VarioControl DimWheel Color
DMX
DMX Compatible Integrated Network Dimmer
DimWheel Series
The DimWheel is a powerful one-button DMX controller that
lets you set dim level, colour and show for LED drivers and
DMX compatible luminaires. It is easy-to-install and meets
EU and UK wall box size requirements. Also, it is compatible
with most dimmer face plates available on the market.
DimWheel Colour
The DimWheel Colour features the following operation modes:
• for general white LED lighting applications, the 1-channel
mode lets you dim the light and turn it on or off.
• for applications requiring colour temperature control, e. g.
mixing warm and cool white light, the DimWheel features a
2-channel mode. In this mode, you can set the colour temperature, dim the light and turn it on or off.
• for static and dynamic full colour applications (RGB and
RGBW/A), the 3- and 4-channel modes offer complete
colour or show control plus dimming and on/off control.
Colour control allows you to create any hue and pick a saturation level for this hue. Show control lets you run a show
in DMX broadcast or chase mode and set the show speed.
Dimming and colour: high control resolution
The DimWheel offers a large dynamic range from 100 % down
to 0.5 %. For most applications, it suffices to have an 8-bit
control resolution. In 8-bit DMX mode, DimWheel offers a
gamma-corrected dimming curve. The 16-bit resolution guarantees extremely smooth brightness control and fine colour
mixing, making the DimWheel the perfect one-button digital
LED dimmer.
Shows: broadcast and chase
DimWheel Colour offers two types of show modes: broadcast
and chase. You can use broadcast mode for mood lighting
where all connected luminaires receive the same set point
VarioControl DimWheel Color DMX – 06/08/2013
(=colour) and use chase mode for linear dynamic applications.
DimWheel Colour
Easy installation
The DimWheel fits into EU and UK wall boxes and is
compatible with most dimmer faceplates. The DimWheel’s
mounting plate ensures easy installation into the wall box,
and its push-in connectors and strain reliefs guarantee
easy and tidy connection of wires.
Setup is a breeze!
The DIP switches, which are accessible after mounting, allow
you to set the operation mode, select the show mode (broadcast or chase) and set the network resolution to 8 or 16 bit.
Features
• USITT DMX512 A compatible
• One-button on-off/dimming/colour/show control
• Operating supply voltage range: 12 V – 32 V DC
• DIP switches for configuration, accessible after mounting
• External switch interface allows remote show selection
• All settings saved to memory when light is switched off or
when a power glitch occurs
• Front indicator LED for local show (speed), colour and dim
level feedback
Advantages
• Complete functionality solution offering LED show
sequences, colour, dimming and on/off control
• Can be mounted/used like standard household dimmer
• Integrated back box and mounting plate simplify total system setup and installation
VarioControl DimWheel Color DMX
Electrical data
Network control
• Supply voltage: 12 – 32 V DC,
Dynamic effects
• Network input/output: USITT DMX512 A,
SELV equivalent
• Control channel 1 – 128: 0 – 100 %
based on RS485 specification
• Maximum power: 2W
• Output signal update rate: 8ms
• Reverse polarity protected
• Number of network channels: 128
• Control channel 129 – 256: 0 or 100 %
Mounting data
• Wall box compatibility: universal EU/UK
• Network resolution: 8- or 16-bit
• Communication: bi-directional for configura-
DIP switches
tion and uploading of shows
• 1 and 2: set the controller for 1, 2, 3 or 4
channel operation mode
• 3: toggles between show and color mode
16 bit
Connectors
• V sup: + and - (2)
curve (8-bit resolution)
plates (Gira, Busch Jaeger, Berker, Jung),
• Colour selection
• Show: broadcast and chase
• Strain relief: provision for wire straps on
both sides (wire straps not included)
• Show speed selection
Environmental ratings
• Ta: -20 °C ... +60 °C (-4 °F... +140 °F)
• DMX in: +, - and shield (3)
• Ta storage: -40 °C ... +95 °C
(-40° F ...+203 °F)
User interface
positions.
• Faceplate compatibility: EU: universal faceUK: BS4662 compatible faceplates,
• Faceplate fixation: M10 nut
• External switch input: + and - (2)
• LedSync out: +, - and shield (3)
Choice of 8 x M3 mounting hole
• Dimming: with gamma corrected dimming
(3 and 4 channel mode only)
• 4: sets show mode to broadcast or chase
• 5: sets DMX network resolution to 8 or
Operating modes
• On/off
and US single gang wall box
• Fasten with two M3 screws.
• Relative humidity: non-condensing
• Encoder type: endless
• Ballistic effect: yes
4 mm/0.16”
16.35 mm
0.64”
22.91 mm
0.90”
69.2 mm / 2.72”
VarioControl DimWheel Color DMX – 06/08/2013
69.2 mm
2.72”
DimWheel Colour EU/UK dimensions
VarioControl DimWheel Color DMX – Quick Start Guide
How to connect, configure, mount and operate your DimWheel
1. Connecting your DimWheel
Show mode
When operating DimWheel in show
mode, you can connect a momentary
action switch to the ‘Ext in’ connectors
for show selection (optional).
