Cutting L.E.D. Christmas light strips to fit underneath layout

Hard to say without seeing them, but my sense is that they're likely series connected and may be difficult to cut to shorter lengths.

Good strips HAVE cut marks. Look on the strip for a small scissors icon.

I think he is talking about an light string, not a strip.

definitely a string and not a strip. 

I originally did the same, with typical "strings" of white Christmas lights.  Then I changed over to several strands of the LED "strips", which can be cut where you see the scissor signs, as well as interconnected. You might consider exchanging your last 50' string for an LED strip and cutting to desired length.

Michael

@Michael Pags posted:

I originally did the same, with typical "strings" of white Christmas lights.  Then I changed over to several strands of the LED "strips", which can be cut where you see the scissor signs, as well as interconnected. You might consider exchanging your last 50' string for an LED strip and cutting to desired length.

Michael

That makes sense to me. I can't make out how many wire strands there are in the ones already installed - maybe it's 3 or 4. In either case, there may be series wired segments in the whole strand and cutting and capping it in the right place would be a chore. There's an online guide to doing this with incandescent bulb strands that I have used (https://grayhousestudio.com/ho...ng-christmas-lights/) but not LEDs.

Most strips are 5 meter, so not quite at your 20' need. You will need a 12vdc supply, though.

I recently did something similar with C7 LED Christmas lights to add some light to the back sides of my layout.  I doubled up so I had more bulbs in some spots where I wanted more light.

I wouldn’t cut them.  The light strings are inexpensive and they don’t take too much power.  I would just double the string on itself so you have twice as many lights in your 20’ length.

On the longer bulb/socket type of led strings, you can remove a bulb from the end and see how many lights are knocked out.  You should be able to terminate it there

Good point about the 12v dc power supply, which I forgot.  That's because the LED strands I purchased come with the nifty power adapter that plugs into normal 120 v ac power supplies.  See photo.  If the "strings" of lights go end to end, you can plug the LED strand into the end of the last string.

Michael

Just find an old computer and use its power supply. Cheap!

"Old computer" . . . is that like an elderly accountant? Where do you plug in?

Thanks, guys for all of your feedback.  I bought the Christmas lights before I discovered the LED strip lights when my daughter had to have them to hang in her teenager room.  They do work well, are very good quality from Amazon, and fairly inexpensive -- the set with a remote for 50 feet was only $35 or so.  I like Bob's idea to double up to use the 50' strand because it will produce more light.  And if they burn out, I have the velcro strips in place to change them out to LED strip lighting.

Alan, check out this thread.