Skyrocket Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 During the clearance sales this year, I purchased a lot of rope light in anticipation of changing how I light my house next year. I plant to hang 4 colors in parallel but that is another topic.Since rope light tends to get stiff in the cold weather, I was looking for a way to store the rope lights uncoiled or laid out straight so they would be easier to install next year.Has anyone done something like this? I have thought of different methods but have not come up with anything that seems like a good canidate. I have a 2 1/2 car garage and could hang it from the ceiling or wall. I have even thought of some kind of a 18' long carrier based on wire shelves or possibly some farming hog panels.Any ideas would be appreciated.I hope everyone had a good lighting season.RogerP.S. I have 80-90 strands (18' long each) so using reels seems to be a bit unpractical. It owuld be costly was well as keep the lights coiled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWSanta Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 You know the trick with Rope light don't yah?....Wait 2,3, Pause....Ok, I didn't either until I kept burning out strands of Ropelight cause it was too cold. The trick with rope light is to let it warm up, yes I said warm up. Leave it in the strands of how you bought it and when you go to use it plug it in and let it warm for about 10-20 min. Then the plastic becomes plyable and easy to use.At the end of the season just use a large Rubbermaid container and feed the rope light into the container like a snake but, don't forget to leave the plugs at an easy access area for the following season so you can warm the rope light up for re-installation.I've been doing this with the same rope light now for 3 years and it works flawlessy everytime.-Evan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter B Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 NWSanta wrote: You know the trick with Rope light don't yah?....Wait 2,3, Pause....Ok, I didn't either until I kept burning out strands of Ropelight cause it was too cold. The trick with rope light is to let it warm up, yes I said warm up. Leave it in the strands of how you bought it and when you go to use it plug it in and let it warm for about 10-20 min. Then the plastic becomes plyable and easy to use.At the end of the season just use a large Rubbermaid container and feed the rope light into the container like a snake but, don't forget to leave the plugs at an easy access area for the following season so you can warm the rope light up for re-installation.I've been doing this with the same rope light now for 3 years and it works flawlessy everytime.-EvanVery smart idea, I never would have thought about that :?. I know what i'll be doing from now on.This is why I really like this forum.Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LightsByGreg Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Just when you have the lights on when they are coiled up, do not run them for too long. I made that mistake a few years ago and some of the plastic melted together.Greg :shock: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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