DIYLEDEXPRESS extensions alternative?

**TomL8345** · 07-28-2022, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by ben&bobbi

I have considered the auto type plugs before. Did you find a good source for 18ga 3 core wire for the extensions?

Since I use 5V pixels I do a lot of Power Injections, therefore I have standardized on Monoprice 4 conductor speaker wire. It is pure copper stranded wire and available in a variety of sizes from 12-18 AWG. If I am doing a Power and Data run I will pull out the 4th conductor and just use the 3 remaining wires, or when I am doing PI runs, I will have 2 sets of PI in the single outer jacket. I typically use 18 AWG for power and data, and 16 AWG for PI.

HTH

**ben&bobbi** · 07-28-2022, 04:24 PM

that is a jacketed cable, the auto plugs are 3 separate wires. do you seal the jacket after, or just assume any water that gets in will not be an issue?

**TomL8345** · 07-28-2022, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by ben&bobbi

that is a jacketed cable, the auto plugs are 3 separate wires. do you seal the jacket after, or just assume any water that gets in will not be an issue?

I have never had an issue with water inside the jacket, each of the conductors is fully insulated. Typically I leave the jacket about 1/2" short of the connector on each end, sometimes when I am doing PI I will strip back several feet of the jacket and just twist the two pairs of wires for PI with a power drill so I can reach separate PI points. I have never even had water come out of the jackets during teardown.

**ben&bobbi** · 08-02-2022, 07:18 PM

Got my extension cables from wiredwatts. they fit the DIYLEDEXPRESS light strings as stated. Good to know there is a source available. Now on to more planning.

**tfischer** · 07-28-2023, 06:33 PM

Sorry to wake up an old thread, but the DIYLEDExpress website has been mostly everything "out of stock" for months if not years now. Last I heard they were having supply issues due to the pandemic, but surely that wouldn't render the entire store vacant by 2023.

I'm assuming they are out of business? Too bad because occasionally I get asked where I got our C9 pixels from and the answer was DIYLEDExpress. Also unfortunate that they used a proprietary connector, but at least I can still get them through wiredwatts it seems.

**tfischer** · 08-01-2023, 06:12 PM

Nobody knows?

**superdave** · 08-06-2023, 03:30 AM

I hadn't really thought about them this year, until I saw this thread. It would be unfortunate if they were done.

**dvc2013** · 08-06-2023, 01:45 PM

I ordered something from them yesterday. So far not even an email acknowledgment of my order. I’ll let you know how it goes.

**mrGrumpy** · 08-06-2023, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by dvc2013

I ordered something from them yesterday. So far not even an email acknowledgment of my order. I?ll let you know how it goes.

As I recall he is a Fireman. My ex neighbor did 4 0n-4 off when he was a fireman. He may be at the firehouse not doing DIYLEDEXPRESS business.

Also, may try send a "contact us" message thru his site. https://www.diyledexpress.com/index....age=contact_us

**MikeKrebs** · 08-06-2023, 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by mrGrumpy

Also, may try send a "contact us" message thru his site. https://www.diyledexpress.com/index....age=contact_us

Lack of an order acknowledgment is usual for my interactions with diyledexpress and the contact me has not been successful for me in the past. There was someone acting as a go between trying to handle updates but we (forum users) haven't heard from him in a while. Facebook sometimes seems to work but not with much accuracy or resolution of individual problems. The last facebook post was from last December. I hate to say it but don't expect much communication from Todd or the diyledexpress communication guy. That isn't how they run diyledexpress.com. It is a sideline for both of them.

The good news, the couple of times I have ordered in stock merchandise, it does eventually ship.