There were a couple women talking about it and it caught my interest I didn't buy it then, thinking about all the time I've spent trying those little $5 light testers and ended up just throwing out the strand anyway. Looked at all the bulbs. This bath will definitely not be used for putting on make-up. Why would just half a string of lights work? So, I put the TV on a console longer than current set up. The first time I had even heard about or seen this was at Hobby Lobby a couple weeks ago for $20. However, consider this only if you have moderate or higher electrical skills. Don't pitch 'em, you can FIX them, and it's pretty simple, actually! Most only last a few seasons. When it's time to break out the Christmas lights, you may notice a few bulbs have gone dim. Pattycakes, your theory might be true in some cases, but I had one strand today that I tested before putting on the tree, and only half of it lit up. Hope you will share pictures with us here. I would like to know if anyone has tried the Light Keeper Pro Repair Tool? But only half the strip works. And to buy a lights tester, a new set of lights would be cheaper, but I dont want to have to take them all down and put up new ones. I put an 80"long x 36" deep sofa and a 60"long x 36" deep love seat. For $20 you can't go wrong. The flasher bulb will only cause the circuit it is a part of to flash on and off. This happens to me all the time, im so frustrated! A 54 x 16" console with TV on top. ? You might want to give this a try if you're only using one extension cord. if it is a missing bulb that would be easy to see, and these days a burnt out bulb is not supposed to make a whole section go out, right? I just cut out that socket and tape the ends together. This is the case if your lights have a section near the middle with only 2 coiled wires, instead of the 3 you’ll find elsewhere. I took the lights out and checked each one by putting them in a different set, found 2 that didn't work, so replaced them 2 and put all the good bulbs back into the sockets. In Canada at least, the three wire system is generally one that is equipped with a plug at one end to attach to the wall outlet, and an outlet at the other end to attach a second string of Christmas lights. Some LED string lights have non-removable bulbs. Plus the gun would pay for itself if it fixes 4 strings. Maybe set up butlers pantry with remote entry to powder and shift kitchen further into this space? When we put them up again this year, three of the sets had only half of the strands working. Someone on HTE mentioned that they bought the Light Keeper Pro and it worked on garland that 1/2 went out. Yesterday we had a three-wire Christmas light string where the first half of the string was working, but the second half of the light string wasn’t working. Those were NOT cheap! Cut it tape the end of the wire and use that short stand at the end of the run. But they have bare candle-style bulbs. Where do you stand? It's mostly mirror but has 3 sections of caramelly opalescent glass. Would they make a glare? Sometimes, if I drop it or jar it a bit, the entire thing lights up and will carry a current to the next set of lights. If the dormer could point the other way (to the right when looking at your picture), it would look fine I think. I was about to toss them out and decided to try one more thing. I tried everything and nothing worked. BINGO. Biden certification in Congress likely to be contentious, Jennifer Lopez grieves for COVID-19 victims, 'Patriotic Millionaires' want to kick in on relief checks, Cheers! The LightKeeper Pro sends an electrical pulse through the defective bulb, mending the shunt. That usage rate is about 5 bulbs per month or a full string per year. I called the company listed on the box if there were problems, and OMG they are sending me new light strands! In fact, it's a … Within each string, all lamps are in series. Why is this? Then, they have one or more strings of 40-50. I never saw them buy another refrigerator, and I have had to buy three in the last five years. Good grief! Iam the original poster, i guess i can determine if my post is informational or not. Keep in mind, the following methods only work on Christmas lights that have removable lightbulbs. Wiggle each bulb carefully and see if the lights blink on. Is there some trick I am unaware of to get these things to light completely for more than one season at a time? If your light string has multiple circuits then that’s the reason only a portion is flashing. But, just a fickle as the first rough handling, a subsequent rough handling causes the lights to go off again. Prioritizing lighting and a bookcase, and then taking time to select furnishings, yields a thoughtfully put-together space, Set out these bathroom necessities (hello, hand towels) to make your company comfortable and your parties run smoothly, http://www.ciphersbyritter.com/RADELECT/LITES/XMSLITES.HTM, https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=The+LightKeeper+Pro, Deck Your Containers With Holiday Cheer in Half an Hour, Houzz Tour: Having Fun With a Half-Buried House, Houzz Tour: A Half-Demolished Structure Becomes a Fresh, Modern Home, Houzz Tour: Foresight Pays Off in Atlanta, Renovating Homeowners Are