Extensions for dumb ribbons

[Brucey]

I saw a post from 2015 with no response so I thought I would ask it here.  With the dumb ribbons, how many extension cords can I use between the ribbons and the controller?  I have some that will be close to the controller but others may be 30-50 feet away and trying to find out if that'll be an issue. also, is there a cheaper alternative to paying $7 for each 10' extension that anyone knows of?

Thanks

[George Simmons]

30' will be no problem.  50' might be. 

You can make your own extensions fairly easily, but make sure you use a heavy enough wire so voltage drop won't be an issue.

Edited April 8, 2016 by George Simmons

[Ron Boyd]

http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023904&p_id=4043&seq=1&format=2

I use this for most of my RGB, Pixels and Basic RGB.

I also use this, but it's a bit more expensive. This is usually used within a prop, whereas, the link above is used from controller to nodes.

http://www.holidaycoro.com/4-Conductor-18-AWG-Extension-Wiring-RGB-Lights-p/695.htm&Click=670

Both of these are 18g wire and matches most wiring gauge on RGB strings.

[Mr. P]

Hey Ron, you can get a great deal on 500' of that same type of wire here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290919809508?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Brucey]

So basically just need to cut the ends off the existing cable, solder them together using this cable, and I'll be all set?

[Ron Boyd]

1 hour ago, Brucey said:

So basically just need to cut the ends off the existing cable, solder them together using this cable, and I'll be all set?

Pretty much. Do some testing for your distance though. Don't want to get to showtime and be under powered because of the voltage drop George mentioned above.

 

1 hour ago, Mr. P said:

Hey Ron, you can get a great deal on 500' of that same type of wire here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290919809508?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

If that's the same stuff I bought last year, it didn't take solder as well as the Monoprice did. It took the solder, but not as well.