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FireFly FF-151 Instructions
QUICK START
If you prefer to start using your new FF-151 straight out of the box, then read the
instructions later, it's quite easy to be up and running in just minutes. Three easy
steps are all that are necessary for professional lightning simulation.
1) Connect lights (up to 2,000 for lightning or 1,000 watts in the dimming
mode) to the power outlet on the rear of your FF-151.
2) Connect an appropriate audio source (CD player, laptop, MP3 player, etc.) to
the AUDIO INPUT jack on the rear panel. Then connect an amplifier and/or
amplified speakers to the 1/8" stereo AUDIO OUTPUT jack on the rear of the
lightning simulator. Even though this is a single channel device, you should
ALWAYS USE STEREO CABLES.
3) Connect AC power.
No other connections or adjustments are required for basic operation.
WHEN POWERING UP...
Upon power up, the FF-151 goes through a quick self-test and the Lights Alive logo
appears. After roughly three seconds, the system is fully functional. When you start
playing the audio thunder tracks, the lights will respond. If the lights are not
responding as expected, turn up the volume on your audio source or increase the
level in the FF-151 via the LCD screens.
CUSTOMIZED SETTINGS
Five pushbuttons allow you to fully customize your FF-151 settings. Pressing the
center MENU button gives you access to several additional windows. Pressing the
UP and DOWN buttons scrolls through the windows. The (+) and (–) buttons alter
the settings for that particular window. Pressing MENU again will exit the program
And Specifications
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Table of Contents
Summary of Contents for Lights Alive FireFly FF-151
- Page 1 FireFly FF-151 Instructions And Specifications QUICK START If you prefer to start using your new FF-151 straight out of the box, then read the instructions later, it’s quite easy to be up and running in just minutes. Three easy steps are all that are necessary for professional lightning simulation. 1) Connect lights (up to 2,000 for lightning or 1,000 watts in the dimming mode) to the power outlet on the rear of your FF-151. 2) Connect an appropriate audio source (CD player, laptop, MP3 player, etc.) to the AUDIO INPUT jack on the rear panel. Then connect an amplifier and/or amplified speakers to the 1/8” stereo AUDIO OUTPUT jack on the rear of the lightning simulator. Even though this is a single channel device, you should ALWAYS USE STEREO CABLES. 3) Connect AC power. No other connections or adjustments are required for basic operation. WHEN POWERING UP… Upon power up, the FF-151 goes through a quick self-test and the Lights Alive logo appears. After roughly three seconds, the system is fully functional. When you start playing the audio thunder tracks, the lights will respond. If the lights are not responding as expected, turn up the volume on your audio source or increase the level in the FF-151 via the LCD screens. CUSTOMIZED SETTINGS Five pushbuttons allow you to fully customize your FF-151 settings. Pressing the center MENU button gives you access to several additional windows. Pressing the UP and DOWN buttons scrolls through the windows. The (+) and (–) buttons alter the settings for that particular window. Pressing MENU again will exit the program...
- Page 2 mode and save any changes. If you do not press MENU after making changes, they will be lost when the unit is powered down. The windows are: POWER OFF Press the (+) button for a soft power down. In this mode, the FF-151 goes into a soft sleep. The LCD panel light is also extinguished. The FF-151 will immediately resume operation immediately when any of the five pushbuttons are pressed. OUTPUT MODE From this window, you can choose between lightning or dimming effects. The dimming mode is used when you wish to simulate a power failure. LEVEL LEVEL sets the sensitivity of the lightning channel. If it is set too low, sound will not trigger “lightning”. If it is set too high, the lights will be on constantly during most “lightning strikes”. The range of this control is 0-25. The factory default setting is 15. DIMMER DEPTH When in the dim mode, this control determines the depth of the dimming effect. This is quite similar to the LEVEL control when in the lightning mode. THRESHOLD The threshold setting adjusts the minimum voltage applied to your lights at all times. Proper adjustment increases the sensitivity and range of lights connected to your FF-151. Adjustment is achieved by increasing the setting until your lights just begin to glow, then reducing the setting until they go out. This is a critical adjustment with a range of 0-50. Factory default is 4, but the number may be considerably higher, depending on your lights. MAXIMUM DIMMER LEVEL (dim mode) This setting adjusts the maximum brightness when in the dimming mode. The range is 0-20 with a factory default of 10. MENU BACKLIGHT With a range of 0-10 and a factory default of 9, this adjustment controls the brightness of all menu screens, except the main “run” window. MAIN SCREEN BACKLIGHT Range is 0-10, with a factory default of 1, this adjustment is for the main “run” window. Generally this channel is adjusted to dim the screen while running.
