How to connect light strings? and extension cord questions - 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
If this has been covered in another thread, I am sorry. I have a couple of simple(?) questions.
When attaching 3 strings of 150 light minis together, for a fairly permanent dusplay (mini trees), how do you connect your strings together? Do you just plug them in daisy chain style? Do you hard wire them together so there is less risk of them coming apart after installation? If you just daisy chain them, how do you protect the connection so that it doesn't come apart and is protected from the elements (rain mostly)?
I am going to be doing LOR control (just ordered, won't be until next season) and I am also looking at the power and extension cord requirements. If each channel can handle up to 7 or so Amps, and my three string set of mini's only draw about 1.7 amps, my runs are about 50 feet from controller to display, and I want to reduce costs where ever it is safe to do so, what is the best solution for running power to my displays? I am going to place my controller on the wall in my garage and run power to the displays. I may be wrong, but it appears that a 16 guage power cord is a slight overkill for such a small draw? Any cost cutting suggestions?
I am building three string mini trees for the first time and want to do it right. I have my wire frames ready to go, but really wanted to get an idea of everyones experience with these issues before rigging them up.
I made mini trees for the first time this year using 3 sets of 100 count minis. I just daisy chained them. When I was done with one strand-I connected the next one, but stop here.... Make sure you cover the top part of the plug with electrical tape. This saves you time later-trying to dry out the plug if it was to rain. Keep daisy chaining them until to get the look you want.
Attaching mini's - I use and overhand knot when connecting, like when you first start to tie your shoes, but just plug them together rather than start the bow.
Power cords - I use the SPT2 male and female ends from Action lighting, along with their green or white SPT2 wire in 500' spools. I recently bought a spool of SPT2 landscape lighting wire from Home Depot and liked that as well if not better. The spools run mid $40's to mid $60's for the 500'
With your current draws, you might be able to get away with SPT1 wire and connectors, but in addition to the current rating, you need to be aware of the insulating properties of the wire as well. I have always felt comfortable with the SPT2 wire and especially now with the landscape wire that is really made for outdoors.
Lon J,
When making cords from SPT2 wires or the outdoor landscape wire how difficult is it to put the male / female ends on each one. I'm assuming that you use this to run power between displays and not to your controllers. I think I heard something about vampire clip ends which would make things incredibly easy. I'm going to use SPT2 next year as I spent who knows how much $$ on 9 ft indoor cords this year.
