🚀 go-pugleaf

Another version of a variable brightness Xmas light set:
This set starts with a 2 blinker 35 bulb string.  First step is to note
which blinker is the first to start blinking (here called the more 
sensitive one).  Second step is to seperate one of the two circuits
from the string.  Now, you should have a single blinking light set with
half the bulbs of the original set. Use the less sensitive blinker for 
this circuit.
 Take about 3 bulbs from the removed
string and splice them in the above single circuit.  (This reduces the
voltage across each bulb some, increasing bulb life).  Now, take
the remaining removed bulb string and splice it across the more
sensitive blinker bulb.  And then splice this circuit in series with
the above single blinker set.

DIAGRAM:  orginal 2 way set

120v---+----*-*-*-*-*-*-b--!
       !---*-*-*-*-*-*-*-b-!
                           !
120rtn_____________________!

modified set for 2 level brightness:

      2                       1
120v--b-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-+-b-+-+
                            !   ! !
                 *-*-*-*-*-*-   ! !
                 !______________! !
                                  !
120 v rtn_________________________!

b1 is the more sensitive blinker.  Note that it will not have as much 
voltage across it as b2, because of the second string of bulbs in
parallel with it.  That's why the use of the more sensitive blinker
here.  Try several blinkers from other sets if necessary.


What you'll see when it's working:  powerup, the b2 string will light 
at full brightness, and b1 will be lit, bypassing most of the current 
from the second string, making them not light.  b1 will open, placing 
both strings in series, making the string that was out to glow at a 
low brightness, and the other string that was on before to glow 
at reduced brightness.  b2 will turn the entire system on and off, 
for a third state.

Be sure to wire and insulate the splices and cut wires in a safe manner!