80mm Single-Color vs 100mm RGBIC vs 120mm RGB Fairground Lights: Which Fits Your Ride?

LikeLight Tom · Operations · Technical reviewer: pending confirmation

Quick buying answer

Choose the effect architecture before choosing the diameter.

These are not three brightness grades of one lamp. They differ in color system, control architecture, visible scale and nominal load. A fair comparison uses the same ride drawing, viewing routes, effects, operating hours and complete installed scope.

1. Start with the show concept

Ask what the audience must see:

1. a steady carnival outline or synchronized zone dimming;
2. per-point chases, gradients and moving color;
3. large luminous objects that remain visually dominant at distance.

The 80mm single-color record is the clearest starting point for the first brief. The 100mm UCS2903 record is the clearest programmable starting point. The 120mm RGB product creates a much larger visual point but carries a very different published load. Diameter alone does not tell you which looks brighter, which spacing is correct or which wins at daylight.

2. What the published evidence says

L-D-80WW is documented as a single-color 24V point at 5.76W [S1]. The page data and title disagree on IP wording, so do not combine IP65, IP67 and IP68 into one claim.

L-D-10018-RGB is listed with UCS2903, 18 LEDs, RGB, 24V and 4.32W [S2]. A localized product page describes three-pin male input and female output connectors. The production pinout, color order, controller file and maximum chain still need release documents.

L-D-120-DMX512 publishes 18 SMD5050 RGB LEDs, 24V and 27W [S3]. The specification field says UCS2903 while the description mentions a DMX512 IC and several controller options. The model name cannot resolve whether each point accepts native DMX, a cascade signal through a converter, or a project-specific configuration.

3. Twenty-light sample-branch calculation

Use a 20-light bay to compare electrical scale before a full ride mock-up:

Formula: `current = point quantity × watts per point ÷ voltage`.

The 120mm sample has over six times the nominal fixture load of the 100mm sample. That does not prove six times the brightness: the products have different optics, emitting areas and intended effects. It does mean the connector, cable, feed and thermal test cannot be copied from the 100mm bay.

Twenty points are a comparison quantity, not an approved maximum chain. The 100mm page contains an ambiguous statement around twenty pieces and power; obtain a wiring drawing before treating it as an injection rule.

4. One-hundred-light project calculation

For an illustrative 100-point facade or ride zone:

These values exclude supply losses, derating, controllers, cable loss and regulatory margins. Do not place 24A, 18A or 112.5A on one connector; release multiple accessible protected branches from the approved electrical design.

5. Spacing is a visual decision, not the housing diameter

For a 15m decorative line, teaching pitches of 150mm, 250mm and 400mm give initial quantities of 100, 60 and 38 points respectively (`ceil(15000 ÷ pitch)`). They are not manufacturer spacing recommendations.

The final point list must handle curves, endpoints, sign strokes, doors, service panels and occlusion. Approve at least one straight bay and the tightest curve from:

• the normal queue route;
• the ride perimeter;
• the main photo/video position;
• the operator and maintenance position;
• day, dusk and night conditions.

CIE 121 addresses measurement and presentation of luminaire photometric characteristics [S4]. Use applicable measured data plus the real mock-up; do not turn diameter or watts into an unsupported viewing-distance promise.

6. Control capacity and failure impact

80mm single color

The confirmed decision is mainly power switching or dimming. A failed point need not imply a data-chain failure, but the actual wiring topology must be documented. Do not call this version RGB-addressable because controller names appear elsewhere on the site.

100mm UCS2903 RGBIC

The physical order must match the effect map. Confirm data input/output, V+/GND/Data pinout, color order and the behavior after one failed pixel or connector. A powered lamp that shows the wrong color is often a mapping or order problem, not proof of LED damage.

120mm RGB

The page mixes UCS2903 and DMX language. First freeze the actual receiver/interface. Then document start addressing or cascade order, channel behavior, controller port capacity and fallback state. A large 27W point also increases the electrical consequence of a branch fault.

7. Expanded procurement matrix

8. Compare total installed cost

Use one scope:

`installed cost = point lights + drilled panels/mounts + custom harnesses + connectors + supplies + controller/dimmers + programming + protection + commissioning + spares + maintenance access`

A lower W/point does not guarantee a cheaper system if the design needs more points or more controller outputs. A larger lamp may reduce point count for a bold rhythm but can multiply feeder, connector and mounting requirements. Compare the same approved elevation and effect file rather than unit price.

