wirekat

Hey Bob! Your hookup sounds reasonable. It would be good to locate your controller central to where the lights will go if possible. This would cut down on any long runs from the lights to the controller. Channels shouldn't be connected together (if I understand your question). So each channel (of a LOR DC controller) can handle about 2 amps DC (If I remember correctly) but each MR16 only draws .167 amps DC. So you could daisy chain 12 MR16's per channel if you wanted. Of course you would have to control all 12 at once. Also remember there is a 15 amp limit on the total DC controller (remember your power supply too) The MR16's have a circuit board under the LED's that allow them to be connected to 12 volts. That curcuitry also allows you to plug them into a 12 volt source without worring about polarity. Normally LED's are polarity sensitive but these MR16's are not. So just wire them up in parrarell (not series). That means run the positive and negative to each MR16. Here is a simple diagram here. Kevin

I will be bringing lots of free stuff and we will be having a swap meet all day Saturday!

Don't let Bill fool you - He's the best host (Well Nancy's better!)

Joe, there are a couple right in Lacey but I drive back after pizza to Kent (but that's just me). I think this is good cheap lodging here: http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-lacey-washington-WA072 Kevin

The date is official now: Saturday May 14th on Olympia Friday night pizza gather on May 13th Hope to see you there!

The date is official now: Saturday May 14th on Olympia Friday night pizza gather on May 13th Hope to see you there!

New this year will be a more in depth introduction for all attending. We want to allow time for everyone attending to introduce themselves and tell us about their favorite display element. We want to give you a heads so you can prepare to either bring the element or take pictures or videos of and describe the details of how you built it and how it works. This could take most of the morning, but we'll all learn so much more! Other topics we are considering: DIY - Do it yourself RGB pixels - types, usage and controlling them "Sequencing your display to the next level" - techniques and methods to get to WOW! And of course - Your ideas! Giddy Up!

Greetings all. Mark and I have a big change for the Mini this tear. This will involve moving it to May. (shooting for May 14th) We hope this won't inconvenience anyone and that you will able to attend anyway. We are waiting from word from Bill to confirm but we wanted to give everyone a heads up as soon as we knew it wouldn't be in April. I'll start a new thread for topic ideas but I think you'll like what we've come up with so far. Till then, Kevin

I use those colors too from CDI. You will find red puts out the least light which is true for most red LED's. Next is blue, then white (cool) and green being brightest in my perception. I don't worry about the balance of brightness so much as the fullness when it comes my mega trees. I use the same count for each of the colors. I must say that after testing the lights for the pre-order for this year with my 2005 lights (that I still have) the lights are same in brightness and dimmability which is huge for me as I have many thousands of the 2005 issue still.

Is this enough warning? The 2011 Washington State Mini is being organized now. We need your help to decide the date. It will be on either April 16th or April 30th. Please vote for your best date. Oh and before we get all sorts of comments, "Everyone is invited". You don't have to live in Washington (or even like their football teams) to go to the Mini. Of course there will be lots of How-To's, some more hands on stuff, and lots of door prises (must be present to win). So vote for your best date. Same place as last year but Bill has a brand new garage!!!

I have MR16's if you're leaning that way, kevin

Paul, Thanks for the C7 retro bulbs - They are awesome! I will be getting more. They are very bright and dim great!

Here's a link to a map in MyNorthWest were you can post your Christmas display locations on their "Holiday Map": http://www.mynorthwest.com/category/holidaymap

I use these for a number of applications including switching from show mode to static mode: http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/4PRLY-120N/4PDT-120-VAC-ICE-CUBE-RELAY/1.html

put a C9 strobe in each one