by boss | Jan 6, 2014 | Projects
Making an illuminated guitar with LEDs might seem easy. Get some LED ribbon, batteries and a switch, right? But what if you want to control it in real time, seamlessly integrated with the rest of your show control? This is where the
RC4Magic system comes in. By adding an
RC4Magic DMXio transmitter and an
RC4MagicDMX4dim wireless dimmer, Strictly FX immediately had multiple LED dimmers on DMX channels, just like all the other lights and effects in the show.
by boss | Mar 5, 2013 | Articles, Press Release
Here at RC4, where all the fun begins and never really ends, we’re updating the terms and conditions of our warranty to make it even more attractive to our valued customers.
Of course, all warranties in the free world must be “limited,” with carefully considered boundaries and restrictions on what can be sent back for free repair. But I, James David Smith, exalted president and CEO of RC4 Wireless, have an unusual aversion to lawyers and legalese; I don’t want a team of ivory-tower attorneys coming anywhere near my business policies and practices.
Which leads us to our
contest!
Send us some examples of what you think we should explicitly NOT cover under warranty. Here are some examples:
1. RC4 Wireless will not provide warranty service for units that have been operated under water.
2. If you decide to do your own repairs with a blow-torch and plumber’s solder, we’re not fixing that mistake for free.
3. Do not flood your RC4 dimmer with gasoline and set it alight; you will be saying bye bye to that one, end of story.
Why bother to submit a suggestion?
- Win a FREE DMX2dim Wireless Dimmer!
If we use your submission in our published warranty, we will give you a FREE RC4Magic DMX2dim dimmer pack. That’s a $429 value. Seriously! This isn’t some lousy “win a chance to win” scam — if we like what you come up with, you actually can win!! And, presuming some good ideas come our way, we expect to use at least five of them. That means five lucky winners!
So get back to us. And I mean soon. We’re unveiling our new warranty terms at the USITT Stage Expo in Milwaukee, March 20 – 24, 2013. That’s not much time!
Don’t put your great idea on Facebook, or some other public place; if you do, it becomes public domain. No no no! If you want a chance to win, you must send your idea to me — personally. Send your brilliant little quip in an email to notcovered@rc4wireless.com, along with contact information so we can reach you if you’re chosen.
I look forward to a very full inbox. Thanks!
Jim
RC4 Wireless
P.S. In case you’re not familiar with our current warranty, before we revise it, have a look at https://rc4wireless.com/support/warranty/.
by boss | Jan 24, 2011 | Batteries & Chargers, FAQ, Wireless Dimming
Problem:
When channel levels are brought up, the load (lamp, motor, etc.) operates for a brief moment then goes off. A second or so later, it comes back on. The problem appears cyclical or intermittent.
Cause:
When a lead-acid battery is measured with no load it reads approximately 12V. This is true even for a substantially discharged battery. RC4 electronics require very little current to operate, and a discharged battery still provides enough power for the receiver to come on and indicate traffic.
Here’s the problem cycle:
- When RF control data indicates an output level, the output driver delivers battery power to the load. If the battery is under-rated or under-charged, voltage will drop substantially under load.
- When the battery voltage drops much below 5V the RC4 receiver will shut down. This disconnects the load from the battery.
- With the load disconnected, battery voltage drifts back up. (It eventually drifts back up to 12V, unless the battery is seriously damaged). When battery voltage climbs above 6V, the RC4 receiver comes back on and starts monitoring control data again.
…And the cycle starts all over again.
In some cases, exactly the same symptoms are caused by undersized wire or poor connections between the battery and the RC4 receiver. These cause resistance, resulting in a voltage drop at the receiver when the load increases (Ohm’s Law).
This cycle through steps 1, 2, 3 and back to 1, results in the symptom described. The actual cycle time varies with battery size, battery charge, the size of the load, power levels selected, and wire sizes used. Eventually the battery is damaged and fails to drift back up enough to continue the cycle.
To prove this is happening, put a volt-meter across the power input terminals at the RC4 receiver. The voltage will drop when the load comes on. When the voltage drops enough, the load will go off. When the voltage drifts back up enough, the load will switch back on.
If these voltage fluctuations are apparent at the receiver but not at the battery terminals, then wire and connections are at fault — you must conduct adequate current from the battery to the receiver to avoid these unwanted voltage drops.
