SUPPORT • TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Angstrom Lighting provides full technical support for all of the lighting equipment we sell and rent to our clients. If you have questions regarding the set-up or operation of lighting equipment you have rented or purchased, there are several ways for you to contact us during our normal business hours (M-Th 8:30-5:30, Fri 8:30-6, Sat 10-2, Pacific Time Zone).

1. EMAIL: darin@angstromlighting.com
2. PHONE: Call our toll free phone number 866.275.9211
3. IN-PERSON: 837 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90038

If you rented or purchased a console, an owners manual was included with your order. If you need emergency after hours technical support, call 866.275.9211 for the emergency contact phone numbers.

For information on repair service or routine maintenance of lighting equipment, Click here.

COMMON TECHNICAL PROBLEMS: SOLVED

DIMMING

Problem: My dimmers seem to be out of order (i.e. channel 1 seems to control dimmer 7 or channel 12 seems to bring up 2 different dimmers at once).

Solution: This is a DMX assignment problem. Each DMX device (whether it be a dimmer pack, a fog machine, a rotator or a moving light) has a DMX assignment control; usually a 3 digit thumb-wheel. And each DMX device needs a starting address. If, for example, you want a particular DMX 6 channel dimmer pack to start at control channel 1, the DMX address should read 001. This now takes up control channel 1 through 6. The next device (let's say a rotator that uses 2 channels of DMX) would be assigned 007. It is also possible to assign 2 DMX devices to the same address. For example, you could add another rotator to the chain and set the address to 007. It would then work together with the first rotator.

Problem: My ETC dimmer pack turns on and off intermittently.

Solution: ETC packs have fans that draw air through filters. If the filters become congested, it will trigger the over-temperature shut-down mode. After the pack cools down, it will come back on. The simple fix is to keep the filters clean.

Problem: My lights are hung and plugged into the dimmers. The controller is connected to the dimmers and the controller is powered up. The LEDs are working on the console but nothing is happening.

Solution: Most likely you do not have power to the dimmers. Check switches and power and look for a lit indicator lamp. Still no luck? Check the DMX address.

CONSOLES

Problem: My memory lighting console brings up the wrong dimmers (i.e. my console handle #18 brings up dimmer #34; or some dimmers at full are not as bright as others even though they are the same lights at the same wattage).

Solution: Check with your user manual to set your console to clear the programmable dimmer assignment. Most consoles will direct you to a menu that allows you to set up the console 1:1, meaning channel 1 is dimmer 1, channel 2 is dimmer 2, etc. The lighting console can also preset, in memory, the maximum level for any or all dimmers. Again check with the manual or the console's on-screen menu to default all dimmers to normal or 100% at full.

STROBES

Problem: I have a series of strobes hooked up with DMX control cable into a common strobe controller. One unit seems to work at a very low level only. When I move other strobes into that same spot, the new unit also functions at a low level.

Solution: Whenever you use multiple strobes in a common controller, all the strobes have to be fed from the same phase (meaning the white wire is connected to the larger pole and the black wire is connected to the smaller pole). If you use ordinary wall outlets and the wiring is NOT in phase you will be out of phase and this problem will occur. Try moving the affected strobe to another outlet.

FOG/SMOKE GENERAL

Problem: My fog/smoke machine does not produce smoke even though there is a "pumping" noise.

Solution: This is the most common problem regarding nearly all of our fog and smoke machines. What is happening is that the take-up hose inserted into the bottle of fog fluid is not fully immersed and the machine is actually pumping air, not fluid. Most machines also require a fairly long warm-up period and usually have a "ready" light that turns on when the unit is ready to use.

FOG/SMOKE: LE MAITRE LOW SMOKE GENERATOR

Problem: I get smoke from the G-300 unit, but it does not stay on the ground.

Solution Checklist:
Is the gas line connected to the liquid valve on the C02 dewar?
Is the liquid valve open all the way?
Has the pressure-building valve been open for at least 45 minutes?
Is there gas/liquid in the CO2 dewar?

Problem: I am not getting any smoke from the G-300 unit.

Solution Checklist:
Is the machine on?
Is there liquid in the G-300?
Is the G-300 set to G300 mode (not "Haze" mode)?
Has the G-300 had sufficient time to warm up?
Is the flow rate set to 25 with the duration set to Max and the internal set to Min?

Problem: The unit was working and now it does not.

Solution Checklist:
Have you run out of fluid in the G-300?
Have you run out of CO2?
Have you re-set the G-300 (turned the power off and then back on again)?
Note: A 2-litre bottle of fluid and the dewar will give approximately 45 minutes of continuous effect. 30 seconds will cover roughly 100' x 50' in 12" of smoke effect.

Problem: The smoke comes out but does not last.

Solution Checklist:
Is the unit used outdoors? Wind will quickly dissipate the effect.
Is there a fan blowing on the smoke? Any air movement will cause the smoke effect to dissipate more quickly.

MOVING LIGHTS

Problem: I have questions about or I'm having problems with my Martin moving lights.

Solution: Click here for solutions to all your Martin automated lighting questions:

Problem: I have questions about or I'm having problems with my High End moving lights.

Solution: Click here for solutions to all your High End automated lighting questions:

WHOLE HOG CONSOLES

Problem: I have questions about or I'm having problems with my Whole Hog.

Solution: Click here for solutions to all your Whole Hog questions:

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