drums114 Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 I have been programming a few sequences - this will be my first year doing a LOR setup. I am sure these were answered but...:1. What is the best FM transmistter for the cost? Not looking for the best and not looking for the worst. Where is the best place to get it for the best cost? Maybe middle of the range.2. It sounds like making your own extension cords from SPT-2 wire is the best. Where is the best place to get it for the best cost? I will just have a string or 2 of lights connected to it (low amps - I know)3. It sounds like vampire plugs are the way to go with the SPT-2 wire setup. Where is the best place to get it for the best cost? Also can you plug in the vampire plugs to an end of another string of lights? (i.e does the plug have one big side and one small side or does it look like a string of lights plug with 2 of the same size ends hope that makes sense)Thanks!Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdracer Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 drums114 wrote: I have been programming a few sequences - this will be my first year doing a LOR setup. I am sure these were answered but...:1. What is the best FM transmistter for the cost? Not looking for the best and not looking for the worst. Where is the best place to get it for the best cost? Maybe middle of the range.2. It sounds like making your own extension cords from SPT-2 wire is the best. Where is the best place to get it for the best cost? I will just have a string or 2 of lights connected to it (low amps - I know)3. It sounds like vampire plugs are the way to go with the SPT-2 wire setup. Where is the best place to get it for the best cost? Also can you plug in the vampire plugs to an end of another string of lights? (i.e does the plug have one big side and one small side or does it look like a string of lights plug with 2 of the same size ends hope that makes sense)Thanks!Mark1) (From my knowledge the EDM transmitter is the ONLY way to go for your $$)2)(If your running low amperage spt1 should suffice your application)3)(You need to use same vampire plugs as SPT...) Lokk into Christmaslightsetc. For some of the best prices for bulk buying..Example: If you use SPT1, use SPT1 vampire ends...If you use SPT2, use SPT2 vampire ends...Hope this all helps you some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCas4380 Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 hdracer wrote: drums114 wrote: I have been programming a few sequences - this will be my first year doing a LOR setup. I am sure these were answered but...:1. What is the best FM transmistter for the cost? Not looking for the best and not looking for the worst. Where is the best place to get it for the best cost? Maybe middle of the range.2. It sounds like making your own extension cords from SPT-2 wire is the best. Where is the best place to get it for the best cost? I will just have a string or 2 of lights connected to it (low amps - I know)3. It sounds like vampire plugs are the way to go with the SPT-2 wire setup. Where is the best place to get it for the best cost? Also can you plug in the vampire plugs to an end of another string of lights? (i.e does the plug have one big side and one small side or does it look like a string of lights plug with 2 of the same size ends hope that makes sense)Thanks!Mark1) (From my knowledge the EDM transmitter is the ONLY way to go for your $$)2)(If your running low amperage spt1 should suffice your application)3)(You need to use same vampire plugs as SPT...) Lokk into Christmaslightsetc. For some of the best prices for bulk buying..Example: If you use SPT1, use SPT1 vampire ends...If you use SPT2, use SPT2 vampire ends...Hope this all helps you some.1) Agree2) SPT1/2 only reffers to the insolation not the Amperage IE SPT2 has more UV protection. the differance your looking for would be 18 or 16 ga 18 would be work well for low amps3) agree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drums114 Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 hdracer wrote: drums114 wrote: I have been programming a few sequences - this will be my first year doing a LOR setup. I am sure these were answered but...:1. What is the best FM transmistter for the cost? Not looking for the best and not looking for the worst. Where is the best place to get it for the best cost? Maybe middle of the range.2. It sounds like making your own extension cords from SPT-2 wire is the best. Where is the best place to get it for the best cost? I will just have a string or 2 of lights connected to it (low amps - I know)3. It sounds like vampire plugs are the way to go with the SPT-2 wire setup. Where is the best place to get it for the best cost? Also can you plug in the vampire plugs to an end of another string of lights? (i.e does the plug have one big side and one small side or does it look like a string of lights plug with 2 of the same size ends hope that makes sense)Thanks!Mark1) (From my knowledge the EDM transmitter is the ONLY way to go for your $$)where can you get a EDM transmitter (website)?2)(If your running low amperage spt1 should suffice your application)3)(You need to use same vampire plugs as SPT...) Lokk into Christmaslightsetc. For some of the best prices for bulk buying..Example: If you use SPT1, use SPT1 vampire ends...If you use SPT2, use SPT2 vampire ends...Hope this all helps you some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdracer Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 http://edmdesign.com/To help clarify thoughts...http://forums.lightorama.com/view_topic.php?id=29359&forum_id=79&highlight=edm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdracer Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 http://edmdesign.com/To help clarify thoughts...http://forums.lightorama.com/view_topic.php?id=29359&forum_id=79&highlight=edm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 MCas4380 wrote: hdracer wrote: drums114 wrote: I have been programming a few sequences - this will be my first year doing a LOR setup. I am sure these were answered but...:1. What is the best FM transmistter for the cost? Not looking for the best and not looking for the worst. Where is the best place to get it for the best cost? Maybe middle of the range.2. It sounds like making your own extension cords from SPT-2 wire is the best. Where is the best place to get it for the best cost? I will just have a string or 2 of lights connected to it (low amps - I know)3. It sounds like vampire plugs are the way to go with the SPT-2 wire setup. Where is the best place to get it for the best cost? Also can you plug in the vampire plugs to an end of another string of lights? (i.e does the plug have one big side and one small side or does it look like a string of lights plug with 2 of the same size ends hope that makes sense)Thanks!Mark1) (From my knowledge the EDM transmitter is the ONLY way to go for your $$)2)(If your running low amperage spt1 should suffice your application)3)(You need to use same vampire plugs as SPT...) Lokk into Christmaslightsetc. For