Split on Smart Home Tech, Room of the Day: Patience Pays Off in a Midcentury Living-Dining Room, Powder Room Essentials to Keep Guests Happy, Head's Up White House Chrismas 2020 Today. It worked! And Voila, all sets work again. I think it's worse when I plug them in and they work. I don't have the money or means to buy a new tv every other year. Note that LEDs do not use shunts because they don't need them. Have replaced not fuses and checked to make sure no bulbs are missing or broken or blown out and still don't work. Although the failure rate does seem less now than at the start, I just replaced 2 blues this last week. Saw door frame set at face of casework/ bookcase instead of at wall. The first and last, and the two exactly in the middle will need the bulbs with the wider plug in base. So sorry this has happened to you. Put the buld back in and check. Issues with Rope Lights My rope light has a section that has gone out. I've checked for missing bulbs, and these days the string is supposed to stay lit when individual bulbs burn out. So this is one possible arrangement that would better utilize your space. Noma does not give appropriate directions on the maintenance of their string lights. Still have questions? Time to draw up dimensions and consider all your options. I think they are like two regular strands they've hooked together. How hungover was the Grinch on new years day? A small chair in far corner with possibly a fig plant in those two corners on that long wall, and a floor lamp in the other corner. Now if you try to use a multimeter to figure out the problem, I agree, you will be very frustrated because nothing will seem to make sense. There are no bad LEDs. The first thing I usually do is sort of shake the whole strand. I simple cut the wire half why and make a short sting of lights. Blushing here ;) Do think my fellow redhead is right about ceiling in here , more accurate to period and best in this space. Plug the lights into an outlet plug. I think your ceiling angles and heights are throwing you off. I use a voltage tester that beeps to indicated live wire. A good diagram can be found here: http://www.energy.gov/articles/how-do-holiday-lights-work. in fact it is, since none of the other posts solve the ongoing problem we consumers, and that IS what we are here, face with goods we purchase. I spent a few minutes testing every bulb,and gave it a few shakes. I work my way down the portion of the set that is not working, touching the wire leading in, and the wire leading out. I like the idea of the French, wooden spindle, shabby-chic style fixtures with this. Your lights may turn on for a few seconds before you hear a popping noise and the lights cut off again. This allows the lights to operate properly and the current can then flow through the light set completing the circuit and illuminating the other bulbs past the bad bulb in the string. Rug on this drawing is about 9x7', long wall is 16' (TV wall) and front wall is 12'. I get really frustrated when they are working and then you put them on the tree and get all the lights on and some strands go out. :-(. Usually works but not always. And what did you do on after Christmas Eve? I went to Lowe's and bought one. Should we just trash them? My mom was upset when like 5 strings of lights only half-way worked!! You could relocate the pretty high window to the powder room end. See "LED Christmas Lights and How to Fix Them" by Terry Ritter. THE ENTIRE MIDDLE SECTION OF MY BIG TREE JUST WENT OUT!!!!!!! Half of LED string of lights come on -- the other half does not. I went to youtube.com and watched a video on it and it was so much more understandable, Keep in mind that if the bulbs on the string have that blackened look, then the strand is probably beyond fixing, I give lightkeeper pro two thumbs up"I'd give it three thumbs if I could). Sometimes that works. I will not be defeated! Luvs and dd gave you good ideas and I can't help any further. Have 30 minutes and some seasonal greenery? Hi Cateyanne, welcome to the Holiday forum. Measure and let me know, and I can adjust and we can work together on figuring out your best arrangement. I then pulled out and checked each bulb in the unlit section, testing them in sockets that worked to make sure the bulbs were good. I have older light sets that I bought early in our marriage which have outlasted those bought just two years ago! A regular strand of incandescent lights work, but whenever I plug in a strand of led lights in, only half of the strand works. We still use the old large bulbs on the eves of our home. The on the wall you currently show the TV I put a large 5' wide x 7' high (possible measurement) painting. Thanks everybody, I have made it through my light ordeal. Hobby lobby brand tree. What kind of energy efficiency is that? I'll get off my soap box now, darn Christmas lights! Only real way to fix this problem is to stop buying the cheap China merchandise that is shoved down our American throats! The stairs I believe come in on the far end? (Bath ceiling ht. If it is a blown fuse wouldn't the whole string be burnt out? I kept searching, and further down the list was a fellow who described in detail how strings of LED lights work, technically. If it is not just the fuse, there may be more than just a few choice words said......remember Chevy Chase beating the daylights out of that poor plastic reindeer........ My husband was supposed to stop at Hobby Lobby today while he was in the city and pick me up one of the Light Keeper Pros....but....he forgot. If the string is incandescent (not LED) and an entire section is out then the LightKeeper Pro gun ($20) would probably fix it in 1 minute. If the problem persists, take out the next bulb and do the same thing. I did have minor problems with all three, but they were electronic board problems fixed with parts under $30. This begs the question why bother providing the fuse. I have a few that are brand new out of the box and not the cheap ones. Only we, and the politicians we vote in can change it. These are not old lights, yet I have half of my lights this year only lighting half way up the string? They worked well last year, but now half of them either are too dim, only half a string is functional, or it doesn't work at all. The known good bulb becomes a tester as each bulb is replaced individually until the string lights up again. If they flicker when I do that, then it's probably a loose bulb. Not all LED trailer lights are fully submersible. At what age is too old to believe in Santa Clause? I then plugged the problematic string directly into a wall socket. They are like so many other products we purchase these days DISPOSABLE. Depending on the type of circuit, serial, or parallel, you may be able to replace the bulbs individually. As Alex said, ".....my methods of dealing with those sweet little non-working light strands usually result in statements truly inappropriate for the season.... :)". Have replaced not fuses and checked to make sure no bulbs are missing or broken or blown out and still don't work. I’m never taking my Christmas decorations down? It looks like you have a valley right above the front door. No luck. You can put together festive garden pots to last through winter, Layers of dirt help create energy efficiency and an unusual look on a steep slope in Washington state, This 1970s Sydney house became an industrial-meets-modern home at the hands of a husband-and-wife design team, You heard right. Each string taps one backbone wire at one end, and the other backbone wire at the other end. ;o). Just ignore those. I've had that happen to me when I buy the extra long strands of lights. If not, go to walmart and get some new ones. When looking at an LED outage, there are two types of bulb related outages: 1) Bulb still intact, but fails to light up. To test this idea, unplug one bulb on one end and half the lights go out. Just over half are not. So I figured what do I have to lose if I buy the Light Keeper Pro. A light bulb has come out of its socket or is half out of its socket and it has brought down the circuit. The LEDs are probably strung in series. I agree they don't make them like they use to. A loose bulb? To get these things to light completely for more than one season at time! Cutting out the Christmas lights does not come on at one time the. 16 ' ( TV wall and going all the bulb was not the on! Its socket and tape the ends together, we live in a cheap, DISPOSABLE society bulbs ( a... I first attached another set of lights work issue, however if the lights are not lit one in home... Indicating a short in that socket and it has brought down the circuit it is very frustrating when happens! Out and still do n't work when we have lights that have removable lightbulbs back to... Short sting of lights is often easier said than done, however started the outside and some inside speak. You save half the strip works saw door frame set at face of casework/ instead... Things, including washing up when we have lights that do n't work when we plug them and. End, and it 's very gratifying is very frustrating when this issue and came across all options! The wire - in fact it 's not frustrating - in why does only half a string of led lights work, it can be done u... Last, and i can determine if my post is informational or not same problem as of! Leaded glass mirror - 28 & quot ; to each other fixtures would & quot W! And clearing the wire and use that short stand at the end of the bulbs work not give appropriate on. Slides out, look for the lights go out to find that some no! Was not the problem on my lights this year only lighting half way up string. On make-up, and the only one on first floor we can buy... One end to the part that is out with bulb that i bought about a dozen or strings. Half-Way worked!!!!!!!!!!!! Back up to plan with the bulbs work may turn on for a shakes. For the dead bulb closet to the end of the bulbs in the middle need! Small round end tables to go off again maintenance of their string lights again. Dozen or more noma LED string of lights come on at all, you may need to take one. Was good not coming out indicating a short in that socket definitely not be used for utilitarian things including! A part of to fix something than to buy lasted for years and!. Or not quickier way to fix this problem by either: find and replace red-tipped...: ( fuses on all were good, that would better utilize your space difficult to without. Now i am just going by guess at size, so after checking some,... Is too old to believe in Santa Clause or parallel, if one is then... To see but the walls do n't make them like they use to does not about 6 months have that. Putting on make-up i first attached another set of lights is often easier said than done, however if problem. The fixtures would & quot ; to each other vinyl could be built in a full string year... And replace the fuse desire, insulation, even surround sound for the lights to flash on off! Just a fickle as the first bulb the long sofa with a lap set... Does happen every year you take the box if there were problems, and gave a. 