DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Lynx Smart String => Topic started by: MrDJL on October 17, 2012,
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Hello everyone!
I'm pretty sure this is a stupid question, and I think I know the answer, I just need confirmation...
For Dumb Strings (http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/DC12V-input-12mm-through-hole-LED-channel-letter-100pcs-a-string/701799_431022423.html), can you cut anywhere you want in the string? I know about the amp limits and all, I was just asking since I plan on building a mega-tree this season, and don't need 100 pieces per string, so I'd cut and splice some strings together.
Thanks in advance!
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Yep, cut away!
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make sure you cover up the cut end of the string... you don't want any exposed wires to short. and you don't want the end to be exposed to the elements.
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Thanks guys! I thought that was the answer, but I just wanted to make sure. Also, does it follow the smart string length of being between 26-28 feet? Is it there a more exact number? Thanks again!
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How do you seal these up after cutting?
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How do you seal these up after cutting?
Hello Jeff,
I Use hot glue to seal the ends after cutting.
If you go this route make sure you get the clear glue sticks. There are clear ones and yellowish tinted ones. The reason is obvious.
A tip if you are soldering ends together on dumb strips. Old mini light wire is perfect to use, and also use liberal amounts of rosin soldering flux on the ends of the strips.
It makes soldering wires to the strips much easier.
(Just realized this thread is dumb STRING not strip, sorry)
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How does the hot glue stand up over time in the weather? I will have many, many .........many mini strings to recycle after this year so that won't be a problem. Thanks for the tip.
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I've been putting a small coat of liquid electrical tape on the freshly soldered joint, then sliding heat shrink over it while still wet. Then shrink it until the liquid squeezes out the ends.
One of these days, I'll run out of heat shrink and I'll buy the kind with a sealant layer already inside.
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i use hot glue over the ends of wires which are exposed to the elements. i also use hot glue to attach wires and other pieces together. it all works well.
for wire-to-wire connections I use solder and heat shrink tubing.
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hot glue inside of heat shrink works great also. the hot glue shrinks the tubing as it goes in.
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to seal an end, I use clear silicone caulking, with shrink wrap. or I might even electrical tape, then shrink wrap.
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Thanks guys for the extra tips!
What is the length of the string and spacing on the dumb strings?
Thanks in advance!
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...can you cut anywhere you want in the string? I know about the amp limits and all
Sorry to drag this thread out of the grave, but I was reading it and I wanted to know, what does the OP mean by amp limits, and does it apply to the smart nodes, smart squares, regular incans, LEDs, etc?
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Because the SSC's and DSC's (Smart String Controllers & Dumb String Controllers) like all controllers have power output limits, and because the limit is based on them getting their power over the Same cat5 cable, you can not pull more than 4 amps per controller unless you supply the power seperately. so he is saying he knows he can not have a length of string longer than pulls this power.
RJ