THL (The Holiday Light) - Fixing Lights

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

`General Info`
`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 * Small Standard Screwdriver`
`Removing Damaged Sockets`
First remove the bulb(s) from the socket(s) that are damaged. Look carefully at the side of the socket (at the level where the wires go through). On many sets the bottom of each socket is a separate piece of plastic from the socket itself... Assuming this is the case, turn the socket and look directly at the bottom. If there are no screws, rivets, etc, the bottom should just pop off - take a small screwdriver and gently try to work it between the socket and its bottom... then slowly work around the socket. Once the bottom is removed, the socket should just drop off the wires. Note the small pins that stick out of it, there will be corresponding holes in the wire. If its ok with you that there is now a space between the sockets where you removed one, simply seal up the holes. If you want a bulb there, you have 2 options... 1) check the local hardware store to see if they sell sockets of the correct size & type (one that simply clips on the wire - like the one you just removed) 2) Remove a socket from the beginning or end of the set & put it in the empty spot in either case, do not use the old holes in the wire, and (very important) make sure to get the 'new' socket placed in the same direction and on the same side of the wire as the other sockets in the set Unlike mini lights, its perfectly ok to remove a socket from C7 or C9 sets
`Damaged Wires:`
To repair a broken/cut wire all that needs to be done is strip the ends and solder it back together and cover with a piece of heatshrink tubing... don't forget to slide the heatshrink on before soldering the wire! :) 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 only the plastic wire insulation is damaged it'll probably be fine if covered with good quality electrical tape
`Socket And Bulb Are Good But It Doesn't Light`
This is usually caused by bulbs not making contact in the socket. First try a couple different (known working) bulbs as some are slightly longer than others... If this doesn't work, DO NOT try to crank/force the bulb in tightly - its just glass, if it breaks (and does make contact) you could very well cause a short and may even get a flame out of it (...also do not change dead bulbs in a C7 or C9 set with it plugged in. if you get a defective bulb there is also a chance of having it pop and cause a small flame... and you don't want that to happen when your hand is right on or near the bulb.) Anyway... back to fixing the malfunction socket. Unplug the set, remove the bulb, Get a small to medium sized flat screwdriver and pry the metal contact at the bottom up very slightly. WARNING: If you lift it too much it will either break off -or- cause a short circuit

`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 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 General Info 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 * Small Standard Screwdriver Removing Damaged Sockets First remove the bulb(s) from the socket(s) that are damaged. Look carefully at the side of the socket (at the level where the wires go through). On many sets the bottom of each socket is a separate piece of plastic from the socket itself... Assuming this is the case, turn the socket and look directly at the bottom. If there are no screws, rivets, etc, the bottom should just pop off - take a small screwdriver and gently try to work it between the socket and its bottom... then slowly work around the socket. Once the bottom is removed, the socket should just drop off the wires. Note the small pins that stick out of it, there will be corresponding holes in the wire. If its ok with you that there is now a space between the sockets where you removed one, simply seal up the holes. If you want a bulb there, you have 2 options... 1) check the local hardware store to see if they sell sockets of the correct size & type (one that simply clips on the wire - like the one you just removed) 2) Remove a socket from the beginning or end of the set & put it in the empty spot in either case, do not use the old holes in the wire, and (very important) make sure to get the 'new' socket placed in the same direction and on the same side of the wire as the other sockets in the set Unlike mini lights, its perfectly ok to remove a socket from C7 or C9 sets Damaged Wires: To repair a broken/cut wire all that needs to be done is strip the ends and solder it back together and cover with a piece of heatshrink tubing... don't forget to slide the heatshrink on before soldering the wire! :) 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 only the plastic wire insulation is damaged it'll probably be fine if covered with good quality electrical tape Socket And Bulb Are Good But It Doesn't Light This is usually caused by bulbs not making contact in the socket. First try a couple different (known working) bulbs as some are slightly longer than others... If this doesn't work, DO NOT try to crank/force the bulb in tightly - its just glass, if it breaks (and does make contact) you could very well cause a short and may even get a flame out of it (...also do not change dead bulbs in a C7 or C9 set with it plugged in. if you get a defective bulb there is also a chance of having it pop and cause a small flame... and you don't want that to happen when your hand is right on or near the bulb.) Anyway... back to fixing the malfunction socket. Unplug the set, remove the bulb, Get a small to medium sized flat screwdriver and pry the metal contact at the bottom up very slightly. WARNING: If you lift it too much it will either break off -or- cause a short circuit 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 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