26-12-2016, 11:55 AM
Hi Phil
I've been watching to see if you'd been given any further advice, and also noted your reply to Arlette on your Halloween post.
As you've stated you've no experience in electrics, I'd definitely recommend that you don't cut the LED strings to suit the 'American' boards. The small animated light strings from Synchrolight are in multiples of 6 LEDs (i.e. 18, 24 and 36 LED strings). These appear to be wired in sets of 6 LEDs in series, and each set is then connected in parallel (like a ladder). You can cut 6 LEDs from the string (as long as you cut all 6 from the same series leg). If you cut less than 6 out of the string, then you must make sure that leg conducts the same current as the other legs in the Parallel circuit or you may find that you have different intensity of light on the ones that are left (may also burn them out).
I'd also recommend you buy exterior Plywood and draw your own outlines and drill 6mm holes where you are going to put the light bulbs (you can get a sheet from B&Q for less than £14 that will give you the equivalent of two sheets from the American website). If you do buy the Yank boards, you may also have to pay import tax and VAT.
If you still want to go down that road, don't cover the extra LEDs with tape or similar. The current limiting resistors are small wattage resistors and the heat generated needs to be dissipated into the surrounding air(also LEDs generate heat contrary to popular belief).
I hope this hasn't been too negative, and won't put you off.
Regards
sandy
I've been watching to see if you'd been given any further advice, and also noted your reply to Arlette on your Halloween post.
As you've stated you've no experience in electrics, I'd definitely recommend that you don't cut the LED strings to suit the 'American' boards. The small animated light strings from Synchrolight are in multiples of 6 LEDs (i.e. 18, 24 and 36 LED strings). These appear to be wired in sets of 6 LEDs in series, and each set is then connected in parallel (like a ladder). You can cut 6 LEDs from the string (as long as you cut all 6 from the same series leg). If you cut less than 6 out of the string, then you must make sure that leg conducts the same current as the other legs in the Parallel circuit or you may find that you have different intensity of light on the ones that are left (may also burn them out).
I'd also recommend you buy exterior Plywood and draw your own outlines and drill 6mm holes where you are going to put the light bulbs (you can get a sheet from B&Q for less than £14 that will give you the equivalent of two sheets from the American website). If you do buy the Yank boards, you may also have to pay import tax and VAT.
If you still want to go down that road, don't cover the extra LEDs with tape or similar. The current limiting resistors are small wattage resistors and the heat generated needs to be dissipated into the surrounding air(also LEDs generate heat contrary to popular belief).
I hope this hasn't been too negative, and won't put you off.
Regards
sandy