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desertjoe 
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Joined: 23 Sep 2013
Location: New mexico
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 Topic: Christmas lights,,,,
Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 6:50am |
I am in need of four sets of tree lights that have 50 lights each like used to have. I had built a yard decoraation of 3 life sized deer pulling a Santa Sled back in NM some years ago and used 50 light strings ( which were availavble everywhere) and I would add one of the red tipped "flasher bulb" at the 25 bulb spot for constant flashing,,,,Beaurtiful,,,!! I used the 50 bulb to light up each of the deer wth a RED Flasher bulb at the 25 bulb spot. Now a days,,,you just cannot buy the 50 bulb sets and the 100 bulb sets or even up to 500 bulb sets are the only'ist sets available,,,!!! the 100 bulb sets all start with 2 wires at each end but change to 3 wires after ytthe first bulb and remain with 3 wires thru the middle of the set,, Hope yall can understand what I;m wanting to do,,,,,?? Can anyone tell me how to cut and splice the 100 bulb sets to have 50 bulbs,,,???
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DMiller
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Location: Hermann, Mo
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Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 7:33am |
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New lamp strings require the Third wire for Continuity should one bulb fail. The only Flasher for LEDs is electronic and is in a box at beginning of string. No Flasher Lamps anymore.
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WF owner
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Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 8:13am |
I don't know "like what used to have" is.
We do extensive Halloween and Christmas displays. I consider myself (kind of) an expert on lighting, not because of my vast knowledge but because I have made just about every (expensive) mistake possible and I have learned from them.
A few of my most basic recommendations are: 1. If the lights do not say anything about staying lit when one light goes out, RUN AWAY!!! 2. Consider using "build your own" (commercial) lights where you buy a string of wire with sockets, cut it to length and insert your own lights. You can make light sets as big (you can buy 1000' reels) or small as you want. You can custom build sets, to size, for windows, doors, trees, etc. 3. Use only LEDs for light bulbs. 4. Learn about SPT 1 and SPT 2 wire (both 18-gauge wire with different external size) and vampire plugs. This will make your life much easier! You can (and we do) use SPT wire to make custom, cut-to-length extension cords with multiple female plugs on one cord. 5. Learn the difference in C-7 and C-9 bulbs. C-7's are the size that we had on our Christmas trees when we were kids and C-9 were the big bulbs on our outside windows. 6. If you want lights for one season, anything is fine. If you want the lights to last several seasons, stay away from the "box store" lights and buy only commercial lights. They cost more initially but are a lot less problems.
If you want to replace the lights in your deer with the "old style" C-7 bulbs, it's very easy. I would recommend buying lights with white wire and sockets. You can buy different socket spacing and you can add sockets anywhere you want between the existing sockets. 17 results for 'white SPT' | 1000Bulbs.com
Here are a few links. I have linked only one company, but there are a lot of different companies that have comparable products and prices. We have been using these lights for several years with only replacing an occasional single LED bulb.
If I can help any, give me a shout on here or PM me.
First is a link to our Facebook Smith Family Holiday Display page:
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WF owner
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Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 8:18am |
This might work for the red nose.
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steve(ill)
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Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 8:31am |
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that is very interesting WF... I didnt realize you could buy SNAP ON sockets to put on white wire and build your own... Also notice they sell a 50ft, 50 light ALREADY BUILT assembly... that i assume is what JOE calls the "old style light set"...
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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WF owner
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Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 8:46am |
The only problem with the 50' preassembled set is that they are 12" spacing. While 12" spacing is fine for windows, I would think you might want to buy extra sockets and insert more at either 4" or 6" spacing for the deer. It's very easy to cut them to whatever length you want. You can always find a place to use the leftover sockets.
If you buy a pre-made set, make sure it has the thread in replaceable bulbs.
This holiday lighting thing can get to be an expensive hobby. It's kind of like collecting tractors!
Edited by WF owner - 13 Dec 2025 at 8:48am
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den/southern illinoi
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Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 5:34pm |
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I have 2 sets of "50 count Halloween Lights" I could sell you. They are orange color and Do steady burning or flashing feature, Never been out of the box, $5.00 each plus shipping. Just let me know if it would help. Den
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Own 4 wheel 20, 5020 and associated equipment and 1 electric forklift. Also a 720 garden tractor, 720 Diesel. 620 and soon a 616 garden tractor.
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Lars(wi)
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Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 7:05pm |
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Up until just a few years ago, we had strings with the C-9 bulbs, wires were rubber and cloth, sockets were a real hard plastic almost porcelain type. I can’t remember if some are still packed away, or they were tossed during a move. Haven’t actually done any ‘light decorations’ for a couple years.
