SnakeSys T2

The SnakeSys T2 is a rugged truss mountable two universe Ethernet to DMX convertor with an in-built network switch supporting three separate DMX output sockets per universe.

Two universes
Three 5-pin DMX output sockets per universe
Four network ports
Can be powered by Power over Ethernet
Can be used with any Art-Net or ACN compliant console
LCD display and buttons for configuration
Serial port connector - e.g for connecting projectors
Hook clamp fixable in three different orientations
Omega clamp fixable in four different orientations
Can be configured without power (inbuilt battery)

Product Diagram

Image shown in diagram is T2 product version MK1

For Simple Art-net or ACN to DMX output conversion the SnakeSys T2 inbuilt menu system can be used to quickly configure the device for the required mode.

The T2 can be powered either by the Powercon Input socket or via PoE (Power over Ethernet) from a compatible device such as the SnakeSys R4, when running via PoE the B4 accepts between 37-57V and 6.5-12.9W.

The T2 has an internal battery for configuring the unit without the need for connecting to a power source. The battery is used for addressing and setup of the unit only.

If running it battery mode and not connected to a power source press the menu button once to power on.

DMX Connectors

The SnakeSys T2 has a total of six DMX Output connectors. The DMX Output connectors are arranged in two rows of three. When operating in Art-Net or ACN mode the top row of DMX connectors output the first universe that the unit is addressed to, and the second row of DMX connectors output the current universe address + 1. All DMX Outputs are Opto-Isolated, even though each group of three output the same universe.

The SnakeSys T2 MK2 includes an additional DMX Input connector, which is used to provide a DMX Buffer feature and additional DMX Input option for Art-Net and ACN modes.

The additional DMX Input connector on the T2 MK2 is not currently supported in MagicQ ChamNet mode.

Network Connectors

The SnakeSys T2 has a total of 4 Ethernet Network connectors. The function of these connectors is identical, and they are connected to the same network switch, and they can be used for communication with the T2 device and other devices connected to any of the T2 network ports. The PoE network connector located next to the Powercon connector on the base of the unit also has additional power distribution circuitry for powering the T2 via PoE (Power over Ethernet).

Due to the circuit difference with the PoE input connector in some circumstances when the T2 is connected with an incorrectly wired Ethernet cable, the network side of the PoE connector may appear not to function when compared to plugging the incorrectly wired cable into the other network connectors. This is completely normal.

The three network connectors on the front of the unit can have packet forwarding enabled or disabled via the Network Port Menu. In the menu they are referred to as ports A, B and C from top to bottom respectively. When default settings are applied, all the connectors have packet forwarding enabled.

Menu System

The SnakeSys T2 is operated using an in-built menu system.

The MENU button is dual purpose and serves as an enter button as well. In all cases the INC and DEC buttons are used to either increase or decrease values or selections respectively and generally combined with the enter key provide basic menu navigation.

Pressing the MENU button from the Top Screen will cause the T2 unit to enter the main menu. If the unit is left navigating one of the menu’s and no buttons are pressed for some time the unit will automatically return to the Top Screen.

When in ChamNet mode any changes applied to each T2 universe will be automatically updated on the Top Screen.

If backlight timeout is not set to infinite then the unit will automatically turn off the backlight after the user set time in the backlight menu if no buttons are pressed.

The top level screen provides immediate information regarding both universes, which includes protocol and address:

Main Menu

Address

Used to set the T2 address / universe, which can be either:

Menu Item	Function
Box Id	ChamNet Mode
Art-Net universe	Art-Net Mode
sACN universe	sACN Mode

Menu Item

Function

Box Id

ChamNet Mode

Art-Net universe

Art-Net Mode

sACN universe

sACN Mode

Protocol

Used to set the network protocol used by the T2, there are now two versions of the unit the MK2 version T2 has an additional DMX input, both units use the same firmware but the MK2 has some additional features present in the Protocol menu. The MK1 unit will still be supported although we are no longer shipping the MK1 and it has been replaced by the more advanced MK2. The available options are listed below along with the product version:

Menu Item	Function	Product Version
Not Enabled	No DMX output	T2 MK1 and MK2
MQ ChamNet	Controlled by MagicQ	T2 MK1 and MK2
Art-Net	Art-Net Mode	T2 MK1 and MK2
Art-Net + In	Art-Net Mode with DMX Input enabled	T2 MK2 Only
ACN	sACN Mode	T2 MK1 and MK2
ACN + In	sACN Mode with DMX Input enabled	T2 MK2 Only
DMX Buffer	Unit operates as a simple DMX Buffer	T2 MK2 Only

Menu Item

Function

Product Version

Not Enabled

No DMX output

T2 MK1 and MK2

MQ ChamNet

Controlled by MagicQ

T2 MK1 and MK2

Art-Net

Art-Net Mode

T2 MK1 and MK2

Art-Net + In

Art-Net Mode with DMX Input enabled

T2 MK2 Only

ACN

sACN Mode

T2 MK1 and MK2

ACN + In

sACN Mode with DMX Input enabled

T2 MK2 Only

DMX Buffer

Unit operates as a simple DMX Buffer

T2 MK2 Only

Network Menu

Menu Item	Function
IP Addr	Used to set the T2 network IP address used by the T2 processor. The IP address is automatically chosen when the T2 units default settings are applied, however sometimes it is necessary to change the address. This is an advanced option.
Netmask	Used to set the T2 network sub-net mask which is applied to all network data that the T2 processor receives. This is an advanced option, The default subnet mask is normally 255.0.0.0
Default	Used to restore default networking settings to the T2. Everything which can be adjusted in the Network menu or any of its sub-menus is restored to factory default settings.

