Dripping icicles on LOR controllers?

[rainyoregonchristmas]

I'm hopefully adding LOR controllers to my display this year, but have a question about using LED dripping icicles with the controllers. I've been reading through the message boards and found that some say LED lights with 12 v transformers will be quickly burned up in a display run by a LOR controller. I just bought several sets of icicles on closeout this year. I was hoping to run them between shows for 2-4 minutes as a way to placate neighborhood concerns over constantly flashing lights. Now I am worried if I get my LOR controllers and plug in my brand new icicle toys that I'll burn them up before I get to wear them out. Thoughts?

[rwertz]

I ran my Dripping Icicles for hours off an LOR controller for the past two years. I think the biggest issue is to be sure to run the channel at either 0 or 100%. Other intensities or dimming could certainly be a bad thing.

[bretk]

rwertz wrote:

I ran my Dripping Icicles for hours off an LOR controller for the past two years. I think the biggest issue is to be sure to run the channel at either 0 or 100%. Other intensities or dimming could certainly be a bad thing.

+1. I had no problems this season with mine, just all on or off, like strobes

[PaulXmas]

Ran mine for the whole show.
I took off the check mark at the "Turn off lights at the end of each sequence" so they stayed on until the shut down sequence where I turned off everything.

Like everyone says make sure they are 100% on or off.

[rmturner54]

If your using a transfomer type power converter on an output of a AC board, only use 100% 0n or off. I have some RGB twinlke stars with their own controller. They are powered by one of the "walwarts" and a channel on a AC board. Been using them in my display for 5 years now...no prob's. I am not concered with the individual control of each star or color.....just the random twinlke effect.

[khawes]

I used CDI's retro fit LED tubes. The ones I purchased screw into a c-7 socket. I ordered the sockets and spt wire from them too. No transformers were necessary this way, and I get to place them where I want with out having to worry about spacing.

You do have to remember to only set them to 0% or 100%, and I found I needed to see how the worked in "real life". I had places where they were turning on & off too fast and leaving them on just looked better.

you can seem them in action here:
http://vimeo.com/35867657

[sharpsvillelights]

Had 6 sets of them and have run them for 2 years with no problems.

[eurbani]

sharpsvillelights wrote:

Had 6 sets of them and have run them for 2 years with no problems.

You ran them with only on/off or did you dim?

[Ponddude]

99.9% of the icicles out there are going to need to either be on or off. There is no in between. The reason being that the controller inside is going to need fully power in order to operate. You will notice that if you try and apply, say 50% power, the lights will come on momentarily and than just shut off. The power builds up in the capacitor and ones that is expended the lights won't work. You will also drastically shorten the lifespan of the lights by running them at anything other than 100% power.