String lights and inflatables are allowed for Halloween display. Other powered props and effects are also permitted, as long as they do not create an unsafe condition.
You can find ways to make all these elements for your display, but knowing how to power Halloween decorations is just as important.
There are three main elements to consider when determining the correct power source for your display. These are (1) the power draw of your elements, (2) the duration for which you will power them, and (3) the location of your elements. Some considerations for power sources include the location of an outdoor outlet, the length of an extension cord, and the capacity of a power station.
What Halloween Decorations Need Power?
Several powered effects may be worth including in your display. These include:
- Pathway and string lights
- Inflatables
- Projectors
- Speakers
- Effects Controllers
- Props and Effects
- Timers
- Special Effects
The best way to determine the power requirements for a particular effect is to look at the manufacturer's information. One effect may have a completely different power requirement from another effect in the same category. For example, the projector power requirement for an effect projector may be completely different from the power requirement for an effect inflatable.
You should make a list of all the effects that you plan to use and determine the power requirements for each of those effects. Once you have that data, you can go for the right power source.
Three Ways to Power Halloween Decorations
1) Direct Wiring
If your display is situated relatively close to an outdoor electrical outlet, plugging the decorations into that outlet may be the easiest option.
Products intended for outdoor use can still be damaged by various elements. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) states that when using outdoor holiday lighting, the light sets should be marked for outdoor use. For outdoor electrical decorations, use a GFCI-protected receptacle or a portable GFCI.
If your Halloween display is fairly close to the house, and you’ll be leaving your lights on for long periods of time, then a wall outlet would make a good power source.
2) Outdoor Extension Cords
If your house display requires Halloween decorations that are situated farther away from the house, the use of outdoor extension cords is appropriate, if those cords are rated to carry the load of the connected decorations.
Cuts or other damage to the extension cord poses a fire hazard and should not be used. The CPSC suggests that extension cords be rated for their intended use and that outdoor extension cords have outdoor-rated construction.
Extension cords should be placed to avoid creating a tripping hazard to people walking on pathways.
3) Power Stations
A power station can be used for powering Halloween decorations that are situated away from the house and an electrical outlet. It can also be used to situate a display along a long, narrow pathway that is away from the house.
When using a power station, it is important that the power station be rated to carry the load and not be used solely based on outdoor-use marketing claims.
Create a Halloween Power Budget
You can roughly figure out your needs by using the formula:
Watts × Hours = Wh
For example, an electrical set that is used to make a holiday display and operates for 5 hours at 20 Watts uses:
20 Watts × 5 hours = 100 Wh
Another display using 40 Watts and also on for 5 hours uses:
40 Watts × 5 hours = 200 Wh
Therefore the total Wh for those 2 devices is:
100 Wh + 200 Wh = 300 Wh
There are a couple of reasons your actual battery run time will be less than the calculation. To be safe, you should always build in some extra capacity.
Keep in mind that the numbers in the power budget are for example only. To be exact you will have to determine the watts for your devices yourself.
Example Halloween Power Budget
| Device | Running Watts | Hours | Required Energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED lights | 30W | 5 | 150Wh |
| Projector | 60W | 5 | 300Wh |
| Speaker | 25W | 4 | 100Wh |
| Inflatable blower | 50W | 5 | 250Wh |
| Total | 165W | 800Wh |
These figures are only an example. Always replace them with the actual wattage shown on your equipment.
Other Considerations for Peak Demand
While considering a power station's running wattage is important, there are other factors to consider. Devices may have a higher start-up demand than the running demand. This is typically the case with any device that contains a motor or compressor.
Let’s say there is an inflatable that has a blower that has a start-up demand of 350W and a running demand of 250W.
When deciding on which power station to purchase, consider both the peak and continuous demand. The power station must support the demand of the device. Just because the device’s running demand fits within the power station’s continuous output, it does not mean the device will work with that power station.
Understanding Battery Capacity
One Wh (watt-hour) is a unit of energy. A device's wattage indicates its power draw, while watt-hours help describe how much energy it will require over a period of time. A larger display may use more power than a smaller one, but you should rely on the actual wattage of the connected devices rather than display size alone.
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The GEYOTO N300 has a capacity of 256Wh, 300W rated AC output, and 500W peak output. This power station may work to power a low-watt display. A larger and more powerful display may require the GEYOTO N1000, which provides 1,024Wh of capacity, 1,800W rated AC output, and 3,000W peak output.
A power station can power a Halloween display only when its rated and peak output are compatible with the connected devices and it has enough battery capacity for the required runtime. The type of decoration alone does not determine the required power station size. Check each device's actual running wattage, startup demand, and expected runtime.
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For additional information about power station wattage and other considerations, see GEYOTO’s power station wattage guide.
Easy Ideas for Decreasing the Electricity You Use for Halloween
Buy a more powerful power source to increase run time if you wish or look for ways to make better use of the power source that you have.
When using lights for your display, try to use LED lights. LED lights are more efficient, especially when used for longer displays.
Many of your decorations will have timers to turn them on and off. If you do not need your decorations to run all night, adjust the timers to turn them on at dusk and off at a time of your choosing.
Do not leave electrical decorations running unnecessarily, especially when you are away or asleep. If you have decorations that will be okay to turn off, do so.
Tips for Using Electricity Safely for Halloween
Not all power sources are created equal when used outdoors. Make sure your power source is capable of powering all of your displays.
Inspect electrical decorations and extension cords before use, and do not use items with cracked, frayed, exposed, or otherwise damaged wiring.
Outdoor electrical decorations should be plugged into a GFCI-protected receptacle or a portable GFCI. When using decorations and extension cords, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent overloading the circuit.
Final Thought
When using any power source for a display, the equipment should be supported and not the other way around. Also, when creating a Halloween display, support the expected wattage of the equipment being used, and determine if the power source can support the expected runtime.