Ext in +
Ext in -
VDC VDC +
{ 12DC–IN32 V
Power
Connect the DimWheel to a
12 – 32 V DC, SELV equivalent
power supply.
Show
Selection Switch
DimWheel
Strain relief
DMX in +
DMX in DMX in shield
2. Configuring your DimWheel
Strain relief
LedSync out shield
LedSync out LedSync out +
Strain relief
Recommended: Fixate wires
with tie-wraps that are looped
through indicated holes.
DMX
Connect your DMX network to
the DimWheel’s ‘LedSync out’
connectors.
3. Mounting your DimWheel
Configure your DimWheel by setting the DIP switches on the front:
O
N
1
2
O
N
1
2
O
N
1
2
O
N
1
2
O
N
1
2
O
N
1
2
O
N
1
2
O
N
1
2
O
N
1
2
1-channel mode for general white lighting applications
3
4
5
6
7
3
4
5
6
7
3
4
5
6
7
3
4
5
6
7
3
4
5
6
7
3
4
5
6
7
3
4
5
6
7
3
4
5
6
7
3
4
5
6
7
2-channel mode for colour temperature control
3-channel mode for full colour (RGB) applications
4-channel mode for full colour (RGB-W/A) applications
colour mode
show mode (chase)
show mode (broadcast)
The DIP switches remain accessible after installation. When carrying out
changes in the DIP switch settings, turn the DimWheel off and on again (by
pressing the knob twice) to activate the new settings.
The DimWheel is compatible with most standard faceplates.
8-bit network resolution
16-bit network resolution
Faceplate, wallbox and screws are not included with your DimWheel.
DIP switch 6 and 7 are non-influential.
4. Operating your DimWheel
Turn the light on
Change brightness
VarioControl DimWheel Color DMX – 06/08/2013
Brightness
Turn the light off
Quick Start Guide
Advanced operation for 2-channel mode (CW/WW)
Turn the light on
Activate configuration mode
Set colour temperature
Save setting and return
to basic operation
Cool white / Warm white
2 sec
Advanced operation for 3/4-channel (RGB/RGBW) colour mode
Turn the light on
Activate configuration mode
Set colour
Save colour setting
2 sec
Set saturation
100%
50%
Saturation
Save setting and return
to basic operation
0%
Advanced operation for 3/4-channel (RGB/RGBW) show mode
Turn the light on
Activate configuration mode
VarioControl DimWheel Color DMX – 06/08/2013
2 sec
Set show speed
Save setting and return
to basic operation
VarioControl DimWheel Color
DMX
DimWheel Colour Faceplate Kit With Lightpipe
DimWheel faceplate
The DimWheel Colour is compatible with most standard faceplates on the market. For markets that use UK-style electrical wall
mounting boxes (BS4662 standard), a faceplate kit is available with an innovative lightpipe assembly, which provides visual feedback of the output colour in RGB(W) installations. The faceplate kit fits directly onto the DimWheel Colour and is simple
to install.
The kit features a white plastic faceplate with screw fixings to the wall box and a sculptured aluminum control dial to operate the
DimWheel’s push and turn functions. Use a 1.5 Allen key to fasten the control dial to the DimWheel’s rotary encoder, and two
M3.5 x 25 mm screws to fasten faceplate and DimWheel to the wallbox.
86.0 mm / 3.39”
86.0 mm
3.39”
DimWheel faceplate - front view
21.1 mm
0.83”
44.0 mm
1.73”
22.9 mm
0.90”
VarioControl DimWheel Color DMX – 06/08/2013
DimWheel faceplate - side view
DimWheel Colour and DimWheel faceplate: a perfect fit
VarioControl DimWheel Color DMX
CAUTION: The device may only be connected and installed by a qualified electrician. All applicable regulations, legislation and building codes must be observed. Incorrect installation of the device can cause irreparable damage to the device and the connected LEDs.
12 V – 32 V DC in
Connect the positive voltage supply wire of a 12 – 32 V DC, SELV equivalent power supply to the VDC+ connector and its negative voltage
supply wire to the VDC- connector.
Ext in
You can use a momentary switch as show selection switch. Connect
such a momentary switch to the Ext in+ and Ext in- connector.
DMX in
To upload show sequences with the eldoLED TOOLbox, connect the
network cable’s data+, data- and shielding wire (the orange/white, orange and brown wire in a CAT5 cable) to the DMX in+, DMX in- and
DMX in shield connector respectively.
LedSync out
For data output to the connected DMX drivers and luminaires, connect
the network cable’s data+, data- and shielding wire (the orange/white,
orange and brown wire in a CAT5 cable) to the LedSync out+,
LedSync out- and LedSync out shield connector respectively.
VarioControl DimWheel Color DMX – 06/08/2013
LedSync is compatible with any USITT DMX512A based driver.