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Post by OldMan on Oct 4, 2020 9:42:43 GMT -6
Question:Where can I get replacements if I need? Answer:Hi, We sell replacements, and the ASINs are B0838Z3DFH(4 pack) and B0838ZJFX8(15 pack). Thanks for your support on us. Best regard, … see more By Amico-usa SELLER on September 3, 2020
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Post by shaggaroo on Oct 4, 2020 9:45:12 GMT -6
Look at THIS stuff. Low voltage. It plugs into the wall but my guess is that the black box is a 120V-to-12V converter. Do you think I could cut off the plug and just connect the wires directly to my 12V system? Also, this thing is 25' long and I need 8'. What would happen if I cut it? Would I break the circuit? I would probably cut it and then tape off the pieces for safety. it may say the lights can't be cut, but I don't think it means you couldn't snip it off at the transformer (the plug is indeed a 120V to 12 V step-down), so that light string is 12 V. Splice the ends of the string to your system IMO.
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Post by OldMan on Oct 4, 2020 9:46:24 GMT -6
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Post by Ken on Oct 4, 2020 10:07:55 GMT -6
Guys, thanks again. Shaggaroo... yes, we're on the same page. It seems like it would work. That "ribbon light" thing was not really what I was looking for but the idea is the same no matter which product I look at.
OldMan: Thanks for that link. I have had questionable luck with solar but that would allow me to forgot ALL about the voltage, etc.
I appreciate the help guys.
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Post by OldMan on Oct 4, 2020 13:04:16 GMT -6
Guys, thanks again. Shaggaroo... yes, we're on the same page. It seems like it would work. That "ribbon light" thing was not really what I was looking for but the idea is the same no matter which product I look at. OldMan: Thanks for that link. I have had questionable luck with solar but that would allow me to forgot ALL about the voltage, etc. I appreciate the help guys. The lights are 12v dc and you could splice them in to your existing system- you wouldn't need the solar panel to power them.
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Post by Ken on Oct 4, 2020 15:00:32 GMT -6
Guys, thanks again. Shaggaroo... yes, we're on the same page. It seems like it would work. That "ribbon light" thing was not really what I was looking for but the idea is the same no matter which product I look at. OldMan: Thanks for that link. I have had questionable luck with solar but that would allow me to forgot ALL about the voltage, etc. I appreciate the help guys. The lights are 12v dc and you could splice them in to your existing system- you wouldn't need the solar panel to power them. Ooh... I need to look at that again. Thank you.
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Post by Ken on Oct 4, 2020 16:10:30 GMT -6
Guys, thanks again. Shaggaroo... yes, we're on the same page. It seems like it would work. That "ribbon light" thing was not really what I was looking for but the idea is the same no matter which product I look at. OldMan: Thanks for that link. I have had questionable luck with solar but that would allow me to forgot ALL about the voltage, etc. I appreciate the help guys. The lights are 12v dc and you could splice them in to your existing system- you wouldn't need the solar panel to power them. I just went back and looked at those but I don't see that they are 12V. Is it just assumed that any solar-powered device is 12V? I would absolutely buy those and then I would splice them into a line that is connected to a spare transformer that I have. If they work, they would work on my main system. If something explodes, my main system is safe and I'm only out $30 or whatever. I could see these working. Also, I could make it even cooler by adding a switch for them. In my shed, I ran my low-voltage line in there and added two 50W (LED equivalent which is probably 5W) lamps on the ceiling and ran them through a switch so they weren't on all the time. I could do the same thing here so these string lights weren't on EVERY SINGLE DAY... only when you wanted them. This could work. Thanks again for the link & cheers to you.
