Hello from a complete rookie (Perth)

[simrobes]

Hi Everyone

I have slowly been increasing lights each year as my obsession grew using mainly solar and a few lasers.

I have recently been given a very large lot of lights from a friend who used to do a display each year, of which most are the older double wire fairy lights with the small controller on them. Problem is none of them came with a transformer and they are all the 24V type DC plug.

Can anyone help or suggest how I can get these connected up and maybe a more efficient way of powering/controlling them?

Please be aware I have ZERO knowledge of anything electrical so be kind haha

Cheers
Simon

 

[AAH]

Welcome to ACL
The lights sound like the ones I refer to as 2 channel 2 wire. If you're after computer control then the DMX2-18 that I make is probably your best option (the only other option is my 2811DC2-30). A DMX2-18, a usb dmx dongle and a power supply are all that's needed to control 9 strings/18 channels per board. The lights will commonly run off a 31V DC power supply.

DMX2-18 | Hanson Electronics

DMX2-18 18 channel "2 wire 2 channel" DC dimmer

www.hansonelectronics.com.au

 

[simrobes]

Thanks AAH, I don't think I am ready to take the plunge into computer control just yet.

Is there a way to do this with just a simple sequence like the small controllers that come with them but from a single point? Really I am just trying to avoid having multiple transformers and powerboards everywhere!

 

[AAH]

As far as I know the answer is no.
You could plug lights into a DMX2-18 and just turn on the test mode which cycles through a number of different mode. The board will control 9 strings but it is possible to parallel strings up as the outputs are capable of running a lot more current than what a usual string is. A 200W power supply would probably run 30-35 strings depending on their specs.
Can you post some pics of the plugpacks to confirm that the lights are what I am presuming they are.

 

[simrobes]

sure thing they all have plugs like this running from the small control unit