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Product Documentation

	Blizzard (9,12,20" models)
Assembly Manual	User Manual	Data Sheet
	Blizzard-DMX
Assembly Manual	User Manual	Data Sheet
	Rainbow Wall Runner
Assembly Manual Version 1 Assembly Manual Version 2	User Manual	Data Sheet
	Rainbow Floodlight
Assembly Manual	User Manual	Data Sheet
	Rainbow Brain
Assembly Manual	User Manual	Data Sheet
DMX with LOR		DMX with DIY
	Rainbow Pixel (coming soon)
Assembly Manual	User Manual	Data Sheet

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does my Blizzard unit flash every time it turns on?
A: This is most likely because the resistors on the unit are not installed or are installed incorrectly.  Check to make sure R1 and R2 are installed and good solder joints are on each lead of the resistor. 

Q: Why is the voltage regulator on my Blizzard unit getting so hot?
A: Very little power is actually used for each Blizzard unit and therefore the voltage regulator (U3) should not even be warm to the touch.  If U3 is getting hot, be sure to check all your solder joints, paying careful attention to the three leads on U3.  Also check to make sure you have the positive (+) and negative (-) leads installed correctly.  

Q: My Blizzard unit is falling the way it should but 3 LEDs are not turning on.
A: The LEDs on each Blizzard unit are wired in series, in groups of 3.  If the 3 LEDs that are not turning on are right next to each other, this is likely due to poor solder joints on those 3 LEDs.  Retouch all 6 leads of the LEDs and the lights should come on.  If one LED is out on the board, check to make sure it is installed correctly, with the flat side of the LED facing down.  If that is correct, the LED is most likely dead.  Please contact us at support@christmasonmanor.com and we will get an LED shipped out to  you ASAP.

Q: Why will my Blizzard unit not do anything?
A: This could be for a few reasons.  First, check to make sure 12 volts DC is applied to the board.  Also make sure that that positive (+) and negative (-) wires are going to the correct terminals.  Check to ensure that the processor (U1) is installed correctly; notch facing up.  If you have a voltage meter, check to ensure that +5VDC is coming out of the third pin on the voltage regulator (U3).  Place the positive lead on the third pin (one closest to the LEDs) and the negative lead on the center pin.  Your meter should read +5VDC, or somewhere very close to that.  (4.98 to 5.02 VDC is an acceptable range.)  If all those areas check out correctly and you are certain that all your solder points on the components are correct, you could have a bad processor.  This is very unlikely, but has happened before.  Please contact support@christmasonmanor.com and we will get a processor shipped out to you ASAP.

Q: I solder my Blizzard LEDs on the same side as the components.  Now what?
A: Don't be concerned.  This is perfectly acceptable.  We only have the LEDs installed on the reverse side to help the light project forward.  We found the that components at the top of Blizzard tended to not let the light project forward.  By installing the LEDs on the back, it allows the light to project forward for the entire length of the board.

Q: My Blizzard PCB is green, not silver.  Is my board bad?
A: Absolutely not!  In 2009 we change PCB manufacturers.  The silver coating most people know about is simply the ground plane on the boards that was not covered with a solder mask.  Most manufacturers do not leave this exposed as it is very difficult to solder.  To combat this issue, we have made the version 2 board white, which does a very good job of projecting the light forward. 

Q: One group of 4 LEDs on my Rainbow Wall Runner is not lighting.  What is wrong?
A: Because of the way the LEDs are wiring on the Rainbow Wall Runners, when a grouping of LEDs goes out, it just means that one or more the pins on the LEDs is not solder well.  Retouch all your solder joints to fix this problem.

Q: I want my entire Rainbow Wall Runner to be the same color all the time.  What should I do?
A: If you only want one color on the board all the time, you can put the same LEDs on every single row of the board.  Make sure you adjust the resistors accordingly.  We can provide you with the correct amount of resistors and LEDs, just make sure you contact us before placing the order.  (Depending on the color LEDs you need, additional fees may apply)

Q: I do not have any type of computer control equipment but want to use the wall runners.  Can this be done?
A: Absolutely! You will need some sort of DC transformer that has the ability to put out 12 VDC.  Also be sure it can handle the amperage load.  Further documentation on this can be found in the Rainbow Wall Runner Manual, here.