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| UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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Using a DC adaptor instead of AC for decorative lights
I have a set of Christmas tree lights which came with a 24V AC
transformer. That transformer has died. Would there be a problem using a 24V DC adaptor in its place? Daniele |
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#2
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Using a DC adaptor instead of AC for decorative lights
D.M. Procida wrote:
I have a set of Christmas tree lights which came with a 24V AC transformer. That transformer has died. Would there be a problem using a 24V DC adaptor in its place? Daniele Can't think of one provided the power rating is sufficient. If the DC supply were designed to supply vastly more power than the lights need then the voltage might be much higher than 24 when lightly loaded. Bob |
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#3
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Using a DC adaptor instead of AC for decorative lights
On Dec 14, 9:43*am, (D.M.
Procida) wrote: I have a set of Christmas tree lights which came with a 24V AC transformer. That transformer has died. Would there be a problem using a 24V DC adaptor in its place? Daniele No problem unless there is a switching/electronic device attached to the lights. It would be a no-go on twinkling lights for example, the contacts would probably weld up after a while. The bulbs will last longer on DC. |
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#4
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Using a DC adaptor instead of AC for decorative lights
Bob Minchin wrote:
D.M. Procida wrote: I have a set of Christmas tree lights which came with a 24V AC transformer. That transformer has died. Would there be a problem using a 24V DC adaptor in its place? Daniele Can't think of one provided the power rating is sufficient. If the DC supply were designed to supply vastly more power than the lights need then the voltage might be much higher than 24 when lightly loaded. I just realised that the DC adaptor is rated for a measly 3VA... not quite enough! Daniele |
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#5
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Using a DC adaptor instead of AC for decorative lights
On Dec 14, 9:43*am, (D.M.
Procida) wrote: I have a set of Christmas tree lights which came with a 24V AC transformer. That transformer has died. Would there be a problem using a 24V DC adaptor in its place? Daniele Sounds like filmament lamps, in which case no problem. NT |
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#6
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Using a DC adaptor instead of AC for decorative lights
On Dec 14, 9:43*am, (D.M.
Procida) wrote: I have a set of Christmas tree lights which came with a 24V AC transformer. That transformer has died. Would there be a problem using a 24V DC adaptor in its place? Daniele It should be OK provided you get the polarity right. The current has to go the oposite way round in the southern hemisphere. Some bulb filaments are coiled left hand to compensate but these are quite rare. Of course, you may be lucky and have universal bulbs where the filament is a coiled coil. John |
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#7
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Using a DC adaptor instead of AC for decorative lights
John wrote:
On Dec 14, 9:43 am, (D.M. Procida) wrote: I have a set of Christmas tree lights which came with a 24V AC transformer. That transformer has died. Would there be a problem using a 24V DC adaptor in its place? Daniele It should be OK provided you get the polarity right. The current has to go the oposite way round in the southern hemisphere. Some bulb filaments are coiled left hand to compensate but these are quite rare. Of course, you may be lucky and have universal bulbs where the filament is a coiled coil. They are northern lights, so I should be OK. Daniele |
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#8
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Using a DC adaptor instead of AC for decorative lights
"D.M. Procida" wrote in message ... John wrote: On Dec 14, 9:43 am, (D.M. Procida) wrote: I have a set of Christmas tree lights which came with a 24V AC transformer. That transformer has died. Would there be a problem using a 24V DC adaptor in its place? Daniele It should be OK provided you get the polarity right. The current has to go the oposite way round in the southern hemisphere. Some bulb filaments are coiled left hand to compensate but these are quite rare. Of course, you may be lucky and have universal bulbs where the filament is a coiled coil. They are northern lights, so I should be OK. Will they stretch t' foot of our stairs? -- Graham. %Profound_observation% |
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#9
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Using a DC adaptor instead of AC for decorative lights
Graham. wrote:
"D.M. Procida" wrote in message ... John wrote: It should be OK provided you get the polarity right. The current has to go the oposite way round in the southern hemisphere. Some bulb filaments are coiled left hand to compensate but these are quite rare. Of course, you may be lucky and have universal bulbs where the filament is a coiled coil. They are northern lights, so I should be OK. Will they stretch t' foot of our stairs? Well - the little coils in the bulbs are pretty tight, so I don't know how much is in there, but I bet it could be uncoiled to make it longer. How far north are your stairs? Daniele |
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#10
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Using a DC adaptor instead of AC for decorative lights
D.M. Procida wrote:
Graham. wrote: Will they stretch t' foot of our stairs? Well - the little coils in the bulbs are pretty tight, so I don't know how much is in there, but I bet it could be uncoiled to make it longer. How far north are your stairs? It was once possible to buy replacement coiled elements for radiant fires. You simply removed the failed one, used a piece of string to get the length and stretched the new one to suit. My dad told me that in his college days (1930s) they heated a room by suspending such an element from the mantelpiece. Chris -- Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh. |
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#11
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Using a DC adaptor instead of AC for decorative lights
On Dec 14, 5:18*pm, Chris J Dixon wrote:
D.M. Procida wrote: Graham. wrote: Will they stretch t' foot of our stairs? Well - the little coils in the bulbs are pretty tight, so I don't know how much is in there, but I bet it could be uncoiled to make it longer. How far north are your stairs? It was once possible to buy replacement coiled elements for radiant fires. *You simply removed the failed one, used a piece of string to get the length and stretched the new one to suit. My dad told me that in his college days (1930s) they heated a room by suspending such an element from the mantelpiece. Chris -- Chris J Dixon *Nottingham UK Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh. As an apprentice I spent many happy hours making such elements. Not only for fires, for hotplates, immersion heaters, storage heaters, irons. grills etc :-( |
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#12
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Using a DC adaptor instead of AC for decorative lights
On Tue, 14 Dec 2010 10:21:31 -0800 (PST), harry
wrote: It was once possible to buy replacement coiled elements for radiant fires. *You simply removed the failed one, used a piece of string to get the length and stretched the new one to suit. My dad told me that in his college days (1930s) they heated a room by suspending such an element from the mantelpiece. As an apprentice I spent many happy hours making such elements. Not only for fires, for hotplates, immersion heaters, storage heaters, irons. grills etc :-( Apprenticeship ? I would have thought that would have been taught in Elementary School. Bye. G.harman |
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