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| Assembling a LOR Box |
The first time I took a dive into Light-O-Rama (LOR), I was looking to completely change up the way
I decorated my yard. What I wasn't looking for was a lot more work. So, I purchased a Showtime 16
channel starter package. It was more expensive but it had everything that I needed to start up with
turnkey ease. This year I was looking at expanding my display to a whopping 80 channels. So, I
needed to save some money. Enter the CTB16PC. LOR's DIY box. You can purchase this
bargain box completely assembled, partially assembled or for those hardcore DIY'ers Solder you
own mainboard unassembled version. You can buy all of LOR's stuff or add your own box, wiring,
etc. I decided on an unassembled version with an assembled card.
I decorated my yard. What I wasn't looking for was a lot more work. So, I purchased a Showtime 16
channel starter package. It was more expensive but it had everything that I needed to start up with
turnkey ease. This year I was looking at expanding my display to a whopping 80 channels. So, I
needed to save some money. Enter the CTB16PC. LOR's DIY box. You can purchase this
bargain box completely assembled, partially assembled or for those hardcore DIY'ers Solder you
own mainboard unassembled version. You can buy all of LOR's stuff or add your own box, wiring,
etc. I decided on an unassembled version with an assembled card.
Once you open the box, and layout all the
components you find that LOR has
convienently mounted the board and
heatsink into the enclosure for you! All
that's left is to wire it up!
components you find that LOR has
convienently mounted the board and
heatsink into the enclosure for you! All
that's left is to wire it up!
First step is to assemble the Strain Relief
Bracket. Do not install this into the
enclosure yet! Let me tell you before
you panic too much LOR includes
step-by-step instructions with the units.
I'm addling this to my webpage so that
you can see for yourself if this is
something that you think that you can
do. It's easy but I could tell you that all
day and you wouldn't necessarily believe
me unless you saw for yourself.
Bracket. Do not install this into the
enclosure yet! Let me tell you before
you panic too much LOR includes
step-by-step instructions with the units.
I'm addling this to my webpage so that
you can see for yourself if this is
something that you think that you can
do. It's easy but I could tell you that all
day and you wouldn't necessarily believe
me unless you saw for yourself.
Now you need to cut the rubber grommets. I used a
razor blade and prayed the entire time throught that I
wouldn't cut myself. I work tonight and I don't want to
go into the Emergency Room any earlier than I have
to.
razor blade and prayed the entire time throught that I
wouldn't cut myself. I work tonight and I don't want to
go into the Emergency Room any earlier than I have
to.
The cables do not come labeled! I used a P-Touch
labeller and labelled both ends of the cable. I labeled
the cables with the following format: (unit-channels).
Label both ends so that you can easily find the proper
cord end inside the box.
labeller and labelled both ends of the cable. I labeled
the cables with the following format: (unit-channels).
Label both ends so that you can easily find the proper
cord end inside the box.
The next step is to separate the cords into two bundles.
Channels 1-8 and Channels 9-16. Place one of the two
bundles into a smaller grommet. Keep them straight
without crossing over or gaps. The cables barely fit. Now
even up the cut ends of the insulation. Repeat with the
second bundle.
Channels 1-8 and Channels 9-16. Place one of the two
bundles into a smaller grommet. Keep them straight
without crossing over or gaps. The cables barely fit. Now
even up the cut ends of the insulation. Repeat with the
second bundle.
The middle hole holds the power cables. Once
the power cables are inserted into the rubber
grommet, you can then insert them into the
middle hole and clamp them down. I insert them
so that the black insulation is protruding a bit
more than a finger's width beyond the Strain
Relief Bracket. The channel cables are inserted
until the black insulation comes to the lower
edge of the LOR board. Once you have the
cables in the right place, clamp them down.
the power cables are inserted into the rubber
grommet, you can then insert them into the
middle hole and clamp them down. I insert them
so that the black insulation is protruding a bit
more than a finger's width beyond the Strain
Relief Bracket. The channel cables are inserted
until the black insulation comes to the lower
edge of the LOR board. Once you have the
cables in the right place, clamp them down.
Once you have the wiring placement right, Screw down
the Strain Relief Bracket. (remember, I told you not to
install it yet... Now you can) You should have all the
length you need for the connections.
the Strain Relief Bracket. (remember, I told you not to
install it yet... Now you can) You should have all the
length you need for the connections.
Now you will attach the cables onto the board.
Start with the black ones first. The channels are
labeled on the board so simply find the
corresponding cable and plug the black end in.
The white cables are plugged into the center
blades and their placement is not important, except
to keep them on their own side of the card. The
Green wires I wrapped behind the cables and then
slipped their eyelets onto the posts on the Strain
Relief Bracket and used the included nuts and lock
washers to lock them into place. It is now done,
but the wiring is a bit of a mess.
Start with the black ones first. The channels are
labeled on the board so simply find the
corresponding cable and plug the black end in.
The white cables are plugged into the center
blades and their placement is not important, except
to keep them on their own side of the card. The
Green wires I wrapped behind the cables and then
slipped their eyelets onto the posts on the Strain
Relief Bracket and used the included nuts and lock
washers to lock them into place. It is now done,
but the wiring is a bit of a mess.
So, I zip tied the wires to make them look a bit
neater.
neater.
There it is. Completed and closed.
Now that was fun!
Now that was fun!