power supply for the christmas lights

[jrandall]

before I buy the the light-o-rama system I want to plan the power supply. I have no idea where to start. does anyone have photos and or drawing that will help me get started with the wiring of the lights to the system?

[bisquit476]

Actually, a lot more info is needed before an answer can be given.

1st: What kind of lights (LED's or incadescents), how many, where are they, etc...

The kind of lights will have the most impact on power needed, so more info please,

Bill

[Max-Paul]

jrandell,

I agree with the other gent. You be surprised how many people will use a different name for the same thing. At this time, I suppose you might be talking about the DC output board? And thus you might be talking about a DC power supply?

And like the other gent, I will just have to sit back and wait for your to explain yourself a bit more so we are all on the same page..

[jrandall]

Most of my lights are incandescent but if you have a few LED lights. I have six dedicated 20 amp breakers for my light display. I have placed various outlets in my front yard to accommodate the light cords for the display. I have never counted the amount of lights that I have but I do test the amperage at the outlet. I am able to keep the output well below the 20 maximum keep in a safe range. I've put together several extension cords with several plugs so that I can plug each item in individually. This way I don't have to plug light string to light string. Because I don't know how the animation power system works I'm having difficulty planning out my strategy.

Question: do I need to run a new power cord for each display? If so can I use a 16/2 or 18/2 hour cord?

Question: do I use my normal extension cord and then run a new cord to plug in between the power supply that disrupts the power on command of the animation system.

[Max-Paul]

jrandell,

First I am trying to understand your train of thought. Is English a second lanuage to you? Maybe it might help it you break up your questions. I am feeling that they are all kind of running together.

Can anyone else understand, maybe I just having a brain block.

Oh, please do not make new threads with the same subject. Stringing threads is not polite. Thanks

[Guest Don Gillespie]

It sounds as though you are asking how each display or set of lights are connected to the LOR system if thats the case then the answer is there are sixteen seperate plugs for the controllers so you really need to plan out your display as for photos I do not have any as my display is down for the year.

If you are asking about power supply for the controllers then this is an area that MAX-PAUL could help you out with if you are unsure just keep asking the questions the answer is out here.

[Surfing4Dough]

I agree that I am not exactly sure I understand what you are asking, but this is what I suspect is the answer to your question. Below is a picture of an assembled LOR PC controller. The 2 center black cords are where power is supplied to the box (meaning these plug into a wall electrical outlet). The two sets of 8 black cords on either side are where you plug in your display items (meaning your Christmas lights). These are just normal 3-hole receptacles that will accept any extension cord or light string plug. Therefore, these are the 16 channels of a controller. Each of these can be controlled (on/off/fade/twinkle etc) individually. Each set of 8 channels (left side and right side) can have a combined total 15amps (therefore 30amps per controller).

Also here is a link to some basic setup info.
http://www.lightorama.com/Documents/What_Do_I_Need.pdf

If we are missing what you are asking, please clarify and we will try to help.

[jrandall]

That helps a lot.

Thank you

[jrandall]

Can someone tell me what is the smallest size wire (cord) that is safe to use when hooking up your display to the LOR system.

[JBullard]

I use all LED. One string of lights per channel. I use 18 AWG wire.

[brownjm74]

jrandall wrote:

Can someone tell me what is the smallest size wire (cord) that is safe to use when hooking up your display to the LOR system.

That all depends on how many Amps you are drawing per channel. You need to get a "Kill-a-Watt" measuring devise. You can find these at HD and such and mine is blue in color. It can measure how many amps or watts your drawing when the item(s) are plugged into it. Now you need to measure each channel of each bank (ie. channels 1-8 & 9-16) then add the channels together in each respective bank. Next you need to know which LOR controller you have, it may be rated for 15amp per bank (total of 30amp per controller) or 15amp for all 16channels. Now that you know how power your item(s) will draw, you can use the chart from the below thread to determine which extension cord is needed to supply power to your controller

http://lightorama.mywowbb.com/view_topic.php?id=21661&forum_id=80&highlight=measure+amps

[jrandall]

More great help!!

Thank you

[Max-Paul]

The answer is really simple. Do you want your fuse or breaker to blow / trip first. Or do you want your cord / wire to act like a large resistive heating element that turns cherry red and starts a fire if in contact with something that will burn.

If you answered that you want your fuse / breaker to blow / trip first. Then you only install wire that is rated for the same or more amps. And of course if it is near or more than 100' in length, then the next bigger size wire.

So for example you have a 20A breaker, then you want 12 ga wire. And if you have 15 amp fuses, then you would want 14 ga wire.

Real simple rule of thumb, wire has be rated for fuse / breaker value or higher. Or there is a chance of fire.

Disagree or try to point out lamp cords in the house is smaller. I dont care, this is the safest answer and will not cause a fire. For you code boys, correct me if I am wrong. All I am saying is this is the safest answer.

[Guest guest]

Max-Paul wrote:

The answer is really simple. Do you want your fuse or breaker to blow / trip first. Or do you want your cord / wire to act like a large resistive heating element that turns cherry red and starts a fire if in contact with something that will burn.

If you answered that you want your fuse / breaker to blow / trip first. Then you only install wire that is rated for the same or more amps. And of course if it is near or more than 100' in length, then the next bigger size wire.

So for example you have a 20A breaker, then you want 12 ga wire. And if you have 15 amp fuses, then you would want 14 ga wire.

Real simple rule of thumb, wire has be rated for fuse / breaker value or higher. Or there is a chance of fire.

Disagree or try to point out lamp cords in the house is smaller. I dont care, this is the safest answer and will not cause a fire. For you code boys, correct me if I am wrong. All I am saying is this is the safest answer.

Max-Paul, got a good question for you about extension cords since you brought up smaller wire, like the mini lights or L.E.D. strings all have smaller gauge wire, now what if you made extension cords from old incandescent plugs that have the dual 5amp fuses in them and use them for say a long run, not more than 100'. Now would these be safe to use since they are also protected by the dual fuses in the male plug?

The reason I ask is I have made a lot of extension cords from old incadescent strings "fused" male and female plugs, none currently are over more than probably 5', possibly 10'-15', if that. And I was just wondering would these be okay for longer runs using the same guage wire between them? I'm not certain of the actual gauge of Christmas light string wire, I've seen some thicker than others, but not by much.

Would value your thoughts on this before I go soldering up any real long (100' or more) extension cords using these "fused" plugs and maybe getting myself into a situation I could have avoided!

Thanks!