How many lights can one transformer power?
You should be able to light your house and extensions using a single transformer. One transformer (#6060) is designed for one house with one or two extensions, or up to 30 individual bulbs. With too many lights, the bulbs might brown out or burn out.
How do I connect my house and extensions?
Does your house have more than one outlet on the back? If so, you can insert the tiny plug from the transformer into one of those outlets and a bridging cord (#6097) into the other, then plug the other end of the bridging cord into the topmost extension. Use another bridging cord to connect that extension to the next one and so on, being careful not to exceed 30 individual bulbs. Alternatively, you can plug the transformer into the bottom extension and use bridging cords to connect to any upper extensions and the house. This is a good option for older houses that have only one outlet on the back. Another option would be to power your extension(s) using a separate transformer.
How do I connect using an older transformer? If you have an older Lundby transformer like the one pictured in the June 2008 insert to the Lundby Letter with a multi-socket adapter (#6099, also pictured in the insert), you can plug one end of a bridging cord into the adapter and the other into the house. Plug another bridging cord into the adapter for an extension.
For older transformers without a multi-socket adapter, you can do as shown in the March 2008 insert to the Lundby Letter: cut the plug of an extension cord in half and insert the separated prongs directly into the grommets on the transformer. They will be very loose; you can anchor them using Sticky Tack or a similar product. One end of the bridging cord can then be plugged into the extension cord and the other into the house; follow the same technique for an extension floor. A note of caution
Enjoy your fully lit house in small doses! Never leave a Lundby transformer plugged in permanently. The transformer could overheat, and your bulbs will burn out.
Fixing lights that have the wiring detached
If the bare wire is exposed on the detached cords: 1. Remove the prongs from the plug (using a tiny pliers if necessary) so you can reinsert the wires. 2. First slide one exposed wire into the little hole and reinsert the prong. You may need to use a tiny pliers to push the prong all the way back in. Be sure the exposed wires stay in place inside the hole. Repeat for the second exposed wire.
If the bare wire is NOT exposed on the detached cords: Strip the white covering off the end of each cord to reveal about 1/4 in. of bare wire. You can do this by making a slight nick in the covering using an X-ACTO knife, being careful not to cut all the way through. Then use your fingernails to pinch off the white covering. With older, more brittle cords, you may be able to skip the knife and just pinch the covering off with your fingernails. Follow steps 1 and 2 above. References
For more tips, take a look at these old leaflets:
Many thanks to We Love Lundby Club member Patricia Harrington, author of the Lundby Letter inserts mentioned above, for her expert guidance and for the transformer instructions. Image on this page is from the 1977 Lundby catalogue. |