Some Christmas lights and decorations are intermittent, flicker and flicker. While many people love this feature, others prefer constant lights that don't emit any flicker. Some models are equipped with a module that allows you to activate or deactivate the function, but others are always intermittent. There are some things you can do to get rid of this feature, but you need to proceed with caution; you have to tinker with electricity and cables - a mistake could cause an electric shock or set fire to the Christmas tree.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Replace the Bulbs
Step 1. Remove the lights from the tree
If you have decided to modify the lights after having arranged them on the tree you must first remove them, for safety reasons and to work more comfortably.
Step 2. Find replacement bulbs
Whenever you do this replacement, you should get some bulbs with the same voltage as the original ones. Look for this information on the illumination label.
Step 3. Locate the flashing bulbs
Some threads have this feature because they are equipped with special bulbs; in this case you can get rid of the phenomenon by replacing them individually.
Many times flashing bulbs are highlighted with a red or silver tip; however, if there are no signs of recognition, turn on the luminaria, wait for it to warm up and put a piece of masking tape over each flashing bulb
Step 4. Take them apart
First remove the plug from the socket, grab each flashing bulb by the base (where it is inserted on the wire) and unplug it together with its housing; then, separate the two elements.
If you have difficulty doing this, use a screwdriver for leverage
Step 5. Replace the bulbs
For each flashing element you must have a fixed light replacement; insert it into the housing, making sure that the two cables on the end pass through the holes in the bottom of the housing.
- Fold the cables back so they rest along the edges of the housing.
- When finished, connect each element to its respective base on the wire.
Step 6. Give it a try
Once you have replaced all the bulbs, insert the plug and test them; wait a few minutes for the lights to warm up.
Part 2 of 3: Remove the Control Module
Step 1. Unplug and remove the lights from the tree
Some lights have an intermittent function thanks to a switch or control module that contains cables and a simple electronic board. Since you have to cut and join electrical wires for this job, you need to use extra caution and attention. Before starting it is essential to make sure that the plug is disconnected and that the decoration is not wrapped around the tree.
Step 2. Find the module
It is a small rectangular element that is usually mounted near the plug; you can recognize it because the wire that connects the plug and the one that contains all the bulbs come out of it.
Step 3. Open the form
Some models are glued, others are equipped with screws, still others have clips. You need a screwdriver to remove the screws or to pry and detach the cover.
Once opened, remove the contents, including the electronic board and cables
Step 4. Cut the power cord
Use an electrician's wire cutters or a sharp pair of scissors to cut it off where it connects to the board; then cut the lead and neutral wires.
Step 5. Remove the insulation from the cables
Cut off a segment 2-3 cm long starting from the top end. For this operation you can use a pair of scissors, taking care to cut only the sheath; use your fingers, scissors or pliers to grab the liner and pull it off.
As for the power cord, strip the two sides and separate the first 5-8cm of wire, then strip the sheath from each side to expose the wires underneath
Step 6. Join the lead wires
Use a multimeter to recognize them from the neutral one. Once identified, line them up along the cables and gently twist them together; leave the neutral one aside for now.
Step 7. Join the conductors to the power cord
Take one of the two sides of the power cord and twist it together with the conductor wires; then take the other side and attach it to the neutral wire.
Step 8. Secure the cables using electrical tape
Before testing the lights, wrap the exposed copper with insulating tape starting with the conductors, where they plug into the first side of the power cable; then separately protect the neutral wire in the area where it is twisted to the other side of the cable. Finally, wrap everything together.
- If the two sides of the power cord are wrapped around each other, you need to untangle them.
- Give it a try. Look carefully for smoke or sparks, especially in the area where you joined the cables.
Part 3 of 3: Install a Rectifier Bridge
Step 1. Buy a bridge rectifier
This method allows you to eliminate the blinking from LED lights, especially if they were made to not blink. Sometimes this type of light flickers because the electricity passing through it flows in only one direction; when the LEDs are connected to an alternating current system, they flash when they are not powered.
- A rectifier converts the current that reaches the lights into direct current, thus avoiding intermittence; you can buy it in an electronics store or online.
- Check that it is adequate for the voltage of the lights.
Step 2. Unplug the lights from the power outlet and remove them from the tree
This method also requires a lot of caution and it is best to proceed only if you have some knowledge of wiring and electronics; otherwise, you could be electrocuted or cause a fire.
Step 3. Cut the plug from the cable
Use an electrician's wire cutters or a sharp pair of scissors to sever the wire midway between the first bulb and the plug. Take the two wires connected to the plug and joint them; then peel them for 2-3 cm to expose the metal.
When finished, slide a 2-3 cm long piece of shrink tubing over each strand
Step 4. Solder the power cables to the bridge
Make sure each wire is connected to the AC pins located on the element. It doesn't matter how you match the cables to the pins, as this is an AC system.
Step 5. Locate the positive and negative wires of the lights
First, unroll the channels (if they have wrapped around each other) and remove about 2-3 cm of insulation from each of them; he then uses a multimeter to distinguish positive from negative.
Make a note of this information and slip a 2-3 cm long piece of heat shrink tubing over each cable
Step 6. Connect the lights to the rectifier
Solder the positive wire to the corresponding pin and do the same thing with the other wire of the opposite polarity.
Step 7. Activate the heat shrink tubing
After welding is complete, slide the tube over the exposed segment of each cable and, one at a time, activate each sheath by applying heat from a heat gun or hair dryer.