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Post by OldMan on Oct 4, 2020 17:21:21 GMT -6
Item specifics Condition: New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is ... Read more Brand: Unbranded Number of Lights: 30 LED Type: Vertical Mouse Finish: Warm White MPN: Does not apply Waterproof: IP 65 Power Source: Solar Powered Occasion: Indoor/Outdoor Features: Solar Sensor Country/Region of Manufacture: China Material: Plastic UPC: Does not apply Output Voltage: 12V
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Post by OldMan on Oct 4, 2020 17:26:52 GMT -6
The only problem is that they are tiny little lights -only one inch in dia. 2/3 the size of a pingpong ball
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Post by Ken on Oct 4, 2020 18:01:55 GMT -6
The only problem is that they are tiny little lights -only one inch in dia. 2/3 the size of a pingpong ball I think that's okay. These are going to be used for "atmosphere" for the most part. If I go into the greenhouse when it's dark and the two deck lights are lit, there is some light in there. But all of the light is on the floor and there is none overhead. There may be times when this is okay and that's why I would add a switch... so the overheads could be fired up whenever necessary but be off otherwise. Also, this will make the greenhouse so cool and feature-rich that when the inevitable thunderstorm blows the whole shebang into the Klopek's yard... it will be that much more emotional for my wife. Thanks again. I ordered those lights. $14. Giddy up.
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Post by Ken on Oct 6, 2020 9:09:49 GMT -6
I have been noodling with this. I have the lights on order and I picked up some additional low-voltage line that is a little thinner so it will be easier to work with. I also ordered THESE switches to put between the lights and the line. I can't see the connector on the lights but with any luck that round connector can plug right into the string of lights. If not, no big deal... I splice. I can see a spot where I can snake the line up the corner of the greenhouse and I plan to hold the line in place (inside along the ceiling beam) using existing hardware for the greenhouse. There are nuts along the ceiling and I'll get some washers which will hold the line and then tighten the nut back down. Just waiting for the lights at this point. Thanks again for all the direction Beerheads!
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Post by Ken on Oct 10, 2020 13:30:06 GMT -6
Okay, somehow I fecked this up. The lights arrived today and it would be a perfect day to install them... nice weather, wife is out to lunch with her sister and mom. I open the box and see that the lights are hard-wired into the solar panel. So I cut that line and go get a spare 12V low-voltage transformer. I added a short length of low-voltage wire to it and plugged it in and turned it on. Then I connected the two wires from the bulbs to that short length of line. The bulbs went on for a fraction of a second and then turned off... never to come on again. Not sure what my misstep was. I took the lights out to a transformer in the backyard that is in place and connected the line to that transformer and turned it on. No workie. I must have smoked these lights. My only guess is that they were NOT meant to go directly on a low-voltage. 12V system. They were $14 with free shipping so I'm not crying but I wonder what I did wrong. I didn't hear any pop, smell any smoke or trip a breaker. Weirdness. There is a good, high-end electric place near me and I bet if I explained what I wanted they would hook me up with something.
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Post by OldMan on Oct 10, 2020 14:48:13 GMT -6
take the solar panel out in the sun and measure the voltage. Off the bat I think you might have an ac/dc thing going on here check for an inline fuse maybe you just popped the fuse or the first light-
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Post by OldMan on Oct 10, 2020 14:50:04 GMT -6
Are low voltage transformers AC or DC? Most outdoor lighting systems run off of a low voltage AC transformer, usually 12VAC. These 12VAC transformers are already in place in the majority of houses and businesses as incandescent bulbs could take AC power and it had advantages over going straight from the main line (120VAC).
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Post by Ken on Oct 10, 2020 15:18:41 GMT -6
take the solar panel out in the sun and measure the voltage. Off the bat I think you might have an ac/dc thing going on here check for an inline fuse maybe you just popped the fuse or the first light- No inline fuse. For clarity... the line of lights had a bit of a leader on it (wire with no bulbs) and that went directly into the solar panel... no port or connector, just the line directly into the solar panel. I cut that area about halfway through that line area that had no lights. My assumption was that the solar panel was charging and then putting out 12V. So I connected the lights directly to the 12V line and expected them to work. I did reconnect the lights to the solar panel and it's been in the sun now for about 2 hours. There is an on/off switch and when I hit it... nothing happens. So I must have blown these lights which is too bad... they're attractive.
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