18M with Onboard Cues - $359.99

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The 'Add to Cart' button is disabled because you have MJG Initiators in your cart. They require their own shipping due to hazmat regulations. To purchase other items, either complete the MJG Initiators order first or remove them from your cart. Learn more.

The 18M is a compact and rugged 18-cue firing module that functions universally with the 18R and 18R2 Controller and is perfect for both indoor and harsh outdoor environments. Each cue is capable of firing up to 8 series-wired e-matches, or 5 parallel-wired e-matches or 2 parallel-wired Clip-On Igniters per cue.

Each firing module can be set to one of 100 unique channels (200 unique channels on firmware 6.0.0 or higher) by simply pressing the + and - buttons on the module. Then, using the 18R or 18R2 Controller channel controls, you can fire any modules on the same channel. You can fire unlimited modules at the exact same time by setting them to the same channel.

This version of the 18M comes with 3 Onboard Cue Strips. For more information on onboard cues, please watch our Onboard Cues video.


Features
Tech Specs
What's Included
Videos
Related Accessories

Multi-Channel

Simply press CH+ or CH- on the 18M to set any module to a channel between 00 and 99 (00 and 199 on firmware 6.0.0 or higher). Then, by changing the channel on the 18R or 18R2 Controller, you can fire any module set to the same channel.

You can also set multiple modules on the same channel to have them fire at the exact same time. This is common for multi-position fronts, firing around a stadium, rooftop shoots, and other simultaneous effects separated by large distances.

Power Conservation

The 18M uses 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. By separating the power sources, you can ensure that full power is always available to fire cues even if the system has been left on for a long time.

The 18M also has a power conserving sleep mode. When powering off the 18R or 18R2 Controller, the 18M will automatically fall asleep and conserve power for up to 24 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.

On average, customers replace the same single 9V operational battery every 5 shows. It is not uncommon for customers to use the same operational battery for 10-15+ shows. It is not required to replace the batteries for every show. In fact, the two 9v firing batteries can commonly last 20-30+ shows.

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 onto 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 tranceiver modules - The Cobra 18M 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 18M 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 18M contains the Synpase 802.15.4 2.4GHz RF transceiver module.

Construction

The 18M 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

Not interested in the 9V replaceable batteries? Upgrade your 18M to support an internal rechargeable LiPo battery pack with optional 12-24V DC input. To learn more about our 18M Power Options, please reference our 18M LiPo Recharge and Ext. Power User Guide.

  • 60% More Battery Life - Fits perfectly in the existing battery compartment, the battery pack lasts 60% longer than the existing 9V batteries. This is accomplished with 900mAh vs. the traditional 550mAh of a 9V battery.

  • 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 face plate supports charging while the 18M 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 - Optional 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 - The existing 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 over voltage protection circuits. The first protection circuit is built into the 18M adapter board installed with the upgrade. 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  8.24” x 6.47” x 1.64” (20.92cm x 16.43cm x 4.16cm)
Keypad Backlit fire-retardant silicone
Enclosure Material Impact resistant and fire-retardant ABS
Power
Type Active Sleep
3 x 9V 8 hrs. 20 hrs.
14.8V LiPo 12 hrs. 30 hrs.
12-24V External Input No Limit No Limit
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 18
Firing Accuracy 1/100th second
Max # of Unique Cues 18
Onboard Connectors Mini Speaker Terminals
Slats supported 18S Mini Series & 18S Mini Parallel
18S Series & 18S Parallel
Optional Accessories
Armored Case for 18M
18M LiPo Recharge / External Power Upgrade Kit
Slat Connector for 18M

The 18M has two different power options including 9V replaceable batteries and an internal 14.8V rechargeable LiPo battery pack with 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 power source below. To learn more about our 18M Power Options, please reference our 18M LiPo Recharge and Ext. Power User Guide.

Max Firing - Clip-On Igniters
Energizer 9V 14.8V LiPo External 12-24V
Clip-On Igniters in Parallel 2 4 5
Max Firing - MJG Initiators
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:

How to - Voltage Mode

A short instructional video about how voltage mode works on the 18M.

COBRA18 - Repairing a Severely Damaged Module

A demonstration of the COBRA modular design and how a severely damaged module can be repaired in about 10 minutes with only a screwdriver and without having to purchase a new system.