If an LED string dims can I assume it will continue to do so?

[Al Saunders]

Hi everyone, So far I have purchased a few LED's for this year. And so far all have been from local stores and not advertised as full wave LED but all so far have dimmed, shimmer and twinkle just fine. My concern is that in my Jumpstart class with Chuck in Philly, I remember him going over Full wave LED's and saying the what is true with alot of things that "you get what you pay for" and I'm worried about these being reliable. I just read an old post from Chuck where he mentions making plugs for the end of LED strings to even out the power. I'm simplying this alot. Anybode have good or bad luck with LED's from Sam's club, Big Lots or Target? Maybe next year I'mm invest in online full wave LED's but I've spent a pretty good amount so far this year. Thanks, Al

[-klb-]

There are some generalizations out there, but every so often something new comes out to mess with your assumptions. That said, in general case:

1) If they get brighter when you try to dim them, dimming will damage them

2) If a single string dims today, it will probably dim next week and next year, without likely damage other than maybe some color drift, or slow loss of maximum brightness

3) A single string that dims by itself may not dim on a long cord

4) A string that dims just fine by itself may not dim when you put enough strings on the same channel.

5) 3&4 can be helped by adding some resistive load on the line. A C7 Bulb, or a suitably selected resistor can help.

If they dim today, I think you are more likely to get failures from the general quality & reliability of the strings, than from dimming them.

[Al Saunders]

Hi KLB,

Thanks for the great info, I really appreciate it.

Al

[ShaggySS]

The ones from Sams Club I purchased for cheap were the quickest to die. I also bought twice what I needed so I have lots of spares. Target sells two different kinds, target brand and phillips. Target brand is cheap as well. The phillips I have are decent. Not great but the best ones I have bought. Take care of the lights and they will last longer. Weather is a big factor. If you have wet winter it will take more of a toll on your lights. Cheap LED's rust.

[LightsinMaine]

Al, it all varies greatly by user and where you are located. I live in Maine and have used big box store LEDs for 5 years. I have had very few failures. But have known some people who live closer to oceans and box store lights fail a lot due to rusting. You will hear both stories from people on here. Sealed string are better, but they are also 4 times the price if you get the lights after Christmas and 75% off....... I personally will still buy box store lights when I add more lights. Some people on here will say it's a waste of money.....it's all a matter of opinion. I would say use what you have, if you get a lot of failures I would buy sealed/full wave lights.

[Al Saunders]

Thanks for all the info and input. I live in Maryland so we get rain and snow during the holiday season but nothing terrible (usually). I live about a mile or so from Baltimore Harbor. The biggest concern I have is with 4 sets of Sams Club ( Everstar) icicle strings for my gutters. Replacing the upper ones would be a chore especially if they went out during the week. The other LED's are from Big Lots and they are lawn strings that will be on stakes so replacing them would be easy. Since I'm adding a 2nd controller and my first 2 CCR's this year I'm thinking the full wave LED's will have to wait for this year. I'll use what I have but will buy conventional lights for my new items.