THL (The Holiday Light) - Fixing Lights

	free hosting image hosting hosting reseller online album e-shop famous people

	`Repair Section Home`
`Fix Damaged Mini Lights`
`Fix Mini Sets That Don't Light`
`Fix C7 Or C9 Lights`

`Do Your Lights Look Like This? note: no sets of lights were damaged for the making of this page!!.. they were already that way`
Image 1	Image 2
Image 3	WARNING: before working on any set of lights, make sure it is UNPLUGGED! the 120 volts of electricity in that set is easily enough to KILL or INJURE you, and/or start a fire. To fix a set of lights you will need one or all of the following: * A Soldering Iron * Solder * Heat-shrink Tubing * A Small Nail * A Hammer * Wire * Small Standard Screwdriver * Label Peeler * A set of lights to use for parts (keep your first standard set of lights that gets damaged for this)...(i'll call it a "parts set")
`Easy Fix - Swap Parts:`
Nail To Remove Wires	If you have a 'parts set' in most cases you can use the following to fix broken wires between sockets: (see image #1 above) (if the broken wire is not the one that runs between sockets, or if you don't have a 'parts set' scroll down to the next block.) First remove the bulbs from the sockets to which the broken wire is attached. To remove the wire from a socket insert a nail between the wire, and the edge of the socket. Then GENTLY tap the nail with a hammer until the wire comes loose. (do this for both ends of the wire then untwist it from the set) remove a wire from the 'parts set' in the same way as was done for the broken set, and install it in the set being fixed by lining the wire's metal tab up with the slot that the old one came out of. Use the point of a nail to push it in place... then re-install the bulbs if a socket is broken like in image #3 above, follow the above procedure to removing the a socket from the parts set
`More Complicated Fixs:`
Fixed Set	some sets made after 1997 can not easily have parts swapped as described above. And as mentioned above, sometimes a break is in the wrong place (ie: one of the wires that goes the entire length of the set. Here is how to fix these, and how to fix Large bulb (C7/C9) type sets: In most cases you can simply solder the broken wire back together, and cover it with a piece of heatshrink tubing. If more than one wire is broken, it is very important that you get the right wires reattached - look closely, there should be a slight difference in color, or some sort of markings on each. If the break is right where a wire attaches to the socket (image 2), remove the tab from the socket as described in the previous section titled 'swap parts' (for miniature lights), and solder the wire back to it. If it is a set of Large lights (C7 or C9 type), remove the socket, and enough wire to keep the spacing even, then solder the wire back together.. the set will be one bulb shorter.
`Blown Fuses Fix:`
Plug with Highlighted space	Part 1: Fixing sets with 'non replaceable' fuses: most newer mini sets have easily replaceable fuses (there should be a small door on the plug). Some cheaper new sets, and alot of older sets were not meant to have the fuses replaced. Here is how to fix that: You will need a label peeler (sometimes called a scotty peeler), a soldering iron, and some thin wire. Make sure the set is unplugged. Use the peeler as a pry device - insert it in the seam on the plug (highlighted in red on the image (If the plug does not have a seam, scroll down to the next section.) And try to pry it up on each of the 4 sides. If the middle part wont move up, take a look at the side that plugs in. If there is a small slot there, it is a clip - jam a small screwdriver in it, and try to pry the center section again. It should come out somewhat easily now. After the thing is apart, simply solder a piece of wire where the 'fuses' were. After the wires are in place, simply push the plug back together.
`Note: the set will not be fused anymore--be careful not to overload or you may melt the wires on that set (or possibly even cause a fire). [I have seen sets (both fused and unfused) where the plastic covering on the wires has been partially melted, where a hole was melted through the plug, and in one case where it looked like the metal part of a plug looked as though the end it of had melted into an outlet, then was broken off]`	`Part 2: If the plug on a set can not be taken apart as described above (or if you don't care about the extra plug-in on the top, go to the hardware store and pick up a cheap 2-prong replacement plug. (make sure to get one that has screw or solder terminals to attach the wires.) If there is alot of space where the wire enters the plug, use a electric gluegun or some sort of sealer to fill in the space.`

`Disclaimer:`
all info here is provided as is without warranty of any sort I can not be held responsible for any problems/damages/injuries/ etc caused by the use or misuse of this info Warning: read all the following before you continue. The info on these pages can be DANGEROUS. Electricity can KILL or INJURE you, be careful and treat it with full respect. Electricity can also cause FIRES, again be careful with it. Never work on any electric product plugged in. If you don't know anything about electricity / electric products, don't even try any of these. There is no guarantee that this actually will work - fix at your own risk. Always have someone double check your work before connecting power to anything you've worked on. Electricity and Water do not mix. Avoid working in any area where flammable products (such as gas/ paint/etc) are stored or used Do not work with electric items when you are tired, being tired will only increase the chance of mistakes Avoid working on electric products if you have consumed any alcoholic beverages or drugs (medical or otherwise) as these will impair your ability to concentrate on your work if you become frustrated while working on something, set it down and walk away (turn off / unplug any equipment you have on) Keep your work area clean and organized. If you work in a room/ area without windows (or work at night) install a automatic backup light... that way when you blow a circuitbreaker/fuse you will not be in the dark. Do not overload Circuits/Extension cords/Lightsets/ Etc Some of the fixes remove built in safety devices (fuses)... Sets that have the fuse removed should always be plugged into a fused set. (by this i mean the plug at the end of a fused set, not the stackable plug at the beginning) Modifying any electric product WILL VOID any warranty on it Using any electric product for other than its intended use WILL VOID any warranty on it In addition there is a chance you will void your insurance by using modified electric items, if that item causes a problem such as a fire This is only a partial list of the cautions/dangers there are many more not listed here (but still apply) Always remember... Be safe! It is not worth risking your life or home over an electric item!

