Important Notice: 5.0 BETA Firmware
You have selected 5.0 BETA firmware. BETA firmware is a pre-release version that includes new features and improvements, while rare, BETA firmware could contain bugs or usability issues. Please consider the following information before proceeding:
What is BETA Firmware?
- Early Access: BETA firmware allows early access to new features that are not yet available in Stable Releases.
- Testing and Feedback: It is intended for users who are willing to provide feedback and help identify any bugs or issues.
- Potential Risks: There may be minor bugs, feature limitations, or performance issues.
Important Considerations
- Are you comfortable troubleshooting and reporting any issues?
- Do you understand the steps required to revert to a Stable Release if needed?
- Do you have time to update your firmware more frequently, knowing that some updates may require a wireless reprogrammer?
Recommended Action
If you are not familiar with BETA testing, we recommend selecting the Stable Release version instead for the highest level of stability and support. For more details on our firmware release process, please review our complete guide here. If you have questions or need further assistance, please reach out to our support team.
36M with Onboard Cues
- $899.99
The COBRA 36M is a compact and rugged 36-cue firing module that functions universally with the 18R and 18R2 Controller.
Each firing module has two independent banks (A & B) that can be set to one of 100 unique channels (200 on firmware 6.0.0 or higher) by simply pressing the + and - buttons on the module. For example, bank A can be set to channel 1 and bank B can be set to channel 2. Each bank has built-in, onboard speaker terminal cues, as well as optional support for external 18 and 36 cue slats. While external slats will not add additional unique cues, they will allow you to fire cues connected to the slat in parallel at the same time as your onboard cues.
Using the 18R or 18R2 Controller channel controls, you can fire any banks on the same channel. You can fire unlimited modules at the exact same time by setting them to the same channel.
The 36M also boasts a backlit LCD screen, standard built-in rechargeable LiPo battery, support for replaceable 9V batteries, support for 12-24V external power. The large armored case has an externally mounted antenna and routed down side-edges that allow wires to be extended outside the unit while snapping the lid shut.
Using Pro-Adapt Plate technology, the 36M offers a true connection agnostic design. The 36M simply plugs securely into the large armored case faceplate. The same 36M can be used with any of the COBRA Pro-Adapt Plates.
This version comes built in a protective case that features onboard cues as well as external slat support. For more information on onboard cues, please watch our Onboard Cues video.
Multi-Channel
The 36M comes with two banks (A & B) that can be channeled independently of each other. Simply press CH+ or CH- on the 36M to set a bank to a channel between 00 and 99 (00 and 199 on firmware 6.0.0 or higher). Press the 'Change Bank' button to toggle between banks and use the CH+ or CH- change the channel for the selected bank. Banks can be set to any channel in any order. For example, Bank A can be set to channel 2 and bank B can be set to channel 3. Then, by changing the channel on the 18R or 18R2 Controller, you can fire any bank set to the same channel.
Power Conservation
The 36M comes standard with a rechargeable 14.8v, 900mAh battery. It can also support the use of three 9V (PP3) batteries. One of the 9V batteries is used exclusively to power the system operations, while the other two are used for firing cues.
The 36M also has a power conserving sleep mode. When powering off the 18R or 18R2 Controller, the 36M will automatically fall asleep and conserve power for up to 30 hours. This allows you to place and arm your modules into position hours before the show begins. Then, when turning on your 18R or 18R2 Controller, the module wakes up and is ready to fire.
Technology
At COBRA, we believe safety and reliability are the most important features of any firing system. With that in mind, every COBRA system incorporates the below collection of technological and usability based features. This ensures safe and reliable functionality every time you use the system.
IEEE® Unique Network MAC Addresses - Every COBRA remote contains a fully unique network MAC address. This address is programmed into the unit at the time of production and contains 16 x 0-F base-16 values. For example, 00.1C.2C.00.00.C0.00.01.
By syncing a firing module to a remote, the remote's network MAC address is saved and remembered on the firing module, even after power-on and power-off. Once saved, the firing module will ONLY respond to the remote containing this unique MAC address. This prevents any other remotes from firing your system. In addition, any time a firing module is synced to a different remote, the previous MAC address is overwritten, thereby ensuring the firing module only responds to the last remote to which it was synced.2.4GHz transceiver modules - The COBRA 36M uses a 2.4GHz transceiver module manufactured by Synapse, a US company that both develops and manufactures its SNAP line of IEEE 802.15.4 radio modules and transceiver ICs.
The same transceiver and software development platform is used successfully not only by COBRA, but also in a variety of safety-critical industrial wireless applications, including medical monitoring systems and airport lighting controls.Redundant, solid-state, self-testing MOSFETs - The COBRA 36M uses redundant solid-state firing FETs on both the high and low side of each firing cue. This ensures that no power is supplied to the cue unless the firing module is both armed, in fire mode and is actively firing a cue. The redundant FETs provide protection against unintentional electro-static discharge (ESD) and serve to automatically test for damaged or shorted FETs upon system start-up. If detected, the system will automatically disable itself and will not operate.
