LORi P Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Hi - newbie with a question... I wanted to use spt1 to connect light strings where I would like no lights to be, but still have all the strings on the same channel.For instance:| -o-o-o-o-o-o- | --------------- | -o-o-o-o-o-o- | --------------- | controller (a) light strand ( spt1 © light strand (d) spt1Because the male plugs are polarized, I cannot plug them in to the female end of the light strands. So with polarized plugs, I cannot plug ( into ©.The vampire plugs I just got were polarized. Can you get non-polarized plugs? If so, where do you get them?The regular indoor extension cords I have seen all have polarized plugs, too.Does anyone else do this?Assuming I can find non-polarized plugs, is there a reason why I should not do this, as long as I am only using the spt1 to only connect light strands and not some other larger element? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswinder Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 I will probably be chastised for saying this, but where that happened for me, I just filed down the polarized plug prong...obviously it does not matter on light strings which way the plug prongs go, or they WOULD use polarized plug ends...you can find these at Home Depot / Lowes Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LORi P Posted October 12, 2011 Author Share Posted October 12, 2011 Yea, I thought of filing down the prongs, that would work for extension cords I buy, but my male vampire prongs are thick the whole length of the prong... not just at the end.As for the plugs you showed, I have a bunch of them... however they have all been made into snubbers. Maybe it is time for more... but the minimum to get free shipping, I have to buy 100. :shock: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 I have found these work fairly well for trimming the prongs: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 LORi P wrote: Yea, I thought of filing down the prongs, that would work for extension cords I buy, but my male vampire prongs are thick the whole length of the prong... not just at the end.As for the plugs you showed, I have a bunch of them... however they have all been made into snubbers. Maybe it is time for more... but the minimum to get free shipping, I have to buy 100. :shock:If you have a DREMEL tool and a sanding wheel, you can sand the polarized one from both sides, a little at a time and all the way to where it exits the plastic. Just be careful not to damage the plastic housing. If you have a tapered sanding tip, they work fantastic for sanding them down. I've done this to many of my "polarized plugs" that ARE NOT controlling something like a motor, but for lights, like C7 bulbs or light strings, including LED strings, I have never had any issues with filing/sanding the larger prong down to the same size as the non-polarized one.Hopefully someone here can clarify, and give you the proper information on the info posted below as I am not sure I have it correct. I don't use this common connection, so I have no issues using the modified plugs.There is something that folks use, I want to say a common ground, but, again, I am not exactly sure that is correct, but if you use this common connection, then you'll need to know which prong is which, and I would highly suggest marking it with a silver sharpie or some type of weatherproof marking. As this could possibly damage your controller (or so I've read) if you happen to plug in a string so wired in reverse of the polarization option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswinder Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 LORi P wrote: Yea, I thought of filing down the prongs, that would work for extension cords I buy, but my male vampire prongs are thick the whole length of the prong... not just at the end.I use a grinder... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeKinne Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 I have used both a grinder and dremel....from early experience, don't let metal get too hot, i once had the spade I was working on fall out of the plastic because it melted it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony in Houston Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 If you are going to do this with C7 or C9 strings I would not recommend doing this. C7 and C9 strings are polarized for a reason and that is to make sure the hot lead is always on the center of the socket.You did not state what type of light string you are connecting.If you are using C7 or C9 strings and the hot lead is on the threaded socket side then you will have a potential of creating an electrocution hazard if the bulb is removed while the string is on.Mini light strings are wired different and are usually not polarized.Anthony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanward Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 I use a nibbler to trim down the neutral prong.http://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-76011B-Nibbler-Tool/dp/B0000CBJCT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318478872&sr=8-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ainsworth Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I cut the female plug off the light string, then use a wire nut to attach the spt-1 wire to the light string. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rstately Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 You could buy non polarized plugs.http://www.aachristmas.com/vpasp/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=90 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iresq Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Grinding, filing, sanding? Way to much work. Like Surfing, I just snip them off. Can be done in the field and only takes seconds.As for the "should you do it" question, my display cords are only used in my display. So I don't really worry about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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