David Grygierczyk Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 I was wondering if it is possible to cut/shorten a set of LED lights so that I do not have unnecessary lights and or wiring in specific parts of my display where 50, 70, or 100 count just will not work. I am hoping to take an alter a few strands so that I only have about 20 lights per strand. If it is possible, what is required to do this?Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ainsworth Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 It is possible, but it is not straight forward.You will need to insert a resistor or resistors into the string that is equivalent to the number of bulbs you remove.You need to know the amp draw and voltage draw the bulbs you are removing create. Knowing that using R=V/I you can calculate the size resistor you need. Then you have to find the closest resistor to the size you calculate, or combination of resistors. Remember that you have to get both the voltage and current drop correct. Resistors in parallel give different voltage drop and current drop that those is series. Also different colors use have different draws so you have to do this for each color you want to cut.So with enough work you can find the combination of resistors to simulate the bulbs you have removed.Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Cheap 50-bulb LED strings are often (but not always), two 25-bulb strings. In that case, you can basically cut the string in half and end up with a 25-bulb string.I had a 100-bulb string (with sealed bubs) where half of the string was not working. So I cut that half off and used the remaining 50-bulb string in my tree star.I then cut 6 bulbs out of the leftover string, soldered in a 100Ω resistor, and hooked them up to my low-voltage (12V) landscape lighting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts