Martin VDO FATRON 20 User Manual

VDO Fatron™

User Manual

Dimensions

320

165

320

165

5

165



222

1000

165

1000

165



165





Fatron 20, 320 mm

Fatron 20, 1000 mm

All dimensions are in millimeters

to change without notice. HARMAN PROFESSIONAL DENMARK ApS and all affiliated companies disclaim liability for any injury,

damage, direct or indirect loss, consequential or economic loss or any other loss occasioned by the use of, inability to use or reliance

on the information contained in this document. Martin is a registered trademark of HARMAN PROFESSIONAL DENMARK ApS

registered in the United States and/or other countries.

HARMAN PROFESSIONAL DENMARK ApS

, Olof Palmes Allé 44, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark

HARMAN PROFESSIONAL, INC.

, 8500 Balboa Blvd., Northridge CA 91325, USA

www.martin.com

VDO Fatron User Manual, P/N 5086534, Rev. E

Fatron 20 with Flat Diffuser

All dimensions are in millimeters

Fatron 20 with Round Diffuser

Fatron 20 with Square Diffuser

Fatron 20 with No Blend Diffuser /

Lens Array Narrow

Tube external Ø 48-51

Low-profile Half-coupler Rigging Clamp

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Ø 13

Parallel Coupler

Sliding Bracket

All dimensions are in millimeters

Curving Coupler

129

196

Ø28

Spigot Adapter

All dimensions are in millimeters

121

Floor Stand (two required per fixture)

Linear (End-to-end) Coupler

Pt No. 91611843

180

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Contents

Safety information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Precautions to avoid damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Flightcases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

VDO Fatron™ overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Physical installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Wind precautions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Preparing for installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Using couplers to align fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Mounting fixtures on a structure or surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Installing and removing optical accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

System installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Installing a P3 system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Installing a DMX-controlled system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

System setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Pixels and segments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Setting up for P3 display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Setting up for DMX control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Using the VDO Fatron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

P3 display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

DMX control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Magnetic ‘control button’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Flightcase system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Service and maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

LED performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Installing new software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

DMX protocols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Direct DMX control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Pre-programmed FX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

DMX via P3 System Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Segment numbering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

VDO Fatron 20, 320 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

VDO Fatron 20, 1000 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Safety information

The following symbols are used to identify important safety information on the product and in this document:

Warning!

• Read this user manual before installing and operating the Martin® VDO Fatron™. Keep this user

manual for future reference.

• Follow the safety precautions given in this user manual and in the user documentation of all the

devices you connect to it. Observe all warnings given in user documentation and printed on

devices. Make sure that everyone who is involved in working on or using the VDO Fatron has read

and understood these safety precautions and warnings.

• Install, connect, operate and service devices only as described in this user manual and in

connected devices’ user documentation and only in accordance with local laws and regulations.

Martin user documentation is supplied with devices and is also available for download from

www.martin.com.

• The VDO Fatron is not for household use. It presents risks of severe injury or death due to fire and

burn hazards, electric shock and falls. It must be installed by qualified technicians only.

• The VDO Fatron does not have user-serviceable parts. LEDs are not replaceable. Refer any

operation not described in this manual to Martin Global Service or Martin authorized service

agents.

If you have any questions about how to install, operate or service the fixture safely, please contact your

Martin distributor (see www.martin.com/distributors for details) or in the USA call 1-844-776-4899.

PROTECTION FROM ELECTRIC SHOCK

• Read and respect the directions given in the user manuals of all the devices that you intend to connect to

the VDO Fatron, particularly the instructions, warnings and limits that apply to:

- system layout,

- connections to other devices,

- specified cables,

- maximum cable lengths, and

- maximum number of devices that can be connected.

• Use only the cables specified in this manual and on the Martin website at www.martin.com to interconnect

devices in the installation. If the specified cables are not long enough for an intended cable run, consult

Martin for assistance in finding or creating a safe alternative solution.

WARNING!

Read the safety precautions in this section before

installing, powering, operating or servicing this

product.

Warning!

Safety hazard.

Risk of severe

injury or

death.

Warning!

Hazardous

voltage. Risk

of severe or

lethal electric

shock.

Warning!

Fire hazard.

Warning!

Refer to user

manual.

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

• Provide a means of locking out AC mains power that allows power to the installation to be shut down and

made impossible to reapply, even accidentally, during work on the installation.

• Shut down power to the installation during service and when it is not in use.

• Before applying power to the installation, check that all power distribution equipment and cables are in

perfect condition and rated for the current requirements of all connected devices.

• Isolate the installation from power immediately if any product, power cable or power plug is in any way

damaged, defective or wet, or if it shows signs of overheating.

• Do not immerse a VDO Fatron fixture in water or expose it to high-pressure water jets.

• Do not allow the total length (including fixtures and cable) of a linked chain of VDO Fatron fixtures to

exceed 50 m (164 ft.) from the 48 VDC power source (Martin P3 PowerPort 1500, Martin P3 PowerPort

1000 IP, Martin DMX PowerPort 375, Martin IP66 PSU 240W or other external power supply unit) to the

last VDO Fatron at the end of the chain.

• If you supply a chain of VDO Fatron fixtures with DC power from a generic 48 VDC external PSU and the

DC output used does not have constant overcurrent protection that limits current to 8 A, install an inline

fuseholder with a 7.5 A or 8 A fuse on the circuit that you connect to the DC output.

Safety limits for connecting devices

Do not exceed the maximum safety limits given in the following tables.

Martin P3 PowerPort 1500 safety limits

If you supply VDO Fatron fixtures with DC power from a Martin P3 PowerPort 1500:

• Do not connect more than one chain of fixtures to one DC output on the P3 PowerPort 1500. Since the P3

PowerPort 1500 has four DC outputs, you can connect a maximum of four chains of fixtures to one P3

PowerPort 1500.

• Do not exceed the maximum total length of fixtures that you can include in one chain (see Table 1).

• Do not exceed a maximum total length of 50 m (164 ft.) for a chain, including fixtures and cable, measured

from the P3 PowerPort 1500 to the end of the chain (see Table 1).

Martin P3 PowerPort 1000 IP safety limits

If you supply VDO Fatron fixtures with DC power from an output on a Martin P3 PowerPort 1000 IP:

• Do not connect more than one linked chain of VDO Fatron fixtures to one DC output. Since the P3

PowerPort 1000 IP has four DC outputs, you can connect a maximum of four chains of fixtures to one P3

PowerPort 1000 IP.

• Do not exceed the maximum number of fixtures that you can include in one chain (see Table 2).

• Do not exceed a maximum total length of 50 m (164 ft.) for a chain, including fixtures and cable, measured

from the P3 PowerPort 1000 IP to the end of the chain (see Table 2).

Type of fixture in

chain

Maximum total number

of fixtures in chain

Maximum total length of

chain (fixtures and

cable)

VDO Fatron 20, 320 mm 15 50 m

VDO Fatron 20, 1000 mm 5 50 m

Table 1: Safety limits per chain of VDO Fatron fixtures per P3 PowerPort 1500 output

Type of fixture in

chain

Maximum number of

fixtures in chain

Maximum total length of

chain (fixtures and

cable)

VDO Fatron 20, 320 mm 10 50 m

VDO Fatron 20, 1000 mm 3 50 m

Table 2: Maximum number of VDO Fatron fixtures per P3 PowerPort 1000 IP output

Safety information

Martin DMX PowerPort 375 safety limits

If you supply VDO Fatron fixtures with DC power from a Martin DMX PowerPort 375:

• Do not connect more than one chain of fixtures to the DMX PowerPort 375’s hybrid DC power and data

output.

• Do not exceed the maximum total length of fixtures that you can include in one chain (see Table 3).

• Do not exceed a maximum total length of 50 m (164 ft.) for a chain, including fixtures and cable, measured

from the DMX PowerPort to the end of the chain (see Table 3).

Martin IP66 PSU 240W safety limits

If you supply VDO Fatron fixtures with DC power from a Martin IP66 PSU 240W external power supply unit:

• Do not connect more than one linked chain of VDO Fatrons to the DC power output of the Martin IP66

PSU 240W.

• Do not exceed the maximum number of fixtures that you can include in one chain (see Table 4).

• Do not exceed a maximum total length of 50 m (164 ft.) for a chain, including fixtures and cable, measured

from the Martin IP66 PSU 240W to the end of the chain (see Table 4).

Generic 48 VDC external PSU safety limits

If you supply a chain of VDO Fatron fixtures with DC power from a 48 VDC external PSU (power supply

unit) that you obtain yourself, you must not exceed the lowest of these limits:

• Do not create a chain that will exceed the maximum power rating of the PSU output used to supply that

chain with power (to find the power consumption of the chain, multiply the number of fixtures in the chain

with the wattage per fixture according to Table 5).

• Do not exceed the maximum number of fixtures and the maximum total length of cable that you can

connect in one chain (see Table 5).

This means that, each time you reach (a) the maximum total length of fixtures in one chain, or (b) 50 m (164

ft.) total length of the chain, or (c) the PSU output’s maximum power rating – whichever you reach first –

you must create a new chain of fixtures that is connected to a new 48 VDC power output.

Type of fixture in

chain

Maximum total number

of fixtures in chain

Maximum total length of

chain (fixtures and

cable)

VDO Fatron 20, 320 mm 15 50 m

VDO Fatron 20, 1000 mm 5 50 m

Table 3: Safety limits per chain of VDO Fatron fixtures per DMX PowerPort 375

Type of fixture in

chain

Maximum number of

fixtures in chain

Maximum total length of

chain (fixtures and

cable)

VDO Fatron 20, 320 mm 10 50 m

VDO Fatron 20, 1000 mm 3 50 m

Table 4: Safety limits per chain of VDO Fatron fixtures per Martin IP66 PSU 240W

Type of fixture in

chain

Wattage per fixture

Maximum number of

fixtures in chain

Maximum total length

of chain (fixtures and

cable)

VDO Fatron 20,

320 mm

20 W 10 50 m

Table 5: Safety limits per chain of VDO Fatron fixtures per 48 VDC external PSU (provided that PSU

rating in watts is not exceeded).

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

PROTECTION FROM BURNS AND FIRE

• The VDO Fatron is cooled by convection. Ensure sufficient ventilation by providing free airflow and keep a

minimum distance of 10 mm (0.4 in.) between the fixture and any surfaces or objects around it.

• Do not operate the VDO Fatron if the ambient temperature (Ta) around the fixture exceeds 45° C (113° F).

• Do not modify the VDO Fatron in any way not described in this manual or install other than genuine Martin

parts. Use only accessories approved by Martin.

PROTECTION FROM INJURY

• Read carefully the chapter “Physical installation” on page 14 and respect the limits and instructions given

in that chapter, or you may install items in such a way that they can collapse or fall, causing serious or

lethal injury.

• Support each VDO Fatron 1000 mm fixture with two sliding brackets or two low-profile half couplers.

Support each VDO Fatron 320 mm fixture with a sliding bracket or low profile half coupler. Other

accessories such as curving couplers or end-to-end linear couplers are for alignment purposes only: do

not use them to support the weight of fixtures.

• If a fixture may cause injury or damage if it falls, secure it as described in this manual with a secondary

attachment such as a safety cable that is approved by an official body such as TÜV as a safety

attachment for the weight that it secures. The safety cable must comply with EN 60598-2-17 Section

17.6.6 or BGV C1 / DGUV 17 and it must also be capable of bearing a static suspended load at least ten

times (or more if required by locally applicable regulations) the weight that it secures.

• Use at least one safety cable per fixture: do not loop a safety cable through the bracket of more than one

fixture.

• Eliminate as much slack as possible from the safety cable (by looping it more than once around the

rigging truss, for example). If the primary attachment fails, the safety cable must catch the fixture before

the fixture has dropped 10 cm (4 in.).

• Ensure that the installation hardware and supporting surface or structure can hold at least 10 times the

weight of all the devices they support.

• Block access below the work area and work from a stable platform whenever installing, servicing or

moving the VDO Fatron.

• As soon as work is completed, check that all hardware and components are securely fastened to

supporting structures.

• Do not add more than three (3) flightcase extenders to one VDO Fatron flightcase base unit.

• Do not use the VDO Fatron without an optical accessory installed on the front of the fixture as directed in

this manual. Optical accessories for the VDO Fatron are listed under “Accessories” on page 58. An

updated list is available on the Martin website at www.martin.com

PROTECTION FROM INJURY CAUSED BY WIND

• In any location where an array of VDO Fatron fixtures may be exposed to the wind, follow the precautions

listed below and the instructions in the Physical Installation chapter of this user manual.

