User Guide

The Basics of the 3 Track Smart Chaser

What is a chase light controller and how does it work?

• Chase light controllers like this one run animated light displays by turning the power on or off to

certain strands of lights at certain pre-programmed intervals, to simulate a specific motion. By having

certain strands (aka “tracks”) of lights turn on and off at different intervals, it will look like a wheel is

turning, a hand is waving, a word is being spelled out, etc..

Terms and Definitions: What are patterns, sequences, settings, modes, and tracks?

a. The specific order and timing in which tracks turn on and off is called the chase “pattern”.

We use the word “pattern” to refer to the specific motion or visual effect created, and the word

“sequence” to mean a specific pattern, set to use a specific number of tracks.

i. For example, the “chase” pattern sequentially turns each track on, 1 track at a time, to create a

visual effect that looks like the lights are “chasing” each other. That particular pattern can be

set to run as a sequence in 2 or 3 track modes on the 3 Track Smart Chaser.

ii. The 3 track smart chaser includes 11 different patterns that can be used in 16 different

sequences. (“Chase Slow” is 1 of the 11 available patterns. Since it can be run in 2 or 3 track

modes, the Chase Slow pattern is available in 2 different sequences.)

b. When we use the word “setting”, we are talking about the specific combination of 1s and 0s found on

the 3 Track Smart Chaser’s “Sequence Label”, that is used to set the dip switch sliders to your desired

sequence.

i. For example, to set your controller to run a 2 track chase sequence, the setting or code setting

is “1000”. (See pg 9 of this manual for more information on this.)

c. Each track corresponds to one of the smart chaser’s receptacles. One “track” refers to all of the lights

i. When setting up your controller, know that each receptacle is one track. Thus, our 3 track

smart chaser has 3 receptacles and can run sequences that use up to 3 tracks.

ii. When referring to a specific sequence (a given pattern, set to use a specific number of tracks),

we will sometimes use the word “mode” to mean tracks. For example, we might say that a

certain setting is for “a Build Up pattern in 3 track mode”.

iii. Other brands of chase light controllers may also refer to “tracks” as channels or circuits.

Why are our controllers called “Smart Chasers” instead of just chase light controllers?

Our chase light controllers are “smart chasers” because of their logical, naturally intuitive, easy to use design

that includes many pre-programmed chase sequences.

1) Our 3-Track Smart Chaser includes 16 pre-programmed sequences, consisting of 11 pre-programmed

patterns, with 5 of those patterns available in 2 track mode, and all 11 patterns available in 3 track

mode.

2) Our smart chasers were designed intuitively, for your ease of use. To change sequences on our

controllers, all you have to do is flip the sliders on the dip switch up or down. No pliers needed and no

having to mess with confusing wires!

3TSC-10 Manual p3