Outdoor frost-resistant LED garlands as an opportunity to decorate the exterior
New Year's Eve preparation and bustle is a very pleasant time for many. And it is not complete without such an important stage as interior decoration. But not so long ago, it became possible to decorate a home not only inside but also outside. Previously, bulbs could not be used outdoors due to frost and rainfall. But progress does not stand still, and today frost-resistant street LED garlands are offered in a wide range. In today's review, we will analyze how you can use this miracle of technology, how to correctly choose and install a garland, and whether you can make it yourself.
The content of the article
- 1 Brief historical background
- 2 Street LED garlands: frost and moisture resistant models and their advantages
- 3 Classification by shape and appearance
- 4 How to choose the right outdoor frost-resistant LED garland
- 5 Where to install a frost-resistant garland correctly
- 6 What operating modes are there for street lights
- 7 Duralight garlands - what is it?
- 8 DIY LED frost-resistant garland
- 9 How to fix an LED garland with your own hands: malfunctions and how to fix them
- 10 We study reviews and prices before buying an outdoor frost-resistant LED garland
- 11 Video: useful videos about New Year's street garlands
Brief historical background
Any garland, first of all, a chain of objects of the same type: lights, flowers, balls, bulbs, or even paper figures. The original decoration is suitable not only for decorating a Christmas tree, but also for decorating the environment. In fact, the street Christmas garland appeared a long time ago. For example, in ancient Rome, flowers were used to decorate streets. It was from there that the tradition of using decor from mistletoe branches arose, which has taken root in Catholic countries.
For the first time, pine wreaths with inserted candles began to be used in Germany, but initially they decorated not doors, but windows.
Three colors are traditionally used for Christmas garlands and each of them has its own meaning:
- green - a symbol of vegetation that is used on the holiday;
- gold is a way to attract wealth;
- red is a symbol of the blood of Christ.
In Soviet times, red, of course, had a completely different meaning, namely, communist symbols. In the USSR, decorations made from tangerines, sweets and vanilla dryers were especially popular.
The first electric garlands were invented by the American Edward Johnson at the end of the 19th century. At first they were used to decorate Christmas trees, and then unusual decor began to be used to decorate shops and houses. In Russia, such decoration began to be used much later. Modern LED garlands are more reliable and can be used in almost any climatic conditions.
Street LED garlands: frost and moisture resistant models and their advantages
Now let's figure out what technical characteristics are important for frost-resistant decor. LED strings for outdoor use have the following advantages:
- such light sources have a higher level of brightness compared to alternatives;
- long service life;
- low power consumption;
- the presence of a sealed plastic housing allows you to protect the lamps from water and other environmental factors;
- frost resistance of products assumes use in winter;
- the ability to use a variety of attachments in the form of stars, hearts or other configurations;
- the parallel connection does not interfere with operation even if one element is faulty.
Classification by shape and appearance
LED decor is classified according to power supply and configuration. Depending on the type of power supply, garlands can be connected to the electrical network or autonomous. In the latter case, it can be a battery-powered street garland or a solar-powered device.
The choice of product depends on the method of decoration:
- street garlands for the facade are of the "Curtain" or "Rain" models. The latter option consists of multi-colored or single-color lamps with a blinking or overflowing effect. This type is often hung under a roof or cornice. "Curtain" is used for a large area;
- linear are suitable for decorating shrubs and curved contours. Due to the flexibility of the material, you can create an original design;
- Glowing figures of snowmen, Santa Claus and all kinds of animals will be an excellent addition to the decor of a private courtyard.
Garlands come in the following configurations:
- traditional strings are the usual arrangement of lamps on a flexible wire. There are monochrome and multi-color models with a different number of modes. From them you can create the most bizarre shapes;
- outdoor LED frost-resistant garland "Fringe" or "Icicle" is suitable for decorating the cornice of a building or a visor. The length of the thread should not exceed a meter. When using a groupLED lamps the effect of running over color is created;
- LED street garland for the house "Grid" is a complex structure of wires connected LEDs... "Grid" is relevant for decorating the entire facade.
You can decorate any items of the backyard or the building itself. It could be beautiful fence decoration, verandas or areas with barbecue. An unusual decor can be wonderful outdoor LED lights on the pillars.
Note! Street models come in sizes 10, 20 and 30 meters. Therefore, you can choose the right decoration for the garden or the street specifically in your case.
How to choose the right outdoor frost-resistant LED garland
When choosing outdoor LED lights, some guidelines will come in handy:
- quality of plastic for the case. Cheap plastic products can crack even at -10 ° C. The quality of the material ensures a high level of safety for the entire device;
- length is an important parameter. Standard sizes are 5 ÷ 20 meters. The tape can be lengthened using special connectors;
- moisture protection. If this parameter is absent, the letter "N" will be indicated on the package;
- frost resistance of garlands is indicated by the marking "G" or "R".
An important point to pay attention to is the stability of the voltage in the network. Even a high-quality product can deteriorate if there are frequent voltage drops.
Where to install a frost-resistant garland correctly
It is also important to consider the location. Street lights can be placed on any surface. To decorate the building along the entire perimeter, a frost-resistant outdoor LED garland "Rain" is suitable. For the decoration of shrubs, stairs or porch smaller structures are suitable. You can decorate the railings or sculptures.
