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Old 11-24-2013, 03:40 PM
 
Location: Funky town
953 posts, read 1,821,494 times
Reputation: 648

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So this year, I am making an attempt at installing lights myself (except roofline) instead of outsourcing it. My question is how do houses have exact lights around a window or column? Should I buy a pre-lamped reel from Home Depot or lowes? If I do how do I customize it to the exact length I need?
I am looking to put lights on my front porch and flower beds in the front lawn around the pathway.
Any DIYers here?
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Old 11-24-2013, 04:22 PM
 
19,514 posts, read 17,753,685 times
Reputation: 17043
Quote:
Originally Posted by frenzyrider View Post
So this year, I am making an attempt at installing lights myself (except roofline) instead of outsourcing it. My question is how do houses have exact lights around a window or column? Should I buy a pre-lamped reel from Home Depot or lowes? If I do how do I customize it to the exact length I need?
I am looking to put lights on my front porch and flower beds in the front lawn around the pathway.
Any DIYers here?
Generally people run lights to where they need to end and cut off any remaining bulbs and wire. Cap the end with wire nuts and electrical tape.
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Old 11-25-2013, 07:57 AM
 
Location: Funky town
953 posts, read 1,821,494 times
Reputation: 648
Quote:
Originally Posted by EDS_ View Post
Generally people run lights to where they need to end and cut off any remaining bulbs and wire. Cap the end with wire nuts and electrical tape.
Thanks EDS. The problem with series connection will be an increase in voltage if you do it that way.
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Old 11-25-2013, 09:14 AM
 
19,514 posts, read 17,753,685 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frenzyrider View Post
Thanks EDS. The problem with series connection will be an increase in voltage if you do it that way.
Errr what?
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Old 11-25-2013, 10:13 AM
 
1,212 posts, read 2,284,939 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EDS_ View Post
Generally people run lights to where they need to end and cut off any remaining bulbs and wire. Cap the end with wire nuts and electrical tape.
That is exactly how they do it. My guys rewire the strings. Always makes me worry about a fire, but so far, no issues. I think the moisture can cause a string or two to go out, but they are over the next day to fix them.

Interestingly, depending on the house, sometimes they save the lights for next year and other times they just cut them down and throw them away.
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Old 11-25-2013, 12:13 PM
 
Location: Funky town
953 posts, read 1,821,494 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EDS_ View Post
Errr what?
In a series circuit, the current through each of the components is the same, and the voltage across the circuit is the sum of the voltages across each component.
Series and parallel circuits - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Shorten Mini Lights - doityourselfchristmas.com

Take a look at MNicolai's post
Shortening Christmas lights | ControlBooth
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Old 11-25-2013, 01:33 PM
 
19,514 posts, read 17,753,685 times
Reputation: 17043
Quote:
Originally Posted by frenzyrider View Post
In a series circuit, the current through each of the components is the same, and the voltage across the circuit is the sum of the voltages across each component.
Series and parallel circuits - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Shorten Mini Lights - doityourselfchristmas.com

Take a look at MNicolai's post
Shortening Christmas lights | ControlBooth
It's not nearly that complicated. Modern Christmas lights are nearly always wired in parallel (parallel = if one bulb fails the other bulbs will still get power and work - a shunt passes power down the string when a bulb fails).

1. Parallel lights may be plugged into each other to create a longer run of lights.

2. Within reason separate runs of parallel wired lights may be significantly different lengths and each bulb will be similarly bright. What's weird is that if a number of bulbs burn our of break the other bulb on that run will be brighter.

In front of my house a string of lights runs west it's ~1.35 lengths of 50 ft. lights. The string running east is ~2.15 50 ft. lengths of identical lights and they appear identical in terms of bulb brightness.



Every light installer in town cuts off any extra lights to make the lengths work.
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Old 11-25-2013, 01:49 PM
 
Location: Dallas, TX
2,825 posts, read 4,437,020 times
Reputation: 1830
@HockDad, do you have them wrap your trees like the link below? If so could you send me their contact info and if you have any idea on pricing? Thank you in advance!

http://www.hhiremodeling.com/media/2...mas-lights.jpg
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Old 11-25-2013, 02:46 PM
 
Location: Earth
794 posts, read 1,664,011 times
Reputation: 519
I guess we can ask this guy for some DIY lighted decor.

500,000 Lights: Family's Christmas Display Sets New World Record In Australia : The Two-Way : NPR
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Old 11-25-2013, 06:37 PM
 
Location: Funky town
953 posts, read 1,821,494 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GripeWater View Post
Holy cow! That is like a south asian wedding...
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