Outdoor LED garlands: cold-resistant and moisture resistant decorations

Possibility to decorate the home with colorful lights, not only inside but also outside appeared relatively recently. For a long time, the use of light bulbs in the street was not possible due to severe weather conditions: cold, rain and so on. But progress does not stand still, and now the market can find outdoor LED garlands: cold-resistant, heat and moisture resistant. Consider what features provide their owners such decorations for the streets.

How did New LED garlands Home

First street Christmas garland appeared about 100 years ago in America. Of course, the widespread they received at once. But due to the fact that they were used to decorate the main tree of the country, soon to buy a garland for the street it has become a lot easier. The first fashion trend supported by shops, and then the owners of private houses.

In Russia, street garlands appeared much later. This is primarily due to the tougher climate and severe frosts, which are peculiar to the cold season. But today this problem is solved and LED garlands for the house give everyone the opportunity to decorate your home. In addition, such devices are often used to decorate shop windows, advertising signs, banners, and so forth.

Outdoor LED garlands: cold-resistant and moisture resistant. advantages devices

Use as a decoration LED lamp has many advantages, which ensured their popularity garlands. The main ones are:

• compared with conventional incandescent lamps LEDs They have a much longer service life (usually 4-5 times longer);
• LED bulbs can boast a high level of brightness and purity of luminescence;
• from the point of view of economy, it is more profitable normal, so do not have to worry about excessive cost overruns electricity;
• the plastic housing is able to protect them from exposure to any environmental factors and moisture;
• parallel connection of light bulbs allows garland continue to work even if one of the elements will be defective, while as used exclusively for incandescent serial connection, which requires an indispensable health of all components;
• there are many ways to decorate and diversify the LED string. To do this, use special plastic nozzle various forms.

Useful advice!Thanks to the various nozzles, you will be able over the years to use the same garland, each time decorating the house and the territory in different ways. For example, in one year, you can use the nozzle in the form of stars, in the other - heart, etc...

How to choose a quality herringbone LED garland

Like any other product, to LED street garlands for the tree to meet a series of requirements (it is important to understand that only if they meet your buying all these parameters, you can count on its long and uninterrupted service):

• the first thing you should pay attention - quality plastic, which has been used for the manufacture of the housing. To distinguish quality from poor material simply. If used in the manufacturing process cheaper alternative, the case will not be able to withstand severe frost and crack. Much better if the manufacturer used instead of plastic, rubber or rubber. This will ensure not only better functionality garlands, but also a higher level of safety to use it;

Useful advice!To ensure frost garlands for the tree on the street, when you purchase devices pay attention to the markings. This criterion is indicated by means of letters GiR.

• when it comes to decorating big Christmas tree or house facade, sharply raises the question of the necessary length of the garland. Standard device dimensions vary between 5-20 m. The most popular and convenient option is outdoor LED string 20 meters. With due diligence device can be found up to 50 m. The easiest way to extend the garland with need - to use special connectors that allow you to connect multiple devices in a single chain;
• protection from moisture - another important criterion for selection. Here everything is quite simple: if the device has no additional protection against the flow of water directed on the package, this is indicated by the letter N. For use in outdoor conditions should choose a garland, on which this designation no.

Another important point that you should definitely pay attention to - the stability of the mains voltage. If it is unstable, even the most carefully selected garland can become faulty due to sudden voltage drop. To eliminate the risk of blown bulbs, it's best to use a special stabilizer, which will require additional expenditure.

Variety of LED strings for streets

LED garlands are divided into two types of parameters: the power method and the configuration.

Power on the device type is divided into:

• connected to the mains;
• autonomous sources of power - this can be a cold-resistant outdoor LED string battery powered or powered by solar.

The advantage of the second type - no need to look for a nearby outlet. The use of solar cells as the power source is considered more convenient and environmentally friendly way. Thus, the street Garland on solar batteries accumulates received during daylight energy and then gradually spend it on the LEDs.

Useful advice! LED garlands on the batteries is very convenient if you want to decorate the object removed from the socket. But do not forget that the power consumption of such devices, as a rule, is not too large. Therefore, if you do decide to buy LED garland on batteries, make sure that there are several sets of batteries in reserve.

