How to space lights along an extension cord

A

add-more-fun

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Hi, first time poster.

Background:
* We have these plastic candy canes, each ~2 feet tall. 8 canes per strand, spaced about 30 inches apart. We have 5 sets total
* The strands are showing their age. I can't find a replacement light sets. It's almost like they are a beefier icicle strand or something.

I want to re-wire them, possibly replace with wooden candy canes that I make.
I want to make it super simple to maintain

My thought is to use 1 strand per candy cane, like a simple strand of 10 lights.
What I'm struggling with is how to connect all the strands together.

I think I need an extension cord where I can place an outlet anywhere I want.
Going by the existing sets I have, I'm going to guess I should only place 8 canes per extension cord.
I'm also little concerned about water and moisture, since we get a lot of rain here in the Pacific Northwest

Does something like this exist?

I'm open to suggestions and advice.

Thanks in advance.
 
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Candy canes with lights inside? Just saw a bunch at walmart at 50% off. Probably gone by now. The number lights/strands per string depends on wire gauge and load from each. If you do LED strings, you could probably do a a whole football field of them.
 
I guess my real question is how to find an extension cord with multiple outlets, like 8 of them over 20 feet. Or an extension cord where I can add my own outlets, without getting too custom.
 
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MikeKrebs said:
https://www.amazon.com/Copkim-Extension-Weatherproof-Waterproof-Decoration/dp/B0CCXK5CVM Probably a little too long between but would do the job.

But since this is doityourselfchristmas, you could get a length of 18 awg spt1 cord and eight female gilbert sockets and 1 male gilbert plug and make your own. Example socket https://www.christmas-light-source.com/products/female-gilbert-plug-black-spt-1
Click to expand...

The 18 AWG SPT1 cord would allow you to put those plugs exactly where you need them. I use a ton of these for props like you mentioned.
 
MikeKrebs said:
https://www.amazon.com/Copkim-Extension-Weatherproof-Waterproof-Decoration/dp/B0CCXK5CVM Probably a little too long between but would do the job.

But since this is doityourselfchristmas, you could get a length of 18 awg spt1 cord and eight female gilbert sockets and 1 male gilbert plug and make your own. Example socket https://www.christmas-light-source.com/products/female-gilbert-plug-black-spt-1
Click to expand...

Oh wow, yes I think this is what I was looking for. I never heard of a gilbert plug before. Thank you!
 
That's a good question. That said, I've used my cords and sockets for 10 years in all types of weather (although most of the time it is snow.... we have 2 1/2' of the white stuff as I write this) and never had a problem unless a socket ended up in a puddle of water over a period of time. I make sure to place a board under the socket to keep it elevated off the ground by a couple of inches if it is located in an area where that might be a concern. And I have about 300 SPT1 plugs spread out in my show. Most are elevated well above the ground.
 
I usually put a stake in the ground, ziptie the outlet and prop plug to the top of the stake, and shove a 20oz soda bottle over it. A little trimming off the neck will allow it to fit over the plugs.
 
I would suggest these:
https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-El...6&s=hi&sprefix=vampire+,tools,130&sr=1-4&th=1

Gilbert plugs are also known as vampire plugs. Used by many display hobbyists all over. You can start at one end and put plugs where you need them. They are used with SPT1 wire that you can order from Amazon or pick up at your local hardware store. You can put the male plugs on the candy canes and the female plugs on the cable you make. I have used these for many years. Never had a moisture problem in all sorts of weather. But if you feel the need, plain old electrical tape can be used to tape them together.

As for your candy case, you might want to look at this post.
https://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Candy_Cane_Upgrade_to_Rope_Light
It is a way to use rope lights to replace the bulbs in your candy canes. This write-up was done 10 years ago and the lights in the candy canes are still working.
 
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