Solutions:
- Be sure the battery is rated large enough for the intended load for the operating time you require. Prove this by directly connecting the battery to the load and testing without the wireless system in the circuit at all.
- Ensure the battery is fully charged using a smart charger that accurately detects the condition of the battery.
- Be sure wire gauges are large enough, especially between the battery and the receiver/dimmer.
- Be sure connections are tight and strong. Hot wires or connections are probably causing problems.
by boss | Jan 24, 2011 | FAQ, Radio, Wireless Dimming
Problem:
Fades are not smooth, channels intermittently black-out for a second or more.
Cause 1 (most likely):
The RC4 system depends on RF signals getting from the transmitter to the receivers. An antenna is under the top cover of each RC4 wireless device — one at the transmitter, and one in each receiver. (This, by the way, is why we use tough ABS plastic enclosures: they are transparent to radio waves; metal cases are not.)
RC4Magic operates in the 2.4GHz band using spread-spectrum digital radio. Although output power is quite low, high frequency signals bounce easily and receivers are very sensitive. This means that receivers can find good data most of the time.
The system will not work, however, if the tops of the plastic enclosures are blocked with batteries or metal coverings. Signals must be able to get in and out of the top of each box, both at the transmitter and at each receiver.
Solutions:
Make sure the top area of each plastic enclosure — usually marked on the label as the RF Hot Spot — is not blocked by batteries or metal obstructions. These block radio signals.
Small clusters of wiring, gridwork, bars across the top of the enclosures, etc. generally DO NOT cause problems. Make sure there is a path for SOME signal to get through and the system should work fine.
Where quasi-line-of-sight is attainable:
- Position the transmitter overhead, above the stage or other area where receivers are positioned. The top of the transceiver should be facing down, towards the receivers.
- Position receivers facing up, towards the transmitter tranceiver.
Where line-of-site cannot be acheived, or there are numerous obstructions between transmitter and receiver:
- Position the transmitter transceiver so the top of the box is facing the ceiling above the stage, or the back wall if it is largely clear. Signals will bounce back and flood the stage. Avoid metal obstructions or large harnesses of wiring in the signal path.
- Position receivers so the top of each box is facing the same way as the transmitter. Reflected signals will bounce directly into the receiver antennas.
RC4 technology is VERY tolerant of signal degradation and electrical noise. Most users have no problems… in fact, at the time of this writing only a handful of radio interference problems have ever been reported with an RC4 system. If you think you’re suffering radio interference problems, FIRST be absolutely certain your batteries are good and you are within the 200 – 300 foot operating range.
Cause 2 (less likely):
In early 2011 it came to our attention that a firmware bug was inadvertently released. If you are experiencing choppy dimming and/or very long connect times when a receiver is first powered on, please contact RC4 for free update. This update is free. If your unit is out of warranty, all you pay is shipping. If it is in warranty, we pay the shipping both ways. We apologize for this inconvenience.
by boss | Jan 24, 2011 | FAQ, Getting Started, Radio
Problem:
You need to operate two or more RC4 systems in close proximity without interference.
Solution:
We’ve taken care of part of this problem for you at the factory. Every user is issued their own set of unique digital IDs. Nobody else has your IDs. If you set up your system, and someone else sets up their system right beside you, neither of you will notice at all. Your receivers are under your control; their receivers are under their control. There is nothing you have to do to ensure this happens.
RC4Magic Series 2 systems are provided with 3 unique IDs and a Public ID. Each unique ID can be operated completely independently. Thus, if you have enough pieces in your system, you can setup a DMXio to transmit on each different ID, and set receivers to sync to whichever one you prefer. Each separate ID is a completely separate digital network that supports its own complete DMX universe. If you include the Public ID, that’s four universes of wireless.
The Public ID is a little bit less secure than your 3 unique IDs. Every RC4Magic Series 2 system we have ever sold has the same Public ID (hexadecimal 999). If you need to combine your RC4Magic devices with someone else’s so you have one big system, set all the pieces on the Public ID. As long as nobody else is using the RC4Magic Public ID within 300 feet of you, your system will perform flawlessly. It’s extremely unlikely that the user in the next theatre or in the rehearsal space upstairs is also using the Public ID; they will be using one of their unique system IDs.
