Installation
The Showstopper 4 Base is slimmed down to 2U tall and intended to be rack mounted in any standard 19” rack. If you don’t have a rack, it can also sit on the operator desk or on top of a Stagehand Controller - just be sure it is secured.
Making the Connections
While the Showstopper 4 Base makes a great paperweight on its own, connecting it properly will make it function as intended.
Input Power
Connect the IEC power cable to the back of the Showstopper 4 Base and plug into any standard 120VAC power source. The power connection must be constant. Loss of power to the Showstopper 4 Base will engage the E-Stop and stop all movement to any connected Stagehands.
We recommend adding in a Battery Backup to avoid any issues due to power loss.
Showstopper E-Stop Output
Each Stagehand or Smart Machine requires a direct connection to a Showstopper 4 Base or E-Stop Hub which provides the +24VDC E-Stop signal.
The Showstopper 4 Base includes ten E-Stop connections. The Showstopper E-Stop connections are made with a standard 5 pin XLR cable. Though this is the same connector used for DMX, the signal isn’t DMX. (Please don’t plug a Showstopper output into your lighting system!) We chose this connector due to their prevalence in many venues. If you are stuck, any old DMX cable from the lighting cage can get you up and running.
Ethernet
The Showstopper 4 Base includes an Ethernet connection in order to communicate E-Stop status to Spikemark. The Ethernet connection will accept a Neutrik Ethercon connector (#NE8MC-B) or any standard RJ45 connector.
Accessory Output
The Showstopper 4 Accessory output provides dual channel E-Stop signals, CAN Bus communication, and +24VDC power for the Spikemark Console, Showstopper Consolette and Spikemark Pendant. All of these signals are combined into a single 21mm x 21mm (3A) 12 pin locking connector. There are several manufacturers of these types of connectors, our favorite is from MENCOM. The inserts are the CQF-12 (for the receptacle - output).
The Showstopper 4 Accessory cable must be 20awg, 12 conductor twisted pair cable. Non-twisted pair cable will not work. We use IGUS Chainflex CF211-05-06-02 for our cables, but any manufacturer will work. Here are a few options:
The system architecture is extremely flexible. Showstopper 4 Accessories can be daisy-chained, or home runs to the Showstopper Base or Showstopper Hubs. Each Showstopper Accessory output must be terminated. The outputs can be terminated internally (the Console, Consolette and Pendant are terminated) or with a terminating plug.
Each Showstopper Accessory Output must be terminated! If any Accessory output is not terminated the Showstopper system will not allow motion.
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