Using ext cords?

[melmark4]

Hello,

I have three controllers in my basement and plan on drilling a hole right next to the bath vent. 48 outside ext cord would reguire 2 fairly good size holes. I think I know I need to use the heavy 100ft gauge to run the C9's from the controller all the way to the C9's. What about for the rest which are minis? Can I run the other channels from the controller with inside ext cord to the outside and then convert over to the outside ext cords? The size of the hole would be considerably less if I can use the smaller gauge inside ext cords to get outside.

Thanks for the help.

Mark

[Dave Batzdorf]

In my opinion only now - I would use a 14-ga to feed the controller for anything less than 50 feet. From the controller to the lights 18-ga would be fine.

[Dave H1]

Have you contemplated installing the controllers outside in an attempt to minimize your runs of cords (2 vs. 16 / unit)

[sjmiller]

I agree with the statement about installing the controllers outdoors if you have them in a weather proof enclosure.

One of the keys to building a display is power management, each channel of a controller can handle only so much power and the total power draw of a controller is determined by the controller type - you'll need to read the manual. For example for the CTB16kpcv1 controller with high power heat sinks the max power load on each channel is 8 amps, and each bank of 8 channels is 15 amps, for a total of 30 amps.

Volts X Amps = Total Watts X .8 = Useable Watts
Useable Watts / Single Lamp Wattage = Total Number of Lamps

For each bank of 8 channels the max number of C9 bulbs would be:
120X15=1800X.8=1440 useable watts, 1440/9=160 bulbs or 320 bulbs for the controller

Each string of 25 C9 bulbs will draw: 25*9=225 watts or 225/120 = 1.875 amps

Most of us build our own extension cords using SPT1 or SPT2/lamp cord/zip cord. SPT1 is rated at 7 amps, and SPT2 10 amps.

With all the math done - you can safely run up to 75 C9 bulbs on a single SPT1 extension cord. 3X1.875=5.625 amps. 7 amp capacity of SPT 1 X .8 safety factor = 5.6 amp

I use the Controller calculator (Thanks to Rick Williams) that you can download from this site: http://www.quartzhillchristmas.com/12.html

I would also recommend getting a Kill-O-Watt meter that will measure the wattage of what is plugged into it. They can be found for about $30 on the Internet.

If you do the power planning up front there shouldn't be any surprises when you fire up the display for the first time. My first year I kept tripping breakers and had to do load balancing after I put everything up - not fun!!

Have fun with your planning and sequencing - when it's all up and running you'll enjoy going out and watching the results of all the hard work!

Shadow

[GS]

Also, bringing all those wires together at one confined point could lead to dangerous heat build up.

[Frank A.]

Good morning Mark

I also have my controllers mounted inside

but do not use extension cords

my system is hardwired to a terminal strip

I have double outlet boxes made with a single cable from each

box back to terminal strip ---- very short duration hook up required

see the attached pics

Frank A.


Attached files

[Frank A.]

second pic

Frank A.


Attached files

[Frank A.]

Just for info

at the bottom left you can see the edge of a

green plastic box

this is an cheap planter that is used to cover the outlets

keeps the connections dry and out of the weather

Frank A.

[Frank A.]

One more pic

Frank A.


Attached files

[toymakr000]

I put all of my controllers outside. I padlock the ones that are easy to get. I use all types of cords from 12 awg outdoor cords to 16 awg SPT. They are used as needed for the size of the loads.

Frank, I like your setup and I think it's nice and clean and easy to access and watch what's going on. I think If I was doing that I'd also put indicators on each channel so I could monitor things from inside. You could probably do it pretty cheap too.
It would look awesome with 288 channels going blinkey blink in the basement!

[Frank A.]

Good morning Gary

I like the blinky blink idea on the inside

Frank A.

[melmark4]

Thank you everyone for all the help. Please remember those who gave their all.

Mark