Strobe lights from CDI

[Guest Don Gillespie]

Can anyone tell me when you order the strobes from CDI do they come ready to go or do you have to get the electrical cords made and if you do have to make the cords what should I use I have looked every where for a thread about this and can't find one but I know there has to be one out there,

[Denise Brunner]

Depends which ones you buy. Mine just screw into a C9 socket, others are a C7.

[Guest Don Gillespie]

Denise Brunner wrote:

Depends which ones you buy. Mine just screw into a C9 socket, others are a C7.

So if you purchase the C-9s would they come with the cords or do you make your own??

And obviously you prefer the C-9s what is the difference between a C-9 and a C-7 stobe??

[Max-Paul]

Don,

depends on what you are doing. And what your taste is towards. It is possible that you could buy a string of C9s and remove the C9 lamps and put in the strobes. In my case I wanted to put four of these in my yard. So, I bought some C9 sockets and some SPT wire that works in these sockets. Then put the sockets on at the end of the wire. Although with these sockets you can put them anywhere on the wire and make a custom string with the sockets where you want them. BTW I got the vampire snap on sockets. CDI is one place that sells sockets. I believe that Action Lighting does too.

[George Simmons]

I get my C9 sets from Walmart when they go to 90% off in Jan - pay something like 50 cents or a buck for a 25 light string. Of course by then all they have are clear bulbs, but since I'm tossing the bulbs anyway I don't care. I know that doesn't help you for this season but something to plan ahead for...

[Guest Don Gillespie]

George Simmons wrote:

I get my C9 sets from Walmart when they go to 90% off in Jan - pay something like 50 cents or a buck for a 25 light string. Of course by then all they have are clear bulbs, but since I'm tossing the bulbs anyway I don't care. I know that doesn't help you for this season but something to plan ahead for...

George do you use all 25 sockets with strobes I am thinking about next year already I have some neat ideas for 2011, 2010 will not be a big display I am only using about 1/3 of my lights and absolutly no yard decorations (bummer) basically designing for next year today

[Guest Don Gillespie]

Max-Paul wrote:

Don,

depends on what you are doing. And what your taste is towards. It is possible that you could buy a string of C9s and remove the C9 lamps and put in the strobes. In my case I wanted to put four of these in my yard. So, I bought some C9 sockets and some SPT wire that works in these sockets. Then put the sockets on at the end of the wire. Although with these sockets you can put them anywhere on the wire and make a custom string with the sockets where you want them. BTW I got the vampire snap on sockets. CDI is one place that sells sockets. I believe that Action Lighting does too.

I do like the idea of making my own custom strings and I like Georges idea also of buying some strings if they are really cheap who cares if there is only one or two strobes in the string I will wait and see what the new year brings as like I said this is for next years display

[Surfing4Dough]

Here is a place that shows what you need to make your own. Yes you can buy these elsewhere too, but I like referring to this page since it shows it all in one place, particularly if you click on the strobe light kit. Once you see it, it tends to make sense.
http://christmaslightshow.com/home.php?cat=29

With regards to C9 vs C7, this is reference to the size of the threaded base that attaches to the string. C9 strobes screw into a socket made for C9 bulbs, and C7 Strobes screw into a socket for C7 bulbs. I am not sure if the actual size of the strobe differs for each though since I have only ever had C9. (A traditional C7 xmas bulb is smaller than a C9 as shown below).

C9 Base is 1/2 inch in diameter
C7 Base is 3/8 inch in diameter

[Surfing4Dough]

Don Gillespie wrote:

George Simmons wrote:

I get my C9 sets from Walmart when they go to 90% off in Jan - pay something like 50 cents or a buck for a 25 light string. Of course by then all they have are clear bulbs, but since I'm tossing the bulbs anyway I don't care. I know that doesn't help you for this season but something to plan ahead for...

George do you use all 25 sockets with strobes I am thinking about next year already I have some neat ideas for 2011, 2010 will not be a big display I am only using about 1/3 of my lights and absolutly no yard decorations (bummer) basically designing for next year today

I originally planned on just using pre-made strings like George (even got the 90% strings after Xmas a couple years ago) but then realized that I didn't like the spacing, and wasn't going to fill the whole string, which would result in empty sockets which would provide a great place for my or others' little fingers to get zapped in (I suppose there is probably a way to remove the sockets and seal the punctured wire).

[Dan Ancona]

Almost all new strings now have the sockets that are actually vampires. In fact the other night I popped off 2 sets and will replace them where needed on the string.

[Surfing4Dough]

Dan Ancona wrote:

Almost all new strings now have the sockets that are actually vampires. In fact the other night I popped off 2 sets and will replace them where needed on the string.

But do you tape over where you remove the vampires? This sounds even more dangerous yet, since the insulation on the wire is punctured (thus resulting in open wire) making it even easier to come in contact with the wire and having a hair-raising experience. And you might not even be able to see where the break is since the puncture is so small.

[Max-Paul]

Don!

Am I chopped liver? I think if you go back and read my earlier post. You will notice I mentioned buying a C9 string. Or making your own.

yet if George says "buy a C9 string" George gets the credit.

I am not loved or appreciated. Whaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Just having fun Love my meds.... I am the funnest guy on here. well at least my meds say I am..

[TJ Hvasta]

I found two C9 strings at the local Goodwill store, $2/ea, each string was 30' long I think.. The sockets were all vampired on, so it just took a screwdriver to pop off the ones to increase the spacing to 4'-5'-ish. I think I got 7 strobes per string. I didnt tape over the bite marks

I stapled the strings to the underside of the eves, it isnt going to rain this week, so it's all good. and the bite marks are small, not exposed so there is little chance for current leakage.

[Guest Don Gillespie]

Max-Paul wrote:

Don!

Am I chopped liver? I think if you go back and read my earlier post. You will notice I mentioned buying a C9 string. Or making your own.

yet if George says "buy a C9 string" George gets the credit.

I am not loved or appreciated. Whaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Just having fun Love my meds.... I am the funnest guy on here. well at least my meds say I am..

Chopped liver who likes that anyways actually just getting back to the thread all ideas are excellent and no George doesn't win this time I will be making my own as they have to be placed exactly where I want them to be so they work right and yes you are funny

[Guest Don Gillespie]

Surfing4Dough wrote:

Here is a place that shows what you need to make your own. Yes you can buy these elsewhere too, but I like referring to this page since it shows it all in one place, particularly if you click on the strobe light kit. Once you see it, it tends to make sense.
http://christmaslightshow.com/home.php?cat=29

With regards to C9 vs C7, this is reference to the size of the threaded base that attaches to the string. C9 strobes screw into a socket made for C9 bulbs, and C7 Strobes screw into a socket for C7 bulbs. I am not sure if the actual size of the strobe differs for each though since I have only ever had C9. (A traditional C7 xmas bulb is smaller than a C9 as shown below).

C9 Base is 1/2 inch in diameter
C7 Base is 3/8 inch in diameter

thanks for the link thats what I was looking for