What are the 240volt guys using to power their displays

[DennisB]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if we could get some Aussies and others whom use the lovely 240volts AC to show and discuss what they are going to use for this years display.

I am using 3 transformers in total, 2x 240-24vac and 1x 240-36vac both rated at 300va.

I have added a picture which shows my enclosure housing the transformers and also an old computer power supply that will supply me with 12vac (just to run the cooling fans in the enclosure) and 5V for the Olsen and Grinch boards.

I also have a few large Hockey puck style SSR (1 channel) to switch my 240v Rope lights.

[klanger]

This what I have done to power the lights this year.

2x24vx300va Transformers
2x36vx300va Transformers
[siteimg:fffd19a9e1]134[/siteimg:fffd19a9e1]
Splitting power to ssr groups
[siteimg:fffd19a9e1]135[/siteimg:fffd19a9e1]
16 ssroz
[siteimg:fffd19a9e1]136[/siteimg:fffd19a9e1]

[xmus]

how does this all work in AU?
You guys have 220, 26 and 34VAC?
I'm confused. I would have just expected you all to run 220VAC, but the other voltages have me confuddled.

[mac_man_luke]

In aus using 240v outside is a big no no

99% of outdoor lights are either 24v or 36v

only time 240v comes into it is when you are switching before the transformers

[DennisB]

Klanger, nice set-up. You have just given me some ideas for next Christmas.

[ketas]

I'm also the guy who likes to have low voltage in circuits what you touch a lot with your (wet) hands. Like light displays. Only thing is that for same power, current is larger. Therefore you need cables with bigger cross section. Or expensive LED's.

Actually, when you think about it, a lot of safety is built into higher voltage systems. And that is for a reason.
For example, here, in Estonia, combined Protection Earth / Neutral connector, or PEN, must protect people first, and then the equipment. We use 230/400V and TN-C-S system here. Mostly three phase.

With 24 or 36V, it's much harder to kill yourself (or some child!), even if you grab both ends. Heck, they power toys with 24V...
But, of course, large currents and therefore fire hazard is still there.

BTW, how about cascading computer PSU's for 24 and 36V (DC should fit). Bad idea? At least you can actually get them for free.
You disconnect the DC ground from AC ground and connect them in series. Yes, there are problems like efficiency and required load on +5V side.
Maybe good linear PSU with toroidal transformer is good after all.
Or...?


P.S: Please, this image is really large for forum. Consider posting smaller images for better viewing and browsing experience.

[Grant]

Hi,

I've got my hands on a couple of 300VA Toroids. Each has 18 + 18V output. Can I wire the outputs in such a way to get 36VAC? I assume the 18VA outputs need to be wired together in Series(???). Does this sounds doable?

Thanks,

Grant

[mrpackethead]

At the price of copper, high current supplys are problematic.. I really dont' want to be pushing 100's of amps at 12V around the place.. You need to be using big copper, or its big voltage drop..

So.. i've put together several distribution points.. they all have their own groud stake and are ip65 rated.. ( no water gets in ).. RCD's on *ALL* the external circuits.. I figure if builders can use concrete mixers outside and the like... i can run a few lights.. I've had no tingles ( excpet for one night, i forgot that we had moved the eletric fence.. lol, and got a suprise.. )

The Electrical regs ( same standard in NZ and AU ) don't preclude the use of mains power outside.. You just need to do it properly and carefully.. ( which does add complication and expense ).. thats a trade off against copper price though..

[ketas]

Hi,

I've got my hands on a couple of 300VA Toroids. Each has 18 + 18V output. Can I wire the outputs in such a way to get 36VAC? I assume the 18VA outputs need to be wired together in Series(???). Does this sounds doable?

Thanks,

Grant

Yes, this is how it works. Just make sure that you connect end of one winding to beginning of other. When you don't know which is which, use multimeter to verify correct connection.

[wjohn]

Yes, this is how it works. Just make sure that you connect end of one winding to beginning of other. When you don't know which is which, use multimeter to verify correct connection.

and make sure that they are in phase (to get 36V) not out of phase (and end up with a NULL)

John.,

(phases are marked by a dot, normally)

[bobkedeba]

I live in belgum and since mi display has just 2300 lights, I can just use the transformators that are delivered with the lights, I hug them up on my controller this way: I put the transformators in a 240 volt power point and then I cut trough one of the two wires of the 2 pole wire between the transformator and the light set, these wires I connect with my relay board and I am finished.
because of the distance btween my garage and my front yard is to big I use some two pole or two core wire to exstend the wire between the transformator and the light set, but for my rope light figures and strings I have to use 240 volts outdoors, but until now I had no problems wit that. by the way : the controller I use is an 8 channel basic parralel relay board that works with vixen.

bobde backer
country Belgium
age 13 years old

[synnie]

I used 2 x 225VA 24VDC power supplies to run my LEDs, 1 x 300VA 24VAC Toroidal to run the 12V ropelights and Incandescant Icicles which i didnt get converted in time. I also have a 6A 5VDC power supply which i used to switch the SSR's. have enclosed pic with them, except for the 5V power supply which has migrated inside to test the SSR's as im repairing them. I used trailer cable and plugs to connect it to the Controller box. & strand cable using 2 wires for each supply. it worked

[jgrei1]

At the price of copper, high current supplys are problematic.. I really dont' want to be pushing 100's of amps at 12V around the place.. You need to be using big copper, or its big voltage drop..

So.. i've put together several distribution points.. they all have their own groud stake and are ip65 rated.. ( no water gets in ).. RCD's on *ALL* the external circuits.. I figure if builders can use concrete mixers outside and the like... i can run a few lights.. I've had no tingles ( excpet for one night, i forgot that we had moved the eletric fence.. lol, and got a suprise.. )

The Electrical regs ( same standard in NZ and AU ) don't preclude the use of mains power outside.. You just need to do it properly and carefully.. ( which does add complication and expense ).. thats a trade off against copper price though..



id be interested in seeing some pics of your setup if you wouldnt mind sharing :)