Sctiger Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 I know there's no way to give an exact answer, but I was wondering what kind of a life span have people experienced with their controllers. I have the chance to pick up a used LOR1602W (to add to my starter kit) for what I think is a decent price, just wasn't sure how long I could expect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. P Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 (edited) If you wire them wrong about 2 seconds I am pretty new and have had mine about four years now. Edited August 31, 2016 by Mr. P 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Anderson Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 I am still using one that I bought back in 2003. I did have one channel go out that I never had repaired. Other than that ii still works good. I have some others that I have been using for about 10 years with no problems. Over all they are reliable. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sctiger Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 2 minutes ago, Mr. P said: If you wire them wrong about 2 seconds I am pretty new and have had mine about four years now. Haha! I'm so new I haven't even received my order yet so that may be something I do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. P Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 4 minutes ago, Sctiger said: Haha! I'm so new I haven't even received my order yet so that may be something I do! Just always remember,,,SHORTS ARE BAD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sctiger Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 Just now, Mr. P said: Just always remember,,,SHORTS ARE BAD! So Jeans and Khakis then? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. P Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 (edited) My first three controllers I found at an estate sale a few years back and they are V2 controllers so i don't know how old they are and they work perfect. Edited August 31, 2016 by Mr. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basis21b Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Among my inventory of controllers I have: 1 16 channel controller that will start its 11th season this year. 4 8 channel controllers that will be entering their 10th season this year. They just keep on running. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Spain Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 I have 3) 8 channel and 9) 16 channel CTB16s and have only had to replace 2 triacs on 2 controllers since 2006. They are robust systems. I built most of them using the DIY kits. I live in the Chicago area, they are outside in the below zero weather and snow and are great! Important note is to make sure your light connections are good. My triacs shorted due to blow mold c7 light bases shorted which caused the triacs to short to the ON state. They were on my roof where I have displays as well. I now run 88,000 lights with 13 controllers. Marty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericm Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 2 hours ago, Sctiger said: So Jeans and Khakis then? LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Mitchell Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 I have never had a controller failure. My oldest two controllers are from 2005. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpageler Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 I can speak from experience...what a ma-roon. Operator error will probably cause more issues than a controller simple wearing out or stop working on it's own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k6ccc Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 My oldest CMB16D is about 5 years old of 24 x 7 year round service. The rest are not far from that. The only LOR controller I've ever had fail was a ServoDog that would get hung up in "I lost my firmware" mode on power up - very consistently. Turns out that it did not like the power up characteristics of a switching 12V power supply. Changed things so that the power supply powers up and shortly thereafter applies power to the controllers and the problem never returned. I currently have three CMB16D, one Gen-3 CTB16PC, one CTB08Dg3, and one InputPup that all run 24 x 7 year round and control lights every night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sctiger Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 Thanks for all the input. Sounds like I shouldn't be worried too much. I think my fears can best be summed up by an algebraic equation. (ignorance)/(lack of time) x (my luck) = Clark Griswold tirade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. P Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Look at it this way: lots of money x (upset wife + no sleep) = clap 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMurray Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 35 minutes ago, Mr. P said: Look at it this way: lots of money x (upset wife + no sleep) = clap OMG. So true...up till 4am this morning soldering pigtails onto smart strips. The wife wanted a massage...said "sorry babe I got lots to do"...unhappy wife. So I got a 2 hour nap. Dropped off my daughter at school. Went to Home Depot and got more supplies. Now to make extensions for the pigtails I've finished......it never ends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sctiger Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 1 hour ago, Mr. P said: Look at it this way: lots of money x (upset wife + no sleep) = clap I never knew that's how you caught it. Learn something every day. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debtoews Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 My input is- controllers tend to not fail...but it is always wise to have a backup just in case! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orville Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 (edited) Started with 5, now down to 4, but not because of failure, moved to a smaller place and 4 controllers were good enough, although one I lost the case on, not because of anything I or LOR did, lawn maintenance don't use grass catchers on their mowers and one hit a rock and blasted a big hole in the case. The PCB inside was fine, fortunately the case deflected the rock, but left a huge gaping hole in the front cover. So now I use that controller mounted in a wooden box wired to 5 duplex outlets inside, although once I get the materials to weatherproof it, I'll be able to use it outdoors again. Other than that I did have one controller's triac{V2} go bad and my trying to repair it, I screwed up the PC board, same one I lost the plastic box on, but I just soldered in a 3 pin female socket with wires that allows the triac to be placed in it and that worked out perfectly. And most of my controllers were all purchased in 2009-2010, and the majority has been working perfectly fine for going on 6 years now. These are all CTB16PC controllers. Edited August 31, 2016 by Orville Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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