Fixing low voltage copper wire LED strings.

Рет қаралды 359,910

6 жыл бұрын

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 KZfaq's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.

Пікірлер: 790

@y4udodis 3 жыл бұрын

Just letting you know this video is still helping people thank you!

@alliematelski1767 2 жыл бұрын

Still helping 😃👍

@ehloe. 2 жыл бұрын

Ditto, still helping!

@mrquez7351 2 жыл бұрын

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! 🤯

@dougholcomb6851 Жыл бұрын

Still going

@advaitgupta Жыл бұрын

Still helping

@kimtalbot8330 2 жыл бұрын

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. 🤗

@jessicavela849 4 жыл бұрын

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!!!!

@amytucker5566 2 жыл бұрын

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!

@karenlynch5244 24 күн бұрын

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!!!!

@maeosbourn7464 3 жыл бұрын

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!

@silmishan 15 күн бұрын

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 :)

@jas8815 4 жыл бұрын

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 KZfaq...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?

@FarWesternGarrison 4 жыл бұрын

Swapping out your power steering pump on your car. I love KZfaq too :)

@jmeA86 4 жыл бұрын

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!

@eeveecat2158 2 ай бұрын

I did that 2 days ago.

@theresafitzgeralddc9944 3 жыл бұрын

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.....

@BE1Brah 2 жыл бұрын

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.

@garyhardman8369 6 жыл бұрын

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.

@adibaahmadi8360 8 ай бұрын

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. 😊

@dccopeland6447 2 жыл бұрын

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. :)

@ayoabe 5 жыл бұрын

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.

@AuralayKristine 9 ай бұрын

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!!!

@mw9527 5 жыл бұрын

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!

@NeneExists 6 жыл бұрын

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.

@viviennehudson1945 Жыл бұрын

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.

@ducomaritiem7160 6 жыл бұрын

Merry Christmas, Clive. I realize I only know you by your KZfaq 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.

@jeromejooste3493 2 жыл бұрын

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.

@PuffeeLady 4 жыл бұрын

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!

@anitaguerramikessister2866 6 жыл бұрын

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!

@anitaguerramikessister2866 6 жыл бұрын

FYI, I used finger nail polish to re-insulate the wires.

@bigclivedotcom 6 жыл бұрын

Sounds like you did a good job. This is exactly why I put this video up.

@MaisySM 5 жыл бұрын

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!

@benbaselet2026 6 жыл бұрын

A nice finale showing what happens when you connect the string straight into the mains would have been very nice.

@Cadwaladr 6 жыл бұрын

Probably just fail in a controlled and unexciting manner. Stuff is too safe these days.

@maicod 6 жыл бұрын

you have discounted (C)hinese (E)xport stuff then

@Chuckiele 6 жыл бұрын

The wire is so thin, it would just blow like a fuse.

@benbaselet2026 6 жыл бұрын

You never know until you know. There is still hope! :-)

@CigaretteTricks 6 жыл бұрын

I just bought a ton of these. I love the look of them. Hope they continue making more and more types of these.

@chrishogben5282 2 жыл бұрын

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.

@bigclivedotcom 2 жыл бұрын

They're all usually repairable, but the 12V one is a bit more complicated.

@fohdeesha 6 жыл бұрын

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!

@bingbong230778 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for making and posting this video Clive. Helped me fix my lights after hours of trying! Delighted thank you.

@wavesofgrace 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@skybird2008 3 жыл бұрын

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!

@kaitlynbuchholz9449 3 жыл бұрын

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 😅

@adamn.9525 3 жыл бұрын

I wish all informational KZfaq videos were like this. Brilliant presentation, thanks for your help

@sonnyjimm23 4 жыл бұрын

Brilliant! Best explanation of string lights I've found. 👍 Thank you.

@susangray1495 5 жыл бұрын

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!

@bigclivedotcom 5 жыл бұрын

Happy to help. Have a great Christmas.

@alisonnicholson2120 2 жыл бұрын

You are my new favourite person! Thank you for explaining that so clearly. Solved my lighting problems straight away !

@moniquerodrick787 4 жыл бұрын

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!!.

@cooliop8166 5 жыл бұрын

OMG THANKS YOU HELPED ME FIX MY FAVOURITE COPPER WIRE LIGHTS I LOVE YOU i used the method with the lighter and it worked

@aryaverrma 5 жыл бұрын

Coolio P can You please tell how you did I cants understand it would Really Helpfull

@sewlady33 3 жыл бұрын

And 4 years later, still helping! Thank you.

@Fyrie 3 жыл бұрын

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

@thegreendank1 6 жыл бұрын

Don't know why I love watching this but I'm gonna keep watching.

@julietgore5940 3 жыл бұрын

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!

@dhnaves 2 жыл бұрын

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!

@julioforonda6500 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you soooo much for this info, i could not believe there was a video on repairing these cheap LEDs! amazing!

