View Full Version : Wire?
ikabod
12-06-2007, 12:40 PM
Extension cords are way too expensive, I read people are using CAT5 cable and some are just ordinary cables. What do you guy's use and any tip for buying wires?
Macrosill
12-06-2007, 12:59 PM
What specifically would the use be for the wire in question?
ikabod
12-06-2007, 01:02 PM
What specifically would the use be for the wire in question?
For connecting my christmas lights going to my 8 channel.
Macrosill
12-06-2007, 02:27 PM
low voltage control signals for the ssrs or the 110v power for the lights?
ikabod
12-06-2007, 02:30 PM
low voltage control signals for the ssrs or the 110v power for the lights?
for the 110v power for the lights.
thanks for being patience on my question, Im just a newbie trying to learn new stuff. :lol:
Macrosill
12-06-2007, 02:41 PM
I would strongly suggest you do not use cat 5 for line voltage supply (110v). Get yourself some spools of zip cord.
What I do is buy the cheap 6 foot indoor cords and cut them in the middle. Then splice in a longer peice of zip cord to get the cord length I need. It is cheaper to buy the 6 foot cords than to buy the vampire plugs.
Examples of what I am referring to above.
Zip Cord (http://www.actionlighting.com/item-detail.asp?ID=1413&MainCategory=Christmas&Sub=Holiday%20Installation%20Accessories)
Male vampire plug (http://www.actionlighting.com/item-detail.asp?ID=1395&MainCategory=Christmas&Sub=Holiday%20Installation%20Accessories)
Female vampire plug (http://www.actionlighting.com/item-detail.asp?ID=1394&MainCategory=Christmas&Sub=Holiday%20Installation%20Accessories)
ikabod
12-06-2007, 03:01 PM
Great! Thanks for the info. And more power to this wonderful website!
Rocketman4
01-18-2008, 09:02 AM
I use am 18 guage bell wire (thermostat wire) is is rated for more than the 5 amp fuse in the ssr. the five conductor is perfect you get 4 channels and a neutral. Extension cords get really expensive quick.
Trepidati0n
01-18-2008, 09:22 AM
I use am 18 guage bell wire (thermostat wire) is is rated for more than the 5 amp fuse in the ssr. the five conductor is perfect you get 4 channels and a neutral. Extension cords get really expensive quick.
That stuff is quite sexy. The 5 conductor stuff would be nice for my 4 channel mini trees ;) R/G/B/Y for the power, W for the neutral. Done. just need a bit of soldering and a wire nut for the neutrals.
http://www.hometech.com/techwire/tstat.html
Also...don't be afraid to try a warehouse store or an electrician who wouldn't mind picking up the wire @ cost for maybe a case of beer. This can save you on the shipping. If buy a couple thousand feet of SPT1 or SPT2 wire...it could save you 100's of dollars.
omzig
01-18-2008, 10:03 AM
http://www.christmasinshirley.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2490
WWNF911
01-27-2008, 04:06 PM
Extension cords are way too expensive, I read people are using CAT5 cable and some are just ordinary cables. What do you guy's use and any tip for buying wires?
Check this out!!!
http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2152&referrerid=1102
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