DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Lynx Express => Topic started by: mitch09 on December 13, 2012,
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After building and using my 8 LEs I have decided that I really should just mod them to a single power input. I will run anywhere near 20 amps per LE. I am averaging 4amps per. due to the use of 90% LED. The dual input can be a pain to run another extension cord or a splitter. It just causes more chances for the rain to cause problems.
My question is this; When I add the wires to the bottom for the mod do I then desolder the right power input or can I leave it on? In the build manual it says to not even put it on.
Thanks,
Ryan
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This is electricity we are talking about so take this advice with that in mind (my disclaimer).
I've never done the mod that is show in the build manual because it is a bit more permanent than I prefer. I just run a jumper cable from the left power input to the right power input. Basically I cut a piece of the power cord off the main power cord that is long enough to run from left to right and connect that between the two power input terminals. Then if I want to power an LE with max power and 2 inputs I just unscrew, pull out the jumper and install a second power cord. Quick and easy.
I've been doing this since V2 of the LE (did RJ even release v1?) and it has worked without fail.
Ron
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I did the same and it worked like a charm.
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This is electricity we are talking about so take this advice with that in mind (my disclaimer).
I've never done the mod that is show in the build manual because it is a bit more permanent than I prefer. I just run a jumper cable from the left power input to the right power input. Basically I cut a piece of the power cord off the main power cord that is long enough to run from left to right and connect that between the two power input terminals. Then if I want to power an LE with max power and 2 inputs I just unscrew, pull out the jumper and install a second power cord. Quick and easy.
I've been doing this since V2 of the LE (did RJ even release v1?) and it has worked without fail.
Ron
Hey Ron
If you have a picture of your mod can you send it to me so I can add it as an option to the manual?
Thanks
Rick R.
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This is electricity we are talking about so take this advice with that in mind (my disclaimer).
I've never done the mod that is show in the build manual because it is a bit more permanent than I prefer. I just run a jumper cable from the left power input to the right power input. Basically I cut a piece of the power cord off the main power cord that is long enough to run from left to right and connect that between the two power input terminals. Then if I want to power an LE with max power and 2 inputs I just unscrew, pull out the jumper and install a second power cord. Quick and easy.
I've been doing this since V2 of the LE (did RJ even release v1?) and it has worked without fail.
Ron
Ron,
So you are saying you basically use the left terminal block like a wire nut to Jo over to the right side?
Ryan
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This is electricity we are talking about so take this advice with that in mind (my disclaimer).
I've never done the mod that is show in the build manual because it is a bit more permanent than I prefer. I just run a jumper cable from the left power input to the right power input. Basically I cut a piece of the power cord off the main power cord that is long enough to run from left to right and connect that between the two power input terminals. Then if I want to power an LE with max power and 2 inputs I just unscrew, pull out the jumper and install a second power cord. Quick and easy.
I've been doing this since V2 of the LE (did RJ even release v1?) and it has worked without fail.
Ron
Ron,
So you are saying you basically use the left terminal block like a wire nut to Jo over to the right side?
Ryan
Yep. Let me take a picture for you. Rick I'll post in this thread so you can grab it for the wiki.
Ron
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This is what I did last year. I also liked the idea, that it wasn't hard to change in case i needed to use more power.
(http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t438/chrisatpsu/IMAG0313.jpg)
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My first 2 LEs I ran 16ga wire over from one side to the other. The Caution to add is to make sure you connect Hot to Hot and Neutral to Neutral. You won't like it if you cross the wires.
<md.. <md.. <md..
All the rest I've soldered 16ga jumpers on the bottom of the board.
I don't own a single AC controller with dual power inputs.
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LE Power Mod
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I soldered all 14the le's with the jumper and it works great. I dont think you can go wrong either way... in a previous post i sent pics in with the jumper on the board and questioned it. It works fine as long as you dont exceed the amp limits
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Thanks Chris,
I added your photo to the wiki and to the LE assembly manual
Rick R.
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I dunno,
Ron's looks nicer
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Ok
I changed it to Ron's picture
Thanks guys
Rick R.
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Ron,
Those are thick wires. How do you get the terminal to clamp down tight on such a large twisted pair?
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I've been using the jumper wire as well. Works great and offers the flexibility for more power if needed.
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ironically, I had to do the normal mod to one of my expresses. the screw wouldn't release on one side to accept a wire...
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Ron,
Those are thick wires. How do you get the terminal to clamp down tight on such a large twisted pair?
I thnk it looks thicker than it is. I've been getting a utility cord, or something like that, at Home Depot that is just the 2 wire plug. It has a pretty thick sheath, but the internal wires are not too thick. I'm actually not sure at the moment what the gauge is because I don't have one handy.
Really the terminals for the power input are pretty big. I think they would take a much larger wire than what I've been using.
Ron
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This is electricity we are talking about so take this advice with that in mind (my disclaimer).
I've never done the mod that is show in the build manual because it is a bit more permanent than I prefer. I just run a jumper cable from the left power input to the right power input. Basically I cut a piece of the power cord off the main power cord that is long enough to run from left to right and connect that between the two power input terminals. Then if I want to power an LE with max power and 2 inputs I just unscrew, pull out the jumper and install a second power cord. Quick and easy.
I've been doing this since V2 of the LE (did RJ even release v1?) and it has worked without fail.
Ron
+1 I use a short piece of spt2 with tinned ends.