• Ensure that professional technicians:

- are in attendance at the installation at all times,

- constantly monitor weather forecasts and local wind speed, and

- remove all fixtures from the installation immediately if constant or gusting wind speed that exceeds

Force 8 on the Beaufort scale (74 km/h, 46 mph or 20 meters/sec.) is forecast or present at the

installation location.

VDO Fatron 20,

1000 mm

60 W 3 50 m

Table 5: Safety limits per chain of VDO Fatron fixtures per 48 VDC external PSU (provided that PSU

rating in watts is not exceeded).

Introduction

Thank you for selecting a product from the Martin® VDO Fatron™ family. VDO Fatron fixtures are compact

LED-based display units are designed to integrate into a Martin P3™ video system, where they can display

video from a variety of sources. They can also be controlled using DMX. Use of an RDM-compliant DMX

controller also allows two-way communication and remote management of VDO Fatron fixtures from the

controller if you are not using a P3 system controller to set up and manage fixtures.

The VDO Fatron combines flexibility and simplicity with high-quality video display capabilities. Multiple VDO

Fatron fixtures can be combined in ways that give exceptional creative flexibility. Clip-on optical accessories

available from Martin allow the appearance and display characteristics of fixtures to be changed in seconds.

The accessories include a clip-on lens array designed for punchy mid-air effects. A hybrid (power and data)

cabling system allows VDO Fatron fixtures to be daisy-chained for easy setup and minimal cabling.

The VDO Fatron 20 is a linear array of LEDs encapsulated in resin in an aluminum profile to give a rugged

IP65-rated fixture. It offers the following features:

• IP65-rated fixtures and connectors

• Fast, flexible mounting options

• Range of clip-on optical accessories

• 20 mm pixel pitch (LED center-to-center distance)

• Two fixture lengths: 320 mm (12.6 in.) and 1000 mm (39.4 in.)

• Individually controllable pixels

• High-quality 16-bit per color RGB image processing technology

• Pixel-level brightness and color calibration for optimal image quality

• P3 and DMX control with automatic protocol detection (Art-Net & sACN via P3 System Controller)

• Intuitive pixel mapping and addressing using a Martin P3 system controller

• Single hybrid cable transmits both power and data

• External power and data processor from the Martin P3 PowerPort range and simple cabling system

For dimensions drawings of all the products in the VDO Fatron family, please see the VDO Fatron Product

Support pages on the Martin website at www.martin.com

Martin user documentation is supplied with products and available for download from www.martin.com,

where you can also find the latest specifications, firmware updates and support information for all Martin

products.

Precautions to avoid damage

Important! To get the best out of the VDO Fatron and avoid causing damage that is not covered by

the product warranty, read the following information carefully. Make sure that everyone who is

involved in working on or using the VDO Fatron has read and understood this information.

Excessive dirt buildup causes overheating and may damage the product. Damage caused by inadequate

cleaning is not covered by the product warranty.

Operating temperature precautions

• Exposing the VDO Fatron to direct sunlight, or operating it in an ambient temperature that exceeds the

specified maximum of 45° C (113° F) that applies while showing average video content, may reduce the

lifetime of the product.

• When using a Martin P3 System Controller, a Thermal Throttling feature is available. This feature

gradually dims all the fixtures in the installation if one or more fixtures approaches maximum operating

temperature. If you do not activate Thermal Throttling, the VDO Fatron’s internal thermal protection will

shut down the fixture if the fixture exceeds maximum operating temperature. The fixture will light again

when its temperature has fallen to a safe level. To avoid blackouts due to thermal shutdowns, we therefore

recommend that you activate Thermal Throttling.

• When using DMX control, VDO Fatron fixtures automatically begin to reduce their light output when the

ambient temperature reaches 45° C in order to control their internal temperature. Output is reduced

gradually as the ambient temperature rises above 45° C. Fixtures will still light at the maximum ambient

temperature of 55° C, but output will be considerably reduced. This feature avoids blackouts due to

protective thermal shutdowns.

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Flightcases

See below. For convenience and protection, we recommend that you use the flightcases and flightcase

extenders available from Martin for the VDO Fatron. See “Accessories” on page 58.

The VDO Fatron Flightcase accepts 5 x 1000 mm VDO Fatron fixtures or 15 x 320 mm fixtures. The VDO

Fatron Flightcase Extender accept an additional 5 x 1000 mm VDO Fatron fixtures or 15 x 320 mm fixtures.

Figure 1: VDO Fatron flightcase accessories

VDO Fatron Flightcase VDO Fatron Flightcase Extender

VDO Fatron™ overview

Figure 2: Overview

A - 48 VDC power + video data BBD-type male input connector

B - 48 VDC power + video data BBD-type female output (thru) connector

C - Magnetic control sensor (encased inside fixture) – can be activated using accessory tool

D - Safety cable attachment

E - Sliding bracket

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Physical installation

Warning! Read “Safety information” on page 7 and “Precautions to avoid damage” on page 11 on

before installing the VDO Fatron. Read this chapter for important information about installation

safety.

Different installation methods and hardware are required depending on size of fixture, orientation,

number of fixtures fastened together and conditions in the installation location: (a) indoors on a

static structure or (b) in a location that is exposed to wind, vibration or other forces. Read this

chapter carefully before installing VDO Fatron fixtures and use the method that is suitable for the

installation site.

The VDO Fatron can be installed in any orientation. The most evenly matched optical characteristics when

viewing an installation from the side at an angle are obtained when all VDO Fatron fixtures are oriented

vertically, but unevenness will hardly be noticeable in horizontal strips, and then only when viewed from the

side.

Allow free airflow and at least 10 mm (0.4 in.) of clearance around the product. Check that the product will

not be exposed to direct sunlight or heat from other lighting, for example.

The VDO Fatron is designed to withstand low-pressure water projections but is not designed for permanent

installation in wet locations. Do not submerge it or expose it to high-pressure water jets. If you need to

create a permanent installation in a wet location, consider using the Exterior Pixline™ range of products

from Martin.

A small amount of water may enter and be visible between the clip-on optical cover (diffuser) and the fixture

– this is normal and can be ignored, but remove the cover and wipe the fixture and cover dry before storage.

Wind precautions

Wind can create a risk of serious or lethal injury and damage due to falling fixtures. Follow the

instructions in this chapter carefully.

If fixtures are to be installed in a location where they can be exposed to wind force, take these precautions:

• Observe all locally applicable laws, regulations and codes regarding safety of structures and installations.

• Suspend fixtures from a structure that is capable of holding the fixtures securely without any safety risk

when fixtures are exposed to wind pressure.

• Ensure that weather forecasts and local wind speed are constantly monitored while the installation is in

place.

• Ensure that all fixtures are removed from the installation immediately if constant or gusting wind speed

exceeding Force 8 on the Beaufort scale (74 km/h, 46 mph or 20 meters/sec.) is forecast or present.

• Follow the instructions in this chapter for installing in locations that are exposed to wind. A location that is

exposed to wind is not a stable location as defined in this manual.

Physical installation

Preparing for installation

This section explains how to prepare VDO Fatron fixtures by fastening mounting accessories (brackets,

clamps, etc.) to fixtures. For instructions on installing fixtures after they have been prepared, see “Mounting

fixtures on a structure or surface” on page 20.

Captive Fasteners

A channel for M6 fasteners (bolt heads or nuts) is

provided in the profile on the back of VDO Fatron

fixtures.

Note that there is only one cutout in the channel,

so you must insert fasteners one after the other in

the correct order to locate the accessories

correctly!

See Figure 3. To fasten brackets etc. to a fixture,

pass each fastener through the cutout next to the

cable tail and slide it into the channel. The channel

holds the fastener captive so that you can tighten

against it.

Safety cable attachment

Safety cable attachment brackets with fasteners are supplied with fixtures. If you install a VDO Fatron fixture

in a location where it may cause injury or damage if it falls, you must install a safety cable bracket in the

center of the back of the fixture and secure the fixture with an approved safety cable (or other approved

secondary attachment) that will prevent the fixture from falling if the primary attachment fails.

To install a safety cable attachment bracket and safety cable:

1. Place the fixture with the LEDs facing downwards on a surface that

will not scratch or damage the fixture.

2. Make sure that you know which brackets and couplers are required.

You must install these in the correct order.

3. To install the safety cable attachment bracket, pass a captive nut

through the cutout shown in Figure 3 on page 15 and into the channel

in the back of the fixture. Slide the nut along the channel to the center

of the fixture.

4. See Figure 4. Tighten the supplied Torx bolt into the nut to a torque of

8 Nm so that the safety cable attachment bracket is held securely.

5. Obtain a safety cable that is approved as a secondary attachment for

the weight it will secure. Pass the safety cable through the bracket on

the fixture. Each fixture must have its own safety cable.

6. As soon as you have fastened the fixture in the installation location,

pass the safety cable through a secure anchoring point. Arrange the

safety cable so that it as tight as possible: there must be a maximum

10 cm (4 ins.) slack in the cable. Then fasten the cable closed so that

it will catch the fixture if a sliding bracket or other primary attachment fails.

Sliding brackets

Sliding brackets for the VDO Fatron allow you to suspend fixtures by fastening them to rigging trusses, other

structures or stable surfaces. M12 bolts can be passed through the bracket and into rigging clamps or

supporting structures. We recommend use of one of the Half-Coupler Rigging Clamps available from Martin

(see “Accessories” on page 58).

Sliding brackets and safety cable brackets must be installed as shown in Figure 2 on page 13:

• Each 1000 mm fixture must be supported by at least two sliding brackets located at each end of the

fixture, close to the fixture’s cable tails.

• Each 320 mm fixture must be supported by at least one sliding bracket located in the center of the fixture.

• Each fixture that is installed in a location where it may cause injury or damage if it falls must also be

secured by a safety cable located in the center of the fixture.

Figure 3: Inserting a bolt head or nut into the

channel in a fixture

Figure 4: Safety cable

bracket

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

To install brackets on a VDO Fatron 1000 mm

fixture:

1. Place the fixture with the LEDs facing

downwards on a surface that will not scratch or

damage the fixture.

2. Make sure that you know which brackets and

couplers are required. You must install these in

the correct order.

3. See Figure 5. Loosen both the self-locking

nuts G on a sliding bracket.

4. Pass the bolt heads I through the cutout and

into the channel in the rear of the fixture (see

Figure 3 on page 15) and slide the bracket to

its correct position, then tighten the nuts G to a torque of 8 Nm.

Note that washers H must be installed under the nuts G at all times.

Low-profile half-coupler rigging clamps

You can bolt half-coupler rigging clamps available from Martin (see “Accessories” on page 58) to sliding

brackets for the VDO Fatron and then use the clamps to fasten the VDO Fatron to a rigging truss or similar

mounting bar.

If you prefer, and if space allows, you can fasten the Low-Profile

Rigging Clamps available from Martin directly to the VDO Fatron

without using sliding brackets.

Low-Profile Half Coupler Clamps must be installed in place of

the sliding brackets shown at E in Figure 2 on page 13:

• Each 1000 mm fixture must be supported by at least two

clamps located at each end of the fixture, close to the fixture’s

cable tails.

• Each 320 mm fixture must be supported by at least one clamp

located in the center of the fixture.

• Each fixture that is installed in a location where it may cause

injury or damage if it falls must also be secured by a safety

cable located in the center of the fixture.

To fasten VDO Fatron fixtures to a surface or structure using

half-coupler clamps:

1. Loosen, but do not remove, the nut on each half-coupler

clamp.

2. See Figure 6. Slide the nut on each clamp through the cutout

and into the channel in the back of the fixture.

3. Slide the clamp to its correct position, then tighten the clamp screw (arrowed).

Figure 5: Sliding bracket fasteners

Figure 6: Low-profile Half-Coupler

Rigging Clamp

Physical installation

Installing sliding brackets on 1000 mm fixtures

To install sliding brackets and a safety cable attachment bracket on a 1000 mm fixture:

1. See Figure 7. Place the fixture with the LEDs facing downwards on a surface that will not scratch or

damage the fixture.

2. Pass the heads of the mounting bolts of a first sliding bracket A into the cutout B and into the channel in

the back of the fixture.

3. Slide the bracket A along the channel in the back of the fixture until it is approximately 2 cm (1 inch) from

the output cable tail C.

4. Tighten the self-locking nuts on the mounting bracket to a torque of 8 Nm so that the bracket is clamped

onto the fixture.

5. See “Safety cable attachment” on page 15. Pass the captive nut of a safety cable attachment bracket D

into the cutout B and into the channel in the back of the fixture.

6. Slide the bracket D along the channel in the back of the fixture until it is in the center of the fixture.

7. Tighten the Allen (hex) screw on the safety cable bracket to a torque of 8 Nm so that the bracket is

clamped onto the fixture.

