jukingeo
11-10-2009, 08:12 AM
Hello all,
I am working on a first time display for this year and I am probably going to to use a Renard controller.
Now, I have been reading up on the construction of 'super strings' in which you group light strings of a different color together and then as a complete unit, install the string in whatever or wherever you want. With such a string you would have a choice of color to make via the controller.
At first I thought an easier way to making a super string would be to hack the controller off an existing multi-function light string. But before doing so I figured I would ask some important questions first.
With the controller hacked off there would be a single neutral wire and a hot wire for each channel. Now I am presented with a dilemma on how to connect this to my controller which would be a centrally located Renard (dimming) based controller. My first impulse would be to wire a plug to each channel, but this would increase the costs and messiness factor of now having to wire each string to as many as four extension cords. So I am figuring that there has to be a better way than this and that is my first question. With the original multi-function controller gone, how does one wire this into a controller such a Renard 16 or 24 channel controller?
Now along the same lines, what I mentioned above was in the context of a standard multi-function mini-lamp light set. What happens if I get an LED multi-function light set? Do these also run on 110v per channel like a mini light set does? Or do these operate differently and/or need different voltage requirements. So the question here would be; has anyone hacked into an LED multi-function controller and managed to get it to work on a Rendard (dimming) type controller?
Overall is hacking into a multi-function controlled light string a good idea, or would it be better just to gang up a few different colored light strings in a bundle into a "super string"?
Thanx,
Geo
I am working on a first time display for this year and I am probably going to to use a Renard controller.
Now, I have been reading up on the construction of 'super strings' in which you group light strings of a different color together and then as a complete unit, install the string in whatever or wherever you want. With such a string you would have a choice of color to make via the controller.
At first I thought an easier way to making a super string would be to hack the controller off an existing multi-function light string. But before doing so I figured I would ask some important questions first.
With the controller hacked off there would be a single neutral wire and a hot wire for each channel. Now I am presented with a dilemma on how to connect this to my controller which would be a centrally located Renard (dimming) based controller. My first impulse would be to wire a plug to each channel, but this would increase the costs and messiness factor of now having to wire each string to as many as four extension cords. So I am figuring that there has to be a better way than this and that is my first question. With the original multi-function controller gone, how does one wire this into a controller such a Renard 16 or 24 channel controller?
Now along the same lines, what I mentioned above was in the context of a standard multi-function mini-lamp light set. What happens if I get an LED multi-function light set? Do these also run on 110v per channel like a mini light set does? Or do these operate differently and/or need different voltage requirements. So the question here would be; has anyone hacked into an LED multi-function controller and managed to get it to work on a Rendard (dimming) type controller?
Overall is hacking into a multi-function controlled light string a good idea, or would it be better just to gang up a few different colored light strings in a bundle into a "super string"?
Thanx,
Geo