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Lynx Express
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Maximum amps per channel
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Topic: Maximum amps per channel (Read 2941 times)
UncleBuck
Sr. Member
Posts: 403
Maximum amps per channel
«
on:
November 05, 2012, »
The manual states 4 amps per channel maximum. Is there any leeway on the 4 amp max load? I currently have 4 strands of c7 lights totalling 4.12 amps on a single channel. Is that to much of a load?? I would like to turn them on 1 hour before and after the show but when I have all the channels on constant using the test mode the heat sink gets very hot to the point that you can't touch it. How hot is the heat sink generally get?
I will only have 3 channels on constant before and after the show for one hour and the remaining 13 channels will off.
You can tell this is my first year!!
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UncleBuck
Sr. Member
Posts: 403
Re: Maximum amps per channel
«
Reply #1 on:
November 05, 2012, »
Sorry the lights are incandescent.
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Jeffl
Sr. Member
Posts: 1020
Just remember. Wireless is nice. Copper is king!
Re: Maximum amps per channel
«
Reply #2 on:
November 05, 2012, »
The triacs in the mouser BOM are rated for 6. It's probably a matter of what RJ says you should and what the triac is capable of. You made me think but I'm not pushing anything this hard. I think I'm only doing a max of 3.
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pk
Patron Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 618
80004
Re: Maximum amps per channel
«
Reply #3 on:
November 05, 2012, »
Last year I had a string of C9s that were 4.2 amps when full on. I used them on an express and they were fine. I only had 1 string using that much current.
Have you considered dimming the lights to reduce the current a bit?
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rrowan
Administrator
Sr. Member
Posts: 5899
08096
Re: Maximum amps per channel
«
Reply #4 on:
November 05, 2012, »
Its less about the triac and more about the pcb traces handling the current
Rick R.
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Light Animation Hobby - Having fun and Learning at the same time. (21st member of DLA)
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Warning SOME assembly required
UncleBuck
Sr. Member
Posts: 403
Re: Maximum amps per channel
«
Reply #5 on:
November 05, 2012, »
Excellent idea PK. Can I assume then if I dim to 50% ON that is 1/2 the amp load? So if my 4 strings are 4.12 full on then they would be 2.06 dimmed at 50%.
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ratroder
Sr. Member
Posts: 161
Maximum amps per channel
«
Reply #6 on:
November 05, 2012, »
How about spreading the 4 channels about the board. Like channels 1,5,9,13 for the c9s to spread the heat out on the heat sink.
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chrisatpsu
Sr. Member
Posts: 3729
ahhh, yes... my new blink-i-nator 3000!!!
Re: Maximum amps per channel
«
Reply #7 on:
November 05, 2012, »
limit those channels to only going as high as 243 (instead of 256) for your full on. or 95% to keep them at or under 4A
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To rule the entire tri-state area! What's that? Perry the Platypus!!!
pk
Patron Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 618
80004
Re: Maximum amps per channel
«
Reply #8 on:
November 05, 2012, »
UncleBuck - correct. The heatsink should be cooler too!!
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DanHouston
Sr. Member
Posts: 499
Re: Maximum amps per channel
«
Reply #9 on:
November 05, 2012, »
The documentation says:
Using both power inputs (ie: two cords on two separate circuits (ie: breakers))
40 amps Total for the Express with approved heat sink attached
4 amps per channel maximum with approved heat sink attached
Using one power input (see below - Appendix A single power input mod)
20 amps Total for the Express with approved heat sink attached
4 amps per channel maximum with approved heat sink attached
So while most things have room to wiggle I'm not sure I'd risk the fire. Spreading it around to other channels or if you trust yourself to keep it dim.
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2011 - Year #1
4000 lights and 16 channels
5 Songs sequenced
2012 - Year #2
5000 lights and 123 channels
8 Songs sequenced
barbotte
Sr. Member
Posts: 242
Re: Maximum amps per channel
«
Reply #10 on:
November 05, 2012, »
in vixen set them up to 80 % instead of 100 and no one will notice any difference except the board lol
cheer
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tbone321
Sr. Member
Posts: 4055
Re: Maximum amps per channel
«
Reply #11 on:
November 05, 2012, »
The board will handle the 4.2A without risk of fire. RJ makes sure to put some safety margin in his specs and it really is a good idea to follow them. If your a little over like this you should be ok but remember that some of these light sets tend to leak some current when they get wet which could move you even closer to the limits of the triac.
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If at first you don't succeed,
your not cut out for sky diving
pk
Patron Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 618
80004
Re: Maximum amps per channel
«
Reply #12 on:
November 05, 2012, »
UncleBuck - Be sure to observe the maximum current of 20 amps for each power input. You can not run all 8 channels associated with one power input at the maximum rating of 4 amps without exceeding the 20 amp limit. (I think 4 amps x 8 is still 32amps LOL)
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tbone321
Sr. Member
Posts: 4055
Re: Maximum amps per channel
«
Reply #13 on:
November 05, 2012, »
Unless he has some unconventional wiring at his house, exceeding 20A is going to blow the breaker that the outlet he is using is wired to.
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If at first you don't succeed,
your not cut out for sky diving
chrisatpsu
Sr. Member
Posts: 3729
ahhh, yes... my new blink-i-nator 3000!!!
Re: Maximum amps per channel
«
Reply #14 on:
November 05, 2012, »
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I currently have 4 strands of c7 lights totalling 4.12 amps on a single channel.
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To rule the entire tri-state area! What's that? Perry the Platypus!!!
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Maximum amps per channel