8. Pass the heads of the mounting bolts on a second sliding bracket E into the cutout B and into the

channel in the back of the fixture.

9. Slide the bracket E along the channel in the back of the fixture until it is approximately 2 cm (1 inch) from

the cutout B.

10. Tighten the self-locking nuts on the bracket E to a torque of 8 Nm so that the bracket is clamped onto the

fixture.

The fixture is now ready to be installed and connected.

Figure 7: Installing brackets on a 1000 mm fixture

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Installing sliding brackets on 320 mm fixtures

To install sliding brackets and a safety cable attachment bracket on a 320 mm fixture:

1. See Figure 8. Place the fixture with the LEDs facing downwards on a surface that will not scratch or

damage the fixture.

2. See “Sliding brackets” on page 15. Pass the head of one of the mounting bolts on a sliding bracket E into

the cutout J and into the channel in the back of the fixture.

3. See “Safety cable attachment” on page 15. Pass the captive nut of a safety cable bracket D into the

cutout J and into the channel in the back of the fixture.

4. Pass the head of the other sliding bracket mounting bolt into the cutout J and into the channel in the

back of the fixture.

5. Arrange the brackets so that they are in the center of the fixture as shown in Figure 8, then tighten the

self-locking nuts on the mounting bracket and the Allen screw on the safety cable attachment bracket to

a torque of 8 Nm so that the brackets are clamped onto the fixture.

The fixture is now ready to be installed and connected.

Installing half-coupler rigging clamps on fixtures

See “Low-profile half-coupler rigging clamps” on page 16. You can install these clamps following the above

procedures for installing sliding brackets. Install half-coupler rigging clamps as close as possible to the

positions for sliding brackets shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8.

Figure 8: Installing brackets on a 320 mm fixture

Physical installation

Using couplers to align fixtures

Coupler accessories available from Martin let you align multiple fixtures quickly and accurately. Do not use

couplers for weight-bearing.

Curving brackets

Warning! Do not use curving brackets to support the weight of fixtures: all fixtures must be supported by

sliding brackets or half-coupler clamps as described earlier in this chapter.

The adjustable curving brackets available from Martin let you install fixtures in precisely aligned curves. You

can lock fixtures at angles of up to 60° from each other in an outward-facing curve as shown in Figure 9.

To install curving brackets:

1. See Figure 9. Note the positions of the half-coupler clamps A and curving brackets B. Note that if the

truss will be in a location where fixtures may cause injury or damage if they fall, you must also fasten a

safety cable attachment bracket to each fixture so that you can attach each fixture to a secure anchoring

point. Pass fasteners through the cutouts and into the channels in the back of fixtures in a suitable order

so that curving brackets, safety cable attachment brackets and half-coupler clamps can be arranged

correctly.

2. Fasten the curving brackets B to the fixture with the screws C supplied with the brackets.

3. Fasten half-coupler rigging clamps and safety cable attachment brackets as described earlier in this

chapter.

Joining fixtures end-to-end

Warning! Do not use linear end-to-end couplers to support the weight of fixtures: all fixtures must be

supported by sliding brackets or half-coupler clamps as described earlier in this chapter.

Linear couplers available from Martin allow accurate end-to-end alignment of two or more VDO Fatron

fixtures.

Figure 9: Curving brackets

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Linear end-to-end couplers are rugged items but do not expose them to bending, shear or torsion stress. A

VDO Fatron fixture can apply a huge leverage force if it is allowed to hang horizontally when it is only

supported at one end. Do not use an end-to-end coupler to support weight.

To join two fixtures using a linear end-to-end coupler:

1. See Figure 10. Loosen – but do not remove – the four Allen (hex) screws A on the coupler.

2. Slide the coupler shoe B into the channels in the rear of the fixtures until both fixtures meet in the center

of the coupler. Tighten the screws on the coupler.

Mounting fixtures on a structure or surface

Once you have installed mounting hardware on a VDO Fatron fixture as described in the previous sections

of this chapter, you can install the fixture on a rigging truss or similar structure, or on a surface.

Warning! Before you mount fixtures on a structure or surface, check that it can hold at least ten times the

weight of all the items it must support.

If installing the fixtures in a location where they may cause injury or damage if they fall, secure each

fixture with its own safety cable as described in “Safety cable attachment” on page 15.

Use minimum two sliding brackets or half-coupler clamps per 1000 mm fixture. Use minimum one

sliding bracket or half-coupler clamp per 320 mm fixture.

The various options for mounting the VDO Fatron are covered below.

Mounting on a rigging truss of similar bar using sliding brackets

Warning! Do not mount VDO Fatron fixtures using G-clamps, quick-trigger clamps or any other type of clamp

that does not completely encircle the truss chord (or similar supporting bar) when fastened.

To suspend the fixture from a rigging structure such as a truss in any orientation:

1. Fasten a half-coupler rigging clamp directly to each sliding bracket on the fixture using an M12 grade 8.8

bolt passed through the hole in the mounting bracket and secured with a washer and an unworn

self-locking nut.

2. Block access under the work area. Working from a stable platform, hang the fixture on the truss,

fastening each half-coupler clamp around the truss chord.

3. If you are installing the fixture in a location where it may cause injury or damage if it falls, secure the

fixture with a safety cable as described in “Safety cable attachment” on page 15.

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Figure 10: Installing a linear end-to-end coupler

Ends of fixtures must meet in center of coupler

Physical installation

Mounting on a surface using sliding brackets

To fasten a VDO Fatron fixture to a surface using sliding brackets:

1. Pass a grade 8.8 strength M12 bolt through the hole in each sliding bracket and use the bolt to fasten the

fixture to the surface.

2. Secure the bolt with a washer and self-locking nut.

3. If you are installing the fixture in a location where it may cause injury or damage if it falls, secure the

fixture with a safety cable as described in “Safety cable attachment” on page 15.

Mounting a column of fixtures joined end-to-end

Warning! Do not use end-to-end couplers to support the weight of fixtures. Each 1000 mm fixture must have

its weight supported by two sliding brackets or two half-coupler rigging clamps. Each 320 mm

fixture must have its weight supported by one sliding bracket or half-coupler rigging clamp.

You can install a vertical column of VDO Fatron fixtures. The column must be mounted on a vertical

structure or surface using sliding brackets or half-coupler clamps. Fixtures can be aligned using end-to-end

couplers, but each fixture must have its weight supported by sliding brackets or half-coupler clamps.

1000 mm and 320 mm fixtures

To mount a vertical column of VDO Fatron

fixtures:

1. See Figure 11. You will need one

end-to-end coupler each time you join two

fixtures together and two sliding brackets

for each 1000 mm fixture or one sliding

bracket for each 320 mm fixture.

2. Install the sliding brackets or half-coupler

clamps on the fixtures using M6 bolts,

washers and nuts (see “Sliding brackets”

on page 15 or “Low-profile half-coupler

rigging clamps” on page 16). Tighten nuts

to a torque of 8 Nm.

3. Install the top fixture on the surface or

structure, fastening it securely using M12

fasteners passed through the sliding

brackets.

4. If the fixture will cause injury or damage if it

falls, secure it with a safety cable as

described in “Safety cable attachment” on

page 15.

5. Continue installing fixtures as shown in

Figure 11. Secure each fixture with a safety

cable. Use an end-to-end coupler C each

time you join two fixtures together (see

“Joining fixtures end-to-end” on page 19).

Fasten the end-to-end couplers C to fixtures using M6 bolts and self-locking nuts. Tighten all four nuts

on each coupler to a torque of 6 Nm.

Figure 11: Vertical column of fixtures mounted on

vertical surface or structure

Vertical column. Two

sliding brackets A

per fixture.

End-to-end couplers

C fastened with M6

bolts. One safety

cable per fixture

attached to safety

cable brackets B.

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Parallel array of 1000 mm fixtures

Parallel couplers

Warning! Do not use parallel couplers to support the weight of

fixtures: all fixtures must be supported by sliding

brackets or half-coupler clamps as described earlier in

this chapter.

The parallel coupler available from Martin (see “Accessories”

on page 58) let you install fixtures parallel to each other with

precise, regular spacing between fixtures.

Figure 12 shows the center-to-center spacings between

parallel fixtures that you can obtain by passing the parallel

coupler fastening screws through different combinations of

holes.

Screws for fastening the parallel coupler to fixtures are

supplied with each coupler.

Creating an array

To create an array of 1000 mm VDO Fatron fixtures installed parallel to each other using parallel couplers:

1. See Figure 13. You will need to install the following items on each fixture:

• Two sliding mounting brackets A (see “Sliding brackets” on page 15).

• One safety cable attachment bracket C (see “Safety cable attachment” on page 15).

• Two parallel couplers B.

You must fasten these items to the fixture either with the screws provided or with M6x10mm bolts and

self-locking nuts.

2. To install these items, pass the captive nuts or bolt heads on the items through the cutout and into the

channel on the back of the VDO Fatron in the correct order so that the items are located as shown in

Figure 13. Locate the safety cable attachment bracket C close to the center of the fixture and locate the

sliding brackets A close to the cable tails at the ends of the fixture.

3. Fasten the items to the fixture by tightening the screws provided or bolts.

4. If you are installing the array on a rigging truss or other structure, bolt a half-coupler type rigging clamp

(or a similar type that completely encircles the truss chord) securely to each sliding bracket A. Fasten

the rigging clamps to a rigging truss or similar structure that can securely hold the weight of the array.

5. If you are installing the array on another type of structure or surface, pass bolts through each sliding

bracket A and fasten the bolts to a structure or surface that can securely hold the weight of the array.

6. Secure each fixture against falling if a primary attachment fails by looping one approved safety cable per

fixture around a secure anchoring point, taking up as much slack as possible, then fastening the safety

cable to the attachment bracket C.

Figure 12: Parallel coupler

Physical installation

Parallel array of 320 mm fixtures

Warning! Do not use parallel couplers to support the weight of fixtures. Each 320 mm fixture must have its

weight supported by a sliding bracket.

To create an array of 320 mm VDO Fatron fixtures installed parallel to each other using parallel couplers:

1. You will need to install the following items on each fixture:

• One sliding mounting bracket (see “Sliding brackets” on page 15).

• One safety cable attachment bracket (see “Safety cable attachment” on page 15).

• Two parallel couplers.

You must fasten these items to the fixture either with the screws provided or with M6x10mm bolts and

self-locking nuts.

2. install brackets as shown in Figure 8 on page 18, but also install two parallel couplers, one on either side

of the sliding bracket in the center of the back of the fixture. Install the sliding bracket and safety cable

attachment bracket close to the center of the fixture and the parallel couplers close to the ends of the

fixture. Fasten the items to the fixture by tightening the screws provided or bolts.

3. If you are installing the array on a rigging truss or other structure, bolt a half-coupler type rigging clamp

(or a similar type that completely encircles the truss chord) securely to each sliding bracket. Fasten the

rigging clamps to a rigging truss or similar structure that can securely hold the weight of the array.

4. If you are installing the array on another type of structure or surface, pass bolts through each sliding

bracket and fasten the bolts to a structure or surface that can securely hold the weight of the array.

5. Secure each fixture against falling if a primary attachment fails by looping one approved safety cable per

fixture around a secure anchoring point, taking up as much slack as possible, then fastening the safety

cable to the attachment bracket.

A B C B A

Figure 13: An array of 1000 mm fixtures with parallel couplers

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Installing and removing optical accessories

The VDO Fatron must be used with an

optical accessory (diffuser or lens)

installed on the front of the fixture. A

wide range of these accessories is

available from Martin (see

“Accessories” on page 58). They clip

onto the front of fixtures and can be

installed and removed in seconds.

To aid removal of optical accessories,

we recommend that you use one of the

two solutions available from Martin for

the VDO Fatron: either the Magnetic

Swiper Test Tool or the Lens Removal

Jaws that can be clipped onto

extra-wide opening pipe grips. See

“Accessories” on page 58.

To install an optical accessory:

1. Block access below the work area and work from a stable platform.

2. See Figure 14. Push one side of the diffuser / lens into the front of the fixture, then push the other side

down also (see A) so that both sides clip into place.

To remove an optical accessory:

1. Block access below the work area and work from a stable platform.

2. Grasp the diffuser with pipe grips and the jaws available from Martin, or press the lever ends of two

Magnetic Swiper Test Tools (see B in Figure 14) between one side of the diffuser / lens and the fixture.

Lift the diffuser out of its clip and away from the fixture.

