I am technically inept (understatement!) and really don't understand the workings of electrical thingys. The bottom strand of lights on our Christmas tree went out, and we decided to just live with it since replacing the lights would involve de-decorating a third of the tree. I came home from shopping, and the lights were on! My husband explained that, while I was gone, he had figured out that a diode had failed and he cross-wired two sub-connectors to get the lights to work. I praised him greatly and was so happy and terribly impressed. Then he told me the lights just came on by themselves and he hadn't the slightest idea about diodes and sub-connectors or why the lights now worked. If he weren't so cute, and if it weren't the Christmas season, I'd box his ears!
Not having any LED lighting but being familiar with the DC loving new generation lights, I can appreciate your husbands solution. Now was that a Half wave or full wave rectifier? (rhetorical question) Jerry
My husband tried something similar with me Jane some years ago. I simply turned to him and said knowingly - I take it you changed the bulb then? The look on his face was priceless as he thought he'd got the better of me for once. No way - after all he's only a man isn't he?
Cheryl, how did you know? Jerry, I asked him about that rectifier thing, and he said he used a cross-referenced rectifier installed upside down. I think he's getting a little cocky . . . .
Girls, girls....never mind the lights going on and off--aren't your men the lights of your lives? Don't they generate more than enough light on their own to illuminate your dwellings and relationships?
Oddly enough, most of our Christmas lights have diodes. Normally they don't, but I add one to each string. Adding a diode to the circuit (don't do this with LED strings, there's a 50/50 chance that they'll quit completely) makes them burn far longer than normal. Normally, the bulbs are burning at maximum brightness and most of their life will be used after one holiday season. They may also burn out quicker if there's a small power surge while they're on. So, Marlin, your darling hubby might have been on the right track. The subconnector (basically, the thing you plug into the wall) may have a lose connection. Most have fuses tucked away in there, and occasionally they get a little loose. You shouldn't cross wire them, just tighten the connectors. As for the diode, they don't come with one from the factory, but they are a good idea. On a separate note: Do they have "The Knack"? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmYDgncMhXw
Roy honey, I didn't understand a thing you said, but I'll pass the information on to my husband, who will likely understand (or pretend to) what you wrote. Sjoerd, I am definitely not letting my husband see your post He's cocky enough, having put one over on me! [/quote]
Yes EvilRoy... definitely "The Knack"... especially for one of them. the other seems more normal... I expect it's because he has a wife and kids to keep him "grounded". Love that video... I think I sent it to them last year. If not...gonna send it again.
Randy definitely has "The Knack" I never met anyone who could repair or rebuild things like he does....and he is a HAM radio operator
