Christmas Lights
Christmas Lights questions and answers
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Q: How to hang indoor Christmas lights around a window?
I would like to hang indoor Christmas lights around a window from the inside. I did this last year, but used tape to hang them and the cold made the tape come off. I do not want to use nails as the window frames are very hard (like concrete) and nails would ruin the window trim/finish. I'd hang lights outside, but that would require opening a basement window and leaving it part way open in order to run the cord to an outlet (no exterior outlets at my house) Any suggestions?
A: 3M has developed removable, non-marking clips specifically for this purpose. In their Command Strip line of products they have decorating clips ideal for hanging a string of lights indoors.
You can find these at Home Depot, KMart, Lowes, Staples, Target, Walgreens, Walmart and more. See the 'Where to Buy' link in the menu on the left side of the page
Q: How can I make a common Christmas lights strand twinkle on its own?
I have a strand of Christmas lights and they don't blink, but I want them to blink and I am desperate about that! If I can't find a way to get my Christmas lights blink I think i will need to be hospitalized.
How can I fix this damn strand?
A: I believe all you need is a blinker bulb. Not sure what kind of lights you have but I know this works on mini's and C-7 light strands. Just make sure you unscrew the first or second bulb in the strand (or pop out if it's a mini), then replace it with your new blinker bulb.
There are also "blinker boxes" you can purchase (I bought one at a well know bargain store). These will make any lights that are plugged into the box, blink.
Good luck!
Q: How many 100ct mini Christmas lights can I run off a 1500 watt inverter?
I have been nominated to use my 06 Ram in our annual Christmas Parade and the ROTC kids want to decorate it with lights. I need to find out how many sets I can run off a 1500 watt inverter w/o a problem. I don't want the inverter shutting off half way through the parade.
A: A whole bunch if you use LED lights!
I have some 50 light C5 LED strings from GE. Each string uses 3.3 watts. You probably don't want to go over about 50% of the rated 1500 watts so assume 750 watts available. 750/3.3 = 227 for the 50 light sets I have. You should check the actual rating of the strings you buy.
Q: How much power do my Christmas Lights use?
Yeah, I know, I still have my Christmas Lights up!!
Actually, they're just for ambient lighting in my apartment. I have 3 strands of 100-lights each, and they're incandescent mini-bulbs. Does anyone know what wattage that would equal?
I'm wondering if it's more efficient to have the XMas lights running than it is to have 4 bulbs of 60 watts each from my overhead light.
Thanks!
--C
A: According to the article below, 300 'mini-lights' would require 144 watts. This would be less than four 60 watt bulbs. However, christmas lights are intended to be used seasonally, and the wiring and insulation is sized accordingly.
The best solution would be to install compact fluorescent lighting instead of standard light bulbs. The equivalent light output for each regular 60 watt bulb would be about 13 watts for a total of 52 watts!
Q: How can you put Christmas lights around a pole without them falling down?
We have 3 decorative pillars by our front door and want to put Christmas lights around them. We live where it is windy and icy and snowy. How will they stay put without falling down? HELP!
A: DONT use duct tape. itll leave stuff behind. use regular scotch tape, just use a long strip of it around the lights and pole every foot or so.
Q: Poll-How would you compare Christmas lights to traffic lights & how are they different and the same?
Think about it how would you compare Christmas lights that are multi colored to traffic lights?
A: You wouldn't hang traffic lights on a Christmas tree would you?
Q: How can I hang Christmas lights on my roof?
How can I hang Christmas lights on my roof without using a staple gun? My family and I just bought a new set of lights because the old ones were a definite fire hazard. The new ones don't have clips on them. So how can we hang these on our roof without a staple gun?
A: use a heavy duty glue gun and put gorilla glue in it so that they won't move and you can have your xmas lights up for the next 30 years or whenever you need a new roof.
Q: How can I hang up one strand of Christmas lights outside with no available outlet?
I want to light up one strand of Christmas lights on my balcony but I can't run the extension cord we have through the sliding door. Is there such a thing as a battery pack for what I am trying to do? I'm open to any other suggestions as well.
A: No battery pack will last long enough to run Christmas lights of of. The person who suggested a wireless device was incorrect. The best way to approach the problem is to run a heavy duty extension cord that is rated for outdoor use through a window. You can use some foam insulation, rope caulk or a rolled up cloth to cover the gap.
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Q: What is the "proper" way to decorate with Christmas lights indoors other than on a tree?
I have a small space (think tiny New York apartment small) and would love to jazz it up with Christmas lights. I could use some ideas on how/where to hang the lights festively yet pulled together and tidy.
A: You could hang some lights around door and window frames.
There are also some small Christmas trees that are fiber optic. I have one and its pretty cool.
Q: How to make Christmas lights go to music?
I was looking at making my Christmas lights go to music next year. I was wondering what type of stuff I will need to control them, any sites that sell it and have info would be helpful. Also how much would it cost to set that type of thing up. Thanks
A: The heart of the system is the controller.
You can get a computer controller that will allow you to alter the lighting by programing. This can be set to music or you may use other inputs as well. Such as motion sensors that activate certain macros.
If you are going to leave run for a long period of time you might want to invest in LED lights. If not, hit up the stores after Christmas to stock up on lights and displays.
Q: How to hang christmas lights in my room?
I want to hang christmas lights along the top of the walls in my room to decorate it, but i don't know how im going to hang them up. I cant get the clips because there's nothing for them to latch onto. please help :)
and also please don't say its a fire hazard im already aware and am not going to leave them on all the time.
A: Yeah, like the last person said, you can use thumbtacks or nails--just make sure you don't push the tack through the wire--usually christmas lights are made up of 3 or 4 skinny wires all twisted together, and you can push the nail or tack in the spaces BETWEEN the wires vs nailing through the wire itself (which is obviously unsafe, LOL).
Q: What is the easiest way to put christmas lights on your windows from inside?
I would like to put up christmas lights have them aligned to the edges of the windos for a more clean and straight look. My windows are vinyl and its difficult to obtain that look with suction cups...Please help!!
A: You can use some different sort of candles or a bowl having some nice floating candles that you can put on a card board. Except this you can use electrical bulbs layer.............
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Q: How to have abundance of Christmas lights without burning them out or power surge?
I want to have a huge Christmas lights display. We only have a two plug outlet in the garage that we can use as the power source. Problem is, I know that according to manufacturer's instructions, they say that no more than three light strands should be strung together. We have many strands and individual reindeers, and some other separate displays. My husband is of no help because he just wants everything strung together and I don't want to do all the work only to have a string or two burn out. Help please, thanks!
A: It would probably help if the christmas lights were on a parallel circuit. Then, each light would get the same amount of power and if one light goes out the rest of the starnd would still work. If it is not on a parallel circuit, the power would be less and less further along a line of lights. you could also try using a surge protector, then it could also be a power strip and the lights would not all need to be strung in one or to lines. Even better, you could use a surge protecter/power strip in combination with an extension cord in either order. Then, you could either have them split farher away from the garage or just have them star farther away from it. I hope this was helpful.