Nub with Nubbi questions

[zoommedic]

ok I am new to ALL of this. but i have been doing lots of research.

I think i am going to get a GRINCH. with 16 SSR's
i understand that the cat5 goes from the controller to the SSR's. but then from the SSR's how does the signal get to the lights. Where do the lights get electricity from? how is that wired?
(pictures really help me)

I live in military housing. I do not believe it is possible for me to add more outlets in the walls and at most there will be 8 plugs on the exterior of the house. Is this enough for 64 channels? Besides running really long extension cords from the inside are there special lights I can buy and use that will allow me to have more?

I know i am a nub nub nub!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

just ot add this is not for this year. This is for next year!!!!!!!!
I know it is to late........

[Walden]

you power the ssr's with and extension cable to the electrical box. Those wires in the electrical box connect directly to the ssrs, giving them the ability to turn off and on. There are other ways like the bazooka and more. But usualy you can power more that one "channel" with one extension cable.

And it all depends on how much electricity you need for your display. Im going to say yes you have enought for 64 channels. When you have that much channels there usualy isnt that much electricity need for each one. Say mini tres only have about 1 amp to power them. That would be one channel.


Led lights will save alot of power. and they are brighter.

[Wayne J]

The current requirements have little to do with channel count, it is the amount of lights you plan to run on those channels. ;)

[zoommedic]

so i will prolly be using the 100 mini light strings.

[shocker]

depending on which led u choose from mine for 3125 led = 300w = near 3 amps so led are better that minis and they dont break or burn out

[Macrosill]

...... led are better that minis and they dont break or burn out

Not entirely true. In theory they will last longer than minis, about 20 years or so they say. In reality you will have failures. I had trouble with about 10 sets from last year. I also have some leds that are not lighting up, few and far between but they are there. Just an FYI. Leds have there place but they are not the Holy Grail people sometimes make them out to be.

[shocker]

but you have to agree that there less pain in the *** of changing bulb or in a mini string that doesnt lit up because there one burn somewhere and the shunt didnt work

[ikabod]

I dont' intend to hijack this thread, but I also have the same question as zoommedic,

So this is how I understand based on ton's of information I've been reading. Pls. correct me if I'm wrong,

Can anyone pls. share a photograph of the way they setup, Im also very new to this hobby and I think Im hooked. I already ordered my grinch, and just starting to learn how to solder, can't wait till x'mas 08 to have my first display and this forum is very helpful for someone new like me.

PC ---GRINCH --- SSR ----- > X'mas Lights

* Grinch connected to PC with RJ45 (Ethernet Port)
* Grinch powered by 5VDC
* SSR Connected to GRINCH with RJ45 cables
* SSR Connected to power source (110/240 V)
* X'mas lights connected to SSR

[Walden]

Yes but the power source (110/240 V) is connected to the SSR and the lights. There is a break in the connection (SSR's) and the the power source goes to the lights.

[Walden]

It goes Wall outlet (110/240 V) --------(extension cable)-------SSR-------------Lights

[ikabod]

Thanks walden, that clears the cloud hovering above my head!

Can you pls. give me a link where I can visualize an SSR, I have been trying to find an answer how to connect the RJ45 to SSR, all of the SSR I googled looks like impossible to connect an RJ45.

[ikabod]

Ok, I found something. Is this the SSR we are talking about for the grinch?
That blue (RJ45( connects to the grinch) and that grey cable connects to power source?

http://computerchristmas.com/tmp/myimages/barrynash17-DSCF1676.JPG

Tha

[Josh]

yep, that would be the type of SSR for grinch, 595 etc

[ikabod]

Thanks and to be more specific, this is the SSR inside that box and that SSR connects to power source 110v/240v

Alright!! I learn something new everyday. I think I have a new hobby.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2155/1500213703_a4936ccbfb.jpg

[ikabod]

Ok zoommedic,

i found some great articles here that can help you and me with our quest.

http://computerchristmas.com/christmas/link-how_to/HowToId-115/LowLimit-0

[zoommedic]

Awsome you have helped me out sooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the link bud...
I know all this was elementry but it is hard to find.