Justin Smith

As long as it's rated for the voltage it's perfectly safe. (300V for 120V systems) Keep in mind most of the dollar stores I've bought absorbed water through the insulation and became a GFCI nightmare. The only difference between a power strip and a surge protector is the surge protector contains a single MOV. I stopped using all power strips anymore because they make little contact with the prongs on a plug and almost caught fire a few times.

Has anyone ever tried running their display on WVO instead if grid power? I'm considering doing this because it will save the $400+. electric bill my dad is stuck with, be independent of the power company, and great for the environment. It seems like a great idea!

You can put a plug in the middle, just cut the ends off and dip them in liquid electric tape or use heat shrink caps.

I made cords for my candycanes with THWN and vampire sockets.

I tuck my lights into the J-channel around the window.

This is Subpanel #3 (out of 4) that I own, #2 for the display.

I set my connections on bricks.

That's why I use parallel-wired (C9 or E27) strings.

Fill them with expanding foam insulation!

I'll use LED's when I see a LED C9 that looks just like a incandescent one.

I use CREE 9.5W LED's in mine.

I hole saw the hole bigger and use a porcelain socket mounted to a round bell box.

One thing I don't like about this idea is lights between 2 sheets of plastic is going to be a huge water magnet.

This time of year, I start running extension cords. All of the main feeders get run first, then the smaller cords go last. First turn is Halloween which is why I start so early then I put Christmas up as I take Halloween down. All of the wireframes, blow molds, etc. get done Black Friday.

I get mine at my local electrical supply house.

A used bucket truck in this area can be scored for relatively low cost. (1-3,000)

Well that's why they make transformers If you only have 208-240V You can run them on opposite legs, which have 120V to neutral.

Yes we do!

Why would you want to run minis on 208-240V?

You could always use parallel-wired strings.

Burn them and recycle the copper. You'll have a pretty fire

Here is unit 1 in the picture. You can see I have a timer on the side.

I have three. Used Square D QO 8-space panels. Unit one has 2 20A GFCI receptacles, a L14-30 receptacle, and a 20A duplex fed with a 2-pole GFCI breaker. Unit two has three 20A GFCI receptacles, a 20A simplex fed off a singe pole GFCI breaker, and a L14-20 and 6-20 fed off a 20A 2-pole GFCI breaker. Unit three has six 20A duplex receptacles, each one fed off a dedicated 20A gfci breaker, and then 2 6-15's, L14-20 fed off a 20A 2-pole GFCI breaker. All three have a 25' 6-4 SOOW power cord, with a 14-50 male plug. Next year's unit will be a 200A panel with cam-lok connectors, in a steel ca

Why do you use separate meters? Put in a CTL cabinet by the road and run your own lines from there.

I figured I'd share with you all that I found extension cords on Monoprice. They're way cheaper than the big box stores, black, and pretty decent build quality. Here's the link. I bought 10 10' 16/3 cords for my display and I'll probably buy quite a few more. http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10228 Disclaimer: I am not in any way affiliated with the company other than being a very satisfied customer.