Status
- Done
Introduction
For under $10 you can buy christmas light sets that flash the lights in different patterns. These sets have a small controller that animates the lights. The light set I chose cost $7.99 and were purchased form Big Lots. The lights can be removed from the controller and plugs installed.
For those who would rather buy then build I found this great product 4-Channel 8-Function Programmable LED Christmas Light Controller
Disclaimer
This project works with items that run off of AC mains. Only qualified persons should consider attempting htis project. This project is ment as a guide. Your controller may be different from mine.
The Parts List
- 1 x set of chasing christmas lights
- 3 x green multi outlet extension cord
- 6 x crimp butt connectors
Tools
- Wire cutters
- Wire strippers
- Crimp tool
The Procedure
Prepping The Controller
1. Remove the lights from the packaging.
2. Identify the main power leads going into the controller. It should be two wires connected to the AC plug. You may want to place some tape on these wires to identify them. We will not be altering these connections.
3. Next we need to identify the wires connected to the lights. Follow each wire to the first light it is connected to. We are going to leave one light connected to each wire. This wil let us identify each channel. Cut the wire that is connected between light 1 and light 2. The controller I had gave me three channels. So I had three lights.
4. The last wire to cut is the return wire for all the lights. About 12 inches from the controller cut the wire. Strip this wire back 1/4 inch.
Prepping The Extension Cords
1. Cut the AC plugs off the extension cords. You should be left with the AC recepticals at the other end.
2. Seperate the cord back 2 to 3 inches.
3. Strip each wire back about a 1/4 inch.
Putting It Together
I bet you're wondering why we left one light connected to each channel. Its an easy way to identify the wires.
1. Twist together the wire without a light connected and one wire from each extension cord. Using a crimp connector secure the connection. This forms our common wire.
2. For each of the wires with a light connected do the following. Cut the light off the wire and strip the wire back 1/4 inch. Twist this wire with the uncrimped wire from one of the extension cords. Using a crimp terminal secure the connection.
Notes About LED Lights
Some sets of LED christmas lights will work with the controllers. The LED rope lights sold by Costco work fine. LED light sets with 35 lights work fine. Home Depot is also selling LED lights that work as well.
The controller rectifies the AC into pulsating DC. Many LED light sets have half the LEDs wired to handle one half of the AC cycle. And the other half of LEDs are wired to handle the other half of the AC cycle.
How Many Lights Can Be Connected
Many controllers were design to run 150 to 200 lights. My controller ran 150 lights and drew 0.6A of current. My controller has 3 channels. That works out to 0.2A per string of lights.
Using standard christmas light limits what you can do. At 0.2A per channel the max number of bulbs would be 50. Thats only one string of lights per channel.
Using LED christmas lights gives you a great show. A string of 50 LED lights I have use 0.05A of current. That means that we can use 4 strings of lights per channel. Thats 200 LED lights per channel or 600 LED lights per controller.
Conclusion
This project was a great way to animate your holiday lights. Don't forget to check those after christmas sales for the best deals.
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