Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ page). Below, we will try to answer the most common questions visitors to our Web site may have. If you find that your question is not answered on this page, please e-mail us at service@dimmer.com or call us during 9:30AM - 4:30PM at 323-261-5162.
FAQ Index of Topics (in production)
Strand Lighting CD80 dimmer rack retrofits . Strand Lighting Environ 2 dimmer rack retrofit
Strand Electro Controls Quad dimmer rack retrofit
Strand Lighting CD80 dimmer pack retrofit
Where can I find manuals?
Strand Lighting CD80 dimmer rack retrofits:
Q: Which retrofit is best for my CD80 installation?
A: That all depends on 3 factors: 1, your installation; 2, your rack form factor; 3, what you want your rack to do.
In regards to 1, the primary factor here is in regards to ramp card racks versus CD80SV (Supervisor) and CD80 AE (Advance Electronics) dimmer racks. Ramp card racks could have different power buss configurations but the most important factor is how high the power feeds (bars and cables) extend off the bottom of the rack in the lower cavity of the rack.
The reason this is important is because both the Strand Lighting retrofit solution and the Johnson Systems retrofit solution both are taller than the ramp card cage of the first generation CD80 racks. The Johnson Systems CD-2000 retrofit has substantially less issues because it is barely around 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch taller. Everything else is an exact match. The Strand Lighting retrofit is much taller and also sticks out quite a bit. The fan are also mounted vertically on the lower front grill and often cause fitting issues. Also, because of the cooling fans location, the bottom cavity of the rack has to be sealed so that the air blown in will travel up through the dimmer from behind the retrofit electronics which are also deeper than the old electronics. On a stand alone rack this is not an issue. But in multiple rack situations that are common bussed this is a very real issue as the walls of the racks are usually removed to bussed them together. So the air bleeds from one rack to the next or up the low voltage cable channels and the retrofitted dimmer rack overheats.
In regards to 2, if you have a CD80 rolling rack then you are gonna use a Johnson Systems CD-2000 retrofit. Period. End of story. I know of only 2 rolling racks that were retrofitted with the Strand Lighting CD80SV retrofit. They had to be shipped back to the Strand Lighting factory where they lived for several months as new sheet metal has to be fabricated. The CD-2000 retrofit on the other hand has a rolling rack version that is all “off the shelf” and field installable.
In regards to 3, if you want to use Strand Lighting’s Outlook or SWC control then you will have to go with the Strand Lighting CD80 retrofit kit. If all you need is DMX or analog, or you need an addressable DMX out then the Johnson Systems CD-2000 is for you.
Well, it looks like it no longer matters now. The CD80SV retrofit is a dead solution and no longer available. The interim C21 retrofit was an even worse solution. So, you have the Johnson Systems CD-2000 retrofit as your solution for retrofitting your CD80 rack, whatever variant it is: CD80, CD80AE, CD80SV, CD80 rolling rack - it’s all covered.
Strand Lighting Environ 2 dimmer rack retrofit
Q: Is there an Environ 2 retrofit solution available?
A: Yes there is. It is the Johnson Systems Envy which provides DMX capability along with advance digital electronics. It can also provide industry standard 0-10v analog control via a daughter board.
For control, you can use and DMX or analog capable stations, including advance solutions like 
ETC Unison and EDI TSC architectural control systems which output DMX. For smaller venues, Johnson Systems manufactures the CS-DMX line of fixed program stations which are bullet proof and fool proof.
For slightly more advance options, EDI carries a good variety of DMX capable stations including the SMART systems and the Twilite 12 system. The EDI smart system allows patching, zone controls and is California Title 24 Certified (Automatic Time Switch Lighting Control Devices).
Strand Electro Controls Quad dimmer rack retrofit
Q: Is there an Quad retrofit solution available?
A: 
Yes there is. It is the Johnson Systems QD-2000 system. While slightly more involved than the CD-2000, it can still be installed rather quickly. The only “gotcha” would be if the system never had decoder cards installed which is rather rare. If your original electronics fails, 9 times out of ten your only recourse will be the retrofit as many of the components on the original electronics circuits boards are outright no longer available; this makes repairs impossible.
As for the dimmer modules, we have spares available that have been upgraded with modern digital firing cards and top notch heavy duty SCR’s. We have even been known to convert empty slots into being fully functional.
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