What to do with old LED lights?

[knightrohulk]

I've gone nearly 100% pixels this past year. I was previously 100% LED. The LED strings that are working 100% I am giving to friends and neighbors. But, what do I do with the LED strings that aren't working 100%? Is there a way to recycle them, or do I just take them to the dump? I also have an indoor Christmas tree that is prelit with warm white incans, but not all are working and my efforts to revive it only resulted in the wife buying a new tree. LOL Is there a way to recycle the tree also or does it go to the dump? Thanks!

[P. Short]

How about trying to revive the LED strings to see if that would lead your wife to buying more pixels?

[curtinti]

I've gone nearly 100% pixels this past year. I was previously 100% LED. The LED strings that are working 100% I am giving to friends and neighbors. But, what do I do with the LED strings that aren't working 100%? Is there a way to recycle them, or do I just take them to the dump? I also have an indoor Christmas tree that is prelit with warm white incans, but not all are working and my efforts to revive it only resulted in the wife buying a new tree. LOL Is there a way to recycle the tree also or does it go to the dump? Thanks!

When I was using LOR and had all LED string lights I took the non-working strings (mostly incan) and created extension cords out of them. There was a video on youtube that showed how to remove the bulbs and just keep the wiring and plugs. That way I can run much smaller cords to all of my LOR channels. I've since moved mostly to pixels as well so now I have several dozen of these extensions but still use a few of them with my AC LOR controllers for some traditional strings on bushes.

I remember years ago Home Depot/Lowes were accepting used strings for recycling. You can ask them if you are simply trying to keep them out of the landfill.

tim

[MikeKrebs]

This supplier recycles them.
https://www.christmas-light-source.c...ram_c_210.html

[1pet2_9]

I agree with using broken LED strings as extension cords. Also, you can snip the male/female plugs off both ends, along with as much wire as you can with it, and use those to attach to other twin wires later on.

Usually I find that I can cut up my non-working strings, add a current-limiting resistor on one of the wires (usually 100 ohms is plenty), apply a DC voltage to that section, and they work again. I always have use for lots of little strings of LED's. Many times it's the current driver on the string that goes out. Just cut it out and replace it with a resistor. Knowledge of basic Ohm's law and Kirchoff's is required.

Sometimes they can also be fixed with these repair guns, which work on both LED and incans: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Min.../dp/B003YO273M . It's not always worth your time, though.

[Dennis Cherry]

I agree with using broken LED strings as extension cords. Also, you can snip the male/female plugs off both ends, along with as much wire as you can with it, and use those to attach to other twin wires later on.

Usually I find that I can cut up my non-working strings, add a current-limiting resistor on one of the wires (usually 100 ohms is plenty), apply a DC voltage to that section, and they work again. I always have use for lots of little strings of LED's. Many times it's the current driver on the string that goes out. Just cut it out and replace it with a resistor. Knowledge of basic Ohm's law and Kirchoff's is required.

Sometimes they can also be fixed with these repair guns, which work on both LED and incans: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Min.../dp/B003YO273M . It's not always worth your time, though.

Not a good device for repairing LED light strings, will do more damage then good.

For LED's use this. https://www.ledkeeper.com/home/

[Raybike]

The inoperable LED lights can be used for decoration, placed on the entertainment unit or on the coffee table, I think it is a nice view.If you put LED lights on bedside tables, coffee tables,Cupboard,kids bookshelf and other homewares, I think it will look very beautiful.

[1pet2_9]

Not a good device for repairing LED light strings, will do more damage then good.

For LED's use this. https://www.ledkeeper.com/home/
Inventor of the "LED Keeper"

Do you have a side-by-side breakdown of how you improved on it?