You get what you pay for

[Andree 10]

Hello,

We received our C9 LED warm white lights yesterday. I rattled the box, they are half waves.

To make a long story short, I'm not sure if I'll return them or not but let's say I do, of the local brick and motor stores which are the best. I mean Home Depot, Lowes, Target or any other suggestions are fine. I'm here in Orange County CA so there are a LOT of stores. We want to decorate this weekend so on-line buying is out. Also since I will have to eat the S&H both ways to return the lights I don't want a third S&H charge unless somebody knows a great online store that can ship fast.

Just to recap I'm looking for C9 LED warm white light strings.

[dstevens 0]

Unfortunately, the big box stores carry mostly half wave LED's.

[Andree 10]

Hello,

Thanks for the reply, I have learned a LOT since I've found this site. I did spot one company that actually states that their lights are full wave. The company is Foreverchristmaslights.net I have to figure out what to do, the thing is "I'm the Queen of buy new" and my husband is the "King of make do". I have to figure out if the cost of getting the lights I want is worth it relationship wise also.

Ok enough of that, I found a gadget I bought a few years ago it's called the "Light Tacker" does anyone have any experience with this thing?

I wish I'd realized the difference in full wave and half wave LED lights but I may just use them this year and they might have a terrible accident next summer... I see them being chewed on by mice, or some creature.. then Voila we'll need new lights.

I'll let everyone know what happens and I might post a pic of our home but I feel kind of intimidated to do so sine all you do so much more than I most likely will ever do.

[Andree 10]

Oh the pain, let me pull that knife out of my back. I could be mistaken but I seem to recall seeing on one of the posts on this sight that one way to tell if the lights are half or full wave is to shake the box.When I have a bit more time I will check my history for the reply I'm referring to.

[tfischer 17]

Oh the pain, let me pull that knife out of my back. I could be mistaken but I seem to recall seeing on one of the posts on this sight that one way to tell if the lights are half or full wave is to shake the box.When I have a bit more time I will check my history for the reply I'm referring to.

I'd be interested as well. Do they rattle or something?

[jonnyci 11]

I too am curious as to how shaking the box identifies these lights as half wave or full wave. Interesting technique.

[indytycoon 0]

Were they plugged in? You can see the half wave if they are lit when you shake them.

[Andree 10]

Hello,

I just plugged them in and shook them, now what am I looking for when I shake them while they are plugged in? If I take just one light and shake it I hear no rattle. If I shake the entire strand there is a rattle but that's just the lights hitting together I think.

[Andree 10]

Hello All,

I am a newbie at this so please don't jump on me too much, I am trying to learn some of this stuff here but I'm not perfect. Thanks for the advice but maybe this isn't the right site for me. I get enough grief as a Para Legal I don't need more.

I thought this was supposed to be fun.

[Frank_Lo 10]

with them pluged in and you shake them if the lights flicker then they are Half if you dont see any flickering the they are full wave

[Andree 10]

Hello Frank,

THANK YOU!!! I shook them while they were plugged in no flicker!!!! I'm loving life again. <LOL> I'm just trying to get my feet wet here.

[Max-Paul 10]

Oh the pain, let me pull that knife out of my back. I could be mistaken but I seem to recall seeing on one of the posts on this sight that one way to tell if the lights are half or full wave is to shake the box.When I have a bit more time I will check my history for the reply I'm referring to.

Oh be healed. Well your statement was lacking information and it is hard to read minds across the internet. And hey there are those who will tell you. I went real easy on you with just a small joke about rattling the box. Once you mentioned something to the effect that left me seeing that you had them plugged in. I then realize what you where talking about.

I believe that all LEDs be it full or half wave will flicker when moving the box around and plugged in. The question is do they flicker while just holding the box steady? See I bought a string of C9 sockets and then boxes of C9 LED lights, they where not in sockets at the time and this is what I was visualizing.

What really matters is, are you happy with the way they look? String them up and walk back about 30 feet and look at them. Do they have a flickering appearance? If not then who cares if they are half wave or full wave. BTW just in case you are not familiar with the meaning of full and half wave. The current out of the outlet rises and falls like waves on the ocean. LEDs only work on a rising wave. The use of a Full wave rectifier converts the falling wave to a rising wave. This creates an on-on versus a half wave is a on-off situation. This is my best attempt to say this in layman terms that I can think of.

[ernie18 10]

Hello,

I just plugged them in and shook them, now what am I looking for when I shake them while they are plugged in? If I take just one light and shake it I hear no rattle. If I shake the entire strand there is a rattle but that's just the lights hitting together I think.

is this some kind of level?

poker reference

http://pokerworks.com/poker-strategy/beginner-poker-strategy/levels-of-poker-thought.html

[Frank_Lo 10]

Hello Frank,

THANK YOU!!! I shook them while they were plugged in no flicker!!!! I'm loving life again. <LOL> I'm just trying to get my feet wet here.

Your welcome. glad i could play a part of you loving life again LOL. You have the passion so you will do great. I have no doubt.