Deacon Dave’s Christmas Lighting Tips

Mini- lighting:

One of the many questions asked at the House of the Dove at Christmas time is how many strands of lights can you connect together?  Many people have told me that they blow out the first strand of lights.  This is a clue that too many strands were connected together.  The ideal is that three strands of 100 lights may be safely connected in sequence into an electrical outlet.  I have pushed the limit at times by putting four strands and suffering the consequence at times by having to replace the fuse in the first string. 

All Hardware Stores have Electrical Three prong adapters.  They are a short cord about a foot or less with three outlet plug-ins on one end.  Each of these will hold three sets of three strands.  Always consult the Electrical Sales person in the store for advice and help.

To support the three outlet adapter always use a heavy duty extension cord.  Be careful, don’t make a mistake and purchase a light weight extension cord.  The extension cord may over heat.  If the cord becomes warm or hot to the touch, turn it off. Pull it out of the source of electrical supply.  You are over loading the extension cord.  You may need the Heavy duty cord.  Always consult an electrician for advice. 

If you are using a lot of lights the best advice I can give you is to have an electrician balance the load.  This will keep from having Electrical Circuits trip off.  Note:  If an electrical circuit keeps tripping, take the message!  You have a problem. Get help fast!

I would think that safety would be your first and foremost concern.  As my Grandmother often said “It is better to be safe than sorry.”  Never use old electrical cords or strings of lights that are damaged, taped, have cracked electrical cords, or any type of damaged plug-in. (the male end or female) 

When a strand of mini-lights does not work, first check the fuse.  Many Christmas Lights have fuses.  Fuses may be purchased at your local Hardware Store.  Take the old fuse with you to avoid getting the wrong size fuse. 

If the fuse is not burned out, that is, you do not see a brown or blackish color in the fuse, and then check the strand of lights to be certain that there is no damaged or missing bulb.  Make certain that all light bulbs are secure and solid in the socket.  Once this is done then begin testing each little light bulb.  Have patience, this will take time.  Use one of the many Christmas Light testers sold in most stores that sell Christmas Lights.  The big name stores usually have them in stock.  The most common Mini-light tester uses a double “A” battery. 

Use an old dead string of lights taking the good bulbs as replacements.  Basically you are recycling your Christmas mini-lights.

At Casa del Pomba (House of the Dove) if we cannot fix the problem using the above guide within 10 to 15 minutes it is less expensive and time wise to discard the problem cord.  Remember to save your light bulbs for future replacements. 

The price of mini lights have become quite reasonable to replace the problem you can’t solve.  A wise shopper goes out the morning after Christmas to take advantage of the Christmas Sales.  Usually you can purchase a box of mini-lights for pennies on the dollar.  I shop the day after Christmas for lights for the coming Christmas.  There are always a few strands that have been damaged on take down.

Yes we at the House of the Dove take down all the outdoor Christmas Lights.  The summer heat and light will fade the color light bulbs.  And the elements can crack the electrical strands holding the mini-lights. 

Christmas lighting can be fun when done correctly and safely.  Store you Christmas lights in a secure container so they will not become damaged or chewed by rodents. 

To keep the power bill down, turn off the Christmas lights when the family retires for the night.  Don’t leave Christmas Lights on when not at home.  Remember this “Tip” information sheet is not intended as the “know all of electrical” information.  It is a “Tip” and only that.  Consult an electrician for professional advice, I certainly do.