
Set-up/Operation • A-8 •
Preparing the Floor Surface
Because the STARLAB dome has no oor of its own, and participants sit on the oor,
it is important to consider the oor surface. Ideally, the STARLAB should be set up on
a carpeted oor. This provides maximum comfort for the participants, and reduces
wear on the dome fabric. A wood or tile oor can also be used but these are hard
and often are cold. When setting up on this type of oor, individuals can sit on carpet
squares or pillows to make it more comfortable. It is strongly recommended that the
oor of the room be thoroughly cleaned before the STARLAB is set up. Grit and dirt
on the oor can cause damage to the dome when you are setting it up and taking
it down. Another option is to place gym mats, a large canvas or piece of carpet to
cover the oor beneath the dome.
Electrical Requirements for Using the STARLAB
A reliable source of electricity is essential to keep both the projector and the fan
running at all times when the STARLAB is in use. The standard STARLAB fan and
projector are designed to plug directly into a regular 120 volt, 60 cycle grounded
AC outlet. Special order 230 volt, 50 cycle models are also available from LTI. The
voltage of your projector and fan are clearly marked on the back of the equipment.
The STARLAB projector does not have any accessory power outlets so if you want
to use any additional equipment such as slide projectors, tape recorders or reading
lamps, it will be necessary to have a separate power cord with an outlet strip inside
the dome.
Temperature
The STARLAB has no climate control of its own, so whatever the room temperature is
on the outside of the dome will be the temperature inside the dome. Because the fan
keeps the air circulating continuously through the dome, it is usually several degrees
cooler inside the STARLAB than out. Even so, in very hot climates, it is best to set up
the STARLAB in an air-conditioned room. If possible, the STARLAB dome should not
be set up under skylights or next to windows where direct sunlight can shine on the
dome. This may cause the dome to heat up.
Noise Level
While the STARLAB dome is completely light proof, sound can travel right through the
material. As a result, the system should not be used in a noisy environment. People in
the room outside the dome should be asked to remain quiet so they don’t disrupt the
program inside the STARLAB. Whenever possible, the STARLAB should be set up in a
room that can be closed off from other classes so that they don’t interfere with each
other. Never attempt to set up the STARLAB at one end of a gym when classes are
going on at the other end unless the two sections can be separated by a moveable
solid wall.
Set Up Time
While an experienced user can usually set up the STARLAB in less than 15 minutes, it
is best to allow a full half-hour to unpack and put up the dome. Once it’s connected
to the fan, the Standard Dome will take about 5 minutes to inate (about 10 minutes
for the Giant Dome). Students who have never seen the STARLAB before are often
excited to watch the set-up process. In general though, it is usually a good idea to
set up the STARLAB before the class is brought into the room. Deating the dome and
repacking takes about 20 minutes total.
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