Total Newbie

[GomeRyan]

I've bought a couple of things, but I can't quite figure out how it all goes together. I searched the forums, but I probably missed a really obvious explanation.

I want to run strip LED lights around the perimeter of my house. I'm not trying to do a fancy show or anything. I just want one row of lights around the edge of my roof and I want to be able to fade between specific colors (like red, white & blue for July 4th or red & green at Christmas). I bought a LOR controller (the one with 16 plugs sticking out of it). I have two spools of led lights. The first one came with a remote. If I plug it in to the LOR controller and run the sample show from the software, it blinks a little, but not like the show is set up. I bought a different spool, but plugged it in using the same power box and it responds to the flashing signals correctly, but doesn't do the color specified. My thinking is that the white box in between the lights and the plug is for the remote and is somehow screwing with the signal. But I can't figure out how to connect the four pin connector from the spool of lights directly to a three pronged plug that I can plug into the controller. What am I missing? Am I even headed down the right path to do what I want? Sorry if this is a redundant or stupid question. I've tried to figure it out on my own, but I don't want to waste any more money until I have a better handle on what I'm doing. So I figured I'd ask the experts! Thanks!

[Andrew Bev]

Hi GomeRyan,

You will need to tell us more information about your gear before we can help you.

The type of controller you have? To me it sounds like a LOR1602W.

The type of LED strip lights you have?

Maybe a picture of the lights could help?

If you are interested in getting into RGB I would recomend reading the 101 Manual here http://auschristmaslighting.com/forums/index.php/topic,1889.0.html

[Caleb Linburg]

It sounds like you are plugging in the RGB power supply into a lor controller. You don't to want to do this. It could possibly damage your rgb equipment. Ou need somthing like an Enttec open or most people suggest the Enttec pro. Then you need some type of DMX controller. Check out holidaycoro.com

[Guest wbottomley]

GomeRyan wrote:

I've bought a couple of things, but I can't quite figure out how it all goes together. I searched the forums, but I probably missed a really obvious explanation.

I want to run strip LED lights around the perimeter of my house. I'm not trying to do a fancy show or anything. I just want one row of lights around the edge of my roof and I want to be able to fade between specific colors (like red, white & blue for July 4th or red & green at Christmas). I bought a LOR controller (the one with 16 plugs sticking out of it). I have two spools of led lights. The first one came with a remote. If I plug it in to the LOR controller and run the sample show from the software, it blinks a little, but not like the show is set up. I bought a different spool, but plugged it in using the same power box and it responds to the flashing signals correctly, but doesn't do the color specified. My thinking is that the white box in between the lights and the plug is for the remote and is somehow screwing with the signal. But I can't figure out how to connect the four pin connector from the spool of lights directly to a three pronged plug that I can plug into the controller. What am I missing? Am I even headed down the right path to do what I want? Sorry if this is a redundant or stupid question. I've tried to figure it out on my own, but I don't want to waste any more money until I have a better handle on what I'm doing. So I figured I'd ask the experts! Thanks!

This simply will not work. If you want RGB, I suggest you read the following sites....

http://auschristmaslighting.com/forums/index.php/topic,1141.0.html

http://seasonalentertainmentllc.com/pdf/UnderstandingDMX.pdf

http://www.holidaycoro.com/kb_results.asp?ID=15

[Steven]

Everyone is trying to steer you in the DMX direction, but that's not the best for your requirements. Here's what you need:

1. Low-voltage RGB strips. (You probably already have these, if you remove the controller box.)
2. Power supply. (You probably can use the one that came with your strips, if it can be removed from the controller box. This may require poking around the circuit board.)
3. A CMB-16D controller ($99.95).
4. Interface to computer and software. (If you have already played the sample show, then you already have this.)

Since you don't need to "do a fancy show or anything," you don't need to leave your computer running. The CMD-16D has a "stand-alone" mode that will fade your lights the way you want whenever the power is on. You'll just need to find a way to switch the power on and off (like a timer), and reload the show when the season changes.

[GomeRyan]

Wow! I appreciate everyone jumping on here so quick. I had read most of the guides before. The Aussie one was the easiest to understand. The DMX one just confused me more. I've attached what I have as pictures. I originally asked two different suppliers what I needed and this is what I ended up with. The http://store.lightorama.com/cmdedcca2.html sounds intriguing, but looks complicated. It looks like the inside of the LOR controller I have. SO I'm assuming I just hook the lights directly up to it, or do I have to have some power supply between the lights and this controller? If I use this, I'm assuming I won't need the LOR controller I have anymore? And is it waterproof or will I need to get some sort of case or what? I really like the color of the lights I have, but I'm still confused how I connect them to either the LOR controller I have or the one suggested. Thanks for all the advice! My kids told me that our Christmas lights were lame last year, so I really want to step it up this year!

