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olingerjccj
11-22-2009, 02:47 PM
I have a ton 0f 100 but very little 50 ct. Is it as easy as cutting them 1/2 at the 2 pair. Then can I add a male plug to the other side. Do I lose anything and that does cut the amp draw in 1/2 also, I hope.

Thanks
John
budude
11-22-2009, 02:56 PM
All the answers are ... Yes - except losing anything - it's a cheap way to get 50-count strands...
olingerjccj
11-22-2009, 02:58 PM
Thank you always a quick reply here I love it, well bad news back to work.

John
NogginBoink
11-22-2009, 06:04 PM
Bad news? No... it's good news. Yes, it's as easy as cutting them in half. Yes, you can add a male plug to the other side. No, you don't lose anything. Yes, it cuts the current draw in half.
omzig
11-22-2009, 06:07 PM
FWIW, you do lose something...the fuse in the new plug. That is unless you can find replacement plugs with fuses.
Wayne J
11-22-2009, 08:36 PM
Here is how..............

http://www.christmasinshirley.com/wiki/index.php?title=Shorten_Mini_Lights
ctmal
11-22-2009, 08:50 PM
FWIW, you do lose something...the fuse in the new plug. That is unless you can find replacement plugs with fuses.

I think this is the biggest concern...I don't think it's a good idea to run strands without a fused plug.
kwajtony
11-22-2009, 09:45 PM
But what if I needed say 30 lights?
ctmal
11-22-2009, 10:42 PM
But what if I needed say 30 lights?

Just cover the extra 20 lights with electrical tape so you don't see them when they're on.
omzig
11-22-2009, 10:46 PM
You could come closer to 30 by splitting a 70-count string.
olingerjccj
11-23-2009, 09:23 AM
I think this is the biggest concern...I don't think it's a good idea to run strands without a fused plug.

over the years I saved all my strands that do not work, so I just cut off the male end of those on use them for my new 50.


John
dirknerkle
11-23-2009, 10:25 AM
over the years I saved all my strands that do not work, so I just cut off the male end of those on use them for my new 50.


John

That's a great idea. You should also save the plug ends too, because they can become "pirate" plugs in other situations.

I've also saved the "third wire" on a string which is usually just wrapped around the others. Sometimes you want to extend a set of lights by adding in a few feet in the middle of the string and it's nice to have the same color (e.g. green) wire to make it more invisible.