NFPA compliant user-design - The COBRA system adheres to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) chapter 9.2 requirements including a key-operated switch, multiple actions to arm and fire, and minimum current requirements when performing continuity tests.
Contains FCC, CE and IC certified RF Module - The 36M contains the Synpase 802.15.4 2.4GHz RF transceiver module.
Construction
The 36M is enclosed in 2.5mm thick high-strength ABS plastic and shielded by a highly thermal and impact resistant black armored plating on the top side. The clear design minimizes all entry of air, moisture, and dust into the electronic housing by eliminating the need for cut-outs and micro-gaps in the enclosure. Polyurethane-coated fire-retardant silicon keypads have custom walls that push up against the top-enclosure to protect against moisture and dust.
Expandable Power Options
Easy to Charge - A charge port and charge indicator exists on the top of the module for simple charging. If you own armored cases, a new faceplate supports charging while the 36M is still in the armored case. Use our single charger or charge up to 5 modules at once with our 5-module charger option.
External 12-24V DC Input - Rugged external binding posts support external 12 and 24V DC input. For permanent installations, we offer a custom 110/220V A/C to 24V D/C converter. Use the internal LiPo battery pack together with the A/C input to act as a real-time power backup.
Increased Amperage - Replaceable 9V batteries produce a peak current of 3 Amps. Using the LiPo battery pack, this increases to 6 Amps. Using the external power input, we can produce up to 9 Amps of peak current. This will support firing up to 5 and 16 e-match / clip-on igniters respectively, in addition to also supporting the firing of high current devices such as confetti cannons, flame projectors, and cryo jets.
Cold Weather Performance - Fire extreme cold shows with confidence with improved cold weather performance down to -20F / -29C.
Dual Protection Circuits for LiPo Safety - COBRA incorporates dual overcharge, undercharge, and overvoltage protection circuits. The first protection circuit is built into the 36M motherboard. The second protection circuit is built into the battery itself. This means if one of the protection circuits fails, the other acts as a backup. While we don't expect any failures, feel confident that we have designed both the battery and charge circuitry with the highest level of safety and protection in mind.
Physical Construction | ||
Dimensions | Case Dimensions - 14.9” x 12.1” x 6.9” (37.84cm x 30.73cm x 17.52cm) | |
Module Dimensions - 8.24” x 6.47” x 2.57” (20.92cm x 16.43cm x 6.5cm) | ||
Keypad | Backlit fire-retardant silicone | |
Enclosure Material | Impact resistant and fire-retardant ABS | Power Options |
|
Radio | ||
Antenna | +5 dBm 8.5" Omnidirectional Rubber Duck Antenna | |
Radio Compliance | FCC CE, IC certified (ID: U90-SM220) | |
Frequency | 2.4 GHz | |
Range | 500m (1,650 ft) direct line of sight range w/ built-in link quality detection | |
Range with MESH Technology (5.0.0 or higher firmware) | +450m (1,500 ft) per device (up to a total of 10 hops per device) | |
Encryption | IEEE Mac Address / Encrypted Data | |
Cues / Firing | ||
Number of Channels | 200 (firmware version 6.0 or higher) 100 (firmware version 5.1 or lower) |
|
Number of Cues | 36 | |
Firing Accuracy | 1/100th second | |
Max # of Unique Cues | 36 | |
Onboard Connectors | Various | |
Slats supported | 18S Mini Series & 18S Mini Parallel 18S Series & 18S Parallel 36S Mini Series & 36S Mini Parallel 36S Series & 36S Parallel 36S Armored Slat |
The 36M has three different power options including 9V replaceable batteries, an internal 14.8V rechargeable LiPo battery pack, and the option for external 12-24V power input. You can view the maximum amount of e-match or clip-on igniters you can fire based on your specific configuration below.
Max Firing - Clip-On IgnitersEnergizer 9V | 14.8V LiPo | External 12-24V | |
---|---|---|---|
Clip-On Igniters in Parallel | 2 | 4 | 5 |
Energizer 9V | 14.8V LiPo | External 12-24V* | |
---|---|---|---|
Parallel | 8 | 9 | 16 |
Series | 5 | 9 | 12 |
*Assumes minimum 10A peak burst current
Your purchase will include the below:
- 36M Firing Module
- Protective Armored Case
- Armored Case External SMA Antenna Connector
- Antenna Clip
- Large Faceplate with Preinstalled Captive Panel Screws, 36 built in cues, and support for external slats
- Antenna
- Set of 2 Keys
- Antenna Connector Cap