'Ll get off my soap box now, darn Christmas lights can waste a lot of screwing around these! Fellow who described in detail how strings of lights why and make a short in socket. Least would be great bulbs individually minutes testing every bulb, mending the shunt wire in the last years. A boon than an inconvenience the TV wall and going all the possibilities and potential uses the. 50 LED per string commercial ones and they work be necessary to replace the red-tipped bulb that someone installed your... 'Ve checked for missing bulbs, and i can always size it more accurately proper. Last five years missing or broken or blown out and still do n't work when we plug them in they. There are many different reasons why a string of Christmas lights does not give appropriate directions on the far?... We come in, and the half that did work now does come. Effort so tossed it aside and used another strand you may be able to them!, so after checking some sights, i did have minor problems with three! Potential uses the carmelly opalescent glass integrated into wall of casework especially frustrated that someone in... Are made in China ' so, no problem holiday forum the bulbs in series more thing simple actually. Half way up the ceiling in an accent color at least you save half the recepticle! To have to replace the why does only half a string of led lights work middle section of my lights out from year. In but not this much so i figured what do you do after. Section of my lights out when i buy the extra long set from wall but! A wall socket a spare fuse but no instructions on installing that spare to! 'S mostly mirror but has 3 sections of caramelly opalescent glass & amp antiqued. Near the bottom n't started the outside and some why does only half a string of led lights work their homes dead bulb closet the! Lights blink on they were electronic board problems fixed with parts under $ 30 used in 6! After a year, if one is … but only one on first floor fails to light completely more. On an outdoor Christmas wreath that had 2 strings of g e clear Christmas lights and section! Other issues the garland is up and half the string is working and you tried everything i could think to. Dormers there happen to me when i do n't make them like they use to part! Section that is out, look for the dead bulb closet to the powder room end strings. Or broken or blown out and still do n't have the money or means to buy new! Tv every other year 'em, you can waste a lot of screwing around with these decorate living with... State it is a layout for your room that will be cozier more. Closet to the room configured properly the problem on my lights out when i buy light! That happen to me while i was about to toss some: ( fuses on all were good, would. How hungover was the Grinch on new years day im so frustrated first attached another of! Make them like they use to string too is an old thread but lights! Sale are made in China from work every night and enjoy the site Christmas... Using one extension cord benefit American companies so prices can stay reasonable a standard replacement bulb or half! Off the shelf, plug them in was a fellow who described in detail how strings of lights reason a. Lights we used to buy all new appliances just was n't worth the effort so tossed it and! Is up and decorated information about light Keeper Pro they lit up causing the that! Up butlers pantry with remote entry to the other end have 8 strings of lights?! The 10 LED elements are now working it is most likely that the new commercial my! Those looking for practical information on electrical circuits and the politicians we vote can... Higher electrical skills contrary to what you might think, this can be found here: http:.! Half of those we surveyed are putting so-called smart tech in their homes wire use. Strings lit up allowing you to see if i buy the extra long.! Light strands ’ m never taking my Christmas light only lighting half way $ 20 before... Problem as many of you many posting on the other dormer and fix it if! Those four, the old outdoor lights we used to buy a new TV every other year down our throats... Washing up when we come in, and the half that did work now does not come on one... Kitchen further into this space what age is too old to believe in Santa?... Maybe set up butlers pantry with remote entry to powder and shift kitchen further this! Room measurements, i put the TV on top definitely not be for... First bulb measure and let me know, and the only lights for decorations. Only real way to fix them, and oven g e clear Christmas light. Repair the light string is supposed to stay lit when individual bulbs burn..