# Blinking lights on one of those decorative "village" pieces - can I "unblink" them? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 7, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blinking-lights-on-one-of-those-decorative-village-pieces-can-i-unblink-them/563278 "2010-12-07T15:56:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![xanthous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/53a042/32.png) [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blinking-lights-on-one-of-those-decorative-village-pieces-can-i-unblink-them/563278/1 "2010-12-07T15:56:35Z")
My sister has a couple of pieces in her “village” collection (Kohl’s St. Nicholas Square Village), one of which is the [train station.](http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/landingpages/stnicholassquare/villageaccessories/PRD~679785/Village+Collection+Train+Station.jsp) The little colored lights running along the gutter flash on and off- and they’re very bright - and it bugs her to no end. Any wiring geeks out there know a fix for this to make them just burn constantly? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blinking-lights-on-one-of-those-decorative-village-pieces-can-i-unblink-them/563278/2 "2010-12-07T15:58:46Z")
They may be blinker bulbs. If so maybe you can simply replace them with non-blinkers. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blinking-lights-on-one-of-those-decorative-village-pieces-can-i-unblink-them/563278/3 "2010-12-07T16:08:42Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > They may be blinker bulbs. If so maybe you can simply replace them with non-blinkers. Those _look_ like LEDs in which case I’d assume there’s some kind of blinker module. If that’s the case, just cut it out and splice the ends together. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blinking-lights-on-one-of-those-decorative-village-pieces-can-i-unblink-them/563278/4 "2010-12-07T16:37:08Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Those _look_ like LEDs in which case I’d assume there’s some kind of blinker module. If that’s the case, just cut it out and splice the ends together. I think you’re right. I didn’t notice before that you can access a magnified view. So the question for **xanthous** is: do they blink all together or separately? ---
**Author:** ![xanthous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/53a042/32.png) [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blinking-lights-on-one-of-those-decorative-village-pieces-can-i-unblink-them/563278/5 "2010-12-07T16:37:18Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Those _look_ like LEDs in which case I’d assume there’s some kind of blinker module. If that’s the case, just cut it out and splice the ends together. I think they are LEDs. Is there an easy way to describe what I should be looking for in the way of a blinker module? I google-imaged “LED blinker module” and got confusing results… ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blinking-lights-on-one-of-those-decorative-village-pieces-can-i-unblink-them/563278/6 "2010-12-07T16:43:09Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Those _look_ like LEDs in which case I’d assume there’s some kind of blinker module. If that’s the case, just cut it out and splice the ends together. Another thought. Are these particular LEDs able to take whatever steady current will be delivered if the “blinker module” is removed? What if they can only take it intermittently? What if the “blinker module” also steps down the current and removing it would end up delivering more current than they can handle blinking or steady? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blinking-lights-on-one-of-those-decorative-village-pieces-can-i-unblink-them/563278/7 "2010-12-07T16:52:49Z")
> [@xanthous](#): > > I think they are LEDs. Is there an easy way to describe what I should be looking for in the way of a blinker module? I google-imaged “LED blinker module” and got confusing results… Something between the first bulb and the plug. I really couldn’t guess what it would look like, but I’m guessing you’ll find _something_ wired in between the plug and the first light. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blinking-lights-on-one-of-those-decorative-village-pieces-can-i-unblink-them/563278/8 "2010-12-07T16:56:51Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Another thought. Are these particular LEDs able to take whatever steady current will be delivered if the “blinker module” is removed? > > What if they can only take it intermittently? > > What if the “blinker module” also steps down the current and removing it would end up delivering more current than they can handle blinking or steady? I _suppose_ it could also include a step down transformer, and I guess it’s possible the lights can’t handle the constant voltage all the time, but honestly, I wouldn’t worry about it. If the OP wanted to check to see if it steps down the voltage it could be easily done with a multi-meter, of course it’ll involve cutting some wires to check it. I’d guess that if it’s more then just a blinker it’ll say something on the box such as Input: 120V 60Hz Output: 12VDC 1.2a. How about this. Xanthous, if you can find some sort of box or module, let us know if it says anything on it and whether or not it’s got screws on it to open it with (as opposed to needing to be cracked to get inside) and we can go from there. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blinking-lights-on-one-of-those-decorative-village-pieces-can-i-unblink-them/563278/9 "2010-12-07T16:59:36Z")
And obviously don’t open anything while it’s plugged in. I’m sure you know that but just to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blinking-lights-on-one-of-those-decorative-village-pieces-can-i-unblink-them/563278/10 "2010-12-07T17:