Trimming some rope lights

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Kaptain Kremin 22 years ago

Wonder if someone can help, im trying to trim a metre off a length of ropelight instead of at the markers (1.5metres)

These lights are mains (uk 240v) powered, didn't think about the need for a resistor as well does that mean the short segment will shine brighter otherwise? Or if the resistance is too low i gather the voltage may be too high and blow the remaining lights?

I just need to know how i add my own loop and what resistance value i need i guess? I need to do it now as i've just cut 1ft off the end and that segment is now very much darker (like dead) than the rest oops.

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Greg 22 years ago

(Ref the Duralight product YMMV) It is probably possible but simply cutting it won't work because these are in

18" (1.5m) series loops. You would have to compute the resistor to replace the number of missing bulbs, locate the right wires in the plastic "rope" and make the connection. I have done some hacking in these strings (wiring 2 halves in series etc) but I always work in the 1.5m segment joint. Even with that you end up with some pretty short wiring stubs. If you are very careful with a box knife you can score a line around the rope at the end of a lamp and slide about a 1/4" (5mm) of the plastic off without breaking the wire or bulb. Plan on breaking a few before you get the trick down.

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Kaptain Kremin 22 years ago

Cheers Greg,

so i WILL need a resistor? i still have the looped end i cut off, can i just cut the middle section out and splice the looped end back on? I guess i would need a resistor still between the two ends, sh't how do i work out what i need? Take the resistance of a 1.5metre length and match the shortened section to that?

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Greg 22 years ago

*** caution I got a C in math*** Take the wattage and work back from there. US (120v) Duralight is 18 bulbs per segment, 8.25w @120v (.06875a). The whole segment looks like a 1.8k resistor (roughly) so each bulb looks like a 100 ohm resistor. If your lights are still 8.25w per segment at 240v each bulb you cut out is 200 ohms or so. Add up the number you cut and use the appropriate resistor or as close as you can get bearing in mind the proportion of that 8w is resistor. It will be a fat one. If the resistance is low the lights will be brighter. I never wanted to kick this tar baby so I just use a segment at a time.

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Kaptain Kremin 22 years ago

Nice one Greg, catch yer drift though now, i'll give it a twirl and see what happens, ill report back by email if yer interested in the outcome :) You see the rope lighting wholeseller told me it can't be done, to me that's red rag to a bull!!!

many thanks,

Kaptain.

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Greg 22 years ago

This stuff hit the market here a couple years ago but it was ungodly expensive. Then Wal-Mart got into it and prewired sets got real cheap. Short sets are actually a better deal (usually) since the connectors are the most expensive part. At one time the cordset was over $8 US. I haven't priced it lately since you can get a 15' set, already made up for $10 at the grocery store. The 30 footer was $15. I am using this all over the house for accent lighting under cabinets, in the toe kick and in crown moulding.

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Kaptain Kremin 22 years ago

Nice one Greg, fancy swapping some photos i got some in the bedroom now looks fab...ill send you a few pics

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Greg 22 years ago

The thing about rope light is that it is real easy to hide so you won't see much in a picture. I do throw away those little plastic clips. I found fine drywall screws do a great job. under toe kicks and cabinet niches. Hold the rope up in the corner and shoot a drywall screw under it. The head will hold it in place

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Trimming some rope lights

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