Fixing low voltage copper wire LED strings.
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- Опубліковано 22 гру 2017
- This video is about repairing the very common low voltage (3 to 12V) LED strings based on insulated copper wire with LEDs soldered across them and dipped in resin. The guide is not suitable for traditional mains voltage LED strings.
I like the copper-wire LED strings. It's a simple parallel circuit of voltage matched LEDs that are quite rugged and water resistant by virtue of the LED and wire connection points being dipped in resin forming a strong bead on the wire. It is possible to snap the wire though, and I often get asked if it's possible to repair or shorten them.
The simple two wire parallel strings are also ideal for chopping into shorter sections for other applications.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of UA-cam's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty. - Наука та технологія
Just letting you know this video is still helping people thank you!
Still helping 😃👍
Ditto, still helping!
Ditto, ditto, ditto… STILL helping as of Mar-2022 😝!
I’ve spent sooo much $/time replacing and re-wrapping my trees with these damn things every time they go bad (~1x/yr), when I could have fixed them in place with a freaking nail file, Wtf! 🤯
Still going
Still helping
Thanks, Big Clive!!! I successfully added a string of these lights to another thanks to you! I put these little lights in my stone wall around a patio -- tucking the wire into every nook and cranny. Takes FOREVER and I have to redo it every few years. This year I ran out 2/3 of the way through, so I bought more but then realized I had only one power supply out there, and it was at the other end. So I connected them!! woohoo! Thanks!!!!
I accidentally snipped our light up Snow man lights when trimming the zip ties and watched in horror as my kids got the saddest look on their face thinking it was completely ruined. You saved our snowman! Thank you!!!!
I broke a 10m 3 wire strand of copper fairy lights 5 months ago and couldn’t figure out how to fix it. Had been meaning to ask my dad.
He passed away 4 months ago and that strand of lights, like many many many things in my life and workshop were little heartbreak reminders.
I decided to learn how to fix them and came across your channel. Thank you SO SO much!
Also, my dad used to snag things in his beard too. 🤗
We didn't even think to strip the wires, because as you pointed out, they just look like metal! Once we did that, my husband was able to save our lights from the landfill! Thank you for sharing these great tips!
Nearly threw away 20m of lights after trimming my christmas tree while my dad was out and cutting the wire! You have saved me and my christmas thanks so much!
Thanks Big Clive, you helped me to put the happiness back in my 4 year old son's face.
I am from India. They use these wires around the big balloon toy they sell on the beach. This toy has 3 modes to control the led lights. After few days the balloon will lose its gas and becomes saggy.
I took the wires and the battery setup separately and spun it around my Son's cycle. He just loved it.
Somehow the wire got cut and one part of the led strips stopped working. I just tried to twist the wires together it did not work
Only after seeing your video I learnt that these wires also have + - and there is an invisible coating which separates these wires getting short circuited. I just polished the cut edges with a paper knife and twisted the wires together and it worked
My kid is super happy :)
Well documented and explained! I used this video to cut a string of 5v, 3-wire down and add it to another string I had, and then sew up the first string after cutting it. To avoid increasing the resistance of the longer string too much, I connected all 4 of the positive wires together in parallel at the splice. Original string was 33 feet long; new strings are 36 foot and 30 foot.
Clive-- Thank you for your wonderful, clear instructions. I did the two wire repair with my emery board and was back to lit-up business in 15 minutes. The only thing I didn't do on the first try was realize that I had to pair the wires to the correct polarity, so my first try didn't work.... Second time was a charm! Happy Holidays.....
Cannot thank you enough. GF got us some of these for our camping trips and they've been out of commission for years. I didn't want to let them go because of the memories and today gave it a shot and they work again. Appreciate your approach and looking forward to watching more of your videos.
Thank you is not enough for you MISTER. you make this video 5 years ago and stil this video is helping. Thank you thank you Very much. You make me happy with this. 😊
So happy I found this video! Our local dollar store has been selling "rice lights" (micro-leds), some solar, some battery powered. I wanted to take some from a battery set and add them to the solar set (solar set had 5 lights, battery had 20 lights). We convert traditional string lights to solar all the time and was just thrown for a loop about these micro-led ones. I easily added the additional lights quickly after watching this simple how-to.
Thank you!
I used to be involved in the manufacture of transformers. As a general rule of thumb, if the insulation is a 'golden' or 'red' colour, then it is 'self fluxing' and can be removed by applying a tinned soldering iron to the wire, thus removing the insulation and tinning the wire in one operation.
Brilliant! I kept wondering why mine wouldn't work after I twisted the broken wire together. I had no idea the wires were coated. A little rubbing with a nail file on both ends, then twisted together again, and voila, worked like a charm and saved me the cost of another string. Thank you!!! This is the thing I love most about UA-cam...you can learn how to do almost anything yourself, from the comfort of your home. I've learned how to change my windshield wipers, fix my toilet and now, fix a string of LED lights. What next?