Securing optical accessories with locking screws

See Figure 15. Optical accessories (diffusers and lens arrays) are

secured on the front of the fixture with four M3x6 hex socket

headless set screws (Allen grub screws), two screws at each end

of the fixture. The screws sit in channels in the fixture profile and

engage in cutouts in the back of optical accessories, locking the

accessory laterally to prevent it from sliding.

If you replace the optical accessory on a product, check that the

accessory clips correctly into the front of the fixture and check that

it is held between the four screws. You can adjust the screws with a

hex wrench (Allen key) if necessary, but do not overtighten. Tighten

screws just until you feel resistance and check that the accessory

does not have any sideways play.

Figure 14: Installing and removing a diffuser

Figure 15: Optical accessory

locking screws

System installation

Warning! Read “Safety information” on page 7 and “Precautions to avoid damage” on page 11

carefully before installing a VDO Fatron™ system.

Warning! Connect the VDO Fatron™ only to the devices and using only the Martin cables specified

in this manual.

Warning! Do not exceed the maximum numbers of devices that can be connected in chains and

maximum cable lengths specified in ”Protection from electric shock” starting on page 7 and in the

manuals of the other devices in the system.

The VDO Fatron is designed to display either Martin P3 video or DMX-controlled lighting effects. It

automatically recognizes and responds to either a Martin P3 or a DMX data signal. The next sections

explain how to create a VDO Fatron installation to display P3 video data or DMX-controlled lighting effects.

Even when VDO Fatrons are used in a P3-driven setup, you can still control them using DMX or Art-Net fed

into the P3 System Controller. See ”DMX via P3 System Controller” starting on page 48 for details.

Installing a P3 system

See Figure 17 for an overview of the elements and layout of a Martin P3 video display system.

To install a system that displays P3 video on VDO Fatrons, see the overview in Figure 17 and follow these

directions:

1. Make sure that no devices in the installation can be connected to AC mains power until all installation

work is complete.

2. Read “Safety information” on page 7 and “Precautions to avoid damage” on page 11.

3. Connect VDO Fatron fixtures together in chains either directly using the fixtures’ cable tails and BBD

connectors or by adding Martin hybrid cables with BBD connectors (see “BBD extension cables” on

page 58).

Warning! Do not exceed the maximum total length of fixtures and total cable length per chain given in

“Safety limits for connecting devices” on page 8.

4. If necessary to protect from water, dirt, etc., install blanking caps (see “Connectors” on page 59) on the

output connectors of the last fixtures on the chain.

5. Connect each chain of VDO Fatrons to one of the four 4-pin female XLR hybrid (48 VDC power + P3

data) outputs on a P3 PowerPort 1500 using a Martin hybrid 4-pin male XLR to female BBD adapter

cable, P/N 91616046 (see Figure 16). Alternatively, connect each chain of VDO Fatrons to one of the 4

outputs on a P3 PowerPort 1000 IP. This device has BBD connectors, so no adapter cable is needed.

6. If necessary, add a Martin 4-pin XLR hybrid extension cable to the 4-pin XLR-to-BBD adapter cable so

that you can extend the hybrid link to the P3 PowerPort 1500. Suitable extension cables are available

from Martin in various lengths. See “Accessories” on page 58.

Figure 16: Power and P3 video data input

4-pin male XLR Female BBD

4-pin XLR-to-BBD Input Cable, P/N 91616046

DC power and

data from P3

PowerPort 1500

DC power and

data to VDO

Fatron chain

Insert 4-pin XLR hybrid

extension cable here if required

Insert 4-pin XLR hybrid

extension cable here if required

Insert BBD-to-BBD hybrid

extension cable here if required

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

7. Create a P3 video data link from a Martin P3 system controller such as the P3-050, P3-150, P3-300 or

P3-PC to the P3 PowerPort 1500 or P3 PowerPort 1000 IP (see the products’ user manuals for details).

8. If required, continue the P3 video data link in a daisy-chain by connecting the P3 data throughput of one

P3 PowerPort 1500 to the P3 data input of the next, as described in the P3 PowerPort 1500 user

manual. You can connect up to fifty P3 PowerPort 1500s in a P3 data daisy-chain like this. If you need to

connect more than fifty P3 PowerPort 1500s, use an unmanaged Ethernet switch to split the P3 data link

into branches, each containing less than fifty P3 PowerPort 1500s.

9. Connect the P3 PowerPort 1500 to AC mains power at 100 - 240 V, 50/60 Hz as described in its user

manual.

10. Connect the P3 system controller to AC mains power and power the controller on.

You can now configure the system at the P3 controller. See”System setup” on page 36.

Max. 4 chains per

P3 PowerPort 1500

P3 System Controller

P3 PowerPort

1500

P3 PowerPort

1500

P3 video data link (Ethernet cable)

Hybrid (DC power and data) link

Figure 17: P3 system layout

4-pin XLR-to-BBD

adapter c

Hybrid BBD-

to-BBD cable

Hybrid BBD-

to-BBD cable

See “Safety limits for connecting devices” on page 8 before creating a chain

System installation

Installing a DMX-controlled system

You can send DMX control data to VDO Fatron fixtures in two ways:

• You can send a DMX or Art-Net signal to a P3 System Controller. The controller will then relay the DMX

data to the VDO Fatron fixtures. If you intend to do this, see “Installing a P3 system” on page 25 for

cabling instructions and see ”DMX via P3 System Controller” starting on page 48 for the available DMX

modes.

• You can send a DMX control signal directly to VDO Fatron fixtures. If you intend to do this, follow the

cabling instructions in the section below and see “Direct DMX control” on page 43 for the available DMX

modes.

In a DMX-controlled system, an RDM-compliant DMX lighting controller sends a DMX control data signal

over a DMX link to the installation, and then over the hybrid link to the VDO Fatrons.

The DMX link requires DMX cable. It can be maximum 300 m (1000 ft.) in length and must run in one single

daisy-chain, but it can be extended or split into branches using an RDM-compliant amplifier/splitter such as

the Martin RDM 5.5 Splitter (P/N 90758150). Alternatively, you can run the DMX signal from the controller

over Ethernet cable using Art-Net protocol and convert it to a DMX-compliant signal with an Art-Net to DMX

converter.

If you would like assistance with creating a DMX link, your Martin supplier will be glad to advise.

The number of VDO Fatron fixtures that you can control on one DMX link is limited by the number of DMX

channels the VDO Fatrons will use and the 512 DMX channels available in one DMX universe at the DMX

controller. Each time you have used 512 channels, you must create a new DMX link that is connected to a

new DMX universe on the controller. Note that this limit applies to the DMX link. The maximum safety limits

that apply to the chain of fixtures and cable (see “Safety limits for connecting devices” on page 8) take

priority and must be respected in all cases.

If you need to take the DMX signal from the end of a chain of VDO Fatron fixtures, connect a DMX Lead-out

Cable (see “Accessories” on page 58) to the output connector of the last fixture on the chain. The Lead-Out

Cable has a 5-pin female XLR connector with standard DMX pinout (pin 1 = shield, pin 2 = data

cold/negative, pin 3 = data hot/positive, pins 4 and 5 are not used) that lets you draw off the DMX signal.

DC power options in DMX installations

You can use any of the following power supply units to provide DC power in a DMX-controlled VDO Fatron

installation:

• Martin DMX PowerPort 375

• Martin P3 PowerPort 1500

• Martin IP66 PSU 240W external power supply unit

• generic external PSU (the Mean Well SP-480 48, for example).

The hardware and cables required are slightly different depending on which type of PSU you use to supply

the installation with DC power. The different types of installation are covered in the following sections:

• If you are using a Martin DMX PowerPort 375, see “Installing a DMX system using the Martin DMX

PowerPort 375” on page 28.

• If you are using a Martin P3 PowerPort 1500, see ”Installing a DMX system using the Martin P3

PowerPort 1500” on page 30.

• If you are using a Martin IP66 PSU 240W, see ”Installing a DMX system using the Martin IP66 PSU

240W” on page 32.

• If you are using a generic 48 VDC PSU, see ”Installing a DMX system using a generic external 48 VDC

PSU” on page 34.

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Installing a DMX system using the Martin DMX PowerPort 375

DMX/RDM Controller

Figure 18: DMX-controlled system using the Martin DMX PowerPort 375

See “Safety limits for connecting devices” on page 8 before creating a chain

BBD-to-BBD

extension cable

(if needed)

BBD-to-BBD

extension cable

(if needed)

DMX PowerPort 375DMX PowerPort 375

4-pin male XLR

to fem. BBD cable

4-pin male XLR

to fem. BBD cable

Daisy-chained DMX link (DMX cable)

Hybrid (DC power and data) link

→ to additional DMX universes, if present

System installation

To create a DMX-controlled installation that draws DC power from the Martin DMX PowerPort 375 external

power supply unit:

1. See Figure 18 on page 28 for an overview of this type of installation

2. Make sure that no devices in the installation can be connected to AC mains power until all installation

work is complete.

3. Read “Safety information” on page 7 and “Precautions to avoid damage” on page 11.

4. Connect VDO Fatron fixtures together in chains either directly using the fixtures’ cable tails and BBD

connectors or by adding Martin hybrid cables with BBD connectors (see “BBD extension cables” on

page 58).

Warning! Do not exceed the maximum total length of fixtures and total cable length per chain given in

“Safety limits for connecting devices” on page 8.

5. If necessary to protect from water, dirt, etc., install blanking caps (see “Connectors” on page 59) on the

output connectors of the last fixtures on the chain. There is no need to install DMX termination plugs, as

fixtures have integral DMX termination.

6. See Figure 19. Connect a Martin Power + Data Input Cable, 4-pin male XLR to female BBD (P/N

91616046) to the start of each chain.

7. Connect the 4-pin XLR connector on the cable to the hybrid (DC power and DMX data) output of a

Martin DMX PowerPort 375.

8. Connect the DMX controller to the DMX PowerPort 375 using standard DMX cable and a 5-pin male

XLR connector.

9. To extend the DMX link, connect the first DMX PowerPort 375 to the next DMX PowerPort 375 using

standard DMX cable with one male and one female 5-pin XLR connector. Continue adding DMX

PowerPort 375 devices to the link. You can connect up to a recommended maximum of 32 devices on

one DMX link, but if you want individual control of fixtures or segments on the link, bear in mind that 512

channels are available per DMX universe. To use more than 512 channels you will need to create a new

DMX universe on a new DMX link.

10. Apply AC mains power to the DMX PowerPort 375 devices on the link.

11. Apply AC mains power to the DMX controller.

You can now configure the system. See ”System setup”on page 36.

Figure 19: Martin PowerPort 375 connection to a VDO Fatron chain

To VDO Fatron

chain

4-pin male XLR Female BBD

4-pin XLR to BBD Input Cable, 0.25 m, P/N 91616046

Combined DMX and

DC power from DMX

PowerPort 375

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Installing a DMX system using the Martin P3 PowerPort 1500

Hybrid

DMX/RDM Controller

48 VDC power

DMX link (DMX cable)

Hybrid (DC power and data) link

Figure 20: DMX-controlled system using the Martin P3 PowerPort 1500

lead-in cable,

DMX/RDM Splitter (if used)

XLR4+XLR5

Hybrid

lead-in cable,

XLR4+XLR5

See “Safety limits for connecting devices” on page 8 before creating a chain

BBD-to-BBD

extension cable

(if needed)

BBD-to-BBD

extension cable

(if needed)

P3 PowerPort 1500 P3 PowerPort 1500

to BBD to BBD

System installation

To create a DMX-controlled installation that draws DC power from the Martin P3 PowerPort 1500 external

power supply unit:

1. See Figure 20 on page 30 for an overview of this type of installation

2. Make sure that no devices in the installation can be connected to AC mains power until all installation

work is complete.

3. Read “Safety information” on page 7 and “Precautions to avoid damage” on page 11.

4. Connect VDO Fatron fixtures together in chains either directly using the fixtures’ cable tails and BBD

connectors or by adding Martin hybrid cables with BBD connectors (see “BBD extension cables” on

page 58).

Warning! Do not exceed the maximum total length of fixtures and total cable length per chain given in

“Safety limits for connecting devices” on page 8.

5. If necessary to protect from water, dirt, etc., install blanking caps (see “Connectors” on page 59) on the

output connectors of the last fixtures on the chain. There is no need to install DMX termination plugs, as

fixtures have integral DMX termination.

6. See Figure 21. Connect a Martin 5-pin male XLR female and 4-pin male XLR to female BBD adapter

cable (P/N 91616049) to the start of each chain:

• Connect the 5-pin male XLR connector on the adapter cable to a DMX link that carries a DMX signal

from an RDM-compliant DMX controller.

• Connect the male 4-pin XLR connector on the adapter cable to the DC output of a Martin P3

PowerPort 1500.