Menu Item

Function

IP Addr

Used to set the T2 network IP address used by the T2 processor. The IP address is automatically chosen when the T2 units default settings are applied, however sometimes it is necessary to change the address. This is an advanced option.

Netmask

Used to set the T2 network sub-net mask which is applied to all network data that the T2 processor receives. This is an advanced option, The default subnet mask is normally 255.0.0.0

Default

Used to restore default networking settings to the T2. Everything which can be adjusted in the Network menu or any of its sub-menus is restored to factory default settings.

Network Port Menu

Menu Item	Function
Port A, Port B, Port C	Used to enable or disable network packet forwarding for the respective network port on the front of the T2 unit. (Port A is the top-most port on the T2). The default setting is enabled.

Menu Item

Function

Port A, Port B, Port C

Used to enable or disable network packet forwarding for the respective network port on the front of the T2 unit. (Port A is the top-most port on the T2). The default setting is enabled.

Settings Menu

Menu Item	Function
Clear All	Used to clear all T2 settings, and restore the entire unit to factory default settings. The T2 will automatically reboot after default settings are restored.
Backlight	Used to set the backlight timeout for the LCD display. This is for how long the backlight stays on after a button has been pressed.
Contrast	Used to set the LCD display contrast.
Stealth	Used to enable Stealth Mode on the T2. When the unit is in Stealth Mode the network and DMX LED’s are disabled to make the unit appear darker. You can also make the unit darker if you enable the backlight timeout feature. If you require the unit to be completely dark then that can be achieved by using the Led Status option on MagicQ and selecting Off. The LED status option will turn off all light from the unit including the display, however the feature currently is only available in ChamNet mode.
Reboot	Used to completely reboot the T2 unit.

Menu Item

Function

Clear All

Used to clear all T2 settings, and restore the entire unit to factory default settings. The T2 will automatically reboot after default settings are restored.

Backlight

Used to set the backlight timeout for the LCD display. This is for how long the backlight stays on after a button has been pressed.

Contrast

Used to set the LCD display contrast.

Stealth

Used to enable Stealth Mode on the T2. When the unit is in Stealth Mode the network and DMX LED’s are disabled to make the unit appear darker. You can also make the unit darker if you enable the backlight timeout feature. If you require the unit to be completely dark then that can be achieved by using the Led Status option on MagicQ and selecting Off. The LED status option will turn off all light from the unit including the display, however the feature currently is only available in ChamNet mode.

Reboot

Used to completely reboot the T2 unit.

ChamNet Mode Information

In ChamNet Mode the SnakeSys T2 is configured and controlled from the Net Manager within MagicQ.

DATA LED

The red DATA LED on the SnakeSys T2 indicates that valid ChamNet network data is being received by the unit.

ONLINE LED

The green ONLINE LED on the SnakeSys T2 indicates that the unit has recently sent T2 device information to MagicQ and should have consequently appeared as online in the MagicQ Net Manager.

The T2 unit will remember the settings that you make in MagicQ Net Manager. Please allow at least 40 seconds for the unit to store the information into flash memory before removing the power. If the unit is left in MagicQ ChamNet mode it will boot up with the settings that you made previously in Net Manager. (MagicQ will not be required to be connected via network to retain the settings).

T2 Truss Mounting

Safety Note

If the T2 unit is installed into Truss using clamps then additional care should always be taken to ensure that the unit is installed with an adequate safety chain firmly attached through the T2 rear chassis. Care should also be taken to ensure that the units clamp is securely fastened to the Truss, and only T2 clamp mounts supplied by ChamSys Ltd are recommended.

Powering the SnakeSys T2

There are three methods in which the SnakeSys T2 can be powered:

Mains supply via Powercon connector on the base of the unit

The power supply is universal wide range input type and has the following specification: 85 to 264VAC @ 47 to 63 Hz or 120 to 370VDC

PoE (Power over Ethernet)

Using the network connector located next to the Powercon connector on the base of the unit.

Battery

Pressing the "Menu" button when no power is supplied to the unit will cause the T2 to enter "Battery Mode". When in battery mode the address and mode of operation can be set via the menu. This is a useful feature as the unit can be addressed and configured without the presence of any stage power. When in battery mode the unit will automatically turn off after 1 minute of inactivity. DMX and Network operations are not available in battery mode.

It is possible to connect up both Mains and PoE supplies at the same time which provides some fail safe redundancy should one of the supplies fail for some reason.