What you can buy LED street garland shape and appearance

Another method of separating outdoor garlands - their shape. Depending on the configuration, they can be used for different purposes and in different conditions:

• universal garlands - the most simple and familiar option that provides the location of the alternate light bulbs on a flexible wire. For all its apparent primitiveness, you can decorate almost anything with the help of such a device, giving the garland of any shape. It can be purchased as a monochrome or multi-color universal garland with one or more modes of operation;
• LED festoon curtains on the window (or as it is also called LED string-curtain) - a cable is placed horizontally, with the hanging threads, which are mounted LED light bulbs. Depending on the length of the filaments, and it can range from 1.5 to 9 m, such curtains can be used for registration window apertures and for the entire facade. Often you can see that they are fastened to the eaves or canopies. The name of these garlands obtained thanks to the possibility to control the flow of electricity supplied to the LEDs, allowing you to create the effect of dripping or running water;

• device in the form of icicles or fringe - buy a street garland of this type makes sense if you want to issue an original visor or eaves of the house. Its principle of operation is similar to the previous views of the devices, but the number of light bulbs in the fringe strands may vary. Typically, the length of one filament is not more than 1 m, but they differ from each other in length. When the controller assistance, as well as the grouping of LEDs in bundles of color, creating the effect of a running radiance;
• LED string mesh is more complex system, which is a set of wires in the joints of which are mounted LEDs. This grid is used to decorate the entire façade openings, as well as areas for recreation. Using special connectors, the individual elements can be combined into one-piece construction of virtually any size. The only difficulty that may arise and which need to be considered, - wires themselves are brittle and easily subjected to mechanical damage. Therefore, this grid should not be used when it comes to decorating the tree.

Should I buy the Rope? LED garlands in the tubes

Rope - a special type of strings that constitute the tube within which LEDs are arranged. Depending on the type of garlands, the distance between the luminous elements may be from 12 to 27 mm. In this case, you can buy a multi-colored garland street Rope or choose a monochrome model.

Depending on the type of cord used to connect the LEDs, garlands can be round or flat. With Rope easily create various luminous figures, inscriptions, as well as to register with their help, facades, windows and advertising signs.

In a separate category, you can select a garland, which resembles the melting icicles. They are made on the basis of the same Rope, but thanks to the controller LEDs are located in the hanging threads, gradually extinguished. Thus it seems that the surface gradually decreases. Depending on the model, one garland may have from 5 to 10 such icicles, the distance between which is from 10 to 50 cm.

Due to the unusual effects that can create Rope, this type of garlands became well popularity when it comes to the design of areas intended for recreation, porches and facades of houses and cornices.

Operating modes outdoor LED garlands at the house and other facilities

Each of us saw twinkling lights LED garlands, located both on the streets and in the houses may differ a great variety. Each mode has a certain name, and all models garlands are pre-programmed for a particular combination.

Main titles and descriptions modes:

• fixing (fixing) - static luminescence diode mode without any additional effects;
• chasing (cheyzing) - gradual ignition, alternating with the slow decay of the LEDs. Due to the smoothness of this process, it is used to create such effects as iridescence and light falls;

• flash (flicker) - in this mode, every 5th or 7th LED flickers in the chain;
• chameleon (chameleon) - the constant intense color change LEDs;
• multicheyzing, which requires the controller. It includes the combination of several different modes.

Model, which can provide all of the above variety of effects, are certainly more expensive than those that are limited to one or two modes. In any case it is necessary to check the serviceability of each mode is still in the store before you pay for a purchase.

How to repair their own hands LED garlands

Quite often there is a situation that has the device last winter was quite fine, but now does not work as it should, for example, LED string lights dimly or does not turn on at all. Also, there are cases when not lit a single color LED garlands of several. Do repair and bring into operation a device it is possible on their own. In order to successfully solve the problem you need to understand what kind of damage are more common just as well as possible ways of how to repair the LED string in a particular case.

Related article:

Wiring diagram LED 220 tape to the network: the correct lighting installation.Properties LED strips, their use in the interior. Adhesive 220 model. The price of the tape and mounting their own hands.

How to fix the LED garland: off a separate section

The most common failure is that one or two colored garlands are off. Sometimes that does not work the whole site. Begin repairs LED Christmas garland in this case it is necessary to parse the control unit for the purpose of make sure that all connections are securely fastened to the board and wire break is not caused malfunction. If you find that the problem lies in this place, detached contact must be secured. To learn more about this procedure, you can from the video how to repair the LED garland underneath.