• Connect the female BBD connector on the adapter cable to the male BBD connector at the start of the

chain of VDO Fatron fixtures.

7. Connect the P3 PowerPort 1500 to AC mains power.

8. Apply AC mains power to the DMX controller.

You can now configure the system. See ”System setup”on page 36.

Figure 21: P3 PowerPort 1500 and DMX connections to a VDO Fatron chain

DC power input from

To chain of

fixtures

5-pin male XLR

Female BBD

5-pin XLR + 4-pin XLR to BBD Input Cable, 0.25 m, P/N 91616049

P3 PowerPort

DMX from DMX/RDM

controller

4-pin male XLR

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Installing a DMX system using the Martin IP66 PSU 240W

Hybrid

DMX/RDM Controller

48 VDC power

DMX link (DMX cable)

Hybrid (DC power and data) link

Figure 22: DMX-controlled system using the Martin IP66 PSU 240W

lead-in cable,

DMX/RDM Splitter (if used)

Martin IP66 PSU

Hybrid

lead-in cable,

Martin IP66 PSU

See “Safety limits for connecting devices” on page 8 before creating a chain

BBD-to-BBD

extension cable

(if needed)

BBD-to-BBD

extension cable

(if needed)

Martin IP66 PSU 240W Martin IP66 PSU 240W

System installation

To create a DMX-controlled installation that draws DC power from the Martin IP66 PSU 240W external

power supply unit:

1. See Figure 20 on page 30 for an overview of this type of installation

2. Make sure that no devices in the installation can be connected to AC mains power until all installation

work is complete.

3. Read “Safety information” on page 7 and “Precautions to avoid damage” on page 11.

4. Connect VDO Fatron fixtures together in chains either directly using the fixtures’ cable tails and BBD

connectors or by adding Martin hybrid cables with BBD connectors (see “BBD extension cables” on

page 58).

Warning! Do not exceed the maximum total length of fixtures and total cable length per chain given in

“Safety limits for connecting devices” on page 8.

5. If necessary to protect from water, dirt, etc., install blanking caps (see “Connectors” on page 59) on the

output connectors of the last fixtures on the chain. There is no need to install DMX termination plugs, as

fixtures have integral DMX termination.

6. See Figure 21. Connect a Martin 5-pin male XLR female and male Martin IP66 PSU 240W to female

BBD adapter cable (P/N 91616050) to the start of each chain.

• Connect the 5-pin male XLR connector on the adapter cable to a DMX link that carries a DMX signal

from an RDM-compliant DMX controller.

• Connect the male Martin IP66 PSU 240W connector on the adapter cable to the DC output of a Martin

IP66 PSU 240W.

• Connect the female BBD connector on the adapter cable to the male BBD connector at the start of the

chain of VDO Fatron fixtures.

7. Install a mains power cable on the Martin IP66 PSU 240W and connect it to AC mains power.

8. Apply AC mains power to the DMX controller.

You can now configure the system. See ”System setup”on page 36.

Figure 23: Martin IP66 PSU 240W and DMX connections to a VDO Fatron chain

DC power input from

To chain of

fixtures

5-pin male XLR

Female BBD

XLR5+Martin IP66 PSU 240W to BBD Input Cable, 0.25 m, P/N 91616050

Martin IP66 PSU 240W

DMX from DMX/RDM

controller

Tripix system

connector

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Installing a DMX system using a generic external 48 VDC PSU

Hybrid DC

DMX/RDM Controller

48 VDC power

DMX link (DMX cable)

Hybrid (DC power and data) link

Figure 24: DMX-controlled system using a generic PSU

lead-in cable

DMX/RDM Splitter (if used)

Hybrid DC

lead-in cable

External PSU

Inline fuse

required if PSU

does not have

8 A overcurrent

protection

External PSU

Inline fuse

required if PSU

does not have

8 A overcurrent

protection

See “Safety limits for connecting devices” on page 8 before creating a chain. Do not exceed

PSU output rating.

BBD-to-BBD

extension cable

(if needed)

BBD-to-BBD

extension cable

(if needed)

System installation

To create a DMX-controlled installation that draws DC power from a generic PSU:

1. See Figure 24 on page 34 for an overview of this type of installation.

2. Make sure that no devices in the installation can be connected to AC mains power until all installation

work is complete.

3. Read ”Safety information” starting on page 7 and “Precautions to avoid damage” on page 11.

4. Connect VDO Fatron fixtures together in chains either directly using the fixtures’ cable tails and BBD

connectors or by adding Martin hybrid cables with BBD connectors (see “Accessories” on page 58).

Warning! Do not exceed the maximum total length of fixtures and total length per chain given in “Safety

limits for connecting devices” on page 8.

Warning! Check the PSU’s DC output power rating in watts and the power consumption figures in watts

for VDO Fatron fixtures given in Table 5 on page 9. Do not create a chain of VDO Fatron fixtures that will

exceed the power rating of the DC output on the PSU. Even if the PSU’s DC output power rating would

be high enough, do not create a chain of VDO Fatrons that contains more than the maximum permitted

number per chain given in Table 5 on page 9.

5. See Figure 25:

• If the PSU does not have constant overcurrent protection that will limit current to 8 A on the DC output

used, install an inline fuseholder with a 7.5 A or 8 A fuse on the white (+ve) power wire of a Martin

Power and Data Adapter Cable, XLR5 + power to BBD, 0.25 m (P/N 91616048). You can use a 30

amp automotive-type inline fuseholder with a 7.5 A blade fuse.

• Connect the 5-pin male XLR connector on the power and data adapter cable to a DMX link that carries

a DMX signal from an RDM-compliant DMX controller.

• Connect the power wires on the power and data adapter cable to a DC output on the PSU. Connect

the white wire to positive (+ve) and the black wire to negative (-ve).

• Connect the female BBD connector on the adapter cable to the male BBD connector at the start of the

chain of VDO Fatron fixtures.

6. Apply AC mains power to the external PSU.

7. Apply AC mains power to the DMX controller.

You can now configure the system. See ”System setup”on page 36.

Figure 25: Generic PSU and DMX connections to a VDO Fatron chain

DC power from

white to +ve, black to -ve

To chain of

Power + Data Input Cable, XLR5 + Power to BBD, 0.25 m, P/N 91616048

fixtures

5-pin male XLR

Female BBD

generic 48 VDC PSU

Insert 7.5 A or 8 A inline fuse

here if PSU does not have 8 A

overcurrent protection

DMX from DMX/RDM

controller

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

System setup

Warning! Read “Safety information” on page 7 and “Precautions to avoid damage” on page 11

before applying power to a VDO Fatron installation.

Pixels and segments

A pixel is the smallest RGB-controllable unit in a fixture’s light output. When using P3 video, one pixel

consists of an individual LED. When using DMX control, one pixel consists of a square of 2 x 2 LEDs

(controlling individual LEDs via DMX would require too many channels in one DMX universe).

A segment is a group of neighboring pixels that can be controlled as a unit.

Pixels and segments are numbered starting from the female connector end of fixtures: Pixel 1 and Segment

1 are closest to the female connector end.

Setting up for P3 display

A Martin P3 system allows video to be displayed on an installation that consists of or includes VDO Fatron

devices. When a P3 controller is connected to the data link and the installation is powered on, you can set

up all the devices on the link from the P3 controller. See the P3 controller user manual for details.

When you are controlling VDO Fatrons from a P3 System Controller, you can still also control them (and

even pixelmap them) using DMX or Art-Net by sending the DMX signal to the P3 System Controller. See

“DMX via P3 System Controller” on page 48 for details.

Setting up for DMX control

The section below explains DMX control and the DMX modes available when connecting the VDO Fatrons

directly to a DMX controller (i.e. without routing the DMX signal via a P3 System Controller). More DMX

modes are available if you use a P3 System Controller and send DMX or Art-Net input to the P3 System

Controller. See “DMX via P3 System Controller” on page 48 for details.

A DMX system gives 0 - 100% variable intensity control. Varying the intensity of red, blue and green LEDs in

RGB products gives RGB color mixing.

You can set up and control a VDO Fatron installation over the data link using an RDM-compatible DMX

controller.

DMX control channels

DMX controllers send control data to devices over DMX control channels in DMX universes. One DMX

universe has 512 channels available. Multiple fixtures can share the same DMX channels if you want

grouped control and identical fixture behavior.

A VDO Fatron fixture can be controlled using four DMX modes (see under “DMX protocols” on page 43):

•In RGB Mode, each fixture uses three DMX channels.

•In Basic Mode, each fixture uses ten DMX channels.

•In Segment Mode, each fixture uses seven DMX channels plus three DMX channels per segment (there

are 4 segments on 320 mm fixtures and 10 segments on 1000 mm fixtures).

•In Pixel Mode, each fixture uses seven DMX channels plus three DMX channels per pixel.

System setup

Note that, when using DMX control, one pixel consists of a 2x2 block of LEDs because DMX does not

offer enough channels per universe for control of single LEDs. Control of single LEDs is only available

when using P3 video control or Art-Net via the P3 System Controller.

Different modes can be mixed freely in an installation. For example, some VDO Fatron fixtures can be set to

RGB mode, some set to Basic mode and others to Pixel mode. All you need to do is set up fixtures, DMX

addresses and DMX channel allocation correctly.

DMX addresses

To prepare an installation for DMX control, you set it up using an RDM-compliant DMX controller so that

fixtures or pixels receive instructions from the controller on their own DMX channels. The DMX address

(also known as the control address or start channel) is the first of these channels. A VDO Fatron fixture or

pixel uses more than one channel, so it uses the DMX address channel and the channels immediately

above it. For example, one VDO Fatron fixture set to RGB mode and set to DMX address 1 will use DMX

channels 1 - 3. Channel 4 will be available for use as a DMX address for the next device.

Setting up via RDM

Using an RDM-compliant DMX controller lets you communicate with the VDO Fatron fixtures on the DMX

data link via RDM. You can:

• Retrieve data

• Set the DMX addresses of the fixtures and set their DMX mode

• Apply various setup options.

Note that if you use a P3 System Controller there is no need to use RDM to configure VDO Fatrons,

because you can carry out all setup, patching and addressing using the P3 System Controller's DMX &

Motion view.

Type of VDO Fatron fixture

DMX channels

per fixture, RGB

Mode

DMX channels

per fixture,

Basic Mode

DMX channels

per fixture,

Segment Mode

DMX channels

per fixture,

Pixel Mode

VDO Fatron 20, 320 mm 3 10 19 55

VDO Fatron 20, 1000 mm 3 10 37 157

Table 6: Number of DMX channels required per VDO Fatron fixture

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Using the VDO Fatron

Warning! Read “Safety information” on page 7 and “Precautions to avoid damage” on page 11 on

before applying power to the VDO Fatron.

Do not use the VDO Fatron if the ambient temperature exceeds 45° C (113° F) or falls below -20° C (-4° F).

P3 display

The VDO Fatron can display video from all common video sources. The video signal must be sent to a

Martin P3™ controller and then distributed to fixtures. The P3 controller lets you map, configure and control

an installation containing VDO Fatron fixtures (and other Martin P3 video display products if you have them).

See the P3 controller documentation for details.

DMX control

The VDO Fatron can display effects controlled by DMX. Using DMX control, each pixel consists of a 2x2

square of LEDs.

Two DMX control options, each with its own DMX modes, are available. The following sections describe

these options.

DMX sent directly to fixtures

A DMX signal can be sent directly to VDO Fatron fixtures with no P3 System Controller used. In this case an

RDM-compatible controller is required so that you can address and configure the fixtures. See the

DMX/RDM controller documentation for details.

When sending DMX directly to fixtures, four DMX modes are available:

• RGB mode uses three DMX channels and gives RGB color mixing of all the pixels on a fixture.

• Basic mode uses ten DMX channels and gives RGB color mixing, strobe effects and pre-programmed FX

(dynamic effects).

• Segment mode uses the first seven DMX channels of Basic mode plus three channels per segment for

segment-level RGB color mixing, strobe effects and pre-programmed FX. 320 mm fixtures are divided into

4 segments, 1000 mm fixtures are divided into 10 segments.

• Pixel mode uses the first seven DMX channels of Basic mode plus three channels per pixel for pixel-level

RGB color mixing, strobe effects and pre-programmed FX.

See “Direct DMX control” on page 43 for full details of DMX control in this type of installation.

DMX/Art-Net/sACN sent to P3 System Controller and then relayed to fixtures

A DMX, Art-Net or sACN signal can be sent to a P3 System Controller or the P3-PC application and then

sent to VDO Fatron fixtures. In this case the P3 System Controller takes care of all configuration and

addressing of the fixtures. RDM is not required.

