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This is my first post, so apologies if anything is wrong. This year I purchased and shipped over a Mr Christmas/GE Light and sound controller, purchased some US mini lights and connected it up to a USA to UK convertor, all without any issues.
In addition I connected my rope light figures, sillouettes and blow moulds to a dimmer pack and DMX controller, again without issue.
However this year I want to do bigger and better with more control. I have been looking at the LOR 32 channel starter pack, and although I have read thread after thread on the subject, I am still a bit confused. I understand I can connect the LOR directly to our 240v supply, but I do not understand how, would I just connect 3 pin UK plugs in replace of the US plugs.? Would this also apply to the lights themselves, how would I plug UK lights into the LOR controller?
Would I be better off buying the LOR controller and connecting x2 USA to UK transformers and connecting US lights? and continuing to connect my existing UK sillouettes and blow moulds to a dimmer pack and DMX controller, but ideally I would prefer to be able to control all my lighting with one controller.
I would appreciate any advice.
Last edited on Tuesday January 8th, 2008 08:41 pm by CSW
The way I plan to work my US lights through LOR is via a site transformer (http://www.screwfix.com/prods/16158/Electrical/Industrial/Site-Distribution/110V-Accessories-3kVA-Transformer). Each site tranny is capable of providing enough power for both banks of a LOR board (one tranny per board, you may get two boards per transformer if you're not hitting it too hard). A site tranny is a LOT cheaper than the proper UK/US converter and does exactly the same thing. The only thing being you need to make your own plugs for them (site tranny to 1/2 US trailing sockets).
All my UK lighting is going to remain static, until I can figure how to change that (only about 3/4 things mostly in rope light).
The way I plan to work my US lights through LOR is via a site transformer (http://www.screwfix.com/prods/16158/Electrical/Industrial/Site-Distribution/110V-Accessories-3kVA-Transformer). Each site tranny is capable of providing enough power for both banks of a LOR board (one tranny per board, you may get two boards per transformer if you're not hitting it too hard). A site tranny is a LOT cheaper than the proper UK/US converter and does exactly the same thing. The only thing being you need to make your own plugs for them (site tranny to 1/2 US trailing sockets).
All my UK lighting is going to remain static, until I can figure how to change that (only about 3/4 things mostly in rope light).
Ditto, I use 6 of these 3kva transformers... the LOR works fine with them. UK stuff works great with the LOR provided you set the jumper correctly on the unit. Remember though... Low voltage transformer powered stuff can only be switched on/off, rope and mains blowmolds can be dimmed in the same way as US lights.
I think the way forward for me, is to use the convertors and 110v xmas lights with LOR, and to connect seperatley my 240v sillouttes and blow moulds to the dimmer pack and DMX controller and gradually fase out the 240V stuff.
The U.S seem to have much more choice of great christmas items compared to over here, I used to buy a fair amount of outdoor christmas decs from QVC and Ideal World, but in the past couple of years they appear to have stopped selling it all.
I think the way forward for me, is to use the convertors and 110v xmas lights with LOR, and to connect seperatley my 240v sillouttes and blow moulds to the dimmer pack and DMX controller and gradually fase out the 240V stuff.
The U.S seem to have much more choice of great christmas items compared to over here, I used to buy a fair amount of outdoor christmas decs from QVC and Ideal World, but in the past couple of years they appear to have stopped selling it all.
Hi CSW,
The LOR CTB-16D controllers can be split so that you can run 8 channels using 110v and 8 channels at 240v if you so desire.
Martin
____________________ (original image by L-O-R team)
grandad wrote: CSW wrote: Thanks for all the info.......
I think the way forward for me, is to use the convertors and 110v xmas lights with LOR, and to connect seperatley my 240v sillouttes and blow moulds to the dimmer pack and DMX controller and gradually fase out the 240V stuff.
The U.S seem to have much more choice of great christmas items compared to over here, I used to buy a fair amount of outdoor christmas decs from QVC and Ideal World, but in the past couple of years they appear to have stopped selling it all.
Hi CSW,
The LOR CTB-16D controllers can be split so that you can run 8 channels using 110v and 8 channels at 240v if you so desire.
The LOR controllers can run on 120v or 240v, settable by jumper settings. The kits and showtime controller come with the USA plugs, but if yoiu get just the controller, you can add your own.
(original image by L-O-R team)
