Has anyone ever successfully restrung lights on a ... - Page 2

Shogirl · ‎12-06-2010

The exact same thing happened to my old tree and I actually did add some strings of lights to the middle part, and it looked great. Of course, the back of the tree looked messy with the cords hanging off it, but I tried my best to tuck them inside and cover them up. But, as a couple of years went by using it that way, I got tired of trying to track down all of the plugs within the tree to be sure everything was plugged in properly, so I bought a new tree.

Edit: I forgot to mention that my old tree was about 7 years old, so I figured I had gotten my use out of it.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

On 11/13/2014 ValuSkr said:
My tree came with a tester, as mentioned by Sweetbay, to determine which bulb in particular is causing the whole string to fail. I've used it on a light string that wasn't on the pre-lit tree, it was great; haven't had to use it on the tree itself. You can buy the testers on Amazon; they're plastic and very inexpensive.

Failing that, I don't blame you for wanting to remove the dead string. If your husband, an electrical engineer, can't figure this out, there's no hope for the rest of us.

yes, huge tanglements of wires are kinda his thing.

Shogirl · ‎12-06-2010

I wouldn't even attempt to remove a string of lights on these prelit trees - it's almost like the light strings are welded onto the branches. These newer trees are all supposed to have safeguards against a whole string burning out, but whether that's really true or not is another story...

goodstuff · ‎03-09-2010

A great reminder that it really doesn't make sense to pay big bucks for a pre-lit tree! I think we'll just stick with our annual fresh cut tree on sale from the local nursery and light strings from Big Lots..... The real tree smells so holiday-good, and the lights are about $1.99/string. We can replace when needed.

GloriBee · ‎03-24-2010

I agree with the majority: do not try to remove the old lights! If you string other lights on the tree, then add ornaments, etc., you will not notice the dead string of lights at all.

The suggestions on using the gadget to test the lights, is also a good one! That thing really works! One light could be out, or it might even be the fuse that is housed in the plug.

Ainhisg · ‎03-09-2010

On 11/14/2014 GoodStuff said:
A great reminder that it really doesn't make sense to pay big bucks for a pre-lit tree! I think we'll just stick with our annual fresh cut tree on sale from the local nursery and light strings from Big Lots..... The real tree smells so holiday-good, and the lights are about $1.99/string. We can replace when needed.

I will never buy another prelit tree. We have three, all less than 5-years-old, and every single one has sections burned out. You can't easily find where the problem is either. So now I'm back to putting strings of lights on the trees like I did 20 years ago, but this time, I am having to do it on very expensive trees since the prelit trees cost more than unlit ones. ${#emotions_dlg.angry}$

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

On 11/14/2014 GoodStuff said:
A great reminder that it really doesn't make sense to pay big bucks for a pre-lit tree! I think we'll just stick with our annual fresh cut tree on sale from the local nursery and light strings from Big Lots..... The real tree smells so holiday-good, and the lights are about $1.99/string. We can replace when needed.

Here in Florida you would not know what sort of creatures you may get in the house with that live tree. I would not want to even think about snakes, frogs or lizards that may hitch a ride into your house - not to even mention insects.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

On 11/13/2014 Shogirl said:
I wouldn't even attempt to remove a string of lights on these prelit trees - it's almost like the light strings are welded onto the branches. These newer trees are all supposed to have safeguards against a whole string burning out, but whether that's really true or not is another story...

I think he plans to just cut the wires on the string that doesn't light, and take them off that way.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

On 11/14/2014 Tgbtg said:
On 11/14/2014 GoodStuff said:
A great reminder that it really doesn't make sense to pay big bucks for a pre-lit tree! I think we'll just stick with our annual fresh cut tree on sale from the local nursery and light strings from Big Lots..... The real tree smells <em>so</em> holiday-good, and the lights are about $1.99/string. We can replace when needed.

I will never buy another prelit tree. We have three, all less than 5-years-old, and every single one has sections burned out. You can't easily find where the problem is either. So now I'm back to putting strings of lights on the trees like I did 20 years ago, but this time, I am having to do it on very expensive trees since the prelit trees cost more than unlit ones. ${#emotions_dlg.angry}$

I agree - future trees will be unlit ones.

Witchy Woman · ‎03-15-2010

About 5 years ago, I bought a prelit slimline Bethlehem lights tree from QVC. The second year, the center section of lights went dead.

I have the light tester thingy that was mention and did everything I could to figure out what was going wrong. Tried to get some satisfaction from Q and from BL with no luck.

DH tried to remove those lights and spent hours. Gave it away.

Next year, I bought an unlit tree and I will NEVER have another prelit. Ever.