When sending DMX to fixtures via a P3 controller, five DMX modes are available:

•In P3 Intensity Mode the fixture displays video and DMX only controls the intensity of the video shown on

the fixture

•In P3 RGB Mode the fixture displays video and DMX only controls the color of the video shown on the

fixture.

•In P3 Basic Mode the fixture shows video and DMX only controls the intensity and the color of the video

shown on the fixture.

•In P3 Hybrid Mode when the P3 Switch channel is set to above 50% the fixture shows video and

channels 4-6 control the color of the video shown on the fixture. When the P3 Switch channel is set to

below 50% the fixture is purely DMX-controlled, and channels 4 and above control the color of the

segments of the fixture. The number of RGB segments per fixture can be set on the P3 System Controller,

where the fixture can be divided into 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 64, 100 or 200 segments.

•In P3 PixelMap Mode the fixture is always purely DMX-controlled (it never shows video). Channels 1 and

above control the color of the segments of the fixture. The number of RGB segments per fixture can be

Using the VDO Fatron

set on the P3 System Controller, where the fixture can be divided into 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40,

50, 64, 100 or 200 segments.

See “DMX via P3 System Controller” on page 48 for full details of DMX control in this type of installation.

Magnetic ‘control button’

A magnetic sensor is embedded inside the VDO Fatron

behind the label on the back of the fixture (see C in Figure

2 on page 13). The sensor acts as a control button. To

activate the sensor, swipe a magnet past it.

We recommend that you use the Martin VDO Test and

Accessory Tool (see “Accessories” on page 58), which

contains a magnet.

Activating the magnetic sensor lets you display the

product’s status, test the LEDs and reset the VDO Fatron.

Figure 26: VDO Test and Accessory Tool

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Status display

To display a VDO Fatron fixture’s status, swipe the magnet over the sensor once. The first four and last two

LEDs on the fixture will give one of the indications listed in the tables below for a few seconds.

Testing, rebooting and returning to defaults

The tables below list the functions of the magnetic ‘control button’ on each VDO Fatron fixture.

Test patterns are stored in onboard memory. This lets you test the LEDs without an external controller, but

test patterns can also be called up on P3 system controllers, the P3 PowerPort 1500 and the P3 PowerPort

1000 IP.

Flightcase system

The flightcases and flightcase extenders available from Martin for the VDO Fatron simplify transport and

storage. We strongly recommend their use to protect fixtures and accessories. See “Ordering Information”

on page 59).

Color Output Indication Action required

Blue Constant

Busy (e.g. booting up or writing to

flash memory).

Wait a moment for normal operation

to be resumed.

Red Constant

Error. The VDO Fatron has

encountered a fatal error and can

not run.

Perform a factory reboot, followed by

a firmware upload.

Red Flashing No control source detected.

Connect a P3 system controller or

DMX source to the network.

Green Flashing

Ready. VDO Fatron connected to P3

controller but not mapped onto the

canvas.

Set up the P3 controller to use the

VDO Fatron.

Green Constant Running normally in P3 mode. None.

Cyan Flashing

Ready. VDO Fatron in DMX mode

but not receiving valid DMX data.

Send DMX data (if flashing cyan

continues although you are sending

data, check that DMX controller is

connected correctly and configured

with VDO Fatron’s DMX address).

Cyan Constant Running normally in DMX mode. None.

Table 7: Status information

Action Function

Quick swipe The first swipe displays status as shown in Table 7 for a few seconds.

The next swipes display the following test patterns on the LEDs (each

swipe scrolls to the next pattern):

- Calibrated white

- Full red

- Full green

- Full blue

- Scrolling gradient

- Dimmed (20% uncalibrated white)

Hold magnet over

‘button’ until LEDs

1-4 light blue

Reboot the VDO Fatron.

Hold magnet over

‘button’ until LEDs

1-4 light white

Return the VDO Fatron to its default factory firmware.

Table 8: Magnetic ‘control button’ functions

Service and maintenance

Warning! Read “Safety information” on page 7 and “Precautions to avoid damage” on page 11

before carrying out service on the VDO Fatron.

Warning! Isolate the installation from AC mains power before servicing.

Warning! Refer any service operation not described in this manual to a qualified service technician.

Important! Excessive dirt buildup causes overheating and may damage the product. Damage

caused by inadequate cleaning is not covered by the product warranty.

The user will need to clean the VDO Fatron periodically. All other service operations on the VDO Fatron

must be carried out by Martin Professional or its approved service agents.

Installation, on-site service and maintenance can be provided worldwide by the Martin Professional Global

Service organization and its approved agents, giving owners access to Martin’s expertise and product

knowledge in a partnership that will ensure the highest level of performance throughout the product’s

lifetime. Please contact your Martin supplier for details.

Cleaning

Cleaning schedules vary greatly depending on the operating environment. It is therefore impossible to

specify precise cleaning intervals for the VDO Fatron. In extreme cases, the product may require cleaning

after surprisingly few hours of operation. Environmental factors that may result in a need for frequent

cleaning include:

• Use of smoke or fog machines.

• High airflow rates (near air conditioning vents, for example).

• Presence of cigarette smoke.

• Airborne dust (from stage effects, building structures and fittings or the natural environment in outdoor

locations, for example).

If one or more of these factors is present, inspect products soon after installing them to see whether

cleaning is necessary. Check again at frequent intervals. This procedure will allow you to assess cleaning

requirements in your particular situation. If in doubt, consult your Martin dealer about a suitable

maintenance schedule.

To clean the product, use low-pressure compressed air to gently remove dust and loose particles from the

front and back of the product. Wipe clean with a soft cloth dampened in a detergent solution. Do not use

solvents or abrasives.

LED performance

At Martin we use the best components available, but the characteristics of all LEDs change gradually over

many thousands of hours of use. Not all colors change at the same rate, and rates of change vary

depending on factors such as temperature and how intensively a particular color is used. Because of the

changes, overall light output and the exact hues obtained from specific color mixes in all LED-based

products can be expected to shift slightly over time.

To help you obtain consistent output despite these changes, Martin P3 software from version 4.1.0 contains

the P3 Fixture Adjuster tool. This feature lets you compensate for changes in LED characteristics and

restore initial output and color authenticity levels. Please contact Martin for more details.

Installing new software

It may be necessary to upload new software (i.e. device firmware) to the VDO Fatron if it appears to have a

software-related fault or if you want to update to a newer software version.

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Software for Martin products is available from the Martin website. The VDO Fatron software can be installed

from the P3 System Controller over the P3 data link. You will need a Martin P3 PowerPort 1500 or a Martin

P3 PowerPort 1000 IP for this. See the P3 System Controller user manual for software installation

instructions.

Troubleshooting

Problem Probable cause(s) Remedy

Control is lost and activating

magnetic ‘control button’ causes

VDO Fatron to show constant or

flashing red status indication.

Error has occurred.

Check that system is correctly connected, set up

and running.

Hold magnet over ‘control button’ until LEDs 1 - 4

turn blue, then move magnet away, to reboot VDO

Fatron.

Restart P3 or DMX controller.

Product seems completely

dead.

Product has gone into thermal protection

shutdown.

Check product temperature readouts on P3 system

controller. Reduce ambient temperature by

providing ventilation or fan cooling, for example.

No DC power to product. Check 48 VDC power supply and cables

Internal fault.

Disconnect from power. Do not attempt repairs

yourself. Contact Martin Service or an authorized

Martin service partner for assistance.

VDO Fatron does not display as

intended.

Bad 48 VDC power transmission.

Inspect connections and cables. Correct poor

connections. Repair or replace damaged cables.

Bad data transmission.

Inspect connections and cables. Correct poor

connections. Repair or replace damaged cables.

Incorrect mapping or addressing of products. Check product address and controller settings.

Product in installation is defective and is

disturbing data transmission.

Substitute known good products one at a time until

normal operation is regained. Have faulty product

serviced by Martin Service.

Table 9: Troubleshooting

DMX protocols

Direct DMX control

The following DMX Modes are available when sending a DMX signal directly to fixtures.

RGB Mode

Basic Mode

Channel DMX Value Function

0 - 255

Red

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Green

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Blue

0 → 100%

Table 10: DMX Protocol, RGB Mode

Channel DMX Value Function

0 - 65535

Dimmer fade (MSB)

8-bit coarse control, closed 0% → open 100%

Dimmer fade (LSB)

16-bit fine adjustment, closed → open

0 - 49

50 - 200

201 - 210

211 - 255

Strobe

No strobe

Strobe, slow → fast

No strobe

Random strobe, slow → fast

0 - 255

Strobe duration

0 → 1 second

1 - 255

FX selection

No FX: output controlled on RGB channels

FX selection (see “Pre-programmed FX” on page 46)

0 - 126

127 - 128

129 - 255

FX speed / modifier (depending on effect)

Fast → slow

Stop

Slow → fast

3 - 34

37 - 100

101 - 120

121 - 140

141 - 255

FX synchronization

No sync

Fixture offset 10°

...

Fixture offset 350°

Synchronized

No function

Random start

Random duration

No function

0 - 255

Red

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Green

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Blue

0 → 100%

Table 11: DMX Protocol, Basic Mode

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Segment Mode

Channel DMX Value Function

0 - 65535

Dimmer fade (MSB)

8-bit coarse control, closed 0% → open 100%

Dimmer fade (LSB)

16-bit fine adjustment, closed → open

0 - 49

50 - 200

201 - 210

211 - 255

Strobe

No strobe

Strobe, slow → fast

No strobe

Random strobe, slow → fast

0 - 255

Strobe duration

0 → 1 second

1 - 255

FX selection

No FX: output controlled on RGB channels

FX selection (see “Pre-programmed FX” on page 46)

0 - 126

127 - 128

129 - 255

FX speed / modifier (depending on effect)

Fast → slow

Stop

Slow → fast

3 - 34

37 - 100

101 - 120

121 - 140

141 - 255

FX synchronization

No sync

Fixture offset 10°

...

Fixture offset 350°

Synchronized

No function

Random start

Random duration

No function

Segment control

0 - 255

Segment 1 Red

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Segment 1 Green

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Segment 1 Blue

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Segment 2 Red

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Segment 2 Green

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Segment 2 Blue

0 → 100%

Etc...

... ...

Channels used for RGB control of segments:

• 320 mm fixtures (four 80 mm segments) = channels 8 - 19

• 1000 mm fixtures (ten 100 mm segments) = channels 8 - 37

Table 12: DMX Protocol, Segment Mode

DMX protocols

Pixel Mode

Channel DMX Value Function

0 - 65535

Dimmer fade (MSB)

8-bit coarse control, closed 0% → open 100%

Dimmer fade (LSB)

16-bit fine adjustment, closed → open

0 - 49

50 - 200

201 - 210

211 - 255

Strobe

No strobe

Strobe, slow → fast

No strobe

Random strobe, slow → fast

0 - 255

Strobe duration

0 → 1 second

1 - 255

FX selection

No FX: output controlled on RGB channels

FX selection (see “Pre-programmed FX” on page 46)

0 - 126

127 - 128

129 - 255

FX speed / modifier (depending on effect)

Fast → slow

Stop

Slow → fast

3 - 34

37 - 100

101 - 120

121 - 140

141 - 255

FX synchronization

No sync

Fixture offset 10°

...

Fixture offset 350°

Synchronized

No function

Random start

Random duration

No function

Individual pixel control

0 - 255

Pixel 1 Red

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Pixel 1 Green

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Pixel 1 Blue

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Pixel 2 Red

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Pixel 2 Green

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Pixel 2 Blue

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Pixel 3 Red

0 → 100%

Etc...

... ...

Channels used for individual RGB control of individual pixels:

• VDO Fatron 20, 320 mm = channels 8 - 55

• VDO Fatron 20, 1000 mm = channels 8 - 157

Table 13: DMX Protocol, Pixel Mode

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Pre-programmed FX

The range of FX listed in this table is available when controlling the fixture directly by DMX (no P3 System

Controller used). To use the pre-programmed FX:

• Select the FX in this table on channel 5 in Basic Mode or Pixel Mode.

• Set FX modification (in most cases this adjusts FX speed) on channel 6.

• Synchronize and set offsets between fixtures on channel 7.

