Is there a simple way or maybe even some sort of tester that would help you determine just where the problem lies in a string of christmas lights? I have a few strings that do not work and even if a bulb is burned out, they should work. As I have a few that actually do have a bulb out but the rest of the string is lit. These things are a real pita to figure out.

I use this device I bought from QVC. Just used it last night to fix the same problems you are having. It is awesome! Go to QVC.com and type in H89598

Lightkeeper PRO Repair Tool and Bulb Tester w/ LED Feature
Retail Value $30.00

QVC Price:
$19.82
Shipping & Handling: $4.97

Easiest way is buy new lights after Christmas, put them up next year, throw away, repeat. :D

I went through my annual frustration of putting lights on the tree Saturday. I KNEW there was a reason I used to plug in the first string before installing the second string. After getting two of the three strings installed I discovered I had them on backwards with the plug-in at the wrong end. Had to take them off and start over. Of course I was pissed and broke a couple bulbs off in the socket. Grrrr!:mad:

I like how they say that they will stay lit if one bulb goes out, Yea right. I have 3 sets thet don't work, I hate them. Anyone have any info on the new LED lights that are out? If one goes out do the rest keep going? Does not say anything on the box.

LK

I went through my annual frustration of putting lights on the tree Saturday. I KNEW there was a reason I used to plugged in the first string before installing the second string. After getting two of the three strings installed I discovered I had them on backwards with the plug-in at the wrong end. Had to take them off and start over. Of course I was pissed and broke a couple bulbs off in the socket. Grrrr!:mad:


Merry Christmas, Von! :D

Much overlooked is the fuse in the plug itself. There usually is 2 tiny fuses in the actual plug. There should be a small slide that will open to reveal the fuses. Many times when they don't work but should, it is the fuse. Don't ask me how many sets I tossed in the trash before I came across this tiny morssel of info.
Jeff

i went to Home Depot this year and bought a pre lite LED tree for 50 bucks on black friday , no lines to wait in either. best investment I ever made!

i have been leaving them up all year on the outside tree, now the squirrels have chewed thru them and stole some of the bulbs-i go out at night and look up in the trees, when i see a nest lit up, i'll know who took them, then bam

I went through my annual frustration of putting lights on the tree Saturday. I KNEW there was a reason I used to plug in the first string before installing the second string. After getting two of the three strings installed I discovered I had them on backwards with the plug-in at the wrong end. Had to take them off and start over. Of course I was pissed and broke a couple bulbs off in the socket. Grrrr!:mad:
I've been doing the same thing for years. Finally I put a little tag at the start of my lights saying "start here, this end to Frank's house". It went painless this year. Daren

Easiest way is buy new lights after Christmas, put them up next year, throw away, repeat. :D

Best advice ever. They're only $10 each, so it's sure worth it to avoid the aggravation. Instead of cussing and fussing and getting all tore up while you're trying to untangle those SOBs, you just use scissors and cut them off the tree. :thumbsup:

I spent about an hour with the multimeter the other day, troubleshooting a cheesy little illuminated snowman. Needless to say, I screwed up just as I do every time I touch something electrical. We have three of them and the other two worked, so I started checking and swapping bulbs, checking fuses etc, and ended up with only one snowman working. They should be great for target practice though. :D

I went through my annual frustration of putting lights on the tree Saturday. I KNEW there was a reason I used to plug in the first string before installing the second string. After getting two of the three strings installed I discovered I had them on backwards with the plug-in at the wrong end. Had to take them off and start over. Of course I was pissed and broke a couple bulbs off in the socket. Grrrr!:mad:


Extension cord, Von...:D Leave the string and run the cord up the trunk to the "orphan", not that I have any "experience" with this.....;)

I like how they say that they will stay lit if one bulb goes out, Yea right.


They will stay lit with ONE burned out. It's when they get 2-3 or more that one half of the string will go black and then the fun begins.....:sad:

I hate Christmas lights. The wife puts them up. :D

Name of the thread says it all X10. Nothing like plugging and and checking on the ground and they work fine. Attach to a house and a portion of one section does not work. Sunday I spent 45 min 12ft up on a ladder trying to get them going again. Bah Efen Humbug!!! :D

This works.l:)

Why do they work when you take 'em down and don't work the following year? What happens to them during that time? :confused:


Respectfully,
John R.

