Instructions for Your Controller

General Chase Light Controller Instructions

(Look at the PDF links to the left for instructions specific to your controller model.)

1. Setting Your Chase Pattern.
Please read this page, then if you wish to change your chase setting, see your model’s instructions link at the bottom of this page.

  • 3 Track Chaser controllers will arrive preset to the 3 Track Chase setting
  • 4 Track Chaser controllers will arrive preset to the 4 Track Chase setting
  • 6 Track Chaser controllers will arrive preset to the 6 Track Chase setting
  • 10 Track Chaser controllers will arrive preset to the 10 Track Chase setting
  • 8 Track Smart Chaser controllers will arrive preset to the 8 Track Chase setting

2. Mount the Light Controller in an Upright Position.

  • Mount the controller to the frame or you can drive two stakes into the ground and mount the light controller to them.
  • Mount the light controller in an upright position.
  • You may want to use nylon zip ties to mount them to the frame.
  • Make sure the controller does not lay on the ground. It can get wet, however we do not want it sitting in a puddle of water.

3. Test Your Lights Before Plugging in the Light Controller.

Plug each set of lights into the main power source, not the light controller. You are testing for shorts. If any lights pop the breaker or have an exceptional amount of sparking, remedy the problem before plugging the lights into the light controller. Why? We do not want to damage the light controller. The controller is protected by a fuse, however under some conditions, a severe short may cause damage to the light controller. Shorting out a controller is a rare occurrence, but it is possible. Shorting out a light controller is not covered under the warranty, however we can fix it for a modest fee or offer a remedy.
Possible Causes of Shorts

  • The glass on a new bulb may be cracked or broken
  • The two wires in a bulb may be touching
  • Installing or removing bulbs while they are plugged in
  • Empty light sockets will not cause a problem

4. Plug the Lights Into the Light Controller Receptacles.

Plug the light controller into the main power source to turn it on. There is no on/off switch. Reverse the plug in order if you would like the lights to chase the other way.

 


Setting Your Chase Pattern

Directions for New Models:

  • Programmable Models: Specific Instructions Vary by Controller - Contact Us for More Information

 

Directions for Older Models:

(Call us at 636-391-116 or email us at Nick@FlashTrackLighting.com if you are looking for directions for any of older models listed below.)

  • Model 3 TU-10 chase mode settings instructions
  • Model 4 TU-18 chase mode settings instructions
  • Model 6 TU-18 chase mode settings instructions
  • Model 10 TU-18 chase mode settings instructions
  • Model 8TSC-18 (for controllers purchased 2015 or earlier) chase mode settings instructions

Re-Purposing Damaged Controllers
Do you have a damaged controller that you need working now?  If so, these directions may help!

 

Our Quality Guarantee

At Flash Track Lighting, we sell American-made chase light controllers of only the best quality and we guarantee that our controllers will arrive to you in perfect, fully-functioning condition.  Should you ever need a replacement for your new controller that is due to a manufacturing defect, we will replace your controller free of charge.  Our controllers are built to last and we expect that they will continue to meet your chase light programming needs for years to come.  However, we also realize that accidents happen and we want you to know that you do have options if your controller is damaged outside of the warranty period.

 

Your Options: Swap, Repair, Replace, or Re-Purpose

If you make a mistake that damages your controller to such an extent that it renders the controller unable to perform your intended sequence, we are here to help and you do have options.

First, if you have a back-up controller, a display that uses multiple controllers, or multiple displays, then you may be able to swap the damaged controller with another controller you already have.  For this solution to be the most prudent choice, the damaged controller should still have one or more sequences that you are already using in your display(s) that are working properly so that you can still use your damaged controller elsewhere.  While this is probably the simplest solution, we realize that it is not always possible.

Second, you can always contact us to evaluate repair and/or replacement services.  Unlike most companies that produce or sell chase light controllers, we are often able to fix our own products at a price low enough to make repairs worthwhile.  If your controller is damaged to such an extent that you cannot make use of it, please call us at 636-391-1161 or email us at Nick@FlashTrackLighting.com to discuss your repair and replacement options.

Third, if you wish to use your controller immediately while avoiding the costs and time of a repair or replacement, we are now offering you the option to re-purpose your damaged controller free of charge.   By choosing to re-purpose your controller, you will be able to use our quick, on the spot fix to re-program your controller to do a basic chase despite its damage so that you can immediately make the most of your damaged controller.

 

If your controller has at least 2 tracks working and is a 2015 model or newer, you can use these directions and settings to re-program your controller to do a basic chase sequence using only the working tracks, while bi-passing the damaged ones.

No matter which option you choose, ALWAYS be sure to identify and correct the source of the problem before plugging in an undamaged controller!  If the controller was damaged due to an external electrical problem, such as a short in your display shorting out a track on the controller, if you do not correct the external problem first (in this example by fixing the short in the display), you could very easily cause the same damage to the second controller.  For trouble shooting tips, visit our website at www.FlashTrackLighting.com.

 

Can Your Controller be Re-Purposed?

In order to re-purpose your controller using these directions, your controller absolutely must have 2 or more tracks working properly AND be a 2015 model or newer.

The settings we offer for re-purposing damaged controllers only allow your controller to perform a basic chase sequence (one track on while the other tracks are off).  If your controller has 2 tracks working, you can re-purpose it to use those 2 working tracks (whichever tracks they may be), to perform a basic 2 track chase pattern.  Likewise, any controller with at least 3 working tracks can be re-purposed to use those 3 working tracks to perform a basic 3 track chase pattern.  The same options apply for controllers that have 4, 5, or even 6 tracks working.  If you need your damaged controller to perform a sequence more complex than a basic chase while bi-passing damaged tracks, re-purposing is not currently an option for you.

If you are not sure what model year your controller is, look to see if the label with the controller’s name on it has the abbreviation “v5” at the end of it.  (For example, a 3 track smart chaser that is a 2015 model or newer will have the title “3TSC-10 v5” on the label as opposed to just “3TSC-10”.)  All controllers labeled “v5” were produced in 2015 or later and as such, can be re-purposed using the settings in these instructions.

If you have a controller produced before 2015, you will not be able to re-purpose your controller on your own because the re-purposing sequences have not been pre-programmed into your controller.  However, we may be able to re-purpose your controller for you at a much lower price than a repair.  If you have a damaged controller that was produced before 2015, please contact us to discuss your options.

 

How to Re-Purpose Your Controller

  1. Make sure that your controller is eligible for re-purposing.
    • The controller must have at least 2 working tracks and be a 2015 model or newer.
  2. Identify what type of controller you have.
    • The label on the front of your controller will tell you which type of controller you have.
    • The label will say “3TSC-10” for 3 Track Smart Chaser, “4TSC-18” for 4 Track Smart Chaser, “6TSC-18” for 6 Track Smart Chaser, “8TSC-18” for 8 Track Smart Chaser, etc.
  3. Identify which tracks are working.
    • When you look at your controller, you will see that it has receptacles for lights to plug into and that there is a label numbering each of those receptacles.  (“Tracks” means receptacles.)
    • Identify and note which of those receptacles (based on the numbers on the label) are working.
      • To do this, set your dip switch setting to all OFF/Down, 0000 0000.
      • This will tell the controller to chase through all of the tracks on the board so that you will be able to see which receptacles are working.
      • You will need to know which tracks/ receptacles are working in order to select the correct combination for re-programming your controller from your controller’s corresponding table.
  4. Call or email us with the above information and we will be able to tell you what settings to set your controller to run a basic chase using the available, working tracks!  (Call us at 636-391-1161 or email us at Nick@FlashTrackLighting.com.)