some of the best prices for bulk buying..Example: If you use SPT1, use SPT1 vampire ends...If you use SPT2, use SPT2 vampire ends...Hope this all helps you some.1) Agree2) SPT1/2 only reffers to the insolation not the Amperage IE SPT2 has more UV protection. the differance your looking for would be 18 or 16 ga 18 would be work well for low amps3) agreeTo clarify even further (seems to be a lot of clarifying needed in this thread:?), the difference in SPT1/2 has nothing to do with UV protection. It has to do with thickness of insulation and that is it. SPT2 has thicker insulation, which adds durability. Neither typically has added UV protection (which for winter seasonal use is basically not needed--UV exposure in the entire continental USA is miniscule compared to summer). CDI sells SPT3 wire that is basically SPT1 with UV protection in the insulation. Rarely you will see SPT3 elsewhere that does refer to thicker yet insulation. Most SPT1/2 wire is 18g, but will rarely see it as 16g. Any and all of the above types would be more than adequate for "a string or 2 of lights connected to it" from a power capacity standpoint. For most average lengths of SPT wire, it will carry 7-10A. http://www.planetchristmas.com/WireSize.htmMonitor wire prices here:http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/lampcord.aspxhttp://www.grandbrass.com/ (search for "zip wire")$0.09-$0.13 per foot is a pretty good price.Vampire plugs:http://www.landmarklightingkc.com/shop/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=40http://www.christmaslightshow.com/Spt1-and-spt2-Wire-and-Spt1-and-spt2-Plugs.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baron1414 Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 1.Agree EDM works great but: Buy early, they go fast and can become unavaiable later in the year.2. Agree again, great info.3. Agree again, I also would like to know where best $$ value can be had for wite and plugs. You can never have to much as you think of more and more ideas the closer to set-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCas4380 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 2) Thank You for the Clarification Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drums114 Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 Thanks for all the information guys! I see you need to put together the EDM transmitter. Is there a video on that? Since I never soldered before I am a little nervous I would mess something up. Does anyone know where you could buy put together units for sale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 drums114 wrote: Thanks for all the information guys! I see you need to put together the EDM transmitter. Is there a video on that? Since I never soldered before I am a little nervous I would mess something up. Does anyone know where you could buy put together units for sale?See here:http://forums.lightorama.com/view_post.php?post_id=273375This is a commonly touched on topic. Many have bit the bullet on it and I have never seen that somebody regretted it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCas4380 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCas4380 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Sorry I meant Plus 1 on Surfing4Dough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drums114 Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 Good thanks! Ok - thats not bad at all!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 drums114 wrote: Good thanks! Ok - thats not bad at all!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drums114 Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 Any suggestions on what model to buy from EDM? Is the text feature worth the extra $$? Its cool but not sure its worth the extra $$... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 drums114 wrote: Any suggestions on what model to buy from EDM? Is the text feature worth the extra $$? Its cool but not sure its worth the extra $$...I have a EDM-LCD-RDS-EP (their best). Depends on what your budget is. The RDS is a luxury, you're right. But it does add something to the display. I don't regret getting it--would buy it again. EDM-TX-LCD-EP is the same transmitter, without RDS (text). The only other one to consider is the EDM-LCD-CS-EP which is their budget model which a few here have used and seems to do well. Below is their description for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve synek Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 I also have an EMD and would highly recommend one. Having never owned a transmitter, the only thing that really sticks in my mind when this thing arrived was the size. I was thinking it would be the size of a DVD player or a VCR deck. For the cost, I was shocked when it was hardly bigger than a deck of cards.Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWood Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Surfing4Dough wrote: drums114 wrote: Any suggestions on what model to buy from EDM? Is the text feature worth the extra $$? Its cool but not sure its worth the extra $$...I have a EDM-LCD-RDS-EP (their best). Depends on what your budget is. The RDS is a luxury, you're right. But it does add something to the display. I don't regret getting it--would buy it again. EDM-TX-LCD-EP is the same transmitter, without RDS (text). The only other one to consider is the EDM-LCD-CS-EP which is their budget model which a few here have used and seems to do well. Below is their description for it.I know these ranges can vary, but what kind of range do you get with this unit. I 'm looking for a good backup but need range since i'm nearly 300 feet from the road. Right now i'm using the Orion 5000 from mobile black box and this sucker cranks way out. LoL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 SWood wrote: Surfing4Dough wrote: drums114 wrote: Any suggestions on what model to buy from EDM? Is the text feature worth the extra $$? Its cool but not sure its worth the extra $$...I have a EDM-LCD-RDS-EP (their best). Depends on what your budget is. The RDS is a luxury, you're right. But it does add something to the display. I don't regret getting it--would buy it again. EDM-TX-LCD-EP is the same transmitter, without RDS (text). The only other one to consider is the EDM-LCD-CS-EP which is their budget model which a few here have used and seems to do well. Below is their description for it.I know these ranges can vary, but what kind of range do you get with this unit. I 'm looking for a good backup but need range since i'm nearly 300 feet from the road. Right now i'm using the Orion 5000 from mobile black box and this sucker cranks way out. LoLI have a EDM-LCD-RDS and just use the test wire antenna on the low power setting, with little attention to proper mounting of the antenna, and I would estimate that I get 800-900ft of clear audio (with lots of heavy tree cover along that path). If you were to construct an antenna you could easily exceed that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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