Need Hep from an Electrician

[db5]

I just installed two new strings of Christmas lights which are connected. Each string contains 150 lights and they are the three-wire type, so that if a bulb is out it doesn't affect the rest of the string.

Now, here's the weird (to me) part. The last 50 bulbs in the first string are out but the string connected to it are fine. My initial thought is that there is a break in the wire. However if there is it has to be inside the bulb connection as there seems to be no damage anywhere visible.

How to I determine what is wrong? I probably can cut this single bulb out of the string and fix it. However, I don't want to guess and be wrong.

suggestions on determining what is wrong and how to fix it?

[JPG]

I just installed two new strings of Christmas lights which are connected. Each string contains 150 lights and they are the three-wire type, so that if a bulb is out it doesn't affect the rest of the string.

Now, here's the weird (to me) part. The last 50 bulbs in the first string are out but the string connected to it are fine. My initial thought is that there is a break in the wire. However if there is it has to be inside the bulb connection as there seems to be no damage anywhere visible.

How to I determine what is wrong? I probably can cut this single bulb out of the string and fix it. However, I don't want to guess and be wrong.

suggestions on determining what is wrong and how to fix it?

50 are out and cutting out a single bulb will fix it?

P.S. Flashing 50 lights at a time?

[db5]

Cut the wires before the first bulb that is out and splice it back. Not sure what you mean by flashing.

Hope that clarifies things. What do you suggest I do to determine the cause and fix it?

[BuckeyeDennis]

Having spent a ridiculous amount of time in the past fixing a strand or two at SWMBO's urging, my advice is to replace the strand. Trial and error may get you there if there is only one bulb with a bad shunt, but with two or more, you'll have a return of about $0.01/hour on your labor.

LIGHTS1B.GIF (5.11 KiB) Viewed 1237 times

But if you really can't control your masochistic tendencies, the link below should have all the info that you need.

http://www.ciphersbyritter.com/RADELECT ... SLITES.HTM

[Jack Wilson]

i agree, replace the string they have gotten pretty inexpensive i keep a couple of extras on hand just my 2 cents worth.

[db5]

The problem is not in replacing something inexpensive but the labor. The lights wind around the roof through overhanging tree branches and take about two hours to install - while on a ladder. That is too labor intensive.

One thing I have noticed is that too often we (myself included) offer suggestions that are not requested by the one who posts something. On another site the recommendation is to just junk it and buy another car. Easy for the one with the recommendation but not for the one requesting help.

Do I think this will change things? No. But there might be one person who focuses on what the problem was and offered an answer other than just junk it and replace it. That doesn't work in relationships and not always in requests for help here.

[rpd]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PPcoMWSuNM[/youtube]

[beeg]

Now, here's the weird (to me) part. The last 50 bulbs in the first string are out but the string connected to it are fine. My initial thought is that there is a break in the wire. However if there is it has to be inside the bulb connection as there seems to be no damage anywhere visible.

How to I determine what is wrong? I probably can cut this single bulb out of the string and fix it. However, I don't want to guess and be wrong.

suggestions on determining what is wrong and how to fix it?

I doubt that the wire is broken, I wood suspect a burnt out bulb. Swap out bulb #49 & #50 to see what happens. Then keep swapping out till ya find the bad bulb. NEXT year plug em in and check them on the ground.