Several SSR and power questions (enclosure, AC line, README)

[Toaster]

Ok.. so I'm wiring my display for the first time as a real computer controlled DIY display. I bought nearly 300 channels last year in various coops, but after the dust settled I realized I'll be lucky to use 128 ch in my tiny yard.

So now I'm pretty much finished with the building phase, and I'm at the connecting phase and have some basic questions.

1) Which side of the AC line should the SSR switch? I know it matters but I can't find all the notes and bookmarks I had from last year.

2) Whats the best method for getting the AC out in the yard.. I remember a thread about using the CAT5.... Even with 128 ch, we're talking about a couple HUNDRED extension cords, obviously there are cheaper alternatives...?

3) Is it better to have the SSRs out in the yard? or keep them near the computer (in the garage in my case) and run only the power outside? Assuming the SSRs will be outside - enclosure design becomes a factor.

I'm extremely excited about all of this.. I can't wait to see it all running.

[P. Short]

1) Hot. Run neutral to the lamps, hot to the SSR, and connect the SSR outputs to the other side of the lamps.

2) Use extension cords, not CAT5 for carrying power.

3) Your choice. It's a price trade-off, cost of extension cords versus cost of weather-proof (or at least weather-resistant) enclosures. Although if you mount the SSRS indoors, the safest thing to do (fire-wise and electrical-shock-wise) is the mount the SSRs inside some sort of fire-proof/fire-resistant enclosure. SSRs do occasionally release their magic smoke, and you wouldn't want to set your house or garage on fire when that happens.

[Toaster]

1) Hot. Run neutral to the lamps, hot to the SSR, and connect the SSR outputs to the other side of the lamps.

2) Use extension cords, not CAT5 for carrying power.

3) Your choice. It's a price trade-off, cost of extension cords versus cost of weather-proof (or at least weather-resistant) enclosures. Although if you mount the SSRS indoors, the safest thing to do (fire-wise and electrical-shock-wise) is the mount the SSRs inside some sort of fire-proof/fire-resistant enclosure. SSRs do occasionally release their magic smoke, and you wouldn't want to set your house or garage on fire when that happens.

:shock: Whoa good point - I never thought of that.. OK: outside it is! :P

Here's another question, I couldn't imagine using wire and spades for the plugs vs using actual plugs or extension cord ends would make any difference? except in cost...??

Many thanks for the reply Phil.

[holtm]

I, like many others, use the cheap blue double gang box and two duplex outlets. I cut a 6' extension cord and run power in and out of the box so I can daisy chain them is needed. In the yard I need an occasional 6' extension cord for the channels and longer cords between SSR 'pods'. For things like the mega-tree I hard wire the boxes spaced to fit the tree using cut up extension cord (100').
To weather proof them pull the wires below the box and zip tie a piece of black plastic around the whole thing. I then tie or zip tie the whole thing wires down to a stake or a tree.
Last year I had one failure when the box was upside down and water ran down the cords into the box. The Triac shorted between two pins and burned a whole in the board.
This year I have 160 channels. Not counting the cords used the build the SSRs -- I'm using 2 100', 4 50' and 4 25' nice outdoor extension cords to run the main power. I then use 8 6' and 4 12' cheap indoor cords for the channels that are away from the SSRs. I also bought 1 100' cord to cut up and hard wire between 4 channel SSRs arround the mega tree.