- Page 3 FACTORY RESET If you get lost and prefer to start over, FACTORY RESET will return all settings to a factory default that works well for most types of lights. In the FACTORY RESET window, press +. It will ask you to confirm by pressing both + and – simultaneously. The factory reset will happen nearly instantaneously. You may then scroll down through the various windows or just hit MENU to save and resume operation. LIGHTNING AUDIO This setting allows you to choose the audio source for the lightning effect. Options are mono (left + right), Left channel only or Right channel only. The normal setting is Mono (L+R). DIMMER AUDIO Dimmer audio sources are also MONO (L+R), Left channel only or Right channel only. TEST MODE Test mode allows you to confirm proper operation of your FF-151, cables and lights. When in test mode, simply press (+ or -) to initiate the test to turn on the light. The light will be on as long as you hold the button, but will turn of immediately after releasing the button. When finished, simply press the MENU button. ADVANCED OPERATION The FF-151 will work right out of the box with no adjustments as mentioned in the QUICK START section. However, you can customize some of the settings to optimize the system to better fit your needs. LEVEL adjustments should be set so that lights react to subtle sounds, yet don’t remain on solid during a lightning strike. DEPTH - DIMMER will determine the depth of dimming or how dim the light will become during a strike. It can be adjusted to just make the lights flicker slightly with strong lightning strikes or it can completely extinguish lights with even medium strikes. There is no right or wrong… only personal preference. THRESHOLD controls are one of the most important settings. Set too high, the lights will always glow. If set too low, the system will still work, but the lights will seem more “choppy” and they will lose sensitivity to subtle sounds. Always adjust this control until your lights just begin to glow, then back it down a step or two.
- Page 4 MAXIMUM DIMMER LEVEL This adjustment allows you set the maximum brightness of the lights connected to the dimmer channel. You can now reduce the maximum intensity of the lights connected to the dimmer channel, while still having the FF-151 flicker and dim them more during a “lightning strike”. This adjustment is purely a matter of preference. SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES MAXIMUM POWER HANDLING - Lightning – Up to 2,000 watts Dimming – Up to 1,000 watts ELECTRICAL ISOLATION – Low voltage is provided by an isolated switch mode power supply. Solid-state optical isolation is also utilized to separate low voltage and audio circuits from AC power circuits. SAFETY FEATURES – A user accessible master fuse (25 amp) is located on the back panel. Individual channels are internally fused. Internal surge suppression is also provided. LIGHTS SUPPORTED – Lights Alive ProLight-200 LED, ProLight-400 (preferred), incandescent, halogen, plus many dimmable LEDs and some dimmable compact fluorescent bulbs. THRESHOLD – This feature extends the life, improves response time and increases sensitivity of incandescent and halogen bulbs. It also improves apparent sensitivity of LED fixtures. FACTORY DEFAULT – When in doubt, start over. The factory default option allows you to quickly return to known working values and be back in operation within seconds. CONTROL METHOD – Digitally generated phase cut dimming. The amplitude (volume) of the thunder determines the intensity of the light. ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENT – 120 volts, 60 Hz, up to 20 amps (depending on lights connected). PREFERRED ENVIRONMENT – 0ºF to 100ºF, 10-90% (non condensing) relative humidity.
- Page 5 WARRANTY – Lights Alive provides an unprecedented three (3) year limited warranty on all FireFly models. We will repair or replace (at our option) any unit that is found to be defective in materials or workmanship within three (3) years of the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to units that have been physically damaged, improperly connected, altered, subjected to water, power spikes or any other issues beyond the control of Lights Alive. No other warranty is expressed or implied. By using this equipment, you understand and agree that Lights Alive will not be responsible for injuries or damages, whether direct or indirect, even if they are a result of our negligence. To obtain warranty service, please call or email support@lightsalive.com for a return authorization number, then return the unit, prepaid, including a copy of your original invoice and a detailed description of the problem to Lights Alive at the address listed below. For your protection, we suggest insuring your package and using a method that will provide tracking information. If we find the unit to be defective and under warranty, we will promptly repair or replace it. If it is a non- warranty issue, we will contact you with details and options. A WORD OF WARNING Your FF-151 is equipped with security screws to prevent personal injury and/or damage to your system. There are no user serviceable parts inside. Any attempt to defeat these security screws to gain entry into the enclosure will void your warranty. In addition, opening the enclosure could subject you to high voltage that could cause serious injury or death. SUPPORT If you need help with your FF-151, Lights Alive is here for you. Please feel free to contact us at: Email: Support@LightsAlive.com Phone: 317.280.3000, option 2 Web: www.LightsAlive.com...
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