User Guide

Using Your Smart Chaser: Testing the Lights First
Always test your lights for shorts before plugging them into the controller. To do this, plug each set of lights
into an outlet or extension cord other than the controller. If any lights cause the breaker to pop or produce
significant sparks, make the necessary adjustments, then test the lights again. Once there are no issues or
sparks, the lights may be plugged into the controller. This step is necessary to protect the controller. Although
the controller is protected by a fuse, it can be damaged by a severe short under the right conditions. Damages
caused by shorts within a light bulb or caused by shorts within the wires to the lights (which can happen when
wires are smashed between the display’s frame and the support poles), are not covered under the controller’s
warranty.
If, while testing your lights, you are experiencing significant sparking at the plugs OR you are having a difficult
time finding the cause of a short, look for the following possible causes:
(Note: Having empty light sockets will NOT cause a short.)
✓ Are you experiencing a lot of sparking when plugging in the lights OR did a fuse blow?
o Excessive sparking at the plug that occurs when plugging lights into a power source can
be caused by having too many bulbs on the line. When there are too many bulbs on the
line, this can also cause the fuse to blow at the controller or at the fuse box.
(See pages 11-12 for directions on how to calculate your amperage.)
o If you have not exceeded your amperage by having too many bulbs on the line, then a
short is the most likely cause of the sparking and can be corrected by reviewing the
following questions.
✓ Are any of the glass bulbs broken?
o If so, remove all broken bulbs from the sockets and install new bulbs while the lights are
NOT plugged in.
✓ Have any of the glass bulbs loosened from their bulb bases?
o Glass bulbs that have loosened from the base are the most common cause of shorts.
Bulbs can loosen from the base while they are being removed, while they are being
installed, or even simply as a result of time. If you notice a bulb has loosened from its
base, EVEN IF the bulb is still working, you MUST turn off the power IMMEDIATELY and
then you MUST replace the loosened bulb and remove the base from the socket.
o Turning off the power before attempting to turn, loosen or move a loose bulb is critical.
If you do not turn off the power first, then when you go to turn the bulb, the two wires
inside the base will touch each other while electricity is running through them, causing a
dead short.
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