Technical Questions and Answers
Technical Questions and Answers
Why are half my Christmas lights out?
More than likely, it’s a missing or unseated bulb. A few-minutes visual inspection will usually reveal the culprit.
Can you shorten a string of lights?
Short Answer: It depends on the type of Christmas lights. Smaller serially wired sets of Christmas tree lights should not be shortened. Traditional 18 AWG Christmas cord can be cut to fit.
Hanging Christmas Lights: Plan for Success
This article discusses the fundamentals of designing a Christmas Display.
How many lights can I string together?
Check the specification of your lights to see exactly how many can be run together. The UL rating is 210 watts in series.
How do you make lights twinkle?
Using a red-tipped flasher bulb can flash a light set on and off. Mix the set with steady burning strings to create twinkle.
What is the difference between C7 and C9 bulbs?
The short answer is that C7 bulbs are smaller than C9. They both screw into traditional Christmas cords but the bases of the C9’s are larger.
Latest Tech Q/A
What does the IP65 rating stand for?
The Answer: Whether or not you've heard of the actual rating, IP ratings are becoming more attractive to consumers since they are applied to cell phones. Everyone wants to know what will happen to their phones if they were accidentally dropped in water. Either them or...
FAQ: What do I use to outline my roof?
What do I use to outline my roof?During Christmas, a few basic materials are used to outline rooflines with lights. The list includes C7 or C9 Christmas cords, bulbs, commercial clips, and gilbert plugs (both end and inline). You'll also need wire snips and...
Are C7 and C9 bulbs the same?
Are C7 and C9 bulbs the same?Short Answer: No, they are very similar but are different sizes. Continue reading the long answer for photos and more information. Longer Answer: C7 bulbs are shorter with smaller diameters than C9s. Both are installed in 18 AWG...
Christmas Lights Lingo!
Common Christmas Lights Terminology and Vocabulary 5mm This is a shape of LED lens that is about the shape of and slightly smaller than a pencil eraser. It has been referred to as "wide angle" and "conical" in the past since there is a cone shape molded into the lens...
LED Bulbs: Comparing the Whites! 2022 Edition
This year, we are releasing Natural Pure White, the third available color white in our LED product line. Commercial C9 LED bulbs with E17 bases and 5mm light strings have been released for the 2022 season. More versions will follow next year. Here is a photo comparing...
Mini Lights – Changing a Fuse
Click on this post to see more information about changing fuses. Read more… Mini Lights – Changing a Fuse
Top 10 Christmas Lights Questions
We've been answering customer questions for 16 (almost 17!) years. Here are a few of the technical questions we hear most often. How do I light a really large tree? This project provides a great reference for large tree projects....
Video: What is the “mini” in minilights?
https://youtu.be/hJmJ6-4SHT4 What is the mini in mini lights?The description "mini" refers to the relative size of the small glass bulbs in Christmas tree lights compared to larger C7 or C9 bulbs. These three bulb sizes were the most prevalent when Christmas lights...
Can I use a gilbert plug on a set of mini lights?
Can I use a gilbert (vampire) plug on a set of mini-lights?The answer is no. Gilbert plugs are designed and manufactured to work exclusively with 18 AWG wiring. Mini lights are commonly made with 2 or 3-wire harnesses of 20 or 22 AWG wiring. Mini lights - also known...
Will your C7 or C9 bulbs work in my cords?
Will your C7 or C9 bulbs work in my cords?Short answer: Maybe, if they are standard commercial cords with E12 or E17 bases, the bulbs sold on our website should work in your cords. Some custom cords - the type made inexpensively for big box stores - may be just...
Can you mix C7 and C9 bulbs together (in the same cord)?
Can you mix C7 and C9 bulbs together in the same cord?Short answer: No, they won't fit into the same cord because they have different-sized bases. Continue reading our longer answer for more information. Longer answer: This is a great question, especially since we've...
How do I terminate the end of a cut 18 AWG or larger stranded cord?
How do I terminate the end of a cut 18 AWG or larger stranded cord?Options for terminating a Christmas cord include installing a female plug or using electrical tape, or liquid electrical tape. Watch a quick video or see the video transcript for more information....