Roman A. Gurule Jr. Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 DanCampbell wrote: ledlighting wrote: Let me know if there are any questions.Not to belabor the point, but looking at this page, the extended time (3/31) applies to the retro bulbs only, not the stringers, right?http://www.ledholidaylighting.com/LED-Retro-Fade-Bulbs---2009-Pre-Order.aspxHey don't harass Travis. It's takes him a few day er I mean weeks to update his website.Just kidding Travis. Glad it has been extended.Roman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtis Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 One more consideration in the LED or Mini decision is bulb price. Locally, LEDs sold out of most all stores for full retail in early December. Pallets of Minis were available at our Wally well into January for 70% off. The point is that retailers aren't going to miss that one 2 or 3 years in a row. The Led price will come way down in the next couple years making the decision to hold off more worth while. Also, LEDs purchased now will depreciate in value.That said, I'm a newbie starting off all LED (10,000 lights 32 Ch). I like the colors better as well as the fact that I can run ten times the bulbs using less power.Curtis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzaas Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Another thing to consider is that the color on regular minis fade after a couple of years whereas the LED's stay true longer. Unfortunately, with the amount of lights I have I can't afford to make the transition to LED's either:(. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjmiller Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 Thanks all! The inputs gave me something to ponder, I think I will stick with mini-lights for now - more bang for the buck. When the price point of the LED strings starts dropping then I will buy them for expansion and replacement.To be honest, having made the decision to go with 32 channels of LOR in 2009 - I entered a massive learning curve that has taken me by surprise. Ligts, light types, power calculations, controllers, controller channels, power distribution, music sequencing, animation sequences, light placement, color usage.... geez - this would cause brain overload if I wasn't having so much fun with it all!SJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Simmons Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Wait until you get to the part of realizing how many extension cords you need... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtis Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 It costs allot to move the controllers further away from the center of the action.I'm considdering putting them in a mud room and running extension cords out through a double hung window. Maybe sandwich the cords with spongey foam and closing the window down on it for insulation.Curtis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanCampbell Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Curtis wrote: ...I'm considdering putting them in a mud room and running extension cords out through a double hung window. Maybe sandwich the cords with spongey foam and closing the window down on it for insulation.CurtisExactly what I did last year, except in the garage, and it worked great. Kept bugs and drafts out and held the extensions in place. Used a couple chunks of foam carpet padding, and a piece of 1x2 between the top of the sash and the frame above to keep things snug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjmiller Posted February 12, 2009 Author Share Posted February 12, 2009 I got a sneak preview into the extension cord utilization this year when I put in a 6 channel controller. I already had a massive number of extension cords for my static display, I ended up buying another 40 for the six channel display... lucky they were on sale when I bought them!The only saving grace for power distribution in 2009 is that my controllers will be located so that my longest cord to light strings will be about 40 feet - most within 20 feet, I already have the 4 long cords to get power to the controllers, If I get a chance I might run conduit and prewire the power to the controller location this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisBMacon Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 What are you referring to regarding LED's and power savings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Simmons Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 LED's use a fraction of the electricity that incandescents do. It's really a HUGE difference that will keep you smiling for years to come. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldoradoboy Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 I myself have to agree that LED's dont have that wonderful warm glow that incandescents have...alas the same reason inside my house I have only switched utility areas to CF bulbs and left the living areas as dimmable halogens...I do think LED's play a part in certain elements of a display that you want a resounding color... such as a mega tree or an element like a "merry christmas" sign etc.. as well as for doing color washes.. the colors are deeper and more intense...there also isnt the worry of color chipping like with mini's...so for parts of a display like completely outlining a house with all straight lines... i like LED's gives it that (autocad drawing look)...but in the bushes and trees I like incandescents.. as well as my clears.. i like clear incandescents....I think a display with a mixture is really cool.then again im also the guy that puts A/C, power steering, XM radio, and digital dash in old school Muscle cars....