Swapping out your power steering pump on your car.
I love UA-cam too :)
I had to dig deep on Google to find this solution to the problem. For all the time I wasted, this is the BEST answer to the problem. The diagrams were less important to me than the final segment showing how to fix the problem. There I learned that the wires after being cut must be filed/sanded to remove a clear resin coating so that when you connect the CORRECT two wires, the strand will light. I don't understand why this video doesn't come up higher in the search results. Thanks Big Clive for posting this. You are muy worthy. :)
This morning I was weed whacking and wasn't paying attention and accidentally cut one of my strings of solar power LEDs that go around my front garden. If it wasn't for this video I could cry because it would have ruined the entire strand it took me over an hour to set up. Thank you for making this video! Now fingers crossed and hope that I can get it to work!
I did that 2 days ago.
You are a lifesaver. I JUST finished hanging a bunch of these in my room and the second I was finished they all went dim. Your tutorial worked like a charm!!!
And again just letting you know this is still helping others. Thanks for the clear explanation. The 12V setup was my concern but now sorted.
I watched this yesterday as I snipped through an led wire when cutting price tags off a Christmas decoration. I didn't understand much of it, but today I watched again. With a glass nail file and elec insulation tape I repaired the led. Thank you.
I got a three wire set of these lights in the mail yesterday, from Amazon. Lovely, installed on my little living Christmas tree, then within just a second of not looking, my cat chewed between the 13th and 14th LED and off they went. I spent a bit of time trying to get life into them again. Found your video and voila they are fine again!
Thank you so much for this video. Very detailed explanation which satisfied the “inner-geek”. Just wanted to test out my lights and bring some early cheer into my apartment. But only to discover there was a break in the lights; a cut in one of the cables. By using a candle and sandpaper, then a simple twist of the cables and yay working again. Super!
Bought a 2nd set of rope lights for the garden as the 1st set was chewed by something. Only after two days of having them, same thing happened again. Realised it’s a frigging squirrel that is the cause of it 🤯. Managed to fix both now, after watching your very informative video, I’m so pleased. Thank you so much!!.
A method I've had some success with for the lacquer coated wire, is dip the wire into flux, pick up a large blop of solder on the tip of the iron, and run the hot solder onto it.
It melts off the (non heat resistant) lacquer, and tins it at the same time, whilst the flux turns the melted lacquer into gloop.
I went full all the emotions following this, thinking I had the two wire set and could swap it out, then realising it’s a 3 wire set and watching you do the repair made it look really straightforward, to realising actually I’ve got the 12v set and I should probably just buy a replacement.
They're all usually repairable, but the 12V one is a bit more complicated.
And 4 years later, still helping! Thank you.
I just bought a ton of these. I love the look of them. Hope they continue making more and more types of these.
Thank you so much. I've been trying to fix these for hours and was just about to give up and dump them, when I thought I'd see if there was a video and here it is. I didn't realise there was an enamel covering the wire, then I got my nail file, stripped the wire, joined them together and hey presto!
Happy to help. Have a great Christmas.
Thanks so much for this video. I just finished doing a pretty complicated wall display using the 3-wire variety and when finished hot gluing the last led in place, I cut the wire and everything went dark. I was at a complete loss, but with your help, I got everything working again,
Thank you so much for this video! I had low voltage to the back end of my lights and literally undid the whole thing and fixed it all up and now the whole chain is nice and bright, would never have been able to fix this on my own unless I came across this video. And to think, I was about to throw them out, haha!
Ever since I found your channel, I can't get into the Christmas spirit until you put up some holiday related LED videos. Glad you're keeping up the tradition. Merry Christmas from the states!
I wish all informational UA-cam videos were like this. Brilliant presentation, thanks for your help
Thanks so much, fixed a set before like this but couldn’t do it this time. 2 wires, but realised we weren’t stripping the ends enough. Initially tried scraping with a knife and sandpaper and it didn’t work. This morning I tried again, burning the ends with a lighter and then sandpaper. Worked no problem 😊
I fixed my 3 copper wire fairy lights! It sounds like no big deal, but long story short this video saved me TONS of time. Thank you.
Thank you so much! Not least for making this simple for electricity-amateurs like me! Managed to reconnect a whole string to a new battery pack thanks to this video
Thank’s a lot! Fixed my three wire string (variant 2 ). Your guide is much appreciated. Long time viewer finally getting his hands „dirty“. Keep up the good work.
Just managed to fix a string of light I had given up on. Thanks. Worked.
