Showven Sparkular® Fall User Manual
Version 2.3
Date: 2025/06/16
Introduction
Thank you for choosing Showven Sparkular® Fall. This manual provides essential information for operating this product safely and effectively. Please read it carefully before use.
Safety Instructions
- Unauthorized repair is prohibited and may cause serious incidents.
- Keep Sparkular® Fall dry and do not use it in rain or snow.
- Ensure the feeding hopper lid is securely covered during operation.
- Accidental burning of consumables can only be extinguished with sand.
- Store consumables in a dry, sealed environment, away from moisture.
- Before and after each show, check the output nozzle for consumable aggregate. Clean if necessary to prevent firing effect issues, machine damage, or serious incidents.
- The maximum allowed cascade of Sparkular® Fall power supply cables is 6pcs (BT04) / 3pcs (BT05). Exceeding this limit may cause damage or fire.
- Do not block the air intake and air outlet to ensure proper heat dissipation.
- Covering the output nozzle of Sparkular® Fall is forbidden. Inspect the machine before each show to ensure no objects or materials block the nozzle.
- Never touch the Sparkular® Fall nozzle, as it poses a burn hazard.
- Never touch the sparks emitted from the nozzle.
- Ensure no staff, audience, or flammable materials are located directly below the Sparkular® Fall during operation.
Safety Distance
- Maintain a minimum distance of 3 meters between audience/flammable materials and Sparkular® Fall.
- Ensure sparks do not contact any objects and maintain a clearance of at least 2 meters from the maximum effect length.
- Do not allow humans, animals, or flammable materials near the underside area where Sparkular® Fall is hung.
- In windy conditions, increase the safety distance based on wind direction and speed.
- When the machine is tilted, adjust the safety zone accordingly and increase the distance in the direction of the tilt.
- Sparks and consumables can cause serious eye injury. Always wear safety goggles when entering the safety zone.
Description
Sparkular® Fall is a hanging special effects device designed for indoor and outdoor use, producing dazzling silver "waterfall" sparks. Operators can customize "spark curtain" effects ranging from 2 to 7 meters using different HC8600 models, depending on the usage scenario.
Structure of Sparkular® Fall
The Sparkular® Fall unit comprises the following components:
- 1. Safety Loop
- 2. Clamp
- 3. Feeding Hopper Lid
- 4. Air Intake
- 5. DMX IN
- 6. DMX OUT
- 7. Power Switch
- 8. Fuse
- 9. Power IN
- 10. Power OUT
- 11. LCD Screen
- 12. Cooling Fan
Schematic diagram of the top fixing hole: A diagram illustrates the dimensions and mounting points for attaching the unit to a truss.
Technical Specifications
- Model: BT04/BT05
- Dimension: 196×208×192mm
- Weight: 6.0kg
- Voltage: 220V (BT04) / 110V (BT05), 50/60Hz
- Work Power: 500W
- Effect Height: 2-7m (depending on HC8600 type)
- Interface: 3-pin XLR, POWER IN/OUT
- Control: DMX 2 channels, Wireless Remote
- Adaptable Truss Size: 40-60mm
Operation Panel
- LED display area: Indicates machine status.
- READY: Flashing means preparing, solid light means ready.
- DMX: Flashing indicates DMX signal connection; OFF means no DMX signal.
- FAULT: Light ON indicates an error.
- HEAT: Light ON indicates the system is heating up.
- Control button area: Used for navigating menus and settings.
- MENU: Press to cycle through menu options; press and hold for 3 seconds to enter the advanced menu.
- -: Decreases parameter values.
- +: Increases parameter values.
- ENTER: Confirms and saves parameters.
- Bottom Indication Light:
- Off: Preheating not activated or machine is firing.
- Quick Flashing: Preheating in progress.
- Long On: Preheated and ready.
- Slow Flashing: Error warning.
- The indication light can be turned off via the menu.
- RFID area: Used with RFID cards to identify parameters and granule types. Each RFID card is disposable and can be used only once.
Interface
1. Main Interface
The display shows DMX address and core temperature information.
