what is the max lead wire from dsc to lights?

[salongaopm]

What is the Max lead wire from dsc to lights? Which wire gauge is better,  22, 20 or 18? Does it matter if the wire is copper?

[Steve Gase]

there isn't really a max because there isn't a data signal to degrade.
instead, there is plain DC voltage that will drop off due to the resistance in the wire.  larger wire will help...  but, use 25' as a reference -- we do that for powered-pixelnet.


i'm sure someone will respond with better specs.

[tbone321]

There is no set limit for the DSC.  Unlike the SSC, the DSC does not send a control signal to the nodes, it simply controls the power to the RGB LED's in the nodes.  The only limit is the voltage drop created by resistance in the wires and the heavier the gauge (lower number) the farther you can run it.  So to answer your second question, heavier is better and it really depends on the number of nodes on the string.

[rrowan]

heavier is better

I keep telling my doctor that but he is not buying it. 

Rick R.

[tbone321]

LOL, yea, me too

[keitha43]

Then I must be in peak condition. Maybe I will go walk me a marathon next weekend.

[salongaopm]

thanks to all.

[arw01]

To piggy back on this thread, what TYPE of wire are you guys using from the DSC to the lights themselves?  Had been thinking of a strandred irrigation wire for the longer runs, or plain cat 5 for some shorter runs, but perhaps there is something better?

[tbone321]

I would avoid using cat 5 simply because it's a real PITA to strip properly and it really wasn't intended for this purpose.  Irrigation wire would work much better and was designed to deal with current loads and is water proof but remember, you need 4 conductors for dumb strings.

[Steve Gase]

I'm using 20awg/ 4c Stranded Security/Alarm Cable.
Stranded is better.
Twisted pairs in cat5 will have no value for this application.

[salongaopm]

how about the one on the link below:

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[Steve Gase]

how about the one on the link below:

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both will work well.

[salongaopm]

the monoprice item is copper and the ebay one is only CCA =Copper-clad aluminum. if they both work fine, i will probably just get the ebay item since it is a lot cheaper.