-Christopher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightzilla Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Sure incandescents glow better, but if you have a power issue like some of us do then I would go with LEDs.I do not know what it is like in the USA, but we have a whack of tree hugging folks here and yes the people in my town spread the word that my house is a "Go Green" house running 95% LEDs.I did the switch for other reasons and not just for environment purposes.1 reason ( main reason) is our 75amp breaker box, and the other is $$$$ saving. Yes I pay more for LEDs but heck after Christmas I paid less than $2.50 per 70 count box at the "Canadian Super Store"......regular $12.00.Try plugging in 3 vehicles for 35 straight days during the whole month of December and the 1st week of Jan.......we had (minus -28F) degrees weather all of those 35 days last December.......and for 7 of those days we had -34F weather or worse.The CFLs in the house and the LEDs outside helped save $$$$ last Christmas during those 35 days......our bill went from $350.00 to $250.00 and that includes the plugging in of the cars.....just think if we wouldn't had to plug in the cars.I buy my LEDs after Christmas but I sure got some deals before Christmas......the most I paid new was $10.00 per box for 70 count full wave (whites)......and they are bright.I am for LEDs if you have Amp issues.300 mini lights is 1 ampand 700 LEDs is 0.40 amps and of course 1,400 LEDs is 0.80 amps (not even 1 amp)Otherwise stick to your regular lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Simmons Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 And the discussion goes on and on... I guess it's either hate them or love them. Jeff thinks they look too bright and stark and that's exactly what I like about them, especially blue. I like being able to slap people upside the head with a sudden burst of brilliant color. Plus, as my eyes get older, they seem to appreciate the bright colors. Just wait Jeff, someday you'll be an old fart too and you'll like the brighter colors a lot more then.As someone who's thrown out hundreds of lightsets over the years just because the bulbs chipped and faded, I very much like the no-fade aspect of LED's. I'm looking forward to one day throwing sets away because the cord wears out - not the bulbs. And as someone who was always maxing out every circuit I had, I can't say often enough how much I like not having to be scared of the electric bill every season.Although now that I think about it, that was only for one month - nowadays I've got to worry about the bills from secret sales, and pre-season sales and summer sales... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBullard Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Amen George, I'm with you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldoradoboy Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 I think its the white that gets most people... but then maybe I should add more LED's,. I just realized i will be straining my electrical system more this season considering im converting a good part of my HVAC systems over to 20 SEER Heat pumps.. (1 for each zone)... perhaps for december ill make Homeseer lock them out to the gas heat during the evenings / night.....-Christopher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBullard Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Just remembered the VERY BEST reason for LEDs. MAINTENANCE !!!I build my own wireframes. Last year I built all my new frames with LEDS. My goal over the next year or so is to convert my 40 something other wireframes over to LEDS.I have spent the last hour and a half (it's a little after 9:00 PM here and the temps still over 90 degrees) trying to trouble shoot the minis on a 9 1/2 foot tall "exploding" wireframe firecracker that is part of my 4th July display. Over 500 minis on this frame, and yes I have the Lightkeeper Pro.Grrr, in the morning I'm going to start stripping the minis off and go ahead and rewire with LEDs.I'm tired of trouble shooting mini lights in the heat of summer and the cold of winter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristmasDude Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 Hi Travis,Can you tell me, I see on your site (http://www.ledholidaylighting.com/m5-series-70-count-full-wave.aspx) that it is stated that these LEDs work with Light-o-rama, have they been tested to verify? Also, would you happen to know if they work with Light-o-rama's 'fade' function?Thanks for your time and response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Simmons Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 I'll let Travis speak for himself, but I'm pretty sure that when a vendor labels the LED's as being compatible with LOR that very specifically means that the lights will fade and shimmer without burning out or catching fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBullard Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 ChristmasDude,I'll verify that the Full Wave Rectified LEDs sold by Travis, and also Paul at CDI work very well with LOR. I have over 600 strings from these two vendors.Problems you may have heard of with LEDs are typically retail store units, in my opinion the retail store LEds suck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristmasDude Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 George and JB,Thank you so much for the information! I am presently putting together the design of my display for next year on Excel (to use to calculate amps/power etc) and saw that the 44 minitrees I am going to put up.....well even if I were to turn on one color per tree, my amps would ramp up very quickly.Can someone provide me the link to CDI as well?Also, JB, I saw your 2008 Christmas display, could you tell me if those 'candles' in the later part of the video were outlined with LEDs? Outstanding display by the way, that shooting star was awesome! You have the ultimate Christmas light display front yard...a big one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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