johno123 Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Hi, We've got some disco style lights, on square (normal) plugs. Is it ok to simply change the plug to the circular ones which plug into the dimmers, so that we can turn them on/off easily? Thanks, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathanhill Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 You will be better off plugging them into a switch pack. Most disco lights will have a motor of some sort in them which dimmers do not like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pritch Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Perhaps you should clarify what you mean when you say 'square' and 'round'. Especially if you're dealing with disco gear, it could mean any one of a number of things! 'Square' could mean 13A (normal UK mains plug), IEC ('Kettle' plug), or possibly Bulgin, (multipole disco type thing) depending on which side you're looking at. Likewise, round could mean 5A, 15A (round pin plugs, similar looking to 13A), Bulgin (viewed from the other side), Ceeform (industrial plugs). Finally... what are the lights? If they've got any sort of control electronics, they may not take well to being attached to a dimmer, and should only run off hard power. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.elsbury Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 No. Not advised. It's not a good idea to run disco lights off dimmers, this being due to them containing motors and other electronics which is expecting to not be dimmed. But, even if you make sure you don't turn the channel off, the power being output isn't a pure sinewave, it's slightly chopped, which can sometimes cause problems. (exception for the pedants: yes, there are some dimmers that are the exception... but they are not very common) That said, you probably will get away with it if you try it, but at the risk of damaging the dimmer and the disco equipment. Better to just use a hot power outlet (always on) or, if you want to control them from the lighting desk, get a DMX switchpack. Any decent supplier can hire or sell you one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johno123 Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 Basically it's a normal standard Uk plug. The lights are just sequence lights, no moving parts etc. What converter type thing would you use instead? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.elsbury Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Why do you want to run them off dimmers? What are the lights? Have you got a model number or internet link? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johno123 Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 Because we need to be able to control them from the back of the hall, rather than having to do it from behind the stage. http://www.acesuppliers.com/Supplier_Compa...room_44316.html They look like that. Basically lights, that when turned on flash in different sequences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I can't find it now, but we had a topic about these things a while backhttp://www.djkit.co.uk/images/products/large/CONT05-wf0.jpg would this be any good Just a load of IEC sockets worked from nice convenient small switches. (AND - as cheap as chips! £30 +/-) Moderation: I've also moved this to TNG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.elsbury Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 If you already have a DMX desk, do not run them off a dimmer. I would suggest the purchase of something like the items linked below instead. It is possible that if you connect the lights to a dimmer you will damage both the light and teh dimmer. http://www.discostudio.co.uk/item.php?upn=15438 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heinz57 Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I was just thinking, maybe a short 13amp square pin to question mark round pin converter cable? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjkered Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Basically it's a normal standard Uk plug. The lights are just sequence lights, no moving parts etc. What converter type thing would you use instead? Still be cautious, Yes they are Just Lights but they still have Control electronics to do the Switching.. A switch Pack is still the better route than a Dimmer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_Beech Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I'd be careful with the Acme switch packs. They're a little unstable. I've taken a DN360 PSU out with one of those. Which reminds me, I must get that and 2 more fixed I'm running out if I need more than 10 mixes. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nothingatall666 Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I would say don't attempt anything yourself. I mean, of you don't even know what plug it is, how are you even going to be competent at changing the plug? Electrics is serious stuff, and can take lives. my suggestion to you is to ask the school (assuming that is where you intent to use these) to get its hire company to sort it out for you. (most schools will have a hire company whom they always use.) alternatively, find an electrician. personally, I would use (like everyone else) hard power. the lamp uses an internal 'switch pack' which turns the bulbs on and off. (the unsafe and not recommended option is to have it wired to the dimmers. but not dim them, just use the flash button. it would work but this is likey to damage something.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.elsbury Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 If something is "unsafe" and "not recommended" then why bother mentioning it at all? Dear OP. As many people have discussed before, don't put your lights on dimmers. There are other options available, also mentioned above.Please do not pay any attention to people who suggest you put the lights on dimmers, and "hold the flash button" or "leave the fader up". We're running round in circles... Edit: whoops... Harry not Adam... brain fart there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nothingatall666 Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I mentioned it because its possible (though the time when I did it, they weren't ?60 watt bulbs). I was letting the OP choose what to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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