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I tried to follow the science, but it was not there. I then followed the money, and that’s where I found the science.
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desertjoe
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Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 10:17pm |
 DMiller wrote:
New lamp strings require the Third wire for Continuity should one bulb fail. The only Flasher for LEDs is electronic and is in a box at beginning of string. No Flasher Lamps anymore. |
SO,,,,it will not matter how many bulbs there are in a string of bulbs? The Old Timer light strings I was referring to had 50 bulbs and the bulbs were about 5-6 inches apart, not one foot apart, You could change the bulb at place #25 in the string with a red tiped bulb, and the whole string of bulbs wolud start to flash,,,,, I would install the string of bulbs where the red tipped bulb would up at #25 for the flashing effect on the nose of the lead Deer,,,!!! Can I cut the 100 bulb string of lights to become a 50 bulb string???
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jaybmiller
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Posted: Yesterday at 6:19am |
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hmm, now don't hit me but..... why not just 'fold back' the 100' string into a 'double 50' ? or lay the extra 50' on the snow as 'accent' lighting ?
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WF owner
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Posted: Yesterday at 6:23am |
The C-7 lights, that I was talking about, can be cut to any length you want. If you buy a premade roll, you can add two sockets between every existing socket for a 4" spacing or one socket in the middle of the existing two for a 6" spacing.
If you get one C9 socket for the nose, you could add one of these strobes for the nose.
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steve(ill)
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Posted: Yesterday at 8:14am |
Joe, the NEW LIGHTS are wired something like this.. TWO of the wires are the HOT and NEUTRAL that go from one end to the other... The THIRD wire is a jumper between the other two that has a group of light bulbs in series... If you had 10 bulbs on the jumper then each one gets 120v / 10 = 12 volts... if you had 4 bulbs on the jumper then each one gets 120v / 4 = 30v... etc...(NOTE:--- voltage between the ORIGINAL 2 wires is always 120V).. If you cut the 3 wires at some point , SOME of the light strings will continue to work as the bulbs still have a HOT and NEUTRAL... However there are some FLASLHING Lights that have a diode / resistor type setup on the FAR END PLUG, and if you cut that off, the NOTHING works.. All you could do is cut a wire and then plug back in and see if half your lights still work.. a test...
The BEST solution is the old 2 wire system where all bulbs are in PARALLEL as WF has posted..
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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DMiller
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Posted: Yesterday at 9:59am |
desertjoe wrote:
DMiller wrote:
New lamp strings require the Third wire for Continuity should one bulb fail. The only Flasher for LEDs is electronic and is in a box at beginning of string. No Flasher Lamps anymore. |
SO,,,,it will not matter how many bulbs there are in a string of bulbs? The Old Timer light strings I was referring to had 50 bulbs and the bulbs were about 5-6 inches apart, not one foot apart, You could change the bulb at place #25 in the string with a red tiped bulb, and the whole string of bulbs wolud start to flash,,,,, I would install the string of bulbs where the red tipped bulb would up at #25 for the flashing effect on the nose of the lead Deer,,,!!! Can I cut the 100 bulb string of lights to become a 50 bulb string??? |
No, just NO.
Will be a small box near the plug, that is where the voltage control is(Electronic) to produce the lower voltage for LEDs, is designed for 100 and will release the magic smoke any other value beyond one or two burn't out.
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Dirt Farmer
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Posted: Yesterday at 3:07pm |
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This reminds me why I enjoy other people’s lights and don’t decorate for Christmas other than a simple tree and Nativity display in the house. Keep it simple and give me back the Yule Log on tv for the holidays, you can almost feel the heat. Enjoy the simple life but take moments for enjoyment of the extraordinary work others do in their light displays. Remember the real reason we celebrate this time of year and an early Merry Christmas to the many great folks on here.
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DanWi
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Posted: Yesterday at 3:51pm |
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Have a reindeer standing in the living room. Stripped all the old lights off it that didn't work and have 5 boxes of 50 LED's and some tiny zip ties to get him lit up again. Need to get motivated and get him done and outside before Christmas. Think the wife would mind if I just leave him lit up in the living room😊
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dr p
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Posted: 21 hours 27 minutes ago at 5:56pm |
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I only need 8 lights. Lol
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Walker
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Posted: 21 hours 17 minutes ago at 6:06pm |
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I'm getting one of them Tesla Coils with the intention of standing out in the yard with lightening circling me and my hair standing on end until next year. I just wish it was a little warmer, come join me if you'd like.
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