nerdifiedgeek Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 I saw in a video how a guy was buying his own SPT-1 or 2 extention cord and cutting his own out instead of buying them from the store. This is way cheaper than buying them from the store I've found. My question is though how do you weather proof them? When you got the cord they are exposed obviously, and just simply taping it wouldnt be enough would it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswinder Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 nerdifiedgeek wrote: I saw in a video how a guy was buying his own SPT-1 or 2 extention cord and cutting his own out instead of buying them from the store. This is way cheaper than buying them from the store I've found. My question is though how do you weather proof them? When you got the cord they are exposed obviously, and just simply taping it wouldnt be enough would it?No need to weather proof them...you don't want to trap moisture inside of them.Use Vampire plugs. Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nerdifiedgeek Posted October 17, 2010 Author Share Posted October 17, 2010 Well a couple of things...one those plugs only work on the one end. The end connected to the light itself that you cut the plug off of would be exposed.Also, those plugs do not have a female end to be able to stack them, so I was considering just reusing the plug that was cut off of the lights with the male/female end on it so I could still stack them. If I did that I would still have exposed wire there as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswinder Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 nerdifiedgeek wrote: Well a couple of things...one those plugs only work on the one end. The end connected to the light itself that you cut the plug off of would be exposed.Also, those plugs do not have a female end to be able to stack them, so I was considering just reusing the plug that was cut off of the lights with the male/female end on it so I could still stack them. If I did that I would still have exposed wire there as well.why are you cutting the end plug off the lights?If you want to stack them...stack them using the plug on the light string.You originally said you just wanted to make a cheap extension cord Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaysinmotion_will Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 i dont think your understanding how these work see the attached image for a short demonstration,1st take a piece of lamp wire (spt) i like to split the ends as seen in this picture, reason being is that in the plug there is a divider to separate the two sides. please excuse my poor picture quality i was using my iphone to take these pictures Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaysinmotion_will Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 next, insert the wire into the ends and slide the cover onto the plugs to secure the wire, Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaysinmotion_will Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 second image Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaysinmotion_will Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 now once you have your female and male plugs attached you can plug in your lights Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 nerdifiedgeek wrote: I saw in a video how a guy was buying his own SPT-1 or 2 extention cord and cutting his own out instead of buying them from the store. This is way cheaper than buying them from the store I've found. My question is though how do you weather proof them? When you got the cord they are exposed obviously, and just simply taping it wouldnt be enough would it?Just like your light strings, "clean" rainwater doesn't typically cause any problem. Taping typically will just trap water in rather than keep it out. "Dirty" water (such as water that has mixed with dirt from the ground, and fertilizer from your grass--typically a puddle) is what can cause problems with GFCIs tripping. Water in and of itself is typically not very conductive, but when chemicals mix with it, then it is. That is why most find success if they try to keep their plugs off the ground, so they aren't laying in water on the ground. Can be as simple as setting the plug on a small rock rather than on the dirt. This is true of SPT extension cords, or orange outdoor extension cords (which aren't much more waterproof if you really think about it).This might help you with how to make cords:http://www.landolights.com/main/content/view/77/39/Here is a page that shows the various parts options all on one page (shop around since prices vary--though I got my plugs here, and cord elsewhere):http://christmaslightshow.com/home.php?cat=29 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nerdifiedgeek Posted October 18, 2010 Author Share Posted October 18, 2010 Thanks for the replies everyone.I see how now what you are talking about for making the extention cord. The down side to that though is one, like I was saying they aren't stackable. You also will be using a lot of plugs when could just got off the end of the light and just extent that cable, and reuse the same plug. Maybe I miss understand it though, and maybe you can't even reuse the plug from the light itself I'm not sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Roberson Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 nerdifiedgeek wrote: Thanks for the replies everyone.I see how now what you are talking about for making the extention cord. The down side to that though is one, like I was saying they aren't stack able. You also will be using a lot of plugs when could just got off the end of the light and just extent that cable, and reuse the same plug. Maybe I miss understand it though, and maybe you can't even reuse the plug from the light itself I'm not sure. You could do it that way and not have to use any of the vampire plugs.I am making 4 wire extension cords for my RGB lights. (there are no vampire plugs available for these)I am