-Q warrants to the original purchaser, with proof of purchase, that its delivered products shall be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use for a period of 12 months from date of shipment. Chroma-Q will repair, or at its option, provide an equivalent item or replace, the defective product during the stated warranty period.
Disclaimer The information contained herein is offered in good faith and is believed to be accurate. However, because conditions and methods of use of our products are beyond our control, this information should not be used in substitution for customer's tests to ensure that Chroma-Q products are safe, effective, and fully satisfactory for the intended end use. Suggestions of use shall not be taken as inducements to infringe any patent.
Table of Contents 1. Product Overview ……………...…………………………………………………….………... 4 2. Operation ……………...…………………………………………………….………... 5 2.1 Unpacking the unit ………………….………………………………………. 5 2.2 Control and power cables ………………….………………………………………. 5 2.3 Gel Loading and Replacement …………………………………………………….……. 6 2.4 Mounting the unit …………………………………………………….……. 8 2.5 Operating the unit …………………………………………………….……. 9 2.6 Modes of operation …………………………………………………….……. 10 2.7 Troubleshooting …………………………………………………….…….
1. Product overview The Chroma-Q M8 Plus takes colour changer technology to a new level. The M8 Plus is designed to give years of trouble free use, providing that they are regularly maintained and used in accordance with the instructions detailed in this manual. The M8 Plus is fully compatible with the Chroma-Q M8. Note: This manual describes functionality available from version 2.0 of the M8 Plus software.
Note: Full menu description on page 8. The M8 Plus is supplied power and control signals by means of two 4-pin XLR style connectors on the rear panel, allowing multiple units to be ‘daisy-chained’ into the same line of cabling. Patching the output from the last unit back into the power supply will terminate the DMX for each chain line and ensure even power voltage across all colour changers in that chain.
The correct wiring between male and female connectors is ‘one to one’. Pin # Pin # Minimum Cable size 1 Ground (-ve) 2.50mm² (14 AWG) 2 Control data minus (-) 0.35mm² (22 AWG) 3 Control data plus (+) 0.35mm² (22AWG) 4 24V DC (+ve) 2.50mm² (14 AWG) Chassis Cable shield/drain wire 0.25mm² (24 AWG) Note: Total cable length should not exceed 60m / 200 ft with return line.
Gel Description The standard gel string consists of a head, gel frames and a tail. Pro Color HT+, Rosco Supergel and GAMcolor are the recommended media. The head and tail are taped to the Take-Up Reels (TUR). Gel String Dimensions and Assembly To join a leader, tail and gel together, a high temperature, clear gel tape is recommended (see Product Ordering List on page 14). The completed string should look like this: Note: A range of completed custom gel strings are available upon request.
Notes: • For normal operation, the start (leader) of the gel string is on the left-side TUR and the end (tail) of the string on the right-side TUR, when viewed from the front of the unit. • Do not power lights without powering up the colour changer first. The fan must be running in order to protect gels from premature failure. • High fan speed is recommended on all lighting fixtures of 2000 Watts and above. • Poorly optimised light bulbs in some fixtures may result in premature gel failure.
Safety Wire The M8 Plus should always be used with the safety wire provided. 2.5 Operating the unit All the unit functions are accessed using the LED display and the three push-button switches on the bottom panel.
Display operation: Power-up Display On power-up, the unit will go through its self-calibration mode and the display will show the units software version. (i.e. 1.0.0) After the self-calibration finishes, the display will double check and show the DMX address mode. (i.e. 001) Monitor Display If left undisturbed for 5-7 seconds, the display will revert to ‘Monitor Mode’ The first vertical bar indicates that there is power (24VDC). The second vertical bar indicates that there is data (DMX).
The display shows the current DMX address (between 1-512). To alter the address, press UP or DOWN button once to increment or decrement the value; hold down the UP or DOWN for fast increments and decrements of the value. (See also: ‘Remote Operation’ later in this section.) Fan speed mode (Fn) This mode is used to set the gel cooling-fan speed of the unit. This feature can be used in environments where a lower noise level is required, although this may decrease gel string life.
initialise two seconds after the channel level is entered. 0-5% = No feature 6-15% = Fan off 16-25% = Fan speed 1 (slowest) 26-35% = Fan speed 2 36-45% = Fan speed 3 46-55% = Fan speed 4 (fastest) 56-65% = Gel Saver off 66-75% = Gel Saver on 76-85% = Motor speed normal, see Speed mode (SP) 86-95% = Motor speed fast, see Speed mode (SP) 96-99% = Reset (reset to user defaults) The display shows the current Remote Operation mode of the unit.
‘G G ell Saver’ Mode Switches on/off the gel saving mode. The display shows the current gel saver mode. Press UP or DOWN once to switch between on (1) and off (0). See also, gel saver mode instructions ‘sp speed’ sp Mode Used to set the scrolling speed of the unit. The display shows the current gel scrolling speed. There are two scrolling speeds. 1 is the slowest, 2 is the fastest.
'User' default settings Each time the MENU button is pressed and held for 2 seconds, the unit will save that change and these ‘user defaults’ will take precedence immediately. These ‘User’ defaults can be reset to the ‘factory’ defaults using the method detailed above. 2.7 Troubleshooting The LED display aids in the troubleshooting of the M8 Plus system. These indicators are located on the bottom of each unit. The first vertical bar indicates that there is power (24VDC).
2.8 Technical overview The colour transport system employs an opto-electronic system for accurate positioning of the gel string. When the unit initially receives power it will go through a calibration sequence. The purpose of the initial calibration sequence during power up is to determine the total length of the gel string and therefore the position of the different gels. Note: Over time the gel string may warp slightly.
Connectors: XLR-4 (male) in and XLR-4 (female) through European approvals:Complies with EU directives: EMC89/336/EEC Class A. Harmonised standards applied in order to verify compliance with directives: EN 56022:1994, EN50082-1: 1992 & EN 60950. North American approvals: Radiated Emissions: Complies with FCC part 15 subpart B, class A for unintentional radiators. Low Voltage Directive: Complies with CSA 22.
4. 4.1 Drawings Outside dimensions www.chroma-q.com M8 Plus User Manual 17 V1.
4.2 Gel String Schematic 646 +0 -1.5 mm 25.44 +0 -1/16 “ 203mm/8” 609mm/24” Correct way of taping the gel frames 203mm/8” Incorrect way of taping the gel frames Detail of taping the gel to the take-up reel www.chroma-q.com M8 Plus User Manual 18 V1.
4.3 Parts Schematic www.chroma-q.com M8 Plus User Manual 19 V1.
