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Hardware => Lynx Express => Topic started by: kidcole on March 27, 2016,

Title: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: kidcole on March 27, 2016,
We started talking about this topic inside another topic so I thought it would be nice to be on its own.

I am looking for wire sets for Lynx Express.  I know I can use SPT2 cables and females.  But I picked up a couple used Lynx Express that had the female ends of extension cords on them.  I like this idea and have been looking around to find some.  I'll be building and running approximately 20 LEs this year.  Others from our local club may also want suggestions for theirs.  Here's a quote from a post I received:

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Try the dollar stores for extension cords.  I've used a bunch of them.

I like this idea and I checked a couple stores.  They didn't have any extension cords.  LOWES had some in Brown and White for $1.53 each.   I hoped to find some on eBay for a bulk deal but no luck there yet.  Searching for small extension cords is not simple on eBay ..  If anyone has some links for cheap SPT based extension cords.  It would be nice to be able to buy them in bulk, such as 50 sets at a time.  3' or 4' long would be perfect.
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: tbone321 on March 27, 2016,
If you go on the dollar store web site, you can order these extension cords in boxes of 50 for $50.00. 
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: kidcole on March 27, 2016,
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If you go on the dollar store web site, you can order these extension cords in boxes of 50 for $50.00.

Excellent.  That never dawned on me.  Good one!
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: kidcole on March 28, 2016,
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If you go on the dollar store web site, you can order these extension cords in boxes of 50 for $50.00.

Bummer !  I just went to their website and found 4' green extension cords listed for $.77 each.  Great ..  But ...  $5000 minimum order.  Apparently their whole site is $5000 minimum.

http://store.dollarstore.com/extension-cord-4-ft-ul-green

 Do you know of another site that does not have this huge minimum ?
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: taybrynn on March 28, 2016,
related FYI -- I have found the dollar start cat5 to be of inferior quality ... they work sometimes but the wires used are tiny tiny poor quality.
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: kidcole on March 28, 2016,
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related FYI -- I have found the dollar start cat5 to be of inferior quality ... they work sometimes but the wires used are tiny tiny poor quality.

Agreed.  I am sure they are CCA (Copper clad aluminum) and not solid copper.  You always want to avoid CCA for Cat-5 if you can.  Good comment !

This post is more about the 16 output channels .. and the wires for them ..
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: taybrynn on March 28, 2016,
I did this myself in the past, used the female ends of the cheap spt2 extensions I have obtained at the "after christmas" 90% clearance sales.  Some were triple tap females, which were really nice.

However, considering how rare those sales have become anymore ... I think going with spt2 and the female vampire plugs is probably you most cost effective route.

There are typically group buys on the female vampire plugs on various Christmas boards.    I did a bunch with those are they worked great.

Actionlighting also have them for around $.50 each
http://www.actionlighting.com/spt-1-spt-2-vampire-zip-cord-receptacle-green-pack-12-plugs-100sptplug/ (http://www.actionlighting.com/spt-1-spt-2-vampire-zip-cord-receptacle-green-pack-12-plugs-100sptplug/)

Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: duane.mosley on March 28, 2016,
i went into an outlet store here locally called "Ollies", not sure if they are in your area or not. i found 6' cords for a 1.50 or so and told the manager, i will give you 1.00 a piece for all of the cords in the box, he countered with 1.25 and i took it. neither of new how many cords were in the box but it ended up being 83. by the time we got to the register, and counted them, he gave them to me for a 1.00. negotiate with the manager a little, sometimes it works, some times it don't.
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: TexasStingray on March 28, 2016,
I sold some of mine a d I used the female ends of cords that I picked up at dollar tree for a buck each.
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: rjhodgefamily on March 29, 2016,
I ordered a bunch of these last year 2ft 16AWG Power Extension Cord Cable (http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=102&cp_id=10228&cs_id=1022802&p_id=5297&seq=1&format=2). They are a little beefy because they have the ground wire. Nice thing is that because they have the ground wire if you use a regular extension cord you do not have to remove your ground pin. Just cut the ground short on the pig tail and use some electrical tape or shrink tube to make it water tight and you are good to go. I did have to drill an extra hole in the CG1500 to make all of them fit because they are beefier.