Attached files

[GomeRyan]

Here's the lights.

Attached files

[GomeRyan]

And the DMX controller the first supplier told me to buy.

Attached files

[Steven]

The controller you have will not work. It is for 120VAC lights (or 240V in other countries). (It can be configured to work with low-voltage AC lighting, like landscape lights, but that's a discussion in another topic.) But it can never work with DC, because it uses triacs.

The ribbon you have is 12VDC. It will work with the CMB-16D controller (the DC controller) unless it's common-cathode (not usual). You need a 12VDC power supply to power the controller and the lights connected to it. You will also need a case, weatherproof if it will be mounted outside.

You could also use the DMX controller you have. With the latest version of LOR, you could actually use your existing USB-485 interface and run the DMX protocol instead of the LOR protocol. There is a discussion about that in the 'DMX' forum right now.

[texascop]

The biggest concern here is do you understand the difference between AC and DC current? Not trying to be demeaning at all. Just trying to get a read on skill level. The LOR controller works with AC current and turns it on and off to those 16 plugs. It does so by being controlled by the software you purchase from LOR. The controller doesn't tell the lights what color they should be. It just places 110 volts of AC current at the end of each of the sixteen plugs when the program says to do so.

The light strip you have is for DC current. One of the four wires is the positive side of the DC current and the other three wires are the negative side, one wire for each RGB color led - ®ed (B)lue (G)reen.

The "remote" box that came with the light strip probably has a AC plug on one end and a four-wire connector. The "remote" box also takes the AC current and transforms it into a 12 volt DC current and runs it out the four wire connector to the light strip.

This is like a big puzzle and the pieces have to match electrically.

[texascop]

Also, the other box you have is a DMX controller. Just another way to control lights.

I should have mentioned the "remote" box may be powered by a small transformer that has an AC cord on one end and a smaller cord on the other end with a barrel connector that plugs in to the "remote" box. That small transformer changes the 110 volt AC to 12 volt DC current.

[GomeRyan]

texascop: Thank you! That was the simplest explanation I've head yet. I didn't know that, so you weren't being demeaning at all. That totally explains why the controller was flashing the lights, but not changing the color. I'm a little frustrated that the LOR people convinced me to get that controller. I gave them the exact explanation I gave at the beginning of this post.

So...to make sure I understand: I can use the DMX controller I have. Or buy the CMB-16D if I want to be able to use it without my computer being constantly on. I need to hook it up to the network cable and use the LOR software to control it. I need to get a power supply like http://www.creativelightings.com/60W-LED-Power-Supply-LED-Driver-Class-2-12vDC-p/cl-pslpv-60-12.htm or similar? Then connect my lights to that and that to a plug. Do I need to get a DMX controller and power supply for each spool of lights? And the DMX contoller just came with two sockets. Can I just plug a regular plug in to it to get power?
Thanks! I really appreciate all this help. It's stating to come together in my mind.

[Surfing4Dough]

GomeRyan wrote:

texascop: Thank you! That was the simplest explanation I've head yet. I didn't know that, so you weren't being demeaning at all. That totally explains why the controller was flashing the lights, but not changing the color. I'm a little frustrated that the LOR people convinced me to get that controller. I gave them the exact explanation I gave at the beginning of this post.

So...to make sure I understand: I can use the DMX controller I have. Or buy the CMB-16D if I want to be able to use it without my computer being constantly on. I need to hook it up to the network cable and use the LOR software to control it. I need to get a power supply like http://www.creativelightings.com/60W-LED-Power-Supply-LED-Driver-Class-2-12vDC-p/cl-pslpv-60-12.htm or similar? Then connect my lights to that and that to a plug. Do I need to get a DMX controller and power supply for each spool of lights? And the DMX contoller just came with two sockets. Can I just plug a regular plug in to it to get power?
Thanks! I really appreciate all this help. It's stating to come together in my mind.

The CMB-16D route probably would be the easiest and least complex to grasp too.

The basic connections:
The power supply that is plugged into the wall power outlet is connected to the CMB16D board (thus providing power to the board and lights). The LED lights are connected to the CMB16D board and receive their power and control signals from it. The Red wire would connect to Ch1, Green wire to Ch2, and Blue wire to Ch3 (similar to how shown here). Thus by mixing the intensities of each of these channels is how you create the various RGB colors. You may need to add extension wires to the end of your LED strings to ease reaching the location of your CMB16D board.