@shareenaschiffelbein2178 2 жыл бұрын

I am repairing one tiny set of lights for my upcoming wedding. This was a complete lifesaver. Thank you so much.

@AjayMahajan65 5 жыл бұрын

Just managed to fix a string of light I had given up on. Thanks. Worked.

@agoogleuser1058 6 жыл бұрын

Merry Christmas Clive. I watch your every video. Thank you for doing great work.

@jamiedougherty4969 3 жыл бұрын

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!!

@BS-eu3zg Жыл бұрын

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.

@wyynterstorm7154 Жыл бұрын

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!

@hoodhunter3262 9 ай бұрын

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

@ColettaHughes 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you... I've always wondered how the wiring works on these, now I have a good understanding :)

@jjab99 6 жыл бұрын

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

@StevlandAmbrose 2 жыл бұрын

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.

@redstarforever7271 4 жыл бұрын

was really hoping there was a part in the video for “How to re-wire/solder/connect the end of strings back into the ‘3 AA Battery Pack with the On/Off switch” snapped off the Negative/Positive from inside the Battery Pack. Wish there was a tutorial or anything on the Internet showing how to fix. shame :/

@jamescrook9749 2 жыл бұрын

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

@heatherboregon4671 5 жыл бұрын

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!

@chelseajupiter2103 6 жыл бұрын

Had a 12v set catch on my ceiling fan. As the fan wound them up and broke the line, the lights started going on and off. It was hilarious, and terrifying at the same time--spool of LEDs flying around the living room flashing erratically, and slowing the ceiling fan to a halt. I figured I was better off just trashing them and getting a new set after that.

@conwlew 2 жыл бұрын

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

@derekkross6875 2 ай бұрын

Wonderful clearly explained video! Saved my light display after I snipped it by accident. Thank you!!

@gillyp5610 5 жыл бұрын

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 KZfaq 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!! :)

@MissDiorama 2 жыл бұрын

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!

@tiadewitt7027 Жыл бұрын

Just fixed a three wire set. Thanks so much for saving my living room lighting!!

@GoSammyHo 4 жыл бұрын

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! 👍

@paigethornton1367 3 жыл бұрын

This video just saved my six hour project! Thank you so much!

@testticklehead 2 жыл бұрын

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.

@daisymay891 2 жыл бұрын

Omg!!!!! Thank you !! I was about to take everything down and I decided to google it and voila !!! Your video !!!

@patticave9098 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I got my broken light string fixed thanks to you !

@dillonrose3428 Жыл бұрын

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!!!!

@pinco40 3 жыл бұрын

Just repaired my set of solar powered string lights. Hurrah! Thank you so much!

@jeffmilkey 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you Clive....you are the man...Excellent Video.

@dougart11 Жыл бұрын

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.

@williamdavies_ewill 6 жыл бұрын

Many thanks for this. Wonderfully instructive as ever.

@reallyrobyn0 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I was able to confidently fix my brand new lights thanks to this.

@pjaj43 6 жыл бұрын

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.

@bobair2 6 жыл бұрын

Hello Clive,all the best to you and Ralph in this time of year! Ah sod it -Merry Chrismas and a happy new year to you and all who view ya!

@JoelHudson 6 жыл бұрын

Bob Airhart thanks Bob same to you!

@wilsondouglashall8193 3 жыл бұрын

had some questions about Boric Acid yesterday. You answered them. Needed a diagram for three wire Fairy Lights today. You had it. Fixed. Subscribed.

@sarahcielo782 3 жыл бұрын

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 😉

@darronjknight 6 жыл бұрын

Very good of you to do a public service announcement. Thank you. You are a gentleman.

@Ellaroo1000 2 жыл бұрын

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 😊

@octaffle Жыл бұрын

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.

@linswad 6 жыл бұрын

G'day Clive, and a happy xmas from a 64 year old technician in Australia. I really enjoy watching your clips. Lindsay.

@lilybotanicus743 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for making this video,it was really useful. I was able to fix my broken fairy lights 👍. Merry Christmas & a happy New year!

@lisnjay 6 жыл бұрын

Merry Christmas Clive!

@mshafer0815 Жыл бұрын

Best explanation I’ve ever seen! Thanks for making it understandable.

@williamreim2171 10 ай бұрын

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,

@jdmxxx38 Жыл бұрын

Thanks. Your explanation makes things clearer and easier

@chloemajlinda3957 7 ай бұрын

Perfectly explained! I was able to trim my 3 wired lights and reconnect them easily because of you. Thank you!

@bigclivedotcom 7 ай бұрын

I wouldn't recommend trimming the length too much, as it will increase the current through the LEDs.

@user-tr4gy1pw3h 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. I was about to buy new one and you helped me fix it in minutes.

@michaelknowles2850 Жыл бұрын

Thank You for a superb tutorial on repairing this item.

@IanFarnsworth 3 жыл бұрын

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.