I have used a very simple dimmer that was just a diode (half-wave rectifier). This sort of thing allows to you get twice as many bulbs on the same circuit (connect half to positive, half to negative. They're never on at the same time).
Of course you'd need a diode that can handle that current.
Severe overkill. You may never find one that uses over 7.5W.
Hmmm, As of this year I switched to LED 100%. Older bulbs are all retired. Nicer sparkling colors and WAY, WAY less energy consumption. When I used bulb I used flip-flop circuit to make lights scintillate(looks nicer) and lessen the power usage.
This year I had a lot of LED lights (with pictures online at
Yes. The colors shouldn't fade in 2-3 years like the incandescents do.
I haven't gotten to 100% LED yet, but do expect to use less than half as much electricity as last year (when I had very few LED strings).
My setup is similar, with 2 out-of-phase flashing circuits, so one (and only one) is on at a time (except the particular time I changed the wires to take pictures). I do have a fancier flash, using an old computer to flash them according to Morse code.
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.