Repair Section Home Fix Damaged Mini Lights Fix Mini Sets That Don't Light Fix C7 Or C9 Lights Do Your Lights Look Like This? note: no sets of lights were damaged for the making of this page!!.. they were already that way Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 WARNING: before working on any set of lights, make sure it is UNPLUGGED! the 120 volts of electricity in that set is easily enough to KILL or INJURE you, and/or start a fire. To fix a set of lights you will need one or all of the following: * A Soldering Iron * Solder * Heat-shrink Tubing * A Small Nail * A Hammer * Wire * Small Standard Screwdriver * Label Peeler * A set of lights to use for parts (keep your first standard set of lights that gets damaged for this)...(i'll call it a "parts set") Easy Fix - Swap Parts: Nail To Remove Wires If you have a 'parts set' in most cases you can use the following to fix broken wires between sockets: (see image #1 above) (if the broken wire is not the one that runs between sockets, or if you don't have a 'parts set' scroll down to the next block.) First remove the bulbs from the sockets to which the broken wire is attached. To remove the wire from a socket insert a nail between the wire, and the edge of the socket. Then GENTLY tap the nail with a hammer until the wire comes loose. (do this for both ends of the wire then untwist it from the set) remove a wire from the 'parts set' in the same way as was done for the broken set, and install it in the set being fixed by lining the wire's metal tab up with the slot that the old one came out of. Use the point of a nail to push it in place... then re-install the bulbs if a socket is broken like in image #3 above, follow the above procedure to removing the a socket from the parts set More Complicated Fixs: Fixed Set some sets made after 1997 can not easily have parts swapped as described above. And as mentioned above, sometimes a break is in the wrong place (ie: one of the wires that goes the entire length of the set. Here is how to fix these, and how to fix Large bulb (C7/C9) type sets: In most cases you can simply solder the broken wire back together, and cover it with a piece of heatshrink tubing. If more than one wire is broken, it is very important that you get the right wires reattached - look closely, there should be a slight difference in color, or some sort of markings on each. If the break is right where a wire attaches to the socket (image 2), remove the tab from the socket as described in the previous section titled 'swap parts' (for miniature lights), and solder the wire back to it. If it is a set of Large lights (C7 or C9 type), remove the socket, and enough wire to keep the spacing even, then solder the wire back together.. the set will be one bulb shorter. Blown Fuses Fix: Plug with Highlighted space Part 1: Fixing sets with 'non replaceable' fuses: most newer mini sets have easily replaceable fuses (there should be a small door on the plug). Some cheaper new sets, and alot of older sets were not meant to have the fuses replaced. Here is how to fix that: You will need a label peeler (sometimes called a scotty peeler), a soldering iron, and some thin wire. Make sure the set is unplugged. Use the peeler as a pry device - insert it in the seam on the plug (highlighted in red on the image (If the plug does not have a seam, scroll down to the next section.) And try to pry it up on each of the 4 sides. If the middle part wont move up, take a look at the side that plugs in. If there is a small slot there, it is a clip - jam a small screwdriver in it, and try to pry the center section again. It should come out somewhat easily now. After the thing is apart, simply solder a piece of wire where the 'fuses' were. After the wires are in place, simply push the plug back together. Note: the set will not be fused anymore--be careful not to overload or you may melt the wires on that set (or possibly even cause a fire). [I have seen sets (both fused and unfused) where the plastic covering on the wires has been partially melted, where a hole was melted through the plug, and in one case where it looked like the metal part of a plug looked as though the end it of had melted into an outlet, then was broken off] Part 2: If the plug on a set can not be taken apart as described above (or if you don't care about the extra plug-in on the top, go to the hardware store and pick up a cheap 2-prong replacement plug. (make sure to get one that has screw or solder terminals to attach the wires.) If there is alot of space where the wire enters the plug, use a electric gluegun or some sort of sealer to fill in the space. Disclaimer: all info here is provided as is without warranty of any sort I can not be held responsible for any problems/damages/injuries/ etc caused by the use or misuse of this info Warning: read all the following before you continue. The info on these pages can be DANGEROUS. Electricity can KILL or INJURE you, be careful and treat it with full respect. Electricity can also cause FIRES, again be careful with it. Never work on any electric product plugged in. If you don't know anything about electricity / electric products, don't even try any of these. There is no guarantee that this actually will work - fix at your own risk. Always have someone double check your work before connecting power to anything you've worked on. Electricity and Water do not mix. Avoid working in any area where flammable products (such as gas/ paint/etc) are stored or used Do not work with electric items when you are tired, being tired will only increase the chance of mistakes Avoid working on electric products if you have consumed any alcoholic beverages or drugs (medical or otherwise) as these will impair your ability to concentrate on your work if you become frustrated while working on something, set it down and walk away (turn off / unplug any equipment you have on) Keep your work area clean and organized. If you work in a room/ area without windows (or work at night) install a automatic backup light... that way when you blow a circuitbreaker/fuse you will not be in the dark. Do not overload Circuits/Extension cords/Lightsets/ Etc Some of the fixes remove built in safety devices (fuses)... Sets that have the fuse removed should always be plugged into a fused set. (by this i mean the plug at the end of a fused set, not the stackable plug at the beginning) Modifying any electric product WILL VOID any warranty on it Using any electric product for other than its intended use WILL VOID any warranty on it In addition there is a chance you will void your insurance by using modified electric items, if that item causes a problem such as a fire This is only a partial list of the cautions/dangers there are many more not listed here (but still apply) Always remember... Be safe! It is not worth risking your life or home over an electric item! This page and the images on it (c) 1999 - 2004 James K