lilouisianagal Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I am trying to figure out how to set up my controllers so I don't blow a fuse, but I'm not sure how to convert and figure it out.I know each channel can handle 8 amps and each bank [side] can handle 15 amps total at a given time.I'm using LED lights that are 9.6 watts per string.But the conversion formula includes volts (voltage). How do I know what my voltage is? *confused*HELP! Please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Simmons Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I know this isn't exactly the answer to the question you asked, but a Kill-A-Watt meter is just the thing you need to take all the guesswork out of balancing your loads. Until the first time I used one I had no idea what an indispensible gadget it truly is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 lilouisianagal wrote: I am trying to figure out how to set up my controllers so I don't blow a fuse, but I'm not sure how to convert and figure it out.I know each channel can handle 8 amps and each bank [side] can handle 15 amps total at a given time.I'm using LED lights that are 9.6 watts per string.But the conversion formula includes volts (voltage). How do I know what my voltage is? *confused*HELP! Please.Power (in watts) = Voltage (in volts) times Current (in amperes)Divide watts by 120V to get the AmpsSo, 9.6/120=0.08AAnd agree that getting a Kill-a-watt is a must. Just the plug the string in (or the entire series of strings for that channel) and it will tell you exactly how many amps it is using.http://www.amazon.com/P3-International-P4400-Electricity-Monitor/dp/B00009MDBUAbout $5-10 more at local Lowes or Home Depot usually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilouisianagal Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 Why 120V? Is this the standard number?Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 lilouisianagal wrote: Why 120V? Is this the standard number?Thanks!That is what comes out of your wall (in the USA anyway). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Maybe some useful additional reading:http://planetchristmas.com/FigurePower.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 For planning on a channel by channel basis, the controller calculator is indispensible...http://www.quartzhillchristmas.com/12.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taybrynn Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Since you are using LED lights, you'll be hard pressed to blow any circuits or overload any controllers.That said, do all of the above anyways ... use the QH sheet to compute power, enter in actuals from your killowatt, etc.In my show, which has been mainly incand. I pretty much add LED(s) without big worries, since they use so little power ... never had a problem with overloading ... and many of circuits run two controllers each, because I load balanced everything and the loads are just not that high.I use a TED5000 to monitor the energy usage in real time ... it helped identify a place in a sequence when too much power was being used. In fact, I could pretty much tell when certain songs were playing based on the power graph I was seeing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Good point..I completely missed the all-LED comment..Us incandescent guys don't have it so nice.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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