Christmas tree lights...

LSainsbury · 10-12-2006, 20:54

You all know whats coming...

We've just put up our Crimbo tree (I'll post a pic if you want - later...)

We have 150 bulbs - what apears to be in two strands...there are two fuses...

Anyway - only half of them are working now (they where all working when we put them on to test them..)

I've checked both fuses - all ok - and also reversed fuses to see if the other strands works but nothing on one set...

So - IMHO there is a loose bulb as both fuses are ok - correct theory?

Also - can I pull out bulbs when lit - or is that not a good thing to do?

Cheers

Lee

Paul · 10-12-2006, 21:00

Would think either 1 or more lose bulbs or a blown bulb or two..... or three

I always test my lights while they are on, as long as you let go before you burn your fingers you should be ok.

greencreeper · 10-12-2006, 22:57

Modern lights should be wired in parallel, not serial

**Graham M** · 10-12-2006, 22:59

Low voltage ones tend to be, however 240v ones, not

Go figure

LSainsbury · 11-12-2006, 07:36

Just to mention - lights are brand new - from Homebase this year!

Knobbly · 11-12-2006, 09:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsainsbury

Just to mention - lights are brand new - from Homebase this year!

Run them back and get them replaced.

LSainsbury · 11-12-2006, 09:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knobbly

Run them back and get them replaced.

What - for a loose or blown bulb? Surely this is to be expected??

I know one strand is not working (every other light) so all I need to do is check a max of 75 of them until I find the dodgy bulb - that should take about 20 mins - a bit quicker than putting them back in the box and taking them back for a replacement me thinks...

**Graham M** · 11-12-2006, 09:52

A brand new set should, IMO be working perfectly!

11-12-2006, 09:55

when you say you checked the fuses do you mean the fuse bulbs with the white tips? and no I wouldnt expect to buy anything that didmt work out the box

LSainsbury · 11-12-2006, 10:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

when you say you checked the fuses do you mean the fuse bulbs with the white tips? and no I wouldnt expect to buy anything that didmt work out the box

Yes - the fuse bulbs with the white tips...

As I said the original post - they worked for about 10 mins when we put them on the tree... I switched them off so we could get under the tree to put some water in the base - safety and all that, but when we switched them back on only one of the strands was working - i.e. every other bulb....

Edit - I assume there are two strands and are wired as - connect one bulb, miss one bulb, connect one bulb etc...

---------- Post added at 10:11 ---------- Previous post was at 10:10 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

A brand new set should, IMO be working perfectly!

They did - for about 10 mins...

11-12-2006, 10:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsainsbury

Yes - the fuse bulbs with the white tips...

As I said the original post - they worked for about 10 mins when we put them on the tree... I switched them off so we could get under the tree to put some water in the base - safety and all that, but when we switched them back on only one of the strands was working - i.e. every other bulb....

Edit - I assume there are two strands and are wired as - connect one bulb, miss one bulb, connect one bulb etc...

---------- Post added at 10:11 ---------- Previous post was at 10:10 ----------

They did - for about 10 mins...

So you are happy at paying for somehting that worked for 10 minutes?

I'd have been back to homebase instead of posting here to be honest.

LSainsbury · 11-12-2006, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by timewarrior2001

So you are happy at paying for somehting that worked for 10 minutes?

I'd have been back to homebase instead of posting here to be honest.

I see where you are coming from, but in all honesty I think it's just a loose / blown bulb. We have spares (about 8 normal and two fuse bulbs) so obviously they are going to go at some point...

Of course - the whole set might be ****ed but we don't know that yet until troubleshooting is completed tonight...

Knobbly · 11-12-2006, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsainsbury

I see where you are coming from, but in all honesty I think it's just a loose / blown bulb. We have spares (about 8 normal and two fuse bulbs) so obviously they are going to go at some point...

Of course - the whole set might be ****ed but we don't know that yet until troubleshooting is completed tonight...

Unless Homebase is absolutely miles away, would it not be quicker just to get them replaced rather than spend hours testing each bulb?

LSainsbury · 11-12-2006, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knobbly

Unless Homebase is absolutely miles away, would it not be quicker just to get them replaced rather than spend hours testing each bulb?

Homebase is just down the road...but it would take about 20 mins to check them out - about the same time to go and get a new set.

Thing is - unless we test the new set in the shop, how do we know there isn't a problem with them...

I can spend 20 mins looking at the bulbs - better than watching BoreEnders! Will let you know the outcome...

11-12-2006, 10:50

i would ask them to show you them working in the shop or have no faith and take a refund and buy a set that has leds instead