I would get a power supply such as one of these: http://tinyurl.com/ebaypowersupplies

Notice there are different power capacities available to buy (from 1A to 20A usually). You need to find out the power requirements of the string of LED lights you are using and then add up how many strings you will use, and that is the minimum power supply you will need to buy. Say a string of them uses 2A, and you will use 5 strings, then you need at least a 10A power supply (make sure to overshoot this). The CMB16D board can't exceed 8A per channel and 20A per bank of channels (ch 1-8, Ch 9-16). Here is a nice 15A power supply that most likely would exceed your requirements unless using a lot of strings: http://tinyurl.com/powersupplyrecommendation


To connect the wires to the spades on the CMB16D board you can use connectors such as these: http://tinyurl.com/spadeconnectors


You will also need a power cord (that exceeds the gauge requirements depending on your power load) to go from the power supply to the wall, and likewise to go from the power supply to the CMB16D board.

All of these items (power supply and controller board) can usually be easily mounted in an enclosure such as something like these: http://www.dfcco.com/c-24-enclosures.aspx



I am curious who gave you advice on what equipment to buy? LOR directly or one of their partners/suppliers?

[GomeRyan]

OK. Thanks to all! The person who told me to get the LOR Controller was from LOR. I just sent it back and they are going to send me a Deluxe DC Board CMB16D-QC. I also got a power supply and some wires for my lights. I'm going to test it all out before I buy any more lights or the enclosure. Everything you guys told me here was so much more clear and easy to understand than all the other stuff I was finding online. Once I get everything...I'll probably have a bunch more questions! Seriously though, I'll keep you guys posted. My family was already impressed with just the one string of lights not doing anything, so the kids are going to love this once I'm done! Thanks again.

[dgrant]

I might get into the RGB next year or the CCR's. This year, focused on making a nice display. I've already bought six controllers this year and lots of things to make the displays so I've spent a significant amount of money this year already. The information here in this thread though is invaluable.

[GomeRyan]

OK. I think I've got the hardware figured out. I've attached a picture. I was able to test the lights and they worked. Now a couple of questions.

1. I can't get the lights to do specific colors. I'm assuming I need to use DMX. But when I go into the network preferences, under DMX Universes, thee are no adapters in the drop down list. I'm using the RS485. Do I need to upgrade from the Basic software or is it some other problem?

2. I will need about 350' of lights to go all the way around my house. Will I need another power supply? The one I have is 12v 20amp. How many strings can I string together? Do I need something like this: http://www.hitlights.com/ls-amp-9amp.html

Thanks for all the great advice.

Attached files

[Andrew Bev]

You will not need to upgrade your software if you are only going to use LOR controllers like the one you have in the picture.

Have you made RGB channels in the sequencer for this controller?

[ScottyMo]

I hope you don’t take offence, but I honestly think you are trying to go swimming for the first time in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and are setting yourself up for a world of hurt.

350 feet of RGB strips is quite a lot, and will require a heck of a lot more equipment than I think you are anticipating.

First off, you’ll need about 25 strips of RGB lights. According to you your picture, you are using the 300leds per strip. Which will require twice the amperage as the 150leds per strip.

Each of those strips draws 6amps. So your 20amp power supply should not be used to power more than 3 of those strips.

You will also require several more of the DC boards to handle that many strips.

The answer to your question about how many strips can you string together, is one. You “shouldn’t” go beyond the 5 meters on a single run. (unless you inject power in between).

The other big consideration for what you are trying to do is voltage drop. 350’ of roofline means that you likely won’t be able to centralize your dc boards and power supplies. They will likely need to be strategically mounted around your house in order to keep your wire runs to a minimum. (less than 15 feet). With long cable runs and 12v dc, the resulting voltage drop means your lights won’t get the full 12v, and therefore will be dimmer than the strips with short runs.

I am new to the game as well, so if I have misstated anything above, someone please correct me.

Just my opinion, but, until you get a full handle on DMX, DC vs AC, amperage and voltage requirements, etc. I would stay away from 12v RGB. Instead I suggest you stick with regular AC light strings and the 16 channel AC controller (that you already sent back). Get your feet wet first, then dive into 12v RGB after you get some experience under your belt.

P.S.
No, you don’t need http://www.hitlights.com/ls-amp-9amp.html


ScottyMo

[flogger7]

My thoughts are similar to ScottyMo's on swimming in the ocean; but my recommendation is a bit different.

Jump in to RGB. Its the best way to learn. I recommend you do it with a smaller scope. Make a tree topper star; or a set of candles. Get a really good handle on how it all works, and scale up from there.

[ScottyMo]

flogger7 wrote:

My thoughts are similar to ScottyMo's on swimming in the ocean; but my recommendation is a bit different.

Jump in to RGB. Its the best way to learn. I recommend you do it with a smaller scope. Make a tree topper star; or a set of candles. Get a really good handle on how it all works, and scale up from there.

Flogger7’s option is also a good one.

Just a thought. Maybe a hybrid? Outline your house with white AC lights (dimmable) and the AC controller. Then you can make it dance with twinkles, shimmers and fades. Then add a splash of color with a 12v DC RGB Christmas tree.

Then you get your feet wet with LOR and dabble in some RGB.

ScottyMo