Channel DMX Value Function

17 - 19

24 - 29

32 - 50

63 - 68

No FX

Intensity FX

Wave

Step

Pulse

Blackout strobe

2x strobe

3x strobe

4x strobe

Up, down, flash

Up, flash, down, flash

Random levels

Pixel killer

Noise overlay

Build up / down (random pixels added, then turned off)

In-out wave (crossfade between inner and outer pixels)

In-out step (step between inner and outer pixels)

In-out pulse (pulse inner pixels - wait - pulse outer pixels - wait)

No function

Movie flicker

Electric arc

Atomic lightning

Thunderstorm

No function

Random chase (quarter of pixels)

Water drop (intensity ripple from inner to outer pixels)

No function

Color FX

Rainbow wave

Rainbow step

Rainbow pulse

RGB wave

RGB step

RGB pulse

CMY wave

CMY step

CMY pulse

Random mix wave

Random mix step

Random mix pulse

No function

Solid

Spectrum shifter

RGB to white wave

RGB to white step

RGB to white pulse

RGB to white strobe

Normal to white wave

Normal to white step

Normal to white pulse

Normal to white strobe

Table 14: Pre-programmed FX

DMX protocols

(continued)

79-86

90-100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

108

109

110

111

112-255

No function

RGB to inverted color in/out wave

RGB to inverted color in/out step

RGB to inverted color in/out pulse

No function

Special FX

Police chase

Nightrider

Stars

Fiberoptic white

Fiberoptic mix

Plasma

Starfield

Colorwave

Noise

Snowflakes

Rain

No function

Channel DMX Value Function

Table 14: Pre-programmed FX

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

DMX via P3 System Controller

The following DMX Modes are available when sending a DMX signal to a P3 System Controller which then

relays the signal to fixtures.

P3 Intensity Mode

In P3 Intensity Mode:

• The fixture displays video

• DMX only adjusts the intensity of the video.

P3 RGB Mode

In P3 RGB Mode:

• The fixture displays video

• DMX only adjusts the color of the video.

P3 Basic Mode

In P3 Basic Mode:

• The fixture displays video

• DMX only adjusts the intensity and color of the video.

Channel DMX Value Function

0 - 255

Intensity

0 → 100%

Table 15: DMX Protocol, P3 Intensity Mode

Channel DMX Value Function

0 - 255

Red

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Green

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Blue

0 → 100%

Table 16: DMX Protocol, P3 RGB Mode

Channel DMX Value Function

0 - 65535

Intensity (MSB)

8-bit coarse control, closed 0% → open 100%

Intensity (LSB)

16-bit fine adjustment, closed → open

0 - 255

Red

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Green

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Blue

0 → 100%

Table 17: DMX Protocol, P3 Basic Mode

DMX protocols

P3 Hybrid Mode

In P3 Hybrid Mode:

• When the P3 Switch channel (channel 3) is set to above 50% the fixture displays video, and channels 4-6

adjust the color of the video on the fixture.

• When the P3 Switch channel (channel 3) is set to below 50% the fixture is controlled by DMX only, and

channels from 4 to the last channel control the color of the segments of the fixture. The number of

channels used for RGB control of segments starting at channel 4 depends on the number of segments

per fixture.

• The number of RGB segments per fixture can be set on the P3 System Controller.

Segment control in P3 Hybrid Mode

In P3 Hybrid Mode, fixtures can be set to use the following numbers of segments and DMX channels:

VDO Fatron 20, 320mm

• 1 segment – 6 DMX channels

• 2 segments – 9 DMX channels

• 4 segments – 15 DMX channels

• 8 segments – 27 DMX channels

• 16 segments – 51 DMX channels

• 32 segments – 99 DMX channels

• 64 segments (individual pixels) – 195 DMX channels

VDO Fatron 20, 1000mm

• 1 segment – 6 DMX channels

• 2 segments – 9 DMX channels

• 5 segments – 18 DMX channels

• 10 segments – 33 DMX channels

• 25 segments – 78 DMX channels

• 50 segments – 153 DMX channels

• 100 segments – 303 DMX channels

• 200 segments (individual pixels) – 603 DMX channels

Channel DMX Value Function

0 - 65535

Intensity (MSB)

8-bit coarse control, closed 0% → open 100%

Intensity (LSB)

16-bit fine adjustment, closed → open

0 - 127

128 - 255

P3 Switch

DMX Mode

Video Mode

Segment control

0 - 255

Segment 1 Red

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Segment 1 Green

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Segment 1 Blue

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Segment 2 Red

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Segment 2 Green

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Segment 2 Blue

0 → 100%

Etc...

... See details below

Table 18: DMX Protocol, P3 Hybrid Mode

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

P3 PixelMap Mode

In P3 PixelMap Mode:

• The fixture is controlled by DMX only (it never shows video), and channels from 1 to the last channel

control the color of the segments of the fixture. The number of channels used for RGB control of

segments starting at channel 4 depends on the number of segments per fixture.

• The number of RGB segments per fixture can be set on the P3 System Controller.

Segment control in P3 PixelMap Mode

In P3 PixelMap Mode, fixtures can be set to use the following numbers of segments and DMX channels:

VDO Fatron 20, 320mm

• 1 segment – 3 DMX channels

• 2 segments – 6 DMX channels

• 4 segments – 12 DMX channels

• 8 segments – 24 DMX channels

• 16 segments – 48 DMX channels

• 32 segments – 96 DMX channels

• 64 segments (individual pixels) – 192 DMX channels

VDO Fatron 20, 1000mm

• 1 segment – 3 DMX channels

• 2 segments – 6 DMX channels

• 5 segments – 15 DMX channels

• 10 segments – 30 DMX channels

• 25 segments – 75 DMX channels

• 50 segments – 150 DMX channels

• 100 segments – 300 DMX channels

• 200 segments (individual pixels) – 600 DMX channels

Channel DMX Value Function

0 - 255

Segment 1 Red

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Segment 1 Green

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Segment 1 Blue

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Segment 2 Red

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Segment 2 Green

0 → 100%

0 - 255

Segment 2 Blue

0 → 100%

Etc...

... See details below

Table 19: DMX Protocol, P3 PixelMap Mode

Segment numbering

The following diagrams show how segments are numbered in the various DMX Modes.

VDO Fatron 20, 320 mm

DyͲ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚDŽĚĞ

DyͲWŝǆĞůDŽĚĞ

WϯͲ,ǇďƌŝĚWŝǆĞůDĂƉDŽĚĞͲϭƐĞŐŵĞŶƚ

WϯͲ,ǇďƌŝĚWŝǆĞůDĂƉDŽĚĞͲϮƐĞŐŵĞŶƚƐ

WϯͲ,ǇďƌŝĚWŝǆĞůDĂƉDŽĚĞͲϰƐĞŐŵĞŶƚƐ

WϯͲ,ǇďƌŝĚWŝǆĞůDĂƉDŽĚĞͲϴƐĞŐŵĞŶƚƐ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϰ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϯ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϮ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϭ

ϴϳϲ

DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϭ

DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϮ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϭ

DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

ϱϰϯϮϭ

DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϰ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϯ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϮ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϭ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

ϭϱ ϭϯ ϭϭ ϵ

ϭϲ ϭϰ ϭϮ ϭϬ

ϳϱ

ϴϲ

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

WϯͲ,ǇďƌŝĚWŝǆĞůDĂƉDŽĚĞͲϭϲƐĞŐŵĞŶƚƐ

WϯͲ,ǇďƌŝĚWŝǆĞůDĂƉDŽĚĞͲϯϮƐĞŐŵĞŶƚƐ

WϯͲ,ǇďƌŝĚWŝǆĞůDĂƉDŽĚĞͲϲϰƉŝǆĞůƐ

ϲϭ ϱϳ ϱϯ ϰϵ ϰϱ ϰϭ ϯϳ ϯϯ Ϯϵ Ϯϱ Ϯϭ ϭϳ ϭϯ ϵ ϱ ϭ

ϲϮ ϱϴ ϱϰ ϱϬ ϰϲ ϰϮ ϯϴ ϯϰ ϯϬ Ϯϲ ϮϮ ϭϴ ϭϰ ϭϬ ϲ Ϯ

ϲϯ ϱϵ ϱϱ ϱϭ ϰϳ ϰϯ ϯϵ ϯϱ ϯϭ Ϯϳ Ϯϯ ϭϵ ϭϱ ϭϭ ϳ ϯ

ϲϰ ϲϬ ϱϲ ϱϮ ϰϴ ϰϰ ϰϬ ϯϲ ϯϮ Ϯϴ Ϯϰ ϮϬ ϭϲ ϭϮ ϴ ϰ

DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

ϳϲϱϰϯϮϭ

DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

ϯϭ

ϯϮ

Ϯϵ

ϯϬ

Ϯϳ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

ϭϲ ϭϱ ϭϰ ϭϯ ϭϮ ϭϭ ϭϬ ϵ ϴ

ϭϵ

ϮϬ

ϭϳ

ϭϴ

ϭϱ

ϭϲϮϴ

Ϯϱ

Ϯϲ

Ϯϯ

Ϯϰ

Ϯϭ

ϮϮ

DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

ϭϯ

ϭϰ

ϭϭ

ϭϮ

ϭϬ

Segment numbering

VDO Fatron 20, 1000 mm

DyͲ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚDŽĚĞ

DyͲWŝǆĞůDŽĚĞ

WϯͲ,ǇďƌŝĚWŝǆĞůDĂƉDŽĚĞͲϭƐĞŐŵĞŶƚ

WϯͲ,ǇďƌŝĚWŝǆĞůDĂƉDŽĚĞͲϮƐĞŐŵĞŶƚƐ

DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϲ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϱ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϰ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϯ

DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌDĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

ϯϵ ϯϳ ϯϱ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

ϱϬ ϰϴ ϰϲ ϰϰ ϰϮ ϰϬ

DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϭϬ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϵ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϴ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϳ

ϯϴ

Ϯϵ Ϯϳ

ϯϰ ϯϮ ϯϬ Ϯϴ

^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϮ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϭ

ϰϵ ϰϳ ϰϱ ϰϯ ϰϭ ϯϯ ϯϭ

ϯϲ

ϭϱ ϭϯ ϭϭ

ϭϴ ϭϲ ϭϰ ϭϮ

Ϯϱ Ϯϯ Ϯϭ ϭϵ

Ϯϲ Ϯϰ ϮϮ ϮϬ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϭ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϮ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϭ

ϵϳϱϯ

ϭϬϴϲϰ

ϭϳ

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

WϯͲ,ǇďƌŝĚWŝǆĞůDĂƉDŽĚĞͲϱƐĞŐŵĞŶƚƐ

WϯͲ,ǇďƌŝĚWŝǆĞůDĂƉDŽĚĞͲϭϬƐĞŐŵĞŶƚƐ

WϯͲ,ǇďƌŝĚWŝǆĞůDĂƉDŽĚĞͲϮϱƐĞŐŵĞŶƚƐ

WϯͲ,ǇďƌŝĚWŝǆĞůDĂƉDŽĚĞͲϱϬƐĞŐŵĞŶƚƐ

ϭϳ ϭϲ

ϰϬ ϯϵ ϯϴ ϯϳϰϰ ϰϯ ϰϮ ϰϭ ϯϲ ϯϱ ϯϰ ϯϯ

DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϯ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϮ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϱ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϰ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϯ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϮ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϭ

ϭϱ ϭϰ ϭϯ ϭϮ ϭϭ ϭϬ

^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϭ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

Ϯϱ Ϯϰ Ϯϯ ϮϮ Ϯϭ ϮϬ ϭϵ ϭϴ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϭϬ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϵ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϴ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϳ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϲ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϱ ^ĞŐŵĞŶƚϰ

ϯϮϭ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

Ϯϭ

ϵϴϳϲϱϰ

ϯϮ ϯϭ ϯϬ Ϯϵ Ϯϴ ϮϳϱϬ ϰϵ ϰϴ ϰϳ ϰϲ ϰϱ ϮϬ ϭϵ ϭϴ ϭϳ ϭϲ ϭϱϮϲϮϱϮϰϮϯϮϮϮϭ ϴϳϲϱϰϯϭϰ ϭϯ ϭϮ ϭϭ ϭϬ ϵ

Segment numbering

WϯͲ,ǇďƌŝĚWŝǆĞůDĂƉDŽĚĞͲϭϬϬƐĞŐŵĞŶƚƐ

WϯͲ,ǇďƌŝĚWŝǆĞůDĂƉDŽĚĞͲϮϬϬƉŝǆĞůƐ

ϭϵϳ ϭϵϯ ϭϴϵ ϭϴϱ ϭϴϭ ϭϳϳ ϭϳϯ ϭϲϵ ϭϲϱ ϭϲϭ ϭϱϳ ϭϱϯ ϭϰϵ ϭϰϱ ϭϰϭ ϭϯϳ ϭϯϯ ϭϮϵ ϭϮϱ ϭϮϭ ϭϭϳ ϭϭϯ ϭϬϵ ϭϬϱ ϭϬϭ ϵϳ ϵϯ ϴϵ ϴϱ ϴϭ ϳϳ ϳϯ ϲϵ ϲϱ ϲϭ ϱϳ ϱϯ ϰϵ ϰϱ ϰϭ ϯϳ ϯϯ Ϯϵ Ϯϱ Ϯϭ ϭϳ ϭϯ ϵ ϱ ϭ