Thanks very much... it really helped. Even the part about a lacquer coating. I wondered how everything didn't short out. Fixed my rig in minutes thanks to you. Cheers, Mate!
Like Spout Bec said 2y ago….I’ll say it again, just letting you know this video is still greatly helping people today! So thank you!!!!
Just repaired my set of solar powered string lights. Hurrah! Thank you so much!
Thanks Clive, a little sanding of the enameled wires and it worked. I was driving myself crazy for over an hour and second guessing my wiring abilities.
Thanks so much for making and posting this video Clive. Helped me fix my lights after hours of trying! Delighted thank you.
had some questions about Boric Acid yesterday. You answered them. Needed a diagram for three wire Fairy Lights today. You had it. Fixed. Subscribed.
You are my new favourite person! Thank you for explaining that so clearly. Solved my lighting problems straight away !
Big Clive! You are my hero! Two years ago I installed a 12v strand around my deck. Then last year we got 2 puppies who found the little LEDs under the lips of the steps irresistible! Needless to say they were damaged beyond repair. The pups are grown now so I decided to replace the lights. Wouldn't you know that as I got 3/4 through with the job (hot gluing them under the rail caps), I accidentally severed all three wires! As I searched the web for help I saw your diagram and thought "whoa, this is a guy who could help". I am a 60 year old grandma who has no electrical/engineering/technical training, but who loves to tinker. First try and they worked! The break was right after a set of 25, where the polarity reversed, and it was a simple task to to trace the wires and figure which went where! I used a propane torch, followed by sandpaper, to remove the varnish. Piece of cake. Thank you so much! I will be following you!
FYI, I used finger nail polish to re-insulate the wires.
Sounds like you did a good job. This is exactly why I put this video up.
Brilliant! Best explanation of string lights I've found. 👍 Thank you.
I am repairing one tiny set of lights for my upcoming wedding. This was a complete lifesaver. Thank you so much.
I found this quite helpful - I wondered why just twisting the broken wire ends together didn't work, and after first stripping the ends with my nail file now have a fully functioning 2 wire LED string again :)
Omg this worked. Thank you. I just sanded the wires down a little like he shows in the video and ba boom it worked. I feel like an electrical engineer 😅
I remember, many years ago, enameled copper wire came in two main flavours, one of which was solderable. The enamel was designed to melt (evaporate ?) at soldering temperatures , maybe even having a mild flux effect . This was particularly useful if you were using a solder pot to do your tinning. The other type was normal and required scraping off.
probably the most helpful video ive ever seen before thank you! I just broke my brand new lights and was afraid i was going to have to buy new ones, but thanks to this video, I was able to fix the wire.
Merry Christmas, Clive.
I realize I only know you by your UA-cam presence, but it feels rather cosy, and like a friend I know for all my life.
So, have a drink with your brother, and make the world ( well, the isle of Man) a better place.
Thank you soooo much for this info, i could not believe there was a video on repairing these cheap LEDs! amazing!
Uh ha! ...cat just nibbled through a single section of my wire led (2x battery pack) and I was hoping it should be a simple fix, because it's such a simple design anyway. This was very clear, comprehensive and helpful! ...plus I felt like I learnt something today about circuits too. Cheers! 👍
Cheers, just the job to fix the new set I just broke. I used the lighter to strip the varnish and soldered back together. 👍
Thank you so much for posting this!! You saved us money b/c I thought I had to throw the whole long strand out. A little girl is very happy that her fairy lights work! Thanks again!!
Thank you! Appreciate the explanation. I was confused by the enamel, and was worried I wouldn't be able to solder it together after I needed to cut a strip down to size.
Just fixed a three wire set. Thanks so much for saving my living room lighting!!
Don't know why I love watching this but I'm gonna keep watching.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So helpful! I have a 3 wire led fairy light set and after watching this video, I was able to fix them! Thank you ever so much for this video!
Thankyou!!! You just helped me fix our Christmas lights! Which were on the tree underneath allllll the decorations! Ours was the simple set up, used nailfile to clean, twisted the two ends then used heat shrink tubing... Quite impressed with myself 😉
Thank you!!! Mine was a 3 wire system low voltage , I noticed it wasn’t working and I was bummed out because I really like my lights and didn’t want to purchase new ones. But then I found your video and I was able to fix it!
I cut my copper led string lights, tried to re-connect them & was wondering why this wouldn't work for me. I finally found your video & sanding the enamel off the copper - Problem fixed.... Thankyou. Best teacher - Bravo!
Thank you! Just hung led Christmas light, staple cut a wire. Thank you for helping me get it connected 🙏
Great video! I would like to add that I fixed a strand like on the very top of your diagram by using a knife to file down the wire to make a better contact with the diode near the LED that was not lighting. I had just one on the end of a line that was out.
