I. Creating a telecue with an RC4 LumenDimM4

A. The LumenDimM4 and all RC4 Series 3 dimmers can be used as wireless or wired DMX devices

II. Components needed to ring a telephone with a LumenDimM4

A. An old style land line phone

B. An RC4 LumenDimM4

1. This will need to be configured with a special dimmer curve that has an
AC wave generatorAC wave generatorAn AC wave generator creates alternating current (AC) using direct current (DC) electronics and special software.  In RC4 Series 3 dimmers, this is done using two 2 DC dimmers in tandem.  AC power is needed to make a telephone ring, or make EL wire light up.  It is the kind of power that comes from a regular […]
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2. AC Wave generation requires two dimmer outputs ganged together: A and B, or C and D.  In this example we will use the Dim C/D pair.

C. A step up center tap transformerCenter tap transformerA transformer is an electrical power component consisting of two coils of wire wrapped around an iron core.  A basic transformer has four wires: the two ends of each coil.  If additional wires are added to points within one of the coils, these are called taps.  A tap in the middle of a coil is […]
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1. These can be purchased in electronics shops or online.  Here is a list of suitable transformers available from Digikey, an online electronic parts supplier.  (If Digikey changes their system and breaks this link, please let us know at support@rc4wireless.com.)

2. The step up transformer requires a center tap on the secondary side

a. The secondary side is low voltage

b. The primary side is high voltage

c. To ring the bell on a phone, low voltage will go in and high voltage will come out.

d. Telephone bells ring when 80 to 100VAC is applied

D. Set up is shown in this diagram:

III. Configuring the LumenDimM4 dimmer to ring a telephone using dimmer outputs Dim C and Dim D

A. In this example, the unit is in default mode to start (factory settings)

B. In this example, the telephone will ring on DMX channel 25

1. All available dimmer curves can be selected using the Enhanced OneTouch process

2. There is a tight matrix of dimmer curves starting at level 20

a. Enhanced OneTouch enables users to select dimmer curves that are not accessible using regular RC4 OneTouch.  (Regular OneTouch can only select from 4 curves; RC4 Series 3 devices provide 12 or more curves)

b. A DMX level of 30 selects the AC wave generator

3. On the console, set DMX channel 25 to a level of 30

4. Using a small tool like a bent paper clip, tap and release the Set C button on the LumenDimM4.  This completes the DMX channel and curve assignment process.

5. The Dim C and Dim D LEDs on the LumenDimM4 will illuminate and oscillate rapidly back and forth. This is the AC Wave.

a. As the level is increased on the DMX channel, the LEDs on the LumenDimM4 will become brighter

IV. Wiring in the transformer

A. Turn the dimmer off while wiring and making connections

B. On RC4 dimmers, “common” is the + (positive) terminal; RC4 dimmers are common-positive.

1. The center tap will go to the positive side

C. Each of the outside wires on the transformer, the ends of the secondary coil, go to the two negative dimmer terminals

D. On most RC4 dimmers, this is typically three wires in a row. In this case: Dim C-, Dim D+(common), Dim D-.

V. Wiring the phone

A. An RJ11 plug can be used on the phone

B. An RJ11 jack can be connected to the secondary coil of the transformer

C. In this example, non-standard jacks are being used on the transformer and phone.  Any connector can be used, or the telephone could be hard wired directly to the transformer

D. Connect the telephone jack to the transformer jack

E. Bring up the channel

F. The phone will ring

1. The cadence of the ring of the phone is controlled via the DMX channel

2. Typically the channel will be brought to full for a strong robust ring.  It can be faded for special effects

G. When the phone is picked up, the bell will turn off

1. This is part of the internal mechanics of a typical bell telephone: the hook switch disconnects the bell and connects the audio components to the line