If the cause of failure in the control unit was not detected, this indicates that it is hidden in the total wire. The fact that the LED strings, unlike conventional, parallel connection is used, which eliminates the probability of malfunction due garland one element burnout. Therefore, your task - to verify the common wire for damage, bite, and so on..

Useful advice!Often the cause of the fault are pets that gnaw wires. Be careful with the fact that your pets do not have access to the garlands, as it is not safe, first of all, to themselves.

How to repair LED garlands, if it is completely dead

If you connect the power LED string is not lit, the problem can also be eliminated by hand. LED string requires a standard inspection for damage the power cord and power supply. Make sure all connections are securely attached to the chip and the board. If all the connections are intact, most likely burned the board itself.

At this stage it is necessary to make a decision: whether to engage in repairing garlands or it will be easier to buy a new one. Of course, when it comes to inexpensive Chinese garland, it will be easier to replace it. In the event of a decision in favor of repairing the old use the tips provided.

The control unit can be replaced by a fluorescent lamp starter. Depending on how powerful it will be (127 or 220 volts), the LEDs will flash at a different rate.

Start standing with the verification of how the LEDs are connected in the daisy-chain. Here, you have to wonder how interconnected the extreme elements of the groups. If the connection is made using the anode, you have to search the Internet scheme Christmas light LED and make some changes in order to connect the extreme elements of the cathodes. This is due to the fact that for the normal operation of the starter through the garlands, requires 5 watt resistor which will apply a voltage to the anode with the necessary resistance. In addition, you need to turn on the diodes in the circuit in such a way that they could pass through a reverse current from the network.

To figure the pattern of LED lights and fix it - it is quite troublesome. So often buy a new one will be much easier.

Replacement of individual LED elements garland

In case you need to replace a single LED that fails, it can be done quite easily. We just need to disable the garland from the supply to avoid electric shock, vypayat blown element and install in its place a new one. The main thing in it - observe polarity.

It is worth noting how the repair of such strings as Rope. Sometimes you have to deal with the phenomenon of failure of a separate portion thereof. But here the solution is simple: you need to find the problem area (you can do this visually, or by using tester), and then just cut it, using as a guide the special label, which makes manufacturer. Broken portion can be thrown out, and the serviceable combine with a special connector.

How to make a garland of LEDs with their hands

Make your own garland is quite possible, if we use as a reference scheme of the Chinese LED garlands. Consider three algorithms which are different from each other manufacturing complexity and, accordingly, the refinement of the final result.

Simple LED garland on a Christmas tree

In order to make the most simple version of LED garlands, you will need the following components:

• LEDs (best to 20mA);
• Wire section 0.25, or 0.5 mm;
• resistor with a resistance of 100 ohms;
• 6B power unit on;
• knife;
• Silicone Sealant (clear) and a gun for him;
• soldering iron, rosin and solder.

The simplest scheme of Christmas tree garlands LED includes a serial connection of all the elements. I realize this is very simple. You must decide how far you want to be maintained between the luminous elements, then use the marker on the wire make the appropriate designations. Standard distance between the LEDs 20-25 is considered cm.

Then, using a sharp knife in places where the LEDs are fastened, is cut off the top layer of insulation. wherein the cutoff length should be 1-2 cm. This site is put rosin and a little solder, which enables more reliable and easy to fix LED. After that, the LED legs are soldered.

By itself, soldered LED is not too reliable, so to provide greater strength garland, you need to create additional protection, which, at the same time, will isolate the stripped portion wires. This will require a thin tape. Each LED is wound in such a way that it was "in the pocket". Then, the upper part of the pocket is fixed using a silicone sealant.

After the procedure to create a "pocket" of Scotch tape is completed, it can be attached to the wire and resistor Power SupplyAnd then proceed to the test system.

Multicolor LED garland: Scheme (China)

Make a multicolored garland is not so difficult. Having familiarized with the scheme, you will see that the way it works is quite simple due to the fact that each color connected to a separate generator. Therefore, the overall system of the device for the understanding of the same color will allow you to exactly the same time to use some of the same channels, allowing garland glow in many different colors.
Due to the fact that each color channel is connected to a single generator, they are independent from each other and can continue to operate even when one of them fails.

