Watch it in action on YouTubeFC-E Raptor Field Controller
Compact Control for Your Production
At a Glance
Move from hand-fired to scripted shows quickly, with the same operators and minimal training. The FC-E Raptor Field Controller stores and runs show scripts for fireworks shows, controlling the connected firing modules. Use it for a standalone show, an additional firing position or as a backup controller. It supports up to 40 firing modules through one Pyrodigital network output and stores two scripts of up to 640 individual cues each.
Included Equipment
- FC-E Raptor Field Controller
- Universal Charger with country-specific mains wall plug
- Deadman Pickle
- 2 Safety Arm Keys
- 2 Test Lights
- USB Download Cable
- USB stick with Operating Instructions and FSK timecode files
- Spare fuses
Operational Role
The FC-E Raptor is designed for ease of use, so every operator can learn to conduct automatically fired pre-loaded scripts in a very short time. The Raptor is designed to support a range of show workflows, from direct and manual firing to fully scripted operation. Scripts created for an FC-A or legacy FC3 can also run on the FC-E, provided they contain no more than 640 script lines.
Automatic shows use the internal clock by default. The controller automatically detects the optional TCE-PD Timecode Expansion when connected and selects external PD-FSK synchronization. This simplifies setup for your operators and helps keep training requirements low.
For linked operation, an FC-E can receive Deadman enable and trigger signals from an FC-A through a Deadman Link Cable. Continuity testing, a three-position Safety Arm Key, optional password protection, and temperature monitoring support preparation and operation, while manual-fire macros allow sequences of up to 9.9 seconds. The network output includes both a status indicator and a thermal circuit breaker for monitoring and protection.
Each 640-line script table can use any of the system’s 2,048 firing addresses, giving operators access to the full Pyrodigital address range. Show scripts can be transferred by USB and adjusted directly on the controller, making it straightforward to prepare, update, and run a wide range of productions from one compact unit.
System Compatibility
- Firing modules: FM-A and the legacy Pyrodigital firing modules FM1 to FM8
- Timecode: External PD-FSK input with the optional TCE-PD Timecode Expansion
- Network connections: PD Network Cable, WB-E Falcon Wireless Base, DB-A Dragon Iso-Booster and FiberCON Bridge
- Software: Design fireworks shows and stage pyrotechnics in software like Visual Show Director or Finale 3D. With the free Pyrodigital Downloader, a technician can transfer a supplied script without a design-software license. Load scripts onto an FC-E, FC-A or legacy FC3, retrieve them from a controller, save them on the computer, and transfer them to another controller.
- Accessories: TCE-PD Timecode Expansion, Universal Case, Universal Charger, Deadman Pickle, Deadman Link Cable, PD 5-Way Splitter, Test Light, Spare Keys
Cases and optional accessories are sold separately.
Manuals & Documentation
Technical Specifications
Firing network
- Pyrodigital network outputs
- 1
- Firing-module capacity
- Up to 40
- Network output voltage
- 24 VDC nominal, supplied by the internal battery when the Safety Arm Key is in the Fire position
- Maximum constant output current
- 3 A (72 W at 24 VDC)
- Protection
- Thermal circuit breaker for the network output; charging circuit switches off when the device is operating
- Line indicator
- Output status indication above the XLR output
Addressing and capacity
- Firing address range
- 000-7FF hexadecimal
- Addressable firing range
- Any of 2,048 firing addresses; each script table is limited to 640 lines
- Module address range
- 00-7F hexadecimal
- Terminals per module
- 16, hex numbered 0-9 and A-F
Scripting
- Script tables
- 2
- Lines per table
- 640
- Total script lines
- 1280
- Script transfer
- Mini-USB Type B; transfer to and from the controller
- On-device editing
- Adjust existing scripts or enter sequences directly on the controller
Timing and synchronization
- Internal clock precision
- ±20 ppm (0.002%)
- Internal clock
- Automatic firing from the controller’s internal clock
- Script timing resolution
- 30 frames per second
- External timecode format
- PD-FSK
- Timecode interface
- TCE-PD Timecode Expansion, available separately
- External synchronization
- PD-FSK input through the TCE-PD Timecode Expansion
- Timecode switch-over
- Automatic switch-over and pause-show handling
Firing modes
- Direct Fire
- Enter and fire individual addresses without a loaded script
- Manual Fire
- Fire cues from a loaded script with the trigger; includes macro sequences up to 9.9 seconds
- Auto Fire
- Run a script from the internal clock or external PD-FSK timecode through the optional TCE-PD timecode expansion
- Continuity testing
- Manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic
Safety
- Safety Arm Key
- 3-position - Off / Check / Fire
- Safety Arm Key warning system
- Integrated
- Password protection
- Optional
- Temperature monitoring
- Device temperature monitored
Power
- Internal battery type
- Non-spillable Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA)
- Internal battery voltage
- 24 VDC (2 x 12 VDC in series)
- Internal battery capacity
- 2.1 Ah
- Max charge current
- 0.56 A at <29.4 VDC
- Battery status indicator
- Charge-state indicator at power-up, with a low-battery warning below 10%
Environmental and physical
- Operating temperature (electronics)
- −20 °C to +85 °C
- Operating temperature (batteries)
- −20 °C to +55 °C