Ted W Posted September 21, 2011 Posted September 21, 2011 First timer, newbie. I have 80 channels of control, have kind of got some sequencing down, starting to do my yard layout on paper this weekend. As I think about how all this hooks together, extention cords are not the answer. I am guessing I need 1500 feet of extention cord like wire and just relaized a plug for each end. Probably another 150 feet of Cat 5 cable.What do the experts do and where are the best deals?
Surfing4Dough Posted September 21, 2011 Posted September 21, 2011 Ted Workman wrote: First timer, newbie. I have 80 channels of control, have kind of got some sequencing down, starting to do my yard layout on paper this weekend. As I think about how all this hooks together, extention cords are not the answer. I am guessing I need 1500 feet of extention cord like wire and just relaized a plug for each end. Probably another 150 feet of Cat 5 cable.What do the experts do and where are the best deals?Many here use SPT wire, sometimes called lamp cord or zip cord. I use a mix of both. Always account for a lot more than you think you will need. There is SPT1 and SPT2 wire (and less commonly SPT3). Most is 18g two conductor wire (18/2) but you will sometimes see 16/2. You use vampire plugs to attach plugs.Here is a place you can get all in one place, but not the cheapest, but good pics to get the idea:http://www.christmaslightshow.com/Spt1-Wire-Plugs-and-Sockets-for-Christmas-outdoor-decorations.htmlhttp://www.christmaslightshow.com/Spt2-Wire-Plugs-and-Sockets-for-Christmas-outdoor-decorations.htmlBought from Grandbrass.com earlier this year and got a good deal. 18/2 SPT1 brown 250' for $22.50. Bought five of them and shipping was $17.95, so $130.45 shipped for 1250'.Present deals:WI18SPT1I 18/2 SPT-1 IVORY 250' 4+ $25.00 EaWI18SPT1W-E 18/2 SPT-1 White 250' 4+ $26.00 Ea.http://www.grandbrass.comsearch for "lamp cord"Another place to always check is http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/lampcord.aspxSPT1 white 1000' for $0.11/ftBetter yet is the SPT2 18/2 brown, black, white, or ivory for $0.11/ft (if over 1000')This morning bought plugs (male, and female end and inline) from Landmark Lighting:http://www.landmarklightingkc.com/shop/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=40If needing larger quantities of plugs, this is probably the best deal (from Home Depot online):FemaleMale
Surfing4Dough Posted September 21, 2011 Posted September 21, 2011 By far the best place for Cat5 is Monoprice:http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10208
DownTown Posted September 21, 2011 Posted September 21, 2011 Hey Ted...I put my controllers out in the display, trying to locate them centrally among the lights. This is to keep the power cord lengths down to a minimum. It is much less expensive to install a long piece of Cat 5 than to install 16 long extension cords.As far as the extension cords, I buy bulk reels of SPT-2, and vampire taps. Make sure you get the vampire taps made for the wire you're using (SPT-1 or SPT-2). Don't mix and match them... By making your own cords, you can make them to the exact length you need. In addition, home made cords are MUCH lighter and easier to work with than store bought extension cords.Happy Lighting...D.T.
Jim Saul Posted September 21, 2011 Posted September 21, 2011 Hi Ted, WELCOME!!!!Like Downtown does, I try to put the controllers in the yard. Now because I do not have as many LEDs as others, I do need to run some 12 and 14 gauge cords to the controllers, but I do not need as many of the smaller cords to go to the elements.For the cords from the controllers to elements I prefer to go to the dollar store and just pick up the $1 6 footers, after Christmas you can find the 6, 9, and 15 footers on clearance, but even at $1 per 6 footer that works out to $41.66/250 feet and you do not need to purchase / attach anything. Of course it does mean that sometimes you do need to use many of them to get from the controller to where you need it.
Recommended Posts