I've decided that adding an electrolytic capacitor where it's shown is not ideal, since in the event of it failing short circuit it would result in the two mains incoming resistors getting overloaded. The circuit is fine without it anyway. I've not actually had an electrolytic fail like this, but I prefer a pessimistic approach to avoid any risks.
It's quite fun to convert a string of old style tungsten push in Christmas lights (fairy lights) to LED, since it means you can swap LEDs and have any range of colours you like. I would only recommend doing this if you have good electrical skills for safety reasons, since it does involve mains voltage.
It basically involves adding an inline rectifier and current limiter to provide a current controlled DC supply for the LEDs. Then you replace all the tungsten lamps with LEDs using the original push-in holders and making sure that all the LEDs are in the correct polarity along the string. You can effectively make up any colour sequence along the string that you want or just use a mish-mash of random LED colours from your stock. In the string shown at the end of the video I've got about 20 colours randomly mixed throughout the string.
The simplicity of the resistive limiter means that it is only really suited for very low current use, but even at a few milliamps, the string of LEDs is actually very bright. Best of all, the whole string now uses about the same power as just one of the original lamps did. The module is potted in standard two part resin for insulation purposes.
It's quite fun to convert a string of old style tungsten push in Christmas lights (fairy lights) to LED, since it means you can swap LEDs and have any range of colours you like. I would only recommend doing this if you have good electrical skills for safety reasons, since it does involve mains voltage.
It basically involves adding an inline rectifier and current limiter to provide a current controlled DC supply for the LEDs. Then you replace all the tungsten lamps with LEDs using the original push-in holders and making sure that all the LEDs are in the correct polarity along the string. You can effectively make up any colour sequence along the string that you want or just use a mish-mash of random LED colours from your stock. In the string shown at the end of the video I've got about 20 colours randomly mixed throughout the string.
The simplicity of the resistive limiter means that it is only really suited for very low current use, but even at a few milliamps, the string of LEDs is actually very bright. Best of all, the whole string now uses about the same power as just one of the original lamps did. The module is potted in standard two part resin for insulation purposes.
Hi Excellent video; quick question exactly what sort of LEDs do you use; I’m asking because I have a set of Christmas tree lights that I want to convert only it use the E5 screw fitting lamps; I will have to find a way to take the lamps apart and solder the new LEDs in 😂 Thanks
You are so clever! Question! I have prelit Christmas tree that used traditional bulbs. If I replace them with LED ones and connect to 12v power supply will it work?
I just this video and very interested in how to did this. I'm still getting familiar on how to go about this. Here in the US many of the incandescent strands are of 150 lights, usually in sections of 3. Would you add the resistors (maybe 20k) ahead of each grouping? So 8 total?
Hi Clive, I have recently converted 5-sets of Christmas lights using Red, Green, Orange and Blue 10mm LEDs. I placed a series resistor (150k 1/4W) in a number of the LEDs (cut one leg short and replace with resistor) to bring the current down to around 10mA. I used a round encapsulated full-wave rectifier (2W10) in the mains-plug (neutral/earth void) and placed heatshrink over the connections. The sets run very cool and look great. Thanks for the videos which gave me the idea to upgrade my old incandescent bulb sets. I also enjoyed your tale of Christmas times in George Square. Keep up the good work.
So I highly doubt anyone will see this but my grandpa has a string of grandlite co musical bell lights and it recently failed I'm planning on fixing it for my mom but she may murder me if I do
Thank you for your video(s)!! I am enjoying watching them. I am trying to learn as much as I can before I change 6 sets of lights I have. I have questions I hope you can help me with. I have a 300 light tungsten icicle Christmas light string from USA (110v) I want to convert to LED. The string must be made to run in groups of 50 bulbs @ 2.2v each (replacement bulb is 2.5v). I use these in Europe and use a heavy duty transformer to step down 220v to 110v. I understand the LED's I have are 3.0v each (50 x 3v = 150v for each section). Because I am wanting to convert these to LED's, I was thinking I may as well convert them to run on 220v (instead of 110v with transformer). Therefore, my questions are: 1. Is this safe and achievable? or 2. If so, what resistors do I need? 3. Is the smoothing resistor you mention to help remove the flicker caused by AC current supply? 4. Anything else you can suggest I consider. Thank you!
Most excellent. And you appear to be Human. Which we know is an old World ploy to come eat us in our sleep. At least one will be AWAKE.
Can you take one step further, convert Led Christmas lights to solar, and connect 3 or 4 strings of light together?
Hello from a very hot Australia on new years eve. Really love your videos Clive. Just a question, Under what conditions would you use a series current limit capacitor vs the series resistors?
Some 30 years ago I converted nearly a 1000 of the old 20w 20 light sets into low voltage outdoor lights by cutting and soldering them in Parallel. Was highly therapeutic as you say. I have several packing cases of those old lights that weren't converted, might just do the above to them.
HI NO I have checked all the leds and they are ok the leds all light up.
hello my friend thank you for your reply there are two set of led's in the tube 48and 82 they are all ok checked for dry joint that's ok. The 48 set which does not light has a dim glow in the led you can just about see.
Hi sir as you are electronic expert I need your help I have aT8 led tube light which is1500mm long and the fault is half of the tube lights up and the other half is dead. I would be very great full if you could give me some idea to what the fault might be.
Hello im hoping you can help me or lead me in the right direction! so I want to attach a string of 10 Christmas lights inside my car attached to a toggle switch. I want to replace the regular bulbs with leds since i see that led can use 12v to power them. how would I do this exactly?
what a waste of time-just buy a led string if that is what you want!
can you use a 1.5amp 600v bridge rectifier i cant find a 1amp 600v.rectifier on ebay ? by the way Happy New Year I really like the videos on leds and electronics. thanks
Would any rated electrolytic cap do? What would give the best fade out when powered off?