Author Topic: Calculate total amps required  (Read 1022 times)

Offline rposgood

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Calculate total amps required
« on: January 05, 2018, 04:10:08 PM »
How many amps does an average display require? I live in a house with only 2-3 15 amp circuits available to run extension cords from. Would this typically be enough?
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Offline Gilrock

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Re: Calculate total amps required
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2018, 04:39:58 PM »
I run my entire display on three 15amp circuits.  I have several inflatables to take up more than half the current.  You don't need to run at full power.  I don't have any strings above 70% and others run between 30% to 60% depending on what I need to keep from blowing 5amp fuses.
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Offline babybear

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Re: Calculate total amps required
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2018, 05:40:23 PM »
Here is a list of my show. I keep records of everything I'm running. at the bottom is a total of my amps and watts Need to remember all these numbers are at 12 volts with all lights on white at 100% I was told that watts never change so if that is true my show only runs at 24 amps. I running 2 20 amp circuits. I have a meter on my big tree. as per specs that come with the lights I could hit 90 amps but I have never seen it go over 20 amps.  Yes my matrix has no numbers. its only 5 volts but I cant find any specs for the panels.  The big thing you need to watch out for is gauge size of wire feeding the power supplies.

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« Last Edit: January 05, 2018, 05:45:49 PM by babybear »
JimmyG
Rochester, New York

Offline jnealand

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Re: Calculate total amps required
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2018, 06:54:27 PM »
When I was still running all LED lights, I could have run my whole display on a single 15amp circuit with room to spare.  But I used at least 3 circuits just because it lessened my need for extension cords.  I have more lights today but 100% pixels and I suspect I could still run my display from a single 15amp circuit, but I am now connected to 4 outside outlets (separate circuits) just because it is easier.  Back in the incan days I could not even run all my minitrees from one circuit.  LOL
Jim Nealand
Kennesaw, GA

Offline rposgood

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Re: Calculate total amps required
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2018, 09:23:01 PM »
Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.
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Offline ttn2207

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Re: Calculate total amps required
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2018, 01:26:02 PM »
I have about 2500 total lights.   It is a mix of incandescents (c9 & mini) and LED (bullets & floods).  I use one Renard 24 board.  I just checked last night and it was 12.56 amps.