Something I noticed

[huskernut]

I was surprised at how soft the insulation on the white lead in wires are. I nicked the insulation off of one just running them in my basement to start programming. Perhaps a word of caution to be careful or maybe I am just clumsy.

Rick

[huskernut]

I guess this topic didn't generate much commentary but then again i didn't ask a question so here goes. Anyone else have any nicks on the white wires? What's a good way to repair them? they seem too small to tape up.

Thanks for any advice.

Rick

[ItsMeBobO]

I agree it seems fragile. But I have not noticed any injuries to the wires. While on display, I had mine inside pvc tubes to protect them. They made it through season one perfectly. Of course I would rather not need to protect them.


It would please me to have a sturdier wire. And some other fixes. Weather protection for instance.

[LightORamaDan]

We will look into the wires but should let you know that we paid a premium for them and went out of our way to get those wires. They are very expensive and have insulation that is impervious to weather, cold, sun light, etc... You should notice that the wires stay very flexible even in sub zero temps.

Dan

[steve synek]

I had no issues with my 3 ribbons. I even ran the white cables through cable clamps into a weather-tight enclosure. Then I used duct seal on the clamp & wire to finish the job. I removed them in 40 degree temps and did not have any damage. (And I inspected my little babies very close as i cleaned them and rolled them for storage till next year!!!)

Steve

[huskernut]

Dan, I understand and I am not complaining about the quality of the product at all. I just have 2 nicks in the wires ( both next to each other ) where i can see silver so i am looking for advise on how to cover this up.

I am thinking maybe a silicone sealer?

Thanks for responding.

Rick

[LightORamaDan]

huskernut wrote:

Dan, I understand and I am not complaining about the quality of the product at all. I just have 2 nicks in the wires ( both next to each other ) where i can see silver so i am looking for advise on how to cover this up.

I am thinking maybe a silicone sealer?

Thanks for responding.

Rick

Sorry... I missed answering the question! I believe that the insulation is silicone based thus silicone sealer will probably be a good choice to seal any nicks in the wire.

Didn't think you were complaining and even if you were that is your right!

[Guest guest]

huskernut wrote:

Dan, I understand and I am not complaining about the quality of the product at all. I just have 2 nicks in the wires ( both next to each other ) where i can see silver so i am looking for advise on how to cover this up.

I am thinking maybe a silicone sealer?

Thanks for responding.

Rick

I don't have the CCR's, but I have nicked other wires when taking down or even setting up, one of the things I've found to use to cover the wires is super glue! Believe it or not, that stuff does a great job of sealing nicks and even weather cracking in wires (extension cords, light strings, etc.). Once dry it is clear and it does look like the nick is still open, but it's not. And the great thing is the super glue dries almost immediately, so there is no cure or wait time after making such a repair.



So just a little drop of super glue over the nicked spots on your wires and you should be good to go.



BTW: I've used super glue to repair porcelain figurines that have gotten broken accidentlally, plastic animated figurines that needed reapir, nicked and cracked wires, coro, even wood! And then some, I haven't found anything where a small drop or a few small drops of super glue along the break hasn't been repairable and made weather resistant! I also use it on C7 press on sockets where the wire terminates at the end, only when the wire won't bend and go down into the seating holes, makes the socket nice and weather proof so no short can occur if the slightly exposed end gets wet, I actually have one of these C7 sockets inside a bird bath that uses a pump to pump water up a tube right next to the socket, been outside in the bird batch now for over 4 months in heavy downpours and pump running 24/7, light only comes on at dark on a timer for about 4-5 hours in the early evening and then again for about 1-1/2 to 2 hours in the early morning before daybreak. No issues at all. No, I don't glue to snap on base, that is so I can replace the socket if it ever goes bad.



But super glue is an excellent alternative and a very quick/rapid repair with basically no wait time to put the lights/wires right back into service.



NOTE: This does not work for wires that have been nicked to the point they are shorting into each other, then you need to do a solder, splice and use heat shrinkable tubing to make the repair (but I do add super glue to each end of the shrink tubing after this type of repair is complete and tested PRIOR to adding the super glue to make sure the item is going to work!



Hope this may help someone make a quicker, more efficient and weatherproof repair!

[Guest guest]

Just to make this aspect a little clearer from my post above:

Originally stated: NOTE: This does not work for wires that have been nicked to the point they are shorting into each other, then you need to do a solder, splice and use heat shrinkable tubing to make the repair (but I do add super glue to each end of the shrink tubing after this type of repair is complete and tested PRIOR to adding the super glue to make sure the item is going to work!


A little clearer statement of that note (about the shrink tubing: additions/changes are BOLDED):

NOTE: This does not work for wires that have been nicked to the point they are shorting into each other, then you need to do a solder, splice and use heat shrinkable tubing to make the repair. I do add a drop of super glue to each "inside" end of the shrink tubing after this type of repair is complete and tested to make sure everything works properly. This is ALL DONE PRIOR to SHRINKING and ADDING the super glue (which, again is only a small a drop added to each end of the shrink tubing AND INSIDE each end BEFORE it is shrank down), this helps make an even better secure and weatherproof connection for outdoor use cords and light string repairs.



Any questions feel free to ask!