The CTB16PC is a fully assembled 16 channel, weather-resistant light controller that can operate independently (standalone mode non-musical), operate as the (non-musical) director unit in a multi-controller network or as an add-on unit of a larger synchronized network of controllers (musical or non-musical). Use this controller for displays at Christmas, Halloween, or any other time of year!
This controller is configured for 240v environments.
Each of the 16 independent channels has a number of possible effects such as dimming, ramping, twinkle and shimmer. This controller can be used with standard LED or incandescent light strands; pixels may not be plugged into any of the 16 channels on this controller.
Do NOT purchase LED lights that have built in remotes/phone apps to rotate between settings or colors. Strand lights cannot have both the built in remote and our controller telling it what to do.
The CTB16PC can be connected to other Light-O-Rama controllers (including pixel controllers such as the CMB24D, Pixies or Pixcon16) with a Cat5 line and therefore used as a part of a mixed AC/Pixel display.
The CTB16PC-ReadyToGO is built in a weather resistant plastic case allowing it to be used in outdoor environments.
Note:Software is not included. Need Software? We recommend that you purchase the Generic Starter Package to receive the software at a discount.
What Lights Do I Buy?
This controller is designed operate standard basic Christmas string lights (LED or incandescent): the hundreds of boxes on the shelves at retail stores during the Christmas season. Ensure that the lights you purchase are dimmable - Non dimmable lights will greatly restrict the sequencing effects you can use, and you will not be able to use our store sequences.
Do not purchase any lights that have their own attached control mechanism, i.e. through a patterned control switch, remote control, or phone app, unless the lights can also operate standalone plugged into a normal wall outlet, without their controller.
Light-O-Rama Showtime residential high voltage AC light controllers can make lights do amazing tricks. Think of the light dimmer switch as you enter a room and how it controls one electrical circuit. Multiply that circuit by four, eight or 16 and imagine the lighting possibilities. Now put all those dimmers in a box and use a computer to control everything. Each circuit can blink, twinkle, ramp up/down or take on just about any effect you desire. Go to the next level and start linking more controllers together in a Light-O-Rama data network and imagine the possibilities of everything being synchronized. When you’re ready to really dazzle your audience, add music and/or video and your lights will dance creating an unforgettable show.
Compatible Lights
These residential controllers are designed for 110-240VAC environments typically meaning if you can plug the lights into a wall socket you can plug them into our controller. Most incandescent and LED based lights will work fine. Make sure the lights are rated to fade or dim in order to take advantage of all of our capabilities. We do not recommend using non-dimmable lights.
Durability and Usage
Light-O-Rama manufactures the residential series of high voltage AC light controllers geared forlighter duty applicationssuch as home use or environments not needing commercial grade equipment. Available in 4 and 16 channel configurations, each residential high voltage AC light controllers unit is encased in a PVC enclosure designed for long life. When mounted correctly, the controller will provide a weatherproof environment to keep the control circuitry functioning in almost any typical outdoor condition. We do suggest common sense usage and keeping the cable access holes pointing down so the entire enclosure can shed the rain. We also recommend the pigtail power outlets be at least one foot off the ground. Keep the unit away from heavy splashing water and forced water flows such as from irrigation sprinklers.
Amperage Capacity
For a 30 amp controller, each side of the CTB16PC (channels 1-8 and channels 9-16) can handle 15 amps of AC power in total. Any one channel circuit can handle up to eight (8) amps of AC power. This means that if you connect 8 amps worth of lights to channel 1, channels 2-8 (the remaining channels on that side) can only contain another 7amps combined (8+7=15).
Residential high voltage AC light controllers plug directly into wall plugs and we recommend these be dedicate power circuits for power hungry applications. Our 30 amp units require two independent 15 amp power feeds. If you have more than 15 amps of power (via your light strands) connected to your controller in total (not per side), you must plug the two power cords of the CTB16PC into DIFFERENT outlets.
For more detailed information about amperage capacity, click here.
How many CTBPC16s per network?
Multiple residential high voltage AC light controllers can be connected to the same Light-O-Rama data network. See some examples of atypical networklayout and how you can combine traditional lights and pixels into the same show! Each AC controller has a unique location code (a "Unit ID") set by your personal computer so it knows when to respond to commands. 240 CTB16PC controllers can function on the same Light-O-Rama data network giving you the ability to independently command almost 4000 channels (aka, anything you separately plug in, like a section of a leaping arch, LED snowflakes, or icicle lights on your roof). If you need more channels, just add another network.
What else can you do with residential Ready-To-Go high voltage AC light controllers? By attaching one of ourShowTime Directorsto the Light-O-Rama data network, you can have a stand-alone system of synchronized lights (no PC needed for control).
Unit IDs:Up to 240 AC controllers (or one-unit-ID controllers) in a single Light-O-Rama data network
Fading:1024 levels used for smooth fading effects. Fades from 0.1 to 25 seconds
Dimming:100 levels (0%…100%), custom curves for LEDs for smooth dimming
Already have a communications infrastructure using DMX-512 typically used in the entertainment industry? We’ve got you covered. Light-O-Rama light controllers are smart enough to analyze the type of data network they are connected to and adapt to DMX-512 if needed. Depending on the unique network assigned to your Light-O-Rama controller, it will occupy that DMX-512 address plus the next 15 (for a 16 channel controller.) The control channels (depending on the controller) must be in the same DMX-512 universe. (Like DMX Universe 1, circuits 1 through 16)
Sequencing
What do you need to get your residential high voltage AC light controllers to flash your lights to music? If you’re the creative type our ShowTimeSequencing Suiteprovides all the tools needed to create your own incredible show. If you don’t have the time or inclination to create your own shows, we have plenty of off-the-shelf songs already sequenced to lights in oursequence store.
What’s the difference between residential controllers?
Model
CTB16PC
CTB04PC
CTB04PC-ELL
Suggested usage
residential
residential
residential
Ready-To-Go (Assembled)
Number of fully independent electrical channels
16
4
4
PVC (plastic) enclosure
Warranty
1 year
2 year
2 year
Operate stand-alone if required
Can run commands from ShowTime Director or computer (via one of ouradapters) when connected to Light-O-Rama data network
Amperage rating design (at 120VAC)
30 amps
15 amps
15 amps
Use in 3 phase electrical environments
no
no
no
Unit ID address setting
Set via computer
via on-board DIP switches
via on-board DIP switches
Dedicated On/Off switch inside enclosure
no
no
no
Easy access fuses inside enclosure
on circuit board
on circuit board
on circuit board
All standard Light-O-Rama lighting effects
Can operate with almost any other Light-O-Rama controller on same LOR data network
