Guest guest Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Hi, just had a light bulb go on over my headI work in IT, and we roll out maybe 500 computers a yearWe very rarely replace the power cords unless they are really grubbyThe power cords are being thrown out for the most partIs this what people can or do use for the DIT kits?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Those cords are usually male and the diy controllers you build require female ends so the lights plug into that.Woolfman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Actually they have both ends, but the female end may be different then a normal plugI'll have to check tomorrow...too tired tonight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 I have tons of these cords sitting around too.. I think I am going to use them for building some 16 channel boards.. although the female end is different than a standard unit, its not that hard to clip the old ones off and put a new one in place of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 The cord is cheap. I just haven't had any luck finding replacement connectors.I went to OSH and they wanted a couple bucks apiece for just the outlet connector. I much prefer the sealed plugs and for a couple dollars, I can buy them from Dan already prepped.If you didn't need much power on a circuit, you could use SPT1 or SPT2 wire with the vampire connectors. Anyone found a cheap source for these?Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 If you have that many, get the LOR hobbyist boards and cut down these wires to tie in the outputs between a standard duplex and the board... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 Another thing to check. A lot of PC power cords are 18awg wire. 18 is ok for outputs but you want at least 16 better with 14 for power in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 if they are computer cords they have a male plug and the other end is more then likly a IEC plug which is the standard connection for a PC power supply and wont really do you much goodand as was allready said most of these arent very heavy gauge wire you generally only get even a 14g power cord with a pretty big server Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 I bought my power in (male) cords from Dan @ LOR. At best you need two. This is where I chose to spend the money. When I needed 32 cords, I started shopping for bargains....I wanted grounded power out (female) cords and found a deal online atbb-trading.comItem# BB 6LC-143FC6’ Female Line CordLot of 10 / $0.951-9 / 1.25My next LOR boxes will not be grounded- so I'll probably use a generic spt type cord.Tad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 Thanks for the source, Tad. Looks like they have great prices on extension cords as well.Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 LightORama wrote: Another thing to check. A lot of PC power cords are 18awg wire. 18 is ok for outputs but you want at least 16 better with 14 for power in.Perfect statement. However living in a warm climate and we are known to have some 75 degree nights I personally use #12 cords (go get a $30 25 ft cord and cut off female end and dedicate the cord for use with computer controller) and I can state that controllers ramping up to using near full 15 amp capacity even with #12, the cord gets quite warm on these warmer December nights. On cold 50 degree or cooler nights, the warmth of the cord is insignificant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 Yeah, PC cords won't work too well. Most PC's usually pull 5a max, can't imagine the caords are heavy duty. They are getting thinner every yearThe female end is not standard, I do remember using one years ago in an "emergency" (pre-this christmas buy of 48+ extension cords)That's a good link, thanks. No green cords thoThey also have 8' cords w/built in GFCI for .95 each.39 for 6' cords instead of $1.24 at HD, I could have bought 3x as much!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 Tad wrote: I bought my power in (male) cords from Dan @ LOR. At best you need two. This is where I chose to spend the money. When I needed 32 cords, I started shopping for bargains....I wanted grounded power out (female) cords and found a deal online atbb-trading.comItem# BB 6LC-143FC6’ Female Line CordLot of 10 / $0.951-9 / 1.25My next LOR boxes will not be grounded- so I'll probably use a generic spt type cord.TadUnfortunately this lead did not pan out. Much of what they carry is surplus -- no problem with that except it means stock is limited and not replenished. I just tried to order 32 of these female line cords, but they are completely out of them. And despite a fair amount of effort on their part to help identify a possible substitute, they currently have nothing that is suitable for less than about $2.25ea in quantity.So I'm still looking... Anyone else have any leads?Thanks,Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 Yikes! Those were good cords at a great price[scratching head... where am I going to get cords from???):shock:Tad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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