But if the channels themselves are arranged according to the principle, which has been considered in the process of creating the most simple garlands, the controller should be given special attention. It is worth such a device is inexpensive, but it is possible garlands greatly expands. The wires are soldered to the chip, which is responsible for operation of the device, and the control button allows you to switch freely from one mode to another.

Thus, spending quite a bit of money, you can create a much more interesting and perfect multi-color device that will fully operate in several modes.

Sophisticated LED garland: the scheme and step by step instructions

More complex by design, but at the same time and more spectacular is the garland of lithium batteries. The principle of its devices is slightly different from the Chinese LED garlands, a diagram of which is shown above, and suggests that for the garland will remain bright colored plume. This effect is great for creating patterns in the air.

This LED string to the streets to buy quite problematic, mainly due to the high cost. But if you pick up all the necessary parts and assembly to devote some time, you can save considerably, thus achieving the desired result. The list includes the following required materials:

• 10 millimeter diodes able to scatter light;
• narrow tape;
• magnets whose diameter is not more than 1.3 mm, and a thickness of 3 cm;
• epoxy adhesive;
• Lithium batteries CR2032 3V.

After all the necessary components will be picked up, adhere to the following algorithm of actions:

1. Each diode must be tested by applying its long leg to the positive pole of the lithium battery, and short, respectively, to the negative.
2. Making sure that the LED lights bright enough, the battery and the diode in this position, wrap the tape.
3. Then, to the battery from the positive pole of the magnet is attached, which is also fixed with a tape.
4. Each element thus obtained is fixed on a thin wire, which serves as a basis garlands.

The main difficulty of creating such a garland is that one and the same operation must be repeated accurately and attentively many times. But, apart from the proposed options, the Internet can find a lot of other ideas of how to make a garland of LEDs with their hands. Suffice it to aim, and you will be able to realize almost any idea.

How to choose and buy LED garlands: for the house, the street, the garland-fringe, and others.

If the idea is to engage in manufacturing of LED garlands on their own does not seem attractive to you, you can buy a new one. Consider some of the most popular options: the cost and some defining characteristics. This will help you make the right choice and choose the most suitable model.

It is understood that buy LED Christmas garlands can be at very different prices. Much depends on the country and the company, which is engaged in manufacturing, as well as the length of garland and lighting effects.

Here is an example of average prices for popular models of Christmas light:

• LED festoon Curtain "Rain" - a very popular model, which is available in a huge range of sizes and prices. For example, high-quality monochrome LED-garland with parameters 1,5h2 m and a transparent conductor can be purchased for 2900 rubles., While multitsvetovaya garland will cost you 3,700 rubles. At the same time, you can buy LED garland "Rain" in China. An analogue will cost much less (about 1000 rubles.), But the quality it will noticeably inferior to the original;

• LED festoon curtains on the window. Buy a decoration from the Chinese manufacturer is possible for 800 rubles. But really high quality LED garlands on the windows will cost you at least 2 times more expensive. Of course, much depends on the area, which covers such a blind, as well as the presence of additional features and color management capabilities;
• Buy LED garlands, icicles can also be at very different prices. Basically, the range can be outlined as follows: small Chinese garlands will cost 560 rubles. and more. The upper limit of the price is near the mark of 3,000 rubles. For this price it is possible to acquire high-quality device with a corresponding effect, for example, an LED garland "Melting icicles";
• outdoor frost-LED festoon fringe costs about 3,000 rubles. and higher, depending on the configuration.

Useful advice! FROMToit noted that, speaking of cheap Chinese-made garlands, are not taken into account the value of the options 100, 200, 300 rubles. Such products rarely meet the expectations, so the purchase of these strings can hardly be called appropriate.

As you can see, the price of LED strings have a fairly wide range, making it possible to purchase decorations absolutely all segments of the population. The question is that the service life depends on the cost directly garlands. Once bought a quality product will pay for itself in a couple of years, as opposed to the cheap strings that are permanently out of commission.

Garland street most of the time in the pantry, but during the Christmas and New Year's holidays, they are indispensable. So when it comes to their buying or independent manufacturing best to treat it with due care. Then the house and land area will shine with colored lights, giving a good mood and create a cozy holiday atmosphere.