Christmas lights
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Other Topics
Forum Name: Shops, Barns, Varmints, and Trucks
Forum Description: anything you want to talk about except politics
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=198422
Printed Date: 25 Aug 2025 at 11:14am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Christmas lights
Posted By: ACinSC
Subject: Christmas lights
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2023 at 2:16pm
| Trying to get some to stay lit so I can hang them on my shop . Put a brand new string up last year and half of them went out after a couple weeks . Anyone else feel my pain ? Thanks ! |
Replies:
Posted By: Walker
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2023 at 2:51pm
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Plug in a radio and listen to some fa la las and such. Not much sympathy on this end. |
Posted By: Dave H
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2023 at 4:10pm
 our led sets are working just fine. I dono 
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Posted By: ACinSC
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2023 at 4:18pm
| Should have said these are LED. So far they're all staying on after I tinkered with them . Thanks |
Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2023 at 8:13am
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We have a very extensive Christmas display. I consider myself an "expert" on Christmas lights, not because of my vast knowledge, but because we have made just about every costly ($$$$) mistake possible over the years. First of all, if you have "box store" LED lights, you need to invest in an LED Lightkeeper. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=led+keeper&hvadid=616863258705&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9005005&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5192780904401711812&hvtargid=kwd-39413108777&hydadcr=24665_13611781&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_5wao22kd9e_e" rel="nofollow - Amazon.com : led keeper (They are available other places, but it was easiest to show what I am talking about using Amazon.) There are several good YouTube videos to teach you how to use one. If you want to alleviate a lot of the "one goes out, a bunch go out" problems, think about going to commercial Christmas lights. (They have probably saved our marriage several times!) They are available in C7 or C9 size bulbs - C9 are larger. ( https://www.christmasdesigners.com/c9-cord-12-spacing-green-wire-spt-1-500.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMaxShoppingNew&kw=&ad=&matchtype=&adposition=&c=PMaxShoppingNew&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAvJarBhA1EiwAGgZl0KYg6AEj6HwAGh0nT020yHsy4Fxi3pylyfEmTgIaHQIrm9IvTKonOxoCPOcQAvD_BwE" rel="nofollow - C9 Cord, 12" Spacing, Green Wire, SPT-1, 500' (christmasdesigners.com) They screw in (like the bulbs when we were kids), are replaceable, can be (quickly and easily) cut to length and are great to work with. You choose from whatever bulbs you want (we use the same chords for Halloween and Christmas) https://www.1000bulbs.com/fil/search?q=c9+led+bulbs" rel="nofollow - 35 results for 'c9 led bulbs', filters: -1734463201526551521 | 1000Bulbs.com The bulbs are also available in color changing, too. Learn to use vampire plugs ( https://www.amazon.com/s?k=vampire+plugs&crid=H6C7WMA4UC8U&sprefix=vam%2Caps%2C251&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_3" rel="nofollow - Amazon.com : vampire plugs ). I can cut a string to fit and install a male plug on one end and a female plug on the other end easily in less than one minute. You can easily add or replace sockets, too. https://christmaslightwarehouse.com/shop/c9-sockets-replacements-green-each/?gclid=CjwKCAiAvJarBhA1EiwAGgZl0FNjKxM9TN3-oMrEyTSn--Aur1sDXi0tvcQ4OQTQTLS1R82fFnKtSxoCGvgQAvD_BwE" rel="nofollow - C9 Sockets Replacements Green (Each) (christmaslightwarehouse.com) If you decide to buy, the wire comes in either SPT1 or SPT2 sizes. Both are 18 gauge. The insulation on the SPT2 is a little thicker. I have all SPT1 only because that's what we started with. The SPT1 is a little more pliable in cold weather, but the SPT2 is a little more rugged (We have had no problems with durability with the SPT1 and we have been using the same strings for several years.) Whichever you buy, make sure the vampire plugs and replacement sockets are all the same size! They are not interchangeable. We also use SPT1 wire (available at our local Home Depot) to custom make extension cords. ( https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-100-ft-18-2-White-Stranded-CU-SPT-1-Lamp-Wire-49909503/304781532" rel="nofollow - Southwire 100 ft. 18/2 White Stranded CU SPT-1 Lamp Wire 49909503 - The Home Depot ) All of the wire is available in several different colors - white, green, brown and black (maybe others too) both in bulk wire and spools with sockets. I purposely posted links from several different vendors. I have no allegiance or preference to any of these companies. I find the quality all the same, so I shop for whoever has the best price or match to what I want. If I can be any help to anyone, give me a shout!
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Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2023 at 8:34am
| By the way, if you're looking for lights for next year, there are usually some discounts after Christmas. |
Posted By: ACinSC
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2023 at 11:14am
| WOW ! Thanks Curt ! Lots of good info . I do have box store C 9 LED lights . |
Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2023 at 7:01am
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Got ours up already and Good timing as rains have set in. Then wife had me Lug the 100# monster fake tree she bought several years back, back up to the Living Room. May be my last effort where that will end up remaining DOWNSTAIRS after this Christmas. May even go back to cutting a Cedar in the field to decorate. |
Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2023 at 7:16am
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Here's a link to our Facebook page, with some pictures of our display. I built the Santa's sleigh and Ferris Wheel (that turns with the lights on). My wife traced, cut out and painted all the plywood painted decorations. The tree with the blue lights is approximately 40' tall. It has 1200 lights on it. It seems like just a few years ago that we were using a stepladder to put the lights on.
https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=smith%20family%20holiday%20display" rel="nofollow - smith family holiday display - Search Results | Facebook |
Posted By: ACinSC
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2023 at 11:46am
| Link won't work for me , Curt . Might be something on my end ? Thanks |
Posted By: Ray54
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2023 at 12:46pm
You need a Facebook account for the video to play, worked here.  I know, I know everybody wants to hate on facewaste. But most of us are cheap, Ok for old Joe and shameless FRUGAL, and there are bargains to be had on Facebook Marketplace. An my Wonderful has an account and I need to see grandkid pictures. And I can catch what mother and daughter are saying about me sometimes, when they forget I can see their private messages back and forth. Yes I know most times they are just messing with me.
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Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2023 at 1:17pm
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Have my own Faceplant page Ray, feel the same as you, bought and sold some stuff on Marketplace otherwise tends to be a Liberal Haven. |