ϭϵϴ ϭϵϰ ϭϵϬ ϭϴϲ ϭϴϮ ϭϳϴ ϭϳϰ ϭϳϬ ϭϲϲ ϭϲϮ ϭϱϴ ϭϱϰ ϭϱϬ ϭϰϲ ϭϰϮ ϭϯϴ ϭϯϰ ϭϯϬ ϭϮϲ ϭϮϮ ϭϭϴ ϭϭϰ ϭϭϬ ϭϬϲ ϭϬϮ ϵϴ ϵϰ ϵϬ ϴϲ ϴϮ ϳϴ ϳϰ ϳϬ ϲϲ ϲϮ ϱϴ ϱϰ ϱϬ ϰϲ ϰϮ ϯϴ ϯϰ ϯϬ Ϯϲ ϮϮ ϭϴ ϭϰ ϭϬ ϲ Ϯ

ϭϵϵ ϭϵϱ ϭϵϭ ϭϴϳ ϭϴϯ ϭϳϵ ϭϳϱ ϭϳϭ ϭϲϳ ϭϲϯ ϭϱϵ ϭϱϱ ϭϱϭ ϭϰϳ ϭϰϯ ϭϯϵ ϭϯϱ ϭϯϭ ϭϮϳ ϭϮϯ ϭϭϵ ϭϭϱ ϭϭϭ ϭϬϳ ϭϬϯ ϵϵ ϵϱ ϵϭ ϴϳ ϴϯ ϳϵ ϳϱ ϳϭ ϲϳ ϲϯ ϱϵ ϱϱ ϱϭ ϰϳ ϰϯ ϯϵ ϯϱ ϯϭ Ϯϳ Ϯϯ ϭϵ ϭϱ ϭϭ ϳ ϯ

ϮϬϬ ϭϵϲ ϭϵϮ ϭϴϴ ϭϴϰ ϭϴϬ ϭϳϲ ϭϳϮ ϭϲϴ ϭϲϰ ϭϲϬ ϭϱϲ ϭϱϮ ϭϰϴ ϭϰϰ ϭϰϬ ϭϯϲ ϭϯϮ ϭϮϴ ϭϮϰ ϭϮϬ ϭϭϲ ϭϭϮ ϭϬϴ ϭϬϰ ϭϬϬ ϵϲ ϵϮ ϴϴ ϴϰ ϴϬ ϳϲ ϳϮ ϲϴ ϲϰ ϲϬ ϱϲ ϱϮ ϰϴ ϰϰ ϰϬ ϯϲ ϯϮ Ϯϴ Ϯϰ ϮϬ ϭϲ ϭϮ ϴ ϰ

DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ DĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

&ĞŵĂůĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌ

ϯϭ

ϰϮ

ϵϳ ϵϱ ϵϯ ϳϵ ϳϳ ϳϱ ϳϯ ϳϭ ϲϵϵϭ ϴϵ ϴϳ ϴϱ ϴϯ ϴϭ ϱϱ ϱϯ ϱϭ ϰϵ ϰϳ ϰϱϲϳ ϲϱ ϲϯ ϲϭ ϱϵ ϱϳ Ϯϳ Ϯϱ Ϯϯ Ϯϭϰϯ ϰϭ ϯϵ ϯϳ ϯϱ ϯϯ

ϴϮ ϴϬ ϳϴ ϳϲ ϳϰ ϳϮ

ϳϱ

ϵϴ ϵϲ ϵϰ ϵϮ ϵϬ ϴϴ ϴϲ ϴϰ

ϭϵ ϭϳ ϭϱ ϭϯ ϭϭ ϵϯϭ Ϯϵ

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VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Specifications

Physical

VDO Fatron 20, 320 mm model

Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320 mm (12.6 in.)

Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 mm (3.15 in.)

Height without front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 mm (1.10 in.)

Height with standard front (Square Diffuser) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 mm (1.89 in.)

Weight without front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.85 kg (1.9 lbs.)

Weight with standard front (Square Diffuser). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.95 kg (2.1 lbs.)

VDO Fatron 20, 1000 mm model

Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1000 mm (39.4 in.)

Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 mm (3.15 in.)

Height without front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 mm (1.10 in.)

Height with standard front (Square Diffuser) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 mm (1.89 in.)

Weight without front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.5 kg (5.6 lbs.)

Weight with standard front (Square Diffuser). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.8 kg (6.2 lbs.)

Control and Programming

Control options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Martin P3 System Controller (via Martin P3 PowerPort) or DMX

Protocol detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Automatic

Control modes, direct DMX control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RGB, Basic, Segment and Pixel

DMX channels, direct DMX control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/10/19/37/55/157

Control modes, DMX via P3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . P3 Intensity, P3 RGB, P3 Basic, P3 Hybrid and P3 PixelMap

DMX channels, DMX via P3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wide range of options from 1 to 603

Setting and addressing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P3 System controller or RDM-compliant controller

Control resolution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-bit (P3) or 8-bit (DMX) control of each color

Color and intensity calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pixel-level

DMX compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . USITT DMX512-A

RDM compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ANSI/ESTA E1.20

Firmware update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Via Martin P3 System controller

Signal Protocol

P3 (via Martin P3 PowerPort) or DMX (direct)

Optics

Minimum LED lifetime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 000 hours (to >70% luminous output)*

*Figure obtained under manufacturer's test conditions

Options

Open front

Flat Diffuser

Smoked Flat Diffuser

Round Diffuser

Smoked Round Diffuser

Square Diffuser (supplied with fixtures as standard)

Smoked Square Diffuser

NoBlend Diffuser

Smoked NoBlend Diffuser

Lens Array Narrow

All optical accessory options are interchangeable and clip onto fixtures

Control/User Interface

Device status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Multi-color visual indication

Device test and reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Magnetic pushbutton to call up local test patterns and reset device

Specifications

Video Processing

Brightness control

Gamma correction and control

Color temperature control

Color space control

Calibration processing

Synchronization

Photometric Data

Color resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 bits per color (48 bits per pixel)

Viewing angle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120° x 120°

Pitch (pixel center-to-center) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20.00 mm

Luminous intensity, calibrated mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 cd per meter

Luminous intensity, calibrated mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1500 lumens per meter

Total output, calibrated mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6250 nits

VDO Fatron 20™ 320 mm

LED array. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 x 16

VDO Fatron 20™ 1000 mm

LED array. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 x 50

Construction

Base. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Extruded aluminum profile

Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Matt black

Protection rating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IP65

RoHS compliant

Installation

Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Any

Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Channel for M6 captive nuts on back of profile.

Mounting options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M6 bolts, optional sliding bracket (accepts M12 bolt)

Connections

Power and data input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-pin custom (BBD-type) IP66-rated

Power and data thru. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-pin custom (BBD type) IP66-rated

Hot-plugging compatible

Electrical

Nominal input voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 VDC +/- 4%

Maximum power consumption, all LEDs at full intensity, VDO Fatron 20, 320 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 W

Maximum power consumption, all LEDs at full intensity, VDO Fatron 20, 1000 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 W

Power supply options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin P3 PowerPort 1500, Martin P3 PowerPort 1000 IP,

Martin IP66 PSU 240W, Martin DMX PowerPort 375

or generic 48 VDC PSU

Typical Power and Current

VDO Fatron 20, 320 mm, with typical video content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.5 W, 0.2 A

VDO Fatron 20, 1000 mm, with typical video content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 W, 0.6 A

Thermal

Cooling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Convection

Maximum surface temperature, steady state, at 24° C ambient temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . 50° C (122° F)

Maximum ambient temperature (Ta max.) for typical video content. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45° C (113° F)

Minimum ambient temperature (Ta min.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -20° C (-4°F)

VDO Fatron 20, 320 mm

Max. total heat dissipation, calculated, +/- 10%. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 BTU/hr.

VDO Fatron 20, 1000 mm

Max. total heat dissipation, calculated, +/- 10%. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 BTU/hr.

VDO Fatron™ Family Safety and Installation Guide

Approvals

EU safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .EN 60950-1, EN 60950-22, EN 62471

EU EMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .EN 55024, EN 55032

US safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UL 60950-1, UL 60950-22

US EMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CFR Title 47 Part 15 Class A

Canadian safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1, No. 60950-22

Canadian EMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ICES-003 Class A

Australia/NZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RCM

Accessories

VDO Accessory and Test Tools with magnetic swipers, set of 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91610139

Hardware

VDO Sceptron™/Fatron™ Sliding Brackets, set of 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91610123

VDO Sceptron™/Fatron™ Low-Profile Half-Coupler Rigging Clamp, black . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611790

VDO Sceptron™/Fatron™ Linear (End-to-end) Coupler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611843

VDO Sceptron™/Fatron™ Spigot Adapter, 28 mm (1.1 in.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611791

VDO Sceptron™/Fatron™ Floorstands, set of two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611792

VDO Fatron™ Curving Coupler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91610164

Superlight Half-coupler Rigging Clamp, black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91602018

Safety Cable, SWL 60 kg, BGV C1 / DGUV 17, black. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91604006

Safety Cable, SWL 60 kg, BGV C1 / DGUV 17, silver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91604007

Optical

For 320 mm fixtures

VDO Fatron™ Flat Diffuser, 320 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611809

VDO Fatron™ Flat Smoked Diffuser, 320 mm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611811

VDO Fatron™ Round Diffuser, 320 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611813

VDO Fatron™ Round Smoked Diffuser, 320 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611815

VDO Fatron™ Square Diffuser, 320 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611817

VDO Fatron™ Square Smoked Diffuser, 320 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611819

VDO Fatron 20™ NoBlend Diffuser, 320 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611825

VDO Fatron 20™ NoBlend Smoked Diffuser, 320 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611827

VDO Fatron 20™ Lens Array Narrow, 320 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611831

For 1000 mm fixtures

VDO Fatron™ Flat Diffuser, 1000 mm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611810

VDO Fatron™ Flat Smoked Diffuser, 1000 mm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611812

VDO Fatron™ Round Diffuser, 1000 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611814

VDO Fatron™ Round Smoked Diffuser, 1000 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611816

VDO Fatron™ Square Diffuser, 1000 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611818

VDO Fatron™ Square Smoked Diffuser, 1000 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611820

VDO Fatron 20™ NoBlend Diffuser, 1000 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611826

VDO Fatron 20™ NoBlend Smoked Diffuser, 1000 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611828

VDO Fatron 20™ Lens Array Narrow, 1000 mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611832

Combined DC power and data cables

Power + Data Input Cable, 4-pin male XLR (for P3 PowerPort or DMX PowerPort 375)

to female BBD, 0.25 m (9.8 in.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91616046

Power + Data Input Cable, 5-pin male XLR (for DMX) + wire tails (for PSU)

to female BBD, 0.25 m (9.8 in.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91616048

Power + Data Input Cable, 5-pin male XLR (for DMX) + 4-pin male XLR (for

P3 PowerPort) to female BBD, 0.25m (9.8 in.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91616049

Power + Data Input Cable, 5-pin male XLR (for DMX) + male Martin IP66 PSU 240W

(Tripix system) to female BBD, 0.25 m (9.8 in.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91616050

Power + Data Output Cable, male BBD

to 4-pin female XLR, 0.25m (9.8 in.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91616047

DMX Lead-out Cable, male BBD to 5-pin female XLR, 0.25 m (9.8 in.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91616051

BBD extension cables

Power + Data Extension Cable, Rental Type, BBD to BBD 1 m (3.3 ft.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91616041

Power + Data Extension Cable, Rental Type, BBD to BBD, 2.5 m (8.2 ft.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91616024

Power + Data Extension Cable, Rental Type, BBD to BBD, 5 m (16.4 ft.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91616042

Power + Data Extension Cable, Rental Type, BBD to BBD, 10 m (32.8 ft.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91616043

Specifications

Power + Data Extension Cable, Rental Type, BBD to BBD, 25 m (82.1 ft.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91616044

Power + Data Cable, Rental Type, 100m (328 ft.) bulk without connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91616045

Connectors

Power + Data Cable Connector, BBD, Male. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611750

Power + Data Cable Connector, BBD, Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91611751

Blanking Caps for unused female BBD connectors, set of 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/N 91616052

Martin VDO FATRON 20

Product's Documents

VDO Fatron - User Manual

Specifications

Martin VDO FATRON 20 Questions and Answers