In the video below you can see the option of decorating the yard and buildings:
What operating modes are there for street lights
Each garland has its own mode with a specific combination. Let's consider the main options:
- fixing - static glow of diodes without additional effects;
- chasing (chasing) - mode with slow decay and gradual ignition. With this effect, you can create light waterfalls and overflows;
- flash (flicker) - a mode in which every 5 or 7 LED blinks;
- chameleon (chameleon) - active color change;
- multi-chasing (multi-chasing) involves a combination of several modes.
In the photo below you can see how different garlands look like, having a program with modes:
Duralight garlands - what is it?
Duralight is a garland in the form of a tube with LEDs inside. The distance between the light elements varies from 12 to 27 mm. Models are monochrome and multi-colored.
Duralight helps to create original configurations, as well as inscriptions and even entire signs. The outdoor LED frost-resistant garland, reminiscent of melting icicles, works in a similar way. It is made on the principle of duralight, but the LEDs in it are located on special threads.
DIY LED frost-resistant garland
Now let's figure out if it is easy to make a garland of LEDs with your own hands. There are different manufacturing options, differing in complexity and design.
Simple Christmas street garlands
To create a simple structure, prepare the following items:
- LEDs of different colors;
- 2 wires of any color 0.75 sq. Mm;
- resistance resistors;
- rosin, soldering iron, scotch tape;
- mechanism from a musical postcard;
- Power Supply 5 V.
The finished garland follows check with a multimeter... For a simple circuit, a serial connection is best, but we will consider a parallel option:
Multicolor garland
You can make a simple design without microcircuits and transistors:
Complex LED garland
The lithium battery option is a complex design. This garland leaves behind a bright trail. In the store, this product is sold at a very high price, so you can try to make the design yourself.
For work, prepare:
- 10 mm light scattering diodes;
- wire;
- lithium batteries CR2032 3V.
How to fix an LED garland with your own hands: malfunctions and how to fix them
Let's find out what to do if suddenly needed repairs LED garland. Frequent breakdown occurs when one or two colors are off. In some cases, some area may not work. In such a situation, it is necessary to disassemble the unit, check the integrity of the contacts. In case of breakage, the torn off element must be fixed. If everything in the block is in place, then the reason may be in the common wire. It is necessary to check the cable for bites or other mechanical damage.
If the garland does not light up when plugged into the network, then you must carefully inspect the power supply and the power cord. All pins should be well attached to the board and IC.
If a breakdown occurs, you may not want to mess with the device and deal with the cause of its failure. But if you are determined to fix, then the following recommendations will help you:
- the control unit can be replaced with a starter from a fluorescent lamp. Depending on its power, the lamps can flash at different speeds;
- the check should start with an inspection of the LED connection. Particular attention should be paid to the extreme elements. When connecting using anodes, the correct connection diagrams can be viewed on the Internet. Alternatively, connect the extreme LED lamps with cathodes;
- to replace a broken LED, you need to disconnect the garland from the network. Then the burned out element must be removed by desoldering and a new one must be installed. It is important to observe the polarity;
- if the duralight breaks down, you need to find the problem area and cut it out. In this case, it is worth using the marks that were made in production. Then the broken part is simply thrown away, and the whole elements are connected together.
We study reviews and prices before buying an outdoor frost-resistant LED garland
If you do not want and do not know how to make decorative garlands yourself, then you can go to the store for them. Let's take a look at some of the popular options. A quick overview of manufacturers and prices in the table below will help you choose the right model for you:
And now we propose to study some of the reviews:
Brozgaeva review: Garland electric LED "Rain" CRISTALnovolight 192 ledCR-026 - For the New Year, the most THAT!
Advantages: durable, 8 blinking modes, energy saving ...
Disadvantages: short wire
Hello friends and guests of Otzovik! Recently I saw a review of a garland from my friend and decided to tell about my own! With the search for this model on the Internet, I had problems, since there are a lot of such garlands. As a result, I write what I saw on the box - Electric LED "Rain" garland CRISTAL novolight 192 ledCR-026 ...
More details on otzovik:http://otzovik.com/review_3989997.html
Review, Irgy, Portugal: Festoon LED Inspire - Excellent festoon for the holidays and not only. Suitable for outdoor decoration.
Pluses: Quality.
Disadvantages: no
Last year, for the new year, we bought a garland. Bought to be used indoors, but as they later noticed, it is also suitable for outdoor decoration. The instructions are gone, probably thrown out or the child destroyed. And the packaging remained. I was going to put the garland there to clean up after the holidays.
More details on otzovik: http://otzovik.com/review_5585795.html
Summing up, we can say that a fairly wide range of prices is offered for this product. When choosing a budget option, it is worth considering that this factor may affect the service life of the product.
Street garlands lie idle somewhere on the shelf for most of the year, but on the eve of the holidays they are simply an irreplaceable attribute. Therefore, the issue of choosing a garland should be approached with all responsibility. A high-quality product will illuminate your yard and house with delightful multi-colored lights for the entire holiday, giving everyone around you a rainbow and festive mood.
Video: useful videos about New Year's street garlands