Candy Cane Arches

[LORisAwesome]

Hi

I just got some cany cane arches 50% off at an after Christmas Sale. They are designed to be used as pathway lights.

They are wired in groups of three, but, I would like to seperate them into singles so I can run the individually with LOR. The box says there are 51 lights, I counted, there are 17 lights in each arch for a total of 51. The arches are not wired end to end. The cord goes into one end and there is a connecting cord that is about the length of one arch to connect the next one in the group of three.

I'll try to get some photo's up. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[LORisAwesome]

Here is a photo of the wiring, and another with an overall view.

Attached files

[LORisAwesome]

Oops looks like it only accepts one image at a time. Here is the wiring close up.

Attached files

[LORisAwesome]

Thanks, the idea of rope light just occurred to me.

You have a nice idea there - using rope light and making your own stake out of PVC.

The stakes that come with them don't look adequate, and I've had trouble with similar stakes in the past.

I didn't know about the DIY christmas forums either. So I just registered.

Thanks

[JBullard]

You could just strip out the existing lights and stuff in a string of 20 count lights.

[LORisAwesome]

JBullard wrote:

You could just strip out the existing lights and stuff in a string of 20 count lights.

This is also an excellent idea!

CDI doesn't seem to have 20 bulb strings, any idea where I might find them?

The rope light seems to have cut lengths of 18 inches. I've been messing with the arches -- 18 inches is way to short, but 36 inches is about 3-4 inches too long. So I'm not sure the rope light idea will work... The excess could possibly go inside the PVC stake.

Thanks

[jerrymac]

I stipped the 5 set pathway candy cane sets (uses mini incandescent bulbs not LED), into singles (cut the wire leading from one to the next and added a male plug etc. I have Run them 5 hours a night (in sequences)since the day after Thanksgiving. I have not lost a single light out of 15 canes (the ones sold by Lowes). Wish I had bought 10 more sets, and now can't find any.

[JBullard]

LORisAwesome wrote:

JBullard wrote:

You could just strip out the existing lights and stuff in a string of 20 count lights.

This is also an excellent idea!

CDI doesn't seem to have 20 bulb strings, any idea where I might find them?

The rope light seems to have cut lengths of 18 inches. I've been messing with the arches -- 18 inches is way to short, but 36 inches is about 3-4 inches too long. So I'm not sure the rope light idea will work... The excess could possibly go inside the PVC stake.

Thanks

Well not LEDs. But 20 ct mini's are very common.

[LORisAwesome]

Jeff Millard wrote:

I didn't try to split up the strings in the ones I got. They were all used and many were burned out so I decided to try ropelight. It worked out perfectly and I think they look ten times better than having mini lights in them. I made a how-to on the DIYC forum a couple years ago that you can see at this link. I see it's been viewed a couple times. Each picture across ten+ posts is a step by step procedure to assembling them. I can suggest that black electrical tape be used to strengthen the joint between the PVC stake and the colored plastic cane proir to heat shrink. I've since done that to all the canes I made. (60)

Jeff

EDIT, my canes are two sections of ropelight. I'll bet one section will be the right length for your little arches.

Jeff

I've been looking at the photos, and I have a few questions....

I'm not sure I'll be able to push the PVC stakes into the ground without damaging the arch. Have you had any problems?

Where do you get the shrink wrap that you use to attach the stake to the candy cane?

What is the the tool that you use to expose the conductor on the rope light? Where can I get those?

Thanks

Jerry

[LORisAwesome]

Jeff

Thanks for the answers.

Jerry