daveo150 Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 OK, I had an idea to make a spiral mega tree for next year using rope lights instead of strands. I've searched arouns a bit but can find nothing on this.Am I missing something? So for the more seasoned experts than I, is there a reason nobody uses rope lights for a mega tree? Seems like it could be easier to setup/takedown with ropes.....Thougts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mwhite7097 Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Just my 2 cents worth here. Weight might be an issue with using rope lights vs regular strings on a spiral tree causing the middle of the tree to sag in. I can't think of any reason why setup and takedown would be the different for either. Mine took a looooong time to setup the first time in order to get the spirals perfect, but if you fasten the spirals well enough, future setup and takedown should be easier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveo150 Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share Posted January 6, 2012 If you don't mind, what did you use for the 'substrate' to attach the lighting to?Like the black plastic landscaping fencing, or chicken wire or something?D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBullard Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 daveo150 wrote: OK, I had an idea to make a spiral mega tree for next year using rope lights instead of strands. I've searched arouns a bit but can find nothing on this.Am I missing something? So for the more seasoned experts than I, is there a reason nobody uses rope lights for a mega tree? Seems like it could be easier to setup/takedown with ropes.....Thougts?In my opinion, weight is the number one issue.Second is the reliability. Rope light doesn't like to be flexed (as in the wind)Third is the cost of the unreliable rope light (see number 2)Fourth is the power draw. I quit using rope light for anything many years ago, due to it being a power hog, and went to all LEDs.The above comments are referencing incadescent rope light, for LED rope light number 4 may not apply.Just my opinions formed from my personal experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mwhite7097 Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 daveo150 wrote: If you don't mind, what did you use for the 'substrate' to attach the lighting to?Like the black plastic landscaping fencing, or chicken wire or something?DI used 3/32 aircraft cable attached to the head with eye hooks and turnbuckles at the base so I could tighten the cables after putting all the lights on. There is still a small amount of sag in the middle due to that fact that my base would lift if I tightened any further, but it still looked good. I will post vids and pics as soon as I get some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caniac Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 daveo150 wrote: OK, I had an idea to make a spiral mega tree for next year using rope lights instead of strands. I've searched arouns a bit but can find nothing on this.Am I missing something? So for the more seasoned experts than I, is there a reason nobody uses rope lights for a mega tree? Seems like it could be easier to setup/takedown with ropes.....Thoughts?did that year before last and the main issue I ran into was sections within the rope light strands would burn out. was too much of a pain to take down, fix, and put back up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now