- First line: Displays the DMX address (e.g., "1").
- Second line: Shows the current inner core temperature and a progress bar, along with the remaining time (e.g., 7 minutes and 24 seconds).
2. Error Information
Error Code | Explanation |
---|---|
E0 System IC | Systematic error |
E2 Temp. Sensor | Temperature sensor is not connected or damaged. |
E3 P Temp. Over | Chassis over-temperature. |
E4 Time Remain | Insufficient granules or remaining time; time card swiping is needed. |
E5 K Temp. Over | Heating chamber over-temperature. |
E6 Heat Fail | Heating failed. |
3. Setting Menu
Access the Setting menu by pressing the "MENU" button. Navigate through options using "MENU" until returning to the main interface.
Options | Range | Default | Explanation |
---|---|---|---|
Set DMX Address | 1-512 | 1 | Sets the DMX address. Address "1++" enables the machine to act as a wireless host and send DMX signals. |
Wireless Control | ON/OFF | OFF | Enables wireless function. Allows matching the machine with a remote controller when set to "ON". |
Manual Fountain | ON/OFF | OFF | Manual fountain switch for testing purposes. |
Fountain Height | 1/6 | 1 | Sets fountain height; 1 is low level, 6 is high level. |
4. Advanced Menu
Enter the Advanced Menu by pressing and holding "MENU" for 3 seconds. Use the MENU key to navigate options. The menu returns to the main interface after 3 seconds of inactivity.
Options | Range | Default | Explanation |
---|---|---|---|
Set Temperature | 480-620 | 580 | Sets the inner core temperature. |
Auto Heat | ON/OFF | OFF | Enables automatic preheat function after the machine is turned on. |
Density | 70-100 | 90 | Adjusts the density of sparks. |
Mode Selection | Factory Mode / User Mode | User Mode | Factory Mode is for debugging; User Mode is for general use. |
DMX Channel Mode | 2/4/2+3 DMX Channel | 2 DMX Channel | 4 DMX Channel and 2+3 DMX Channel modes are for special use. |
Tip Over Error | ON/OFF | OFF | Enables/disables the tip-over sensor. |
Default Parameter | ON/OFF | OFF | Useless. |
Standby Switch | ON/OFF | OFF | Allows firing only when heating is complete if set to ON. |
Status LED | ON/OFF | ON | Controls the bottom indicator light. |
DMX Mode
Sparkular® Fall utilizes 2 DMX channels.
The First Channel (0-255) | Functions |
---|---|
0-15 | Firing OFF |
16-135 | Low Level Fountain ON |
136-255 | High Level Fountain ON |
The Second Channel (0-255) | Functions |
---|---|
60-80 | Clear Material |
20-40 | Emergency Stop |
0-10 | Pre-heat OFF (Disable in Auto-heat) |
240-255 | Pre-heat ON (Disable in Auto-heat) |
Operation Guide
1. Check Output Nozzle
Inspect each machine's output nozzle for good condition and absence of powder aggregate.
2. Fill Sparkular® Fall
- Open powder bags and fill the feeding hopper. The capacity is 280g.
- Select the appropriate consumable based on hanging height and safety distance.
- Ensure the hopper lid is securely locked after filling.
HC8600 Model | Fall length (Low Level) | Fall length (High Level) |
---|---|---|
MEDIUM | 2m | 3m |
LARGE | 3m | 4m |
LARGE-I | 4m | 5m |
LARGE-II | 5m | 7m |
3. Install Sparkular® Fall
- Vertical hanging installation is recommended. For angled installation, set the "Tip Over" to OFF status. The maximum firing angle is 45°, angled towards the front of the machine.
- Securely hang the machine on a truss to prevent falling. An extra safety rope is required.
4. Connect Power / DMX Cable
- Connect the power cable to the POWER IN socket and the other end to the power source. Ensure the voltage matches the equipment rating and the socket is grounded.
- For sequential connection, use a power link cable from the previous machine's POWER OUT to the next machine's POWER IN.
- The maximum allowed cascade for power supply cables is 6pcs (BT04) / 3pcs (BT05) per circuit.
- Power ON all Sparkular® Fall units.
- Assign a unique DMX address to each unit, especially when using a SHOWVEN host controller or FXcommander.
- For wireless control, set the machine to wireless ON status and match it with the remote controller. For DMX cable control:
- Connect a DMX cable to the DMX IN socket of the first unit and to your DMX controller.
- Connect the DMX OUT of the previous machine to the DMX IN of the next machine in series.
- It is recommended to use a DMX terminator on the last unit's DMX OUT for signal reliability. A signal amplifier may be needed for long-distance transmission (>200m).
5. Activate Sparkular® Fall by Swipe RFID Card
- Swipe an RFID card. The display will show the remaining time if read successfully.
- An "E4" error is reported when the remaining time is less than 10 minutes.
- Each RFID card with 200g HC8600 can add 20 minutes of working time. The maximum recharge time is 30 minutes; further recharges are not possible once this limit is reached.
6. Programming and Firing
- Program Sparkular® Fall by setting firing height and sequences.
- Heating up takes approximately 5 minutes, varying with voltage and ambient temperature.
- Ensure the prescribed safety zone is clear.
- It is recommended to clear material before firing.
- Firing: To prevent overheating, the maximum continuous firing time is 30 seconds.
- Operators should maintain a clear view of the device for immediate shutdown if necessary.
- After the show, clear material for 5 seconds to remove residual particles from the heating chamber. For angled installations, extend the clear material time.
7. Turn Off and Clean Up
- Power off Sparkular® Fall and allow it to cool down.
- Disconnect all POWER and DMX cables. Carefully remove the machine from the truss.
- Empty any remaining HC8600 from the hopper and store it in a dry, sealed bottle. Avoid touching the output nozzle when emptying.
- Clean the surrounding area to remove powder residues.
Wireless Control Information
1. Wireless remote control mode:
When using the wireless remote, unplug the DMX cable. Set "Wireless Control" to ON, match the remote controller with the machine, and extend the antenna on the remote.
Remote Control Functions:
Button | Function |
1 ON / 1 OFF | Controls DMX address "1" |
2 ON / 2 OFF | Controls DMX address "3" |
3 ON / 3 OFF | Controls DMX address "5" |
SET | Match the machine with the remote |
CLEAR | Clean material for 3 seconds |
5 S | All firing 5s |
15 S | All firing 15s |
30 S | All firing 30s |
ALL OFF | All stop |
Note:
- Replace the remote controller battery when the indicator light is weak.
- If the machine is not working, interference may be the cause; try pressing the start button again.
- Wireless control is susceptible to interference. Stay close to the machine when using the remote, and avoid metal shielding.
3. Wireless host SPARKULAR® FALL mode (requires communication cables)
- In environments with strong interference, the wireless host mode ensures stable control.
- Set the first Sparkular® Fall unit's DMX address to "1++". This unit acts as the host and can output DMX signals wirelessly.
- Connect all Sparkular® Fall units using communication cables. The host unit receives the remote signal and transmits it to other units via the communication cable for stable signal transmission.
Maintenance
- Empty the feeding hopper before shipping or long periods of non-use. In humid environments, empty after each show.
- Clear material before and after each show.
- It is recommended to wash or replace the air intake filter every two months.
Warranty Instructions
Thank you for choosing Showven products. The warranty period is one year from the date of purchase. Any quality issues within 7 days of factory shipment can be exchanged for a new unit. Free maintenance service is provided for hardware malfunctions within the warranty period (excluding human-induced damage). Do not attempt repairs without factory authorization.
Situations NOT covered by warranty service:
- Damage caused by using non-Showven consumables.
- Damage from improper transportation, usage, management, maintenance, or human factors.
- Unauthorized disassembly, modification, or repair.
- Damage caused by external factors such as lightning strikes or power surges.
- Damage due to improper installation or use.
Paid service is available for product damage outside the warranty range. An invoice is required for maintenance service requests.