nnewby Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Ok, because when i get an idea, i run far and long with it; and because i like things to be easy to change (read: difficult for anyone but me to understand) - I've been thinking about expandability using molex connectors.I have an idea for this season to make some leaping arches (probably 4 or 6) with 7 sections. each arch would have 1 connector on each end; a 4 plug (3 hots and 1 neutral) and a 6 plug (4 hots and 1 neutral). I would also use connectors for the mega tree we're building and for a couple of other things.what i'm curious about though, is whether i can make a daisy chain of connectors (like they do in computers), for using at least 2 of the arches off of the same channels.i'm thinking i can make a connector thats wired to the controller and make a connector to connect to that, which would have 2 connectors that the arches hook in to.my main reason for doing it so modularly is for expandability; if i wanted to make it 3 arches next year on each channel for example, i would just make a new chain with 3 connectors instead of the one with 2.am i making sense or is that just random rambling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanCampbell Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Modular and expandable, sounds good to me. As long as they're kept dry to avoid leakage current between contacts, is there any reason this wouldn't work?When I worked in test engineering, we used Molex connectors all the time when building equipment. Very handy. I think they'd be great for making foolproof cables with common neutrals, to minimize the possibility of accidentally frying a controller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wbottomley Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 nnewby wrote: Ok, because when i get an idea, i run far and long with it; and because i like things to be easy to change (read: difficult for anyone but me to understand) - I've been thinking about expandability using molex connectors.I have an idea for this season to make some leaping arches (probably 4 or 6) with 7 sections. each arch would have 1 connector on each end; a 4 plug (3 hots and 1 neutral) and a 6 plug (4 hots and 1 neutral). I would also use connectors for the mega tree we're building and for a couple of other things.what i'm curious about though, is whether i can make a daisy chain of connectors (like they do in computers), for using at least 2 of the arches off of the same channels.i'm thinking i can make a connector thats wired to the controller and make a connector to connect to that, which would have 2 connectors that the arches hook in to.my main reason for doing it so modularly is for expandability; if i wanted to make it 3 arches next year on each channel for example, i would just make a new chain with 3 connectors instead of the one with 2.am i making sense or is that just random rambling?Jeff Mill is the expert in this department.He may want to chime in with his fine invention(s). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Plak Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I work with Molex connectors in my display they work great, also use 5 wire 18gaw cable that I get off ebay!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nnewby Posted March 18, 2008 Author Share Posted March 18, 2008 DanCampbell wrote:Modular and expandable, sounds good to me. As long as they're kept dry to avoid leakage current between contacts, is there any reason this wouldn't work?i was worried about possibly overloading a connector pin by some how putting too much current on the neutral; which if i do my math right, i guess wouldn't be a problem as i'd be using 12AWG for the neutrals and most likely SPT2 for the hots unless i can find something cheaper that works just as well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I think Chuck Smith over at PlanetChristmas said he used some Molex connectors in his "behind the scenes" video. You could ask him about his use. If you remember (Or if you know nothing about his show), all of his "blue boxes" aka "controllers" were located inside his house, I think he made a reference to the connectors while talking about the number of cables coming out the window.--Daniel L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Plak Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I use the Standard .093" Pin and Socket Crimp Terminal set the size wire that can be us is 22 to 18ga at about 11amp max.the do make larger Pin and Socket size I order my Molex Connectors from http://www.mouser.comhttp://www.mouser.com/catalog/633/1365.pdf http://www.mouser.com/catalog/633/1366.pdfJerry Plak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nnewby Posted March 18, 2008 Author Share Posted March 18, 2008 I was going to use the .084" connectors that jeff uses that are for 14-20 AWG, 13.5 amps. (i'm in college and i can get these a bit cheaper than the .093") Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanCampbell Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 Thank you all for this thread! I was going to build custom cables anyway, so why bother with standard plugs and connectors? I only have 1 of 5 controllers installed/wired up, so this is a good time to make that change. It'll be cheaper and much neater to go with Molex. Thanks for the Mouser links Jerry!And there's a certain cool factor, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug McKalip Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 I have been using AMP/Tyco 9 pin CPC connectors with no problems for two seasons. I have 24 double arches (Dave Horting of Westhaven Light's kits) daisy chained off two controllers. The total length is 192 feet and the pattern in the lights repeats three times.I have been terminating the cables into four or eight outlet groups, but might cut the plugs off some of the new display items and terminate them in CPC connectors.A couple pictures is worth 10,000 more words.One controller, two cables and 16 outlets.Doug Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug McKalip Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 8 additional outlets and cable. Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug McKalip Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 I assemble these cables myself and they do take some time to make but putting up the display, taking down the display or changing out a controller is ultra fast. Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanCampbell Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Jeff Millard wrote: ... Oh, and by the way, GFCI doesn't trip if the current takes a parallel detour through your hand and back to the normal source. Current can't find a nice ground to leak to if you're standing on a clean new fiberglass ladder.... even if it's wet...Oh, I'm such a bad person for chuckling as I read this! I'm sure it wasn't amusing at the time.We have been warned.(but haven't stopped smiling. and grateful you're here to tell the tale.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimCanfield Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 I have never seen anything like these molex connectors. So you all just make your cords then insead of putting a regular prong on the end you put htosr 9 pin connectors? How does that speed up the putting up and tearing down process? Not knowing what I am looking at it looks like to ne you still have to plug it in. Just curious is all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug McKalip Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 JimCanfield wrote: I have never seen anything like these molex connectors. So you all just make your cords then insead of putting a regular prong on the end you put htosr 9 pin connectors? How does that speed up the putting up and tearing down process? Not knowing what I am looking at it looks like to ne you still have to plug it in. Just curious is all.They are AMP connectors. They push in and twist to lock.http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=SW0E2EFvizb2QSZ6CA3fBg%3d%3dI am using them to power 24 double arches: 32 channels times three daisy chained segments or 96 extention cords total. I use 14 of my 'made up' cables instead. 82 less items to install / plug in and unplug / store.Instead of having 32 extention cords running down the lawn per segment, I have 4 cords.Yes I still have to plug in the lights to the outlet boxes, I just eliminate a large number of extention cords.Hope that helps explain it.Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimCanfield Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 WOW what a difference. You eliminated many extention cords. This is almost worth looking into and learning how to assemble this stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimCanfield Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 So by re-reading your post I am gathering that the cords you are running are an actual power source run from your LOR controller somehow? So that instead of having 16 dangles out of the controller you have the 1 cord running to a block at the opposite end where you plug your lights into. The 1 cord takes the place of the 16 dangles and 16 extention cords. If this is so I can really see how it helps in set up/tear down/storage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug McKalip Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 JimCanfield wrote: So by re-reading your post I am gathering that the cords you are running are an actual power source run from your LOR controller somehow? So that instead of having 16 dangles out of the controller you have the 1 cord running to a block at the opposite end where you plug your lights into. The 1 cord takes the place of the 16 dangles and 16 extention cords. If this is so I can really see how it helps in set up/tear down/storage. Thanks for the compliments Jim and Jeff.Actually two cords per controller. I use 9 wires, 8 hots and a common neutral per cable. Outlets 5, 6, 7 and 8 are on the other side of the outlet boxes.A big part of the extention cord savings is that you can plug into the outlet box and power the next segment.Here is a little closer picture of the wiring.Doug Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimCanfield Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Wow that is so cool. Only if I knew how to wire that stuff. Well, one can dream! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangebob Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Doug, do you have to purchase the tool that they sell for the connectors or can you crimp it with something else? It looks like the tool for 18-14 ga wire is $520.00. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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