Hi I just wanted to take the time to say thank you for uploading this video, it was most helpful and it fixed my problem, I had no idea the cables were lacquered but after you explained it of course it made perfect sense, thanks again for resolving my problem regards James
Thank you! I got my broken light string fixed thanks to you !
This was so helpful! My sister and I got tea lights for Christmas but my cats attacked them and they got ripped in half but I just fixed them in under ten mins! Thank you!
This video just saved my six hour project! Thank you so much!
Thank you... I've always wondered how the wiring works on these, now I have a good understanding :)
Thank you Clive....you are the man...Excellent Video.
Very good of you to do a public service announcement.
Thank you. You are a gentleman.
Best explanation I found great job, simple but now I know why I didn't fix my wifes 3 wire system when reconnecting the wires she cut. Didn't remove the insulation and didn't test for the correct wires to reconnect.
Thank you! I was able to confidently fix my brand new lights thanks to this.
Perfectly explained! I was able to trim my 3 wired lights and reconnect them easily because of you. Thank you!
I wouldn't recommend trimming the length too much, as it will increase the current through the LEDs.
you saved the day for my daughter. I was helping her with this little toy project she bought and I accidentally shorted the 3 led-bulb string that came with the toy kit. Luckily I know it was identical to one of those fairy light string, and was able to find some on amazon. However, I need to modify the one purchased on amazon with the original toy kit. I cutted the Amazon light I bought but I couldn't figure why I cannot get the light to lit. After watching your technique I was able to re-wire the connection. Now I'm super dad
OMG THANKS YOU HELPED ME FIX MY FAVOURITE COPPER WIRE LIGHTS I LOVE YOU i used the method with the lighter and it worked
Coolio P can You please tell how you did I cants understand it would Really Helpfull
Wonderful clearly explained video! Saved my light display after I snipped it by accident.
Thank you!!
Merry Christmas Clive. I watch your every video. Thank you for doing great work.
I noticed that there is a positive and negative wires and if you mixed them up it does not blow out the LED lights. The one wire loop-back is a very smart idea for all the lights to be at the same brightness. Thanx for the great video.
Many thanks for this. Wonderfully instructive as ever.
Best explanation I’ve ever seen! Thanks for making it understandable.
Thank you so much for this video! You saved Christmas! We had a cat chew off the end of one string on our already-decorated Christmas tree, and the lights went dark. 😱 After finding your video, we were all bright again within 10 minutes. Cheers from Oregon!
Thanks, worked like a charm on my 3 wire LEDs!
Omg!!!!! Thank you !! I was about to take everything down and I decided to google it and voila !!! Your video !!!
i just built a model with 120 lights and just snapped the wire so
this is a great help,
thank you
Thanks for this thorough video. I always wondered how these lights worked but wasn't motivated to find out until the ones I had on my Halloween costume went out. Thanks to you, I was able to identify the problem and fix it! Much appreciated.
Thanks. Your explanation makes things clearer and easier
I can not thank you enough for this video. !!! Our Christmas lights have been saved. Thank you so much for your video and help and I hope you have a fantastic Christmas and 2022 x
Perfect thanks 👍🏻 just broke my beloved copper wire lights and couldnt work out why criss crossing the wire didnt work, now i understand there is a lacquer coating on them. Will try filing then twisting 👍🏻
Thank You for a superb tutorial on repairing this item.
Thanks! Great info, had no idea the wire was insulated with lacquer. Fixed a low voltage strand for my bike!
Thank you, you solved my problem. You explain things very well.
The product recall was pure big clive...this is imperative viewing..merry Christmas Clive and all subscribers..but don't forget Feast of the innocents 28th 29th December
fantastic how-to video. no bs, no nonsense; all helpful!
Very good video and many thanks for the heads up on the B&Q recall.
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Joe
1 match later and I’ve now fixed my 200 string of LEDS. Thanks 😊
G'day Clive, and a happy xmas from a 64 year old technician in Australia. I really enjoy watching your clips. Lindsay.
Thank you so much for making this video. It’s brilliant! Hoping I can fix the LEDs on our outside home wall now xxx
You’re a lifesaver!!! Thank you so much!!!!
HURRAH!!! Thank you! I waited WEEKS for a set of these lights (Obvs China??), got them muddled into a RIGHT fuddle, untangled them, wound them onto a tin. Proceeded to fir snugly onto my tree, the grand plug-in.....zilch, nadah!!! Twice had a go at a) taking them off the tree, finding where I thought the problem was (note to self, don't pull your socked foot through them).....still nothing. I thought it was a lost cause, pootled through UA-cam and THERE YOU ARE!!!! More to the point, my heap of wire (thrown away in disgust) is now tidied, rolled up AND WORKING!!!!!! Yes YOU HELPED ME, Thank you SO much!! :)