SPT Wire and Plugs for Outside on Leaping Arches - Help - Lights, Lights, Lights! Read Only. No more posting. - PlanetChristmas! Forums. Read Only. We've moved to http://talk.planetchristmas.com - The Forums of PlanetChristmas have moved to http://talk.PlanetChristmas.com
Sorry for the seamingly dumb question. I am new at PC and am looking to make some leaping arches for this year's display.
The question I have is: in order to connect the strings I an supposed to make my own extensions using SPT-2 wire and male/female connectors I get at HD/Lowes?? Is that safe for outdoor use?
Yes I use the same wire all the time outside and it work great. You should also check into Action Lighting and the wire and ends that they have too. The cost is better. You have other options available for you also. Maybe multi conductor cable will work for you too.
Where in Texas are you we have some people all over Texas and we meet usually once or so a month send me a PM or email for more info.
Anthony
____________________ With Just Enough Channels To Make The Lights Turn Off and On A Few Times
Hey Buddy Can You Spare A Light!!!!!!
It's not the number of channels you have!
It's how you use the channels you have!
There is a significant cost savings with using wire and putting your own ends on. I would shy away from the connectors from lowes/HD. Look online for SPT - 1 (or 2) male or Female. These are designed for outdoor use.
I use these at work and have never had a problem. (we E-tape the connection)
iresq wrote: You can even go cheaper by cutting off the male plug, insert SP1/2, then reattach the male plug at the end.
I did this for my arches last week. I heat shrank each individual conductor and then I put a larger hear shrink over those two. Figure it's 120v so 2x the heat shrink is reasonable.
____________________ http://www.MaineLights.org
From static to 96 channels of G-L-O-R-Y... 2008 will be GREAT!
iresq wrote: You can even go cheaper by cutting off the male plug, insert SP1/2, then reattach the male plug at the end.
Good tip! That sounds nice and clean too, especially for a leaping arch type display where you don't really want all kinds of bulky plugs all over the place.
Take the time to maintain polarity (hot side / common side) when you cut off the plug and then reattach at the end of SPT2. While some mini-light strings don't have polarized ends, many do, and you ought to keep it as safe as possible. Be especially careful with strands like C9s and C7s because they are a full 120v.
Mvipond wrote: iresq wrote: You can even go cheaper by cutting off the male plug, insert SP1/2, then reattach the male plug at the end.
Good tip! That sounds nice and clean too, especially for a leaping arch type display where you don't really want all kinds of bulky plugs all over the place.
Keep in mind the resistance of the wire that you use. Depending on the length and amount of current being drawn you might blow the fuses or the lights might appear dimmer.
I had a number of old light strands that were ready to be "retired". I striped out the sockets and re-use the remaining pair of wire when I need to lengthen the plug end of a strand of minis. This came in really handy while building arches.
gilv wrote: Sorry for the seamingly dumb question. I am new at PC and am looking to make some leaping arches for this year's display.
The question I have is: in order to connect the strings I an supposed to make my own extensions using SPT-2 wire and male/female connectors I get at HD/Lowes?? Is that safe for outdoor use?
Need a little guidance here please.
Gil - Something to keep in mind - storage of the arches - extend the cords / connectors about 3 feet off the end of the arches, then use your SPT connectors to make your cords. The cords wrap up in a tote real easy, and 3 feet on the end of the arches makes it easy to store - but yet gets your connections away from the end of the arch so you can put little stakes in the ground to get the connections off the ground so you don't trip out your GFCI's when it rains.
Hope your having fun with your new Leaping Arch Wrapper. Remember to post some pics.
of AC and 
of DC from D-Light
