C9 Net Lights

[Justin Smith 0]

Has anyone ever constructed C9 net lights?  I think they would look great and definitely be easier to troubleshoot.  Thinking of using #12 THWN and pin sockets.

[Justin Smith 0]

I got 8 strings of C9's I cam going to use.  Any suggestions how to build the net?

[bigstott 42]

Well i think a c9 net light would be overkill but i guess try this:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Tenax-3-ft-x-25-ft-Green-Poultry-Fence-090786/100384027#

 

Buy something like that and zip tie in offsetting horizontal patterns like a net light is designed. Make sure your lights are 6-8 or even 12 inches apart or you will have some color wash.

 

Also you will have some major power demands if those c9's are inans. Each c9 incan bulb is 7 watts... now if you have 8 strands and they usually come in 25 per strand then you are looking at 1400 watts at about 12.8 amps to run those strings... So basically you need a empty 15 amp minimum circuit to run just those. Remember you don't want to draw more that about 80% max amperage on a single breaker for safety purposes. 

 

A net light probably wouldn't be the best use for that much power. I mean that's 200 c9 lights at 1400 watts vs. a normal net light is 4X6 at 150 lights at 63 watts a piece on average. You would be able to power 22 sets of net lights for the power consumption for what you are looking to do. 

 

But there is some info for ya to mull over. 

[LangfordDave 5]

I'm not sure I see the point in turning them into net lights. Especially considering the power consideration noted above

[ex-grinch 0]

Why don't you just build a frame say 12 feet by 12 feet out of 2x4's with a nail or something every foot all the way around.

 

Then wrap 3/8" nylon rope around just the outside of the nails so you have a simple square and a basic frame for the strings to attach to and maintain the shape and also give you reference to where the edge of the net is.

 

Then take your light strings and start at one corner and secure it to the rope with a zip tie, and run it to the opposite 2x4 and around that nail and across to the nail next to it and back up to the first 2x4 and next nail. Then go back down and zip tie the wire to the rope where it's between the two nails.

 

Keep doing this both ways and where each wire crosses in the center so it keeps it's shape. When you're done, plug it in and if you like it, go around and really secure each point and maybe even add a shot of caulk at each zip tie point to really keep anything from slipping slightly.

 

I think those strings are 25 feet, so 12 foot down and back with one foot on center would give you a 12 foot by 12 foot net with eight 25 foot strings.

 

Of course you'll need to plug it in at several points or make some sort of heavy duty 12 AWG cord going around it with plug ins where needed, or even replace the 3/8" rope with a length of 12 AWG cord wrapped around as your basic frame with plug ins or actually splice it and not have plug ins. That's what I'd do.

 

 

It's late and my math is off. You would need 12 sets of lights, not 8 unless you wanted a rectangle net.

Edited January 14, 2014 by ex-grinch

[Justin Smith 0]

Sorry for not giving enough details.  They are 25' strings of incandescent  C9's.  I am aware of the power consumption, and have planned accordingly.  There is a 60A panel right behind these bushes with plenty of open circuits.  If I have extra money, I'll buy the retrofit bulbs, I want red, white, and green.  I want to make an 8' by 25' net of lights, with the bulbs spaced evenly.