9. Sample and supplier acceptance workflow

1. Verify exact model, production code, diameter/height, material, LED count, color system, voltage and power.
2. Measure mounting hole, rear clearance, cable exit, lead length and connector lock.
3. Photograph and record input/output arrows and pinout.
4. Build one straight bay and the tightest curved bay using final fascia material.
5. Run steady white/single-color scenes; for RGB products run red, green, blue, mixed color and numbered chase.
6. Compare day/dusk/night visibility, spacing rhythm, glare and camera appearance.
7. Measure branch input current and first/last voltage at the agreed maximum scene.
8. Inspect connector temperature, cable strain, vibration security, seals and drainage.
9. Replace one middle point and confirm downstream operation, color order and map.
10. Freeze golden sample, wiring drawing, BOM, controller file, acceptance photos and spare quantity.

10. When not to choose each option

Do not choose the 80mm single-color product when

• the customer requires independent RGB motion;
• an exact outdoor IP construction has not been reconciled;
• one static color cannot deliver the show concept.

Do not choose the 100mm RGBIC product when

• controller, pinout, data order and replacement identity cannot be maintained;
• a simple static outline does not justify programming and commissioning;
• 100×50mm geometry conflicts with the real mounting panel.

Do not choose the 120mm RGB product when

• the electrical design cannot support many protected 24V feed zones;
• the audience needs a fine-pitch image rather than large visible points;
• UCS2903/DMX architecture and ordered housing remain unresolved;
• mounting structure and maintenance access cannot support the larger unit.

Do not approve any option when

• watts or diameter are presented as guaranteed brightness or viewing distance;
• the quote omits the exact SKU, cable, connector, controller and IP construction;
• no physical/data map or protected branch drawing exists;
• the full installation is called IP67/IP68 from the point-light rating alone.

IEC 60529 classifies enclosure protection [S5]; it does not automatically classify panel penetrations, field joints, supplies or control cabinets.

11. Information required for a comparable quotation

1. Ride/sign elevation, total point count and CAD coordinates.
2. Viewing routes, operating speed and day/night effect video.
3. Candidate diameter, center pitch and mounting-panel thickness.
4. Static color, zone dimming or independently programmed RGB requirement.
5. Exact controller/interface, port quantity, physical order and project-file format.
6. Voltage, W/point, branch quantity, cable route, feed positions and protection.
7. Connector, lead length, cable exit, mounting hole and rear service clearance.
8. Rain/wash-down exposure, drainage, vibration and required IP evidence.
9. Sample, golden unit, spare strategy, MOQ, price, warranty and delivery.
10. Destination-market ride, electrical and public-safety documentation.

12. Copy-ready inquiry

> We are refurbishing a [ride/sign/facade] in [country] with approximately [x] visible point lights. Main viewing distance is [x m], proposed pitch is [x mm], and the target effect is [steady single color / RGB chase / large RGB accents]. Please compare L-D-80WW, L-D-10018-RGB and L-D-120-DMX512 with exact dimensions, housing, voltage, W/point, output/photometry, controller/interface, color order, pinout, maximum branch/data topology, connector/IP construction, mounting drawing, sample, MOQ, complete system price, spare strategy, warranty and lead time. Mark every unconfirmed field clearly.

FAQ

Is the 120mm 27W point automatically brighter than the 100mm 4.32W point?

No. The wattage difference proves a larger nominal electrical load, not equal-condition photometric output or visibility. Compare measured data and a real bay.

Can the 80mm single-color point run RGB animations?

Not from the reviewed product evidence. Select and document an addressable version if per-point RGB is required.

Is the 100mm product native DMX512?

The reviewed evidence identifies UCS2903. Confirm the controller and any conversion architecture rather than assuming native DMX.

How much current do twenty 120mm points represent?

Using 27W each, 20 points equal 540W and theoretically 22.5A at 24V before losses and margin.

Does one failed RGBIC point stop all following points?

It depends on the IC, wiring and failure mode. Test power, data input/output and downstream continuity using the approved sample chain.

Does IP67 on the light make the ride installation IP67?

No. Panel penetrations, connectors, field joints, supplies, cabinets and drainage must be evaluated as the installed system.

Which option is cheapest?

Only a common drawing and effect can answer. Include point quantity, wiring, controls, programming, supplies, installation and service—not lamp price alone.

What should be kept for replacement orders?

Golden sample, production code, label photo, dimensions, pinout, input/output direction, color order, controller file, BOM and acceptance record.

Sources checked

2026-09-23

1. S1: LIKELIGHT — 80mm fairground point-light mock-up and branch-load guide
2. S2: LIKELIGHT — DC24V UCS2903 100mm bubble amusement pixel light
3. S3: LIKELIGHT — 120mm 27W RGB fairground pixel light
4. S4: CIE 121-1996 — The Photometry and Goniophotometry of Luminaires
5. S5: IEC 60529 consolidated version — Degrees of protection provided by enclosures

LIKELIGHT 80mm, 100mm and 120mm amusement/fairground LED point lights

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