It is nice to have them all the same length though. As long as you are buying for at least 3 boards the price isn't too bad at $1.30 apiece. They also have 1 foot ones for a $1.02 but I figured those would be too short.
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: chrisatpsu on March 29, 2016,
i picked up extension cords from walmart back when they were 88cents each. not sure what the price is now.  try the bulk stores too, sams club, costco, etc...
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: salongaopm on June 05, 2016,
I know this is a few months old thread but just in case you're still looking, try the link below:

https://www.dollartree.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=360124

Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: kidcole on June 06, 2016,
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I know this is a few months old thread but just in case you're still looking, try the link below:

https://www.dollartree.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=360124

Excellent.  I had tried them once before and could not order them.  This time they took my order.  THANKS for posting !

Denny Cole
Clayton NC
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: tbone321 on June 06, 2016,
I knew it was dollar something.  Just ordered 2 cases myself.
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: mmciver on October 23, 2016,
I know I am a little late on this, but I order my power cords and cat5 cords from MONOPRICE.COM
They have many colors, lengths, etc.

I use the 3 prong 1 or 3 foot extension cords and cut one end off to attach to the express.  Gives it a nice look, allows me to put grommets thru the case for the round cords and is clean.

I seem to pay about 1- 1.25 per cord for 1 footers and a little more for the 3 footers.

SHipping is reasonable and they turnaround the orders fast.

Mike.
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: rjhodgefamily on October 24, 2016,
Hey Mike,

I also use the monoprice 3 prong wires, however have struggled with making them all fit. You don't happen to have a picture of how you did the Grommets by any chance?

Thanks,
Richard
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: tbone321 on October 24, 2016,
The LE was not designed to use 3 wire cables.  There is no earth ground on the board and the CG1500 is a plastic case.  Most of the items it is designed to dim are two wire Christmas lights so what exactly is the point of using the more expensive and thicker 3 wire cords?
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: rjhodgefamily on October 24, 2016,
The biggest reason for me is that I cover an entire cul-de-sac. So we use a lot of orange extension cords. Personally I prefer not cutting the ground off of the more expensive orange extension cords. I realize I probably could do it cheaper with vampire plugs and what not but since I typically involve the neighbors we use what we have instead of spending more money. So the extra 30 cents per cable is normally worth it to me. I just cut the ground back and heat shrink it or electric tape it to the insulated cable.
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: bisquit476 on October 29, 2016,
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so what exactly is the point of using the more expensive and thicker 3 wire cords?

I use the same monoprice round wires as above because I run the wires through grommets to keep all the creepy crawlers out of my box. I use the weatherproof cat5 connectors for the same reason. I've never had any fried critters or other electrical problems this way, and it gives me peace of mind, which is worth the few extra bucks in cost.
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: CaptainMurdoch on October 29, 2016,
When I had LE's, I ran the 3-conductor monoprice cables and just carried the grounds through to the receptacles.  I figured that one day I might plug in something with a ground so I was prepared and I also liked the cleaner look of the black round cables vs a bundle of SPT or Dollar Store extension cords.
Title: Re: Searching for Output Wire Sets for Lynx Express boxes
Post by: kidcole on October 30, 2016,
This grommet version is gorgeous and adds nice water proofing protection.  For those concerned about moisture, this is the best design I've seen here! Looks like it adds about $10 to $15 more per controller to buy the more expensive 3 wire ends, and a lot of grommets.  I am comparing to the SPT2 wire and ends, or to the $.50 Dollar store extension cords.  Both of those ideas cost about the same. 

I am going to experiment with sizing FOUR grommets to each hold 4 SPT2 wires tight.  This keeps the cost lower since I have to a lot to build.  Six of mine will have Dollar store ends, and the majority will be SPT2.  I hope to get the 4 wires tight in each of four grommets, and might just add a dab of silicone to each one.  If it gets too much, I might cave in and just tie-wrap groups of 4 wires on the holes already provided. 

Since 2009 I have never seen water get into a CG type case, as long as it was mounted vertical.  I also try to make sure the top of the CG cases are always against a board or a mounting surface, to be sure the water cannot drive horizontal into the top edge of the case.  I make a yard stands that hold 4 CG1500 cases (two each side back to back). I prime and paint the frames good.  But to make them last longer I usually put a large black garbage bag over the top.  They hide better in the dark that way too.  But I did get lazy last Christmas :-)