soldering the wires together and putting liquid elec tape on the joint, then covering that with heat shrink tube.You could cut the plug off you light string attach the spt wire as described above, then attach the plug you cut off to the other end of the spt wire.btw..doing it like this will take much more time, and make it harder to move a light string futher from its original power source.Take a look at the last picture kingsislandtechservices posted....when you plug your first light string into the female vampire plug the backside of the light string plug is stackable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgardner518 Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 Surfing4Dough wrote: nerdifiedgeek wrote: I saw in a video how a guy was buying his own SPT-1 or 2 extention cord and cutting his own out instead of buying them from the store. This is way cheaper than buying them from the store I've found. My question is though how do you weather proof them? When you got the cord they are exposed obviously, and just simply taping it wouldnt be enough would it?Just like your light strings, "clean" rainwater doesn't typically cause any problem. Taping typically will just trap water in rather than keep it out. "Dirty" water (such as water that has mixed with dirt from the ground, and fertilizer from your grass--typically a puddle) is what can cause problems with GFCIs tripping. Water in and of itself is typically not very conductive, but when chemicals mix with it, then it is. That is why most find success if they try to keep their plugs off the ground, so they aren't laying in water on the ground. Can be as simple as setting the plug on a small rock rather than on the dirt. This is true of SPT extension cords, or orange outdoor extension cords (which aren't much more waterproof if you really think about it).This might help you with how to make cords:http://www.landolights.com/main/content/view/77/39/Here is a page that shows the various parts options all on one page (shop around since prices vary--though I got my plugs here, and cord elsewhere):http://christmaslightshow.com/home.php?cat=29Darryl has some great prices, but when it comes to spt1 plugs, this time of the year. The only place to shop ie HOME DEPOT! They blow EVERYONES price out of the water!100 for under $36 lots!http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xie/R-100652709/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xie/R-100652717/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053I only wish they had spt2's! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizmomkr Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 My first year dooing this - I bought regular extension cords at walmart - The first thing I connected to the cord just the way it came out of the box. When I got to my controller, I cut the extension, and connected it to my controller with a terminal strip.The next item I started with the leftover (bare) extension cord - I would hack off the connector on the light string, and use wire nuts with electric tape .From there the process would repeat. so 1/3 my stuff had plugs on them... 2/3 didnt. It didnt really matter till year two.Oh and where ever I had 3 items close together, I would take the 2 ground wires "left over" in the standard extension cord, and use them as hot and neutral for the 3rd item. (this saved a bunch of cord)Year two - I pland ahead just slightly, added more controllers, and put male connectors BACK on most of the strings I cut the year before.This my third year - I have switched mostly to LED, I still ONLY use female ends on my cords - everything at the controller is a screw terminal. I did order 500ft of spt (used it all up this morning) I will re-use all my old female-only ended extension cords next, and maybe pick up a bit more SPT if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Darryl has some great prices, but when it comes to spt1 plugs, this time of the year. The only place to shop ie HOME DEPOT! They blow EVERYONES price out of the water!100 for under $36 lots!http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xie/R-100652709/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xie/R-100652717/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053I only wish they had spt2's!And free shipping to boot...Sigh...I'm reading this sunday morning...and my shipment of wire and plugs arrived from CDI on Friday...always hate missing a deal.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgardner518 Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 DonFL wrote:Darryl has some great prices, but when it comes to spt1 plugs, this time of the year. The only place to shop ie HOME DEPOT! They blow EVERYONES price out of the water!100 for under $36 lots!http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xie/R-100652709/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xie/R-100652717/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053I only wish they had spt2's!And free shipping to boot...Sigh...I'm reading this sunday morning...and my shipment of wire and plugs arrived from CDI on Friday...always hate missing a deal..I did not pay for shipping! It said free shipping for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 ny_yankee_25 wrote: DonFL wrote:Darryl has some great prices, but when it comes to spt1 plugs, this time of the year. The only place to shop ie HOME DEPOT! They blow EVERYONES price out of the water!100 for under $36 lots!http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xie/R-100652709/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053I only wish they had spt2's!And free shipping to boot...Sigh...I'm reading this sunday morning...and my shipment of wire and plugs arrived from CDI on Friday...always hate missing a deal..I did not pay for shipping! It said free shipping for me!Yea, just like I mentioned..looks like you, and everyone else get that same great deal.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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