RGB strings

[redsea300 13]

OK i am now starting to program and build props for this year. I have seen several threads in the past about RGB string. I am looking for a dumb version of the ccr's.Only want them to change colors as a string not each individual pixel. I know some of you were buying from aliexpress. Which ones do you recommend.
Thanks in advance.
Don C.

[Guest wbottomley]

redsea300 wrote:

OK i am now starting to program and build props for this year. I have seen several threads in the past about RGB string. I am looking for a dumb version of the ccr's.Only want them to change colors as a string not each individual pixel. I know some of you were buying from aliexpress. Which ones do you recommend.
Thanks in advance.
Don C.

Anyone that doesn't have an IC in them: http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209843764-306391674/335-SMD-Side-View-LED-Strip-with-90degree-Viewing-Angle-and-12V-DC-input-60leds-m.html

[Larry Leonhardt 49]

_{I just received 4 5mm rolls of the dumb rgb lights, im trying to figure out the best way to wire them to the dc controller. I am thinking about phone wire and connectors.}

[spomalley 18]

As far as wire options some people use CAT5 (practically telephone cable, others Ray's 4 core wire and a favourite of the aussies is 4 core core security cable

Edited June 30, 2012 by spomalley

[WilliamS 58]

Phone wire might be too small for the current. A lot of us are using 4 core security wire, outdoor rated for UV. Im using 18/4 Security wire.

[flogger7 7]

Where do you get your 18/4?

[bdeditch 10]

U used the Cat 5E cable and doubled up the lines, so from a 24 wire size to about a 12, and they work great. The security cable is very rigid.

[KenL_MCSE 2]

I have used cat 5 cable with and without doubling (recommend doubling). I have used thermostat wire 18/4. I have used wiring from old light strings. But the best I have used is Ray's RGB cable; which is 18/4

[Larry Leonhardt 49]

And what type connectors are you using ?

[spomalley 18]

A lot of people use these connectors from Ray Wu: http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/50-pairs-4-Core-White-Waterproof-Line-15cm-long-each-male-and-female/701799_323485474.html

If you choose CAT5 a lot of people use the connections they come with although they reccomend spraying them with something like CorrosionX.

[ChuckHutchings 1]

U used the Cat 5E cable and doubled up the lines, so from a 24 wire size to about a 12, and they work great. The security cable is very rigid.

You did NOT just say that doubling a 24-gauge wire results in a 12-gauge equivalent wire!?!

[ErnieHorning 11]

Should maybe look that up before the CAT5 becomes part of the lights, depending on how much current you're passing through it.

[J_Plak 0]

I just check my chart and look it up, that doubling a 24-gauge wire results like it becomes a 22 gauge at leases max :-)

[ChuckHutchings 1]

24 is ~.02"; 12 is ~.08".

[J_Plak 0]

U used the Cat 5E cable and doubled up the lines, so from a 24 wire size to about a 12, and they work great. The security cable is very rigid.

I hope this was a Type-o

[WilliamS 58]

I was able to find 18/4 stranded core security wire on Ebay.

http://compare.ebay.com/like/180799181925?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

[Max-Paul 282]

J & Chuck,

Thank you gentlemen for commenting. I was going to, but I didn't want to come off as a bully. Frankly I could not believe that comment about using two wires would half the gage size.

[ChuckHutchings 1]

J & Chuck,

Thank you gentlemen for commenting. I was going to, but I didn't want to come off as a bully. Frankly I could not believe that comment about using two wires would half the gage size.

*Halve.

halvedpast participle, past tense of halve (Verb)

Verb:

• Divide into two parts of equal or roughly equal size: "peel and halve the pears".
  
• Reduce or be reduced by half.
  

[ChuckHutchings 1]

I would normally correct your use of "gentlemen" to refer to Jerry and me but I'll overlook it this time.

[ErnieHorning 11]

Rules of thumb

• When the diameter of a wire is doubled, the AWG will decrease by 6. (e.g., No. 2 AWG is about twice the diameter of No. 8 AWG.)
  
• When the cross-sectional area of a wire is doubled, the AWG will decrease by 3. (e.g., Two No. 14 AWG wires have about the same cross-sectional area as a single No. 11 AWG wire.)
  

[bdeditch 10]

I stand corrected, I think some people thought I was putting 120 Volts in the cat 5E, its only 12 volts and take apart one of the connectors that you can get from China, the wire is very thin in them.

[bdeditch 10]

You did NOT just say that doubling a 24-gauge wire results in a 12-gauge equivalent wire!?!

I said ABOUT Chuck LOL. I never affirmed 12 gauge at anytime. Its like saying its about time Christmas shows up, that gives me 5 months to play with.

[ErnieHorning 11]

I suppose 12 AWG is about 21 AWG depending on what you're compairing with.

Some day, someone is going to video 120 volts going through CAT5, I just know it. It's not going to be good.

[bdeditch 10]

I suppose 12 AWG is about 21 AWG depending on what you're compairing with.

Some day, someone is going to video 120 volts going through CAT5, I just know it. It's not going to be good.

Oh you know it, check redneck repairs, I bet there might be one there as we speak.

[Tim Fischer 195]

I said ABOUT Chuck LOL. I never affirmed 12 gauge at anytime. Its like saying its about time Christmas shows up, that gives me 5 months to play with.

I hate to jump on the bandwagon here, and not trying to jump on you, but no, 2x 24gauge is not "about" 12 gauge. Not even close. To say it is is dangerous.

It's almost like saying I can haul about 3 ton of rock in the back of a Yugo.