Backup Up Channels..in theory

[Hunter310]

How important is it to have backup channels on each controller? Obviously having some place to rewire and keep the show running is a good idea, just in case a channel goes bad. How many channels should be planned for as backup on each controller?

Here is my situation....I am planning a section with an Renard SS8 to support the 8 strands I have in that area. While I don’t have a backup planned for this SS8, I do have relatively close (with a longer extenion cord) access to two empty channels from the another controller if I need to. I am looking to add another 8 channels to the same area, which would bring my count up to 16 channels (either two SS8s or one SS16), but still not leaving any room for backups.

To get any amount of backups, making that jump from another 8 up to a 24 to cover the backup density is pretty pricey.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Steve E.

[rstehle]

IMO, you would be wise to have a few extra channels, or possibly a spare controller. You never know when you may need them..............
I have about 20 unused channels, and spare of each type of contoller I use..... (Ren 16's and Ren 24's)
Just my .02........

[Hunter310]

That is my thought too....eventually. Right now, I really can’t afford to have "extras" of anything lying around unused. This, 2010, being my first year, I am trying to start small and grow into a nice system realizing extra ports and controllers as I upgrade year to year.

As it stands right now, I WAS planning an SS8 and a SS16, and have seen that grow to an SS8, and two SS16's. Now, if I make the changes I am thinking about, I will be at 3 SS16's. All because of dang sales on lights and fulfilling the short term master plan. :-) Maybe I need to stop planning and freeze my design and give up on making it any better until 2011.

Thanks,

Steve E.

[rstehle]

Maybe I need to stop planning and freeze my design and give up on making it any better until 2011.

Yeah, good luck with that............ admit it, you're hooked......... there is no looking back now.............:D

[bmcgeeny]

How important is it to have backup channels on each controller? Obviously having some place to rewire and keep the show running is a good idea, just in case a channel goes bad. How many channels should be planned for as backup on each controller?

Here is my situation....I am planning a section with an Renard SS8 to support the 8 strands I have in that area. While I don’t have a backup planned for this SS8, I do have relatively close (with a longer extenion cord) access to two empty channels from the another controller if I need to. I am looking to add another 8 channels to the same area, which would bring my count up to 16 channels (either two SS8s or one SS16), but still not leaving any room for backups.

To get any amount of backups, making that jump from another 8 up to a 24 to cover the backup density is pretty pricey.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Steve E.

As for spares, it depends on the confidence you have in your building abilities. I do have some spare controllers, but mostly because I had two from last year that never worked and now have them repaired, and I had 3 more of Franks R24 boards from coop, so I jut built them.
I also have 6-8 spare channels, but just because that's the way the layout worked. I don't do a whole ot of maping. I just draw it up and set it up based on how I sequenced it.

When I was running external SSR's I did have a few and changed them out when they got wet or something.

There are a lot of guys who build what they need and figure it will all work all the time.

My construction techniques are not that good.

(I think I have one stuck on in the yard right now)

[fkostyun]

Its always good to have a few - on items such as the mini-trees and mega trees there are not spares - but - I've aways left a couple spare channels open on the house, and yard controllers - and I ALWAYS end up needing those channels for some element.

[Hunter310]

Yeah, good luck with that............ admit it, you're hooked......... there is no looking back now.............:D

Hehe...Yeah I am. :-)

The funny thing is, so is my wife. Although she has resorted to saying "Claaarrkkk" (and no...I am not Clark) everytime I bring up an idea or design change. Just tonight I scored about $300 worth of yard decorations off of Craigslist for $50. I have reminded her that even though we saved a whole bunch on the decorations, it is the controllers and cords that will break the bank. Thankfully she still wants to go forward and progress to an automated display for 2010. We'll see if that holds true after 3 SS16's are purchased and set up.