Buying new ones every year doesnt guarantee success either.......I tried that and STILL get lights out after I put them up :confused:

Is your house on fire Clark?

Easiest way is buy new lights after Christmas, put them up next year, throw away, repeat. :D

Actually, the easiest way is not to screw with the damn things at all - ever. :D :thumbsup:

When I was a kid in about '61 or '62 we had one of those godawful aluminum foil trees with a lighted color wheel. No lights on tree but a light on a stand with a constantly rotating wheel on it with about 4 different colors the light shown through as it turned. Much simpler but looked terrible. Had it one year then back to real tree.

Von believe it or not those things are coming back into style.

Just grab a box of flares. Won't stay lit for ever, but then again, your neighbors will notice!

Easiest way is buy new lights after Christmas, put them up next year, throw away, repeat. :D

Thats what I said too, but a few of these strings are actually fairly nice when lit. The bulbs are more unique then the traditional lights. It would just be a shame to throw them away.

Much overlooked is the fuse in the plug itself. There usually is 2 tiny fuses in the actual plug. There should be a small slide that will open to reveal the fuses. Many times when they don't work but should, it is the fuse. Don't ask me how many sets I tossed in the trash before I came across this tiny morssel of info.
Jeff

I actually checked that and just replaced it. Its impossible to see into those things if the fuses are actually burned out.

Why do they work when you take 'em down and don't work the following year? What happens to them during that time? :confused:

Respectfully,
John R.

I dont know either but thats exactly what happened here. They worked fine when we put them away and now they dont work at all. If it becomes that much of a problem I will do what Cameano said above. They do get pretty cheap after christmas.

That's why I leave a broom by the door. Never fails lilghts work fine tonight, next night they're plugged in there's a section out. Take the broom rake it over the lights and it's like magic, their on, unplug for the night repeat the brooming the next time lights are plugged in. It's a never ending cycle. Pete

That's why I leave a broom by the door. Never fails lilghts work fine tonight, next night they're plugged in there's a section out. Take the broom rake it over the lights and it's like magic, their on, unplug for the night repeat the brooming the next time lights are plugged in. It's a never ending cycle. Pete
That's how my mother got me to do the chores when I was a kid. It works!:D

We popped for the LED lights 2 seasons ago. A little spendier in the start, but they've be through 5 on/off the house cycles and still all work.

I do the same thing as Daren71. After the 1st year of getting the whole display up & running I went back and attached labels to the strings - NE house corner, etc., and then the string to string socket/plugs - A/A, B/B. I even left the gutter clip things on the strings. Had the whole house done in an hour this year!

Actually, the easiest way is not to screw with the damn things at all - ever. :D :thumbsup:I agree :yes: No Christmas lights on my house :noway: Wife puts up a tree, but I refuse to help, or offer suggestions (other than "leave it in the box" )

Bah-Humbug! :D

"Clark, the little lights aren't twinkling."

"I know Art, and thanks for noticing".

I hate Christmas lights. The wife puts them up. :D


Thats how I do mine too. :thumbsup:

Is there a simple way or maybe even some sort of tester that would help you determine just where the problem lies in a string of christmas lights? I have a few strings that do not work and even if a bulb is burned out, they should work. As I have a few that actually do have a bulb out but the rest of the string is lit. These things are a real pita to figure out.

Had the same problem last weekend. Spent an hour or more chasin the problem without any luck. Went to Lowes and bought a tester for $9.00. Took me all of 2 minutes to fix the light sets when I got back.

Its a gun shaped tool. Hold the end near a light, press the button; and if it has power, the tool will buzz. Moved along the string til the buzz stopped and backed up 1 bulb. Replaced and I was golden.

well I dont put lights up mostly cause we dont have any but also cause we are never home at X-mas time we are always at the inlaws. but miki does put up a small tree with decorations for the brats lol

That's why I leave a broom by the door. Never fails lilghts work fine tonight, next night they're plugged in there's a section out. Take the broom rake it over the lights and it's like magic, their on, unplug for the night repeat the brooming the next time lights are plugged in. It's a never ending cycle. Pete

Any electrical equipment acting like that is probably better left unplugged... :eek:

bah-humbug! :D

x2! :D