Driving AC Lights

[RoboMello]

What is the best way to drive A/C lights on a display?

Thank you

Roberto Mello

[MrChristmas2000]

Using a DMX protocol based controller.

It also depends whether you are DIY or need to obtain a commercial product.

[JonB256]

What is the best way to drive A/C lights on a display?

Roberto Mello

AC lights use an "AC Dimmer" type controller. Examples are 16 channel LOR controllers, 16 channel Lynx controllers from DLA, Renard controllers and many more.

The thing they virtually all have in common is they use a TRIAC output device to control the AC sine wave for dimming. As Mr. Christmas said, using DMX as the control protocol to talk to the AC controller is the best match for xLights.

[RoboMello]

Thank you, I am probably getting 2 xEXP8 from Seasonal Entertainment.

[gerry]

I see questions about AC lights a fair bit here.

Are they common in the US ? Over here in OZ/NZ , everyone (on the auschristmaslights forum) is encouraged to convert them and run them as DC . Depending on the type , the conversion is either as simple as cutting off the A/C plug and controller or in some cases opening the converter and shorting one connection.

We then use either Ray's 3 or 27 channel controller or other boards and drive them off the DMX output of various controllers. It also means that you can take one AC set of lights and split into smaller sections.
 
 

[RoboMello]

I see questions about AC lights a fair bit here.

Are they common in the US ? Over here in OZ/NZ , everyone (on the auschristmaslights forum) is encouraged to convert them and run them as DC . Depending on the type , the conversion is either as simple as cutting off the A/C plug and controller or in some cases opening the converter and shorting one connection.

We then use either Ray's 3 or 27 channel controller or other boards and drive them off the DMX output of various controllers. It also means that you can take one AC set of lights and split into smaller sections.

This A/C lights are inside a Inflatable Spider that I don't want to replace with 20mm LEDs. I did that with my SnowMan last year, but it was white, so easier.

[gerry]

This A/C lights are inside a Inflatable Spider that I don't want to replace with 20mm LEDs. I did that with my SnowMan last year, but it was white, so easier.

Ah , I see ! I thought that these and others referred to were the store bought AC LED light strings.

[dkulp]

I see questions about AC lights a fair bit here.

Are they common in the US ? Over here in OZ/NZ , everyone (on the auschristmaslights forum) is encouraged to convert them and run them as DC . Depending on the type , the conversion is either as simple as cutting off the A/C plug and controller or in some cases opening the converter and shorting one connection.

We then use either Ray's 3 or 27 channel controller or other boards and drive them off the DMX output of various controllers. It also means that you can take one AC set of lights and split into smaller sections.

In the US, "AC" lights are a full 120V.   The ac plug is a simple pass through with a fuse holder.  That's it.   No transformer or controller or anything.  The AC "LED" lights are about 30 LEDs wired serially (to drop 120V's).  You cannot drive them from Ray's controllers as you need 120V DC (which is dangerous).  Thus, conversion is a bit more complex.