Need Power Consumption Advise

[wglyons]

Last year was a static display only, so I'm learning...

Ok - 15 strands of C9's on the roof...22+ amps of power, right??? I plan on breaking that into 3 channels (5 strings each), so just over 7 amps per channel. I'm a NEWBIE with 32 channels. So, I'll use channel 1, channel 9, of my first controller, and channel 1 of my second controller.

Is this correct so far?

The problem is that these stupid things take so much power. Is there an alternative to powering these 15 strands without sacrificing the power limits of my controllers? In other words, can I use an external power supply and fire the power supply via the channel output (or something like that)???

Any suggestions are appreciated...

Greg

[gizmomkr]

The consumption would depend on the # of bulbs in your strands...Your math is probably right or close... Bottom line : Lots of lights (especially larger sized bulbs) = lots of power. I'm not sure why you noted you plan to use Channel 1 and 9. (these would be the first on each bank - but thats not required.

A couple of ideas:

1. Change your strings (or bulbs) with LED's - They use a fraction of the power. Christmaslightsetc says theyre 25 buld LED strand draws .02 amps, that would be less than 1/2 an amp for 15 strands. The down side is cost. LED's are not cheap. BUT THEY SURE ARE EFFECIENT.

2. Keep what you have but loose the dimming to combine many strands with relays into smaller channel configuration.

A relay is a simple electronic switch. A relay can NOT dim, it can only turn ON or off. the relay would connect to 1 channel of the controller, another circuit (directly from breaker or outlet) would feed power into the relay, then (depending on the rating of the relay) you would connect several light strands to the relay. 10Amps is a comon reating for a relay (although I have seen and purchased up to 20 amp relays) Several relays could also be connected to the same channel of the controller - although each relay would need a seperate power feed from breaker or outlet.

The load on the controller is only the "coil" load of the relay (this will likely be less than 1amp) The relay uses power from its "feed" to drive the lights, the controller only acts as a 'trigger' to the relay.

Again, the big down side is you could not dim a relay controlled channel.

3. Probably the most expensive option - Get a DMX Dimming pack. Most comercial grade DMX dimming packs will handel 15-20 amps between 2 or 4 channels. They can be controlled by lor just like other controllers, but you would need an I-DMX interface.



My advise would be upgrade to LED lights - a bit more money upfront, but huge savings on controller chanels, and your power bill. Also, LED bulbs last much longer. They are not sensitve to vibration like regular bulbs - so you will end up getting may more years of use out of LED's

[Max-Paul]

Hi greg,

Short term: is that you get some solid state relays. These are the electronic version. Actual relays have contacts that burn out. Now the problem is that I am not sure if these will allow fading and other features. If you use these then you will only use 3 channels on one controller.

Long term fix: switch over to using C9 retro dimable LED lights. Then you will be able to use all of the features like fading and twinkle and so on. Also each of these lamps use only 1 watt rounded up. So 120 lights will be less than 1 amp of current draw.

[PaulXmas]

I used a relay last year to control almost 30 amps.
The one relay allowed me to control 2 15 amp circuits.
Only used one LOR channel.
Just on and off but served its purpose.

[jbzeus]

I have basically the same issue. I'm plannning on two channels for 240 C9's but running three colors of them. I considered the LED version of C9's but I still don't like the look of the LED bulbs.

Jeff

[TJ Hvasta]

wglyons wrote:

Last year was a static display only, so I'm learning...

Ok - 15 strands of C9's on the roof...22+ amps of power, right??? I plan on breaking that into 3 channels (5 strings each), so just over 7 amps per channel. I'm a NEWBIE with 32 channels. So, I'll use channel 1, channel 9, of my first controller, and channel 1 of my second controller.

Is this correct so far?

The problem is that these stupid things take so much power. Is there an alternative to powering these 15 strands without sacrificing the power limits of my controllers? In other words, can I use an external power supply and fire the power supply via the channel output (or something like that)???

Any suggestions are appreciated...

Greg

Best way to use these and not blackout the neighborhood (like Clark Griswold) is -make sure- you set the intensity for these C9's at 50%-60% or so. You wont draw the 22amps if you dont run them at full intensity!

As the others have said, yes, you can run these thru relays, but they are only on/off.. not other effects of any kind.

[lightzilla]

I do not like the power draw of incandescent C9 bulbs. When I was using incandescent C9 bulbs and saw the power draw I switched to incandescent C7 bulbs at 5 watts per bulb.

Then along came screw in LEDs and I used them ever since.

The one thing I like about LEDs is the fact I can add 1,000s of lights now without needing to pay for an electrical up grade that I cannot afford any time soon.

Like others have said to you already ........you can consider those dimming retro fit C9 LEDs. Just make sure the have 5 LEDs in side. 3 LEDs in a C9 is not as bright and has more plastic bulb to make glow. C7 has 3 LEDs but half the bulb size.

[Max-Paul]

Let me get on the bandwagon and point out another little fact about C9 LED retrofit bulbs. BTW this is my first year and I had to go out and just lay the string on my roof back about a month ago. Then plug them in. Let me back peddle here. I have a super string of 4 sets, with 12" spacing per string, and in red, blue, green, and warm white. It was a moonless night and you should have seen how each color lit up my yard from the roof. I have 80 bulbs per color. And each bulb if I remember correctly is .96 watts. So that is about 75 watts per color. But dont let the watts fool you, them babies lit up my roof and yard.

Ok, I for one do not want to be out replacing bulbs in the middle of winter. Filament bulbs that are going on and off are going to burn out quicker than bulbs that stay on. And I do not plan to walk on my roof with snow or frost. Also shingles crack and breakdown more when they are cold.