Christmas lights

[Scoop]

We went and cut a tree yesterday. I got it up and started putting lights on it, when I ran into a 100 string that did not fully work. I started putting it on when part of it went out and I had to take it back off. I worked on that thing for a while and found a burnt out bulb, but I knew there were more since it was not working. There were still 29 bulbs to deal with.<br /><br />Today I went to Kmart and found an awesome light tester for miniature lights. It is a non-contact continuity tester, a bulb tester and a wireing tester all in one for $15. It also has a compartment to keep extra lights in. They had two tester there, but this one is the one I would recommend. It helped me track down 2 more burnt out bulbs and one where the wire was not fully connecting. My lights are working again. Good thing to since these are the miniature pearl lights and we can't find more than a string or two every year. Well, gotta go back to getting the lights up before the wife finds I am taking a break. Only two more strings to fix.<br /><br />Update. All fixed now. This sure does help. I didn't have to pull each bulb. They have a website on the package. Too bad I didn't have it yesterday.<br /><br /> http://www.lightkeeper.biz/

 

[crab bait]

Re: Christmas lights

armed with the right tools/gear/equipment,, a man can do anythin'.. <br /><br />just don't fall off the roof..

 

[Homerr]

Re: Christmas lights

Been there, Done that... (a few years ago)<br /><br />Have the arthritis and mashed foot now to prove it...<br /><br />Be careful guys,<br /><br />Ladders can be real evil ifn' you are in a hurry.<br /><br />H.

 

[derwood]

Re: Christmas lights

Christmas lights make good battery testers too.<br /><br />I hope nobody with epilepsey ever comes to my house....I have almost enough lights flashen and blinken to give a healthy person a seizure, much less someone prone to it.<br /><br />I've had 3 close calls now with airplanes trying to land on the roof and the electric Co. sends me a Christmas card and a coupon for a ham every year....I've got to tone it down a bit.<br /><br />Twinklewood.

 

[JB]

Re: Christmas lights

Ahoy, Noelwood.<br /><br />I like to get the 10 bulb strings of mini-lights, which are all 12v bulbs arranged in series, and rewire them in parallel. Then wire them into a cig. lighter plug so I can arrange them around the back window of my truck.<br /><br />Makes a nice statement to the @#$%^& tailgating me.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Christmas lights

you do that.. you'll be the next mexican hero.. folk song ballads & all...!!

 

[trollhole]

Re: Christmas lights

Threw all my old light away finally! Went to Garden Ridge and they had nothing but crap. Went to Wal-Mart and they had a huge selection of lights. And get this all of them were the kind if one bulb burns out they still stay lit. Wow! Found these new light that have big fat round bulbs kind of what you see on cartoons and they are awesome make the tree look really nice.

 

[bKelly]

Re: Christmas lights

Homerr,<br /><br />I learned the hard way about getting in a hurry with ladder. I ended up with two cracked vertebrae and a concussion. <br /><br />The lights grow more every year. By next year it should cover close to ½ an acre.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Christmas lights

I didn't find a good way to get my lights up. I tried putting hooks around the facia and then using a pole with a Shadyed hook on the end, but they dropped. I have to use wood under my ladder because of the uneveness of the ground. this year I did nto even try. My wife put lights on outside trees, and I put around 500 light on our inside tree. <br /><br />We found some commercial grade miniature lights that you can plug 6 strings end to end. they seem good. We have 2 different brnads. We got some after Christmas last year.<br /><br />The fixing tool I was talking about is also supposed to help the kind that have only one bulb that goes out. It sounds like the shunt in the bulbs sometimes does not work correctly and this will help find it.<br /><br />I am just happy all my lights work now.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Christmas lights

my neighbor just tacked up the kind of lights that have white wires last year... and just plugged'em in again. yep, left'em on his fascia all year i'm just glad i didn't have to find a plastic santa to put on the roof! my wife threatened to put the word out to my 3 yr old -if i didn't put the 'nets' on the shrubbery out front. so i did go that far at least, but haven't been blackmailed into outlining the house yet. i do hang wreaths outside all windows every year though.

 

[DJ]

Re: Christmas lights

JB,<br /><br />I would be curious to know if those lights in the back of yuour truck "spell" out anything!

 

[derwood]

Re: Christmas lights

Yea....what does a Dr. spell on the rear window of his truck to a tail gator? (forgive my spelling)<br /><br />Intrestedwood.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Christmas lights

the thought is too funny! i hope it doesn't catch on though, we already have all those repos & wreckers & construction rigs all over town, that drive down the freeway at night with the friggin pulsating headlights and strobe beacons on top...<br /><br />please, please all you who must be in a special interest group- go after legislation against visual offense like that stuff!!!<br /><br />ahem... i did wire up a switch to my reverse lights back in high school for tailgaters, but it was only used sparingly. i think i used the other switch more- it turned off my tail lights completely- when sneaking onto private land to do some parking with a young sweetie. it kept me from being caught when speeding a couple times too. <br /><br />but as for christmas- i don't think you can overdo it on the lights! (i just don't want in the game) we'll drive by and let the littl'en be impressed.

 

[JB]

Re: Christmas lights

Just Christmas lights, Askingwood. All colors and blinking peace on earth to my fellow motorists.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Christmas lights

Eb, I did the same thing with my backup lights back in high school.

 

[derwood]

Re: Christmas lights

Good enough for me JB....I was just curious.<br /><br />If I keep getting tail gaited I am going to mount an flood light to the back of my truck cab.<br /><br />If I hang some tinsle from it would that make it Christmasy?....It makes the statement "Good will to you....now get to steppen."<br /><br />I could paint a red and green ring around the edge of the lens....If i flip the button fast enough I could give it the effect of blinking....Thats kinda Christmasy!<br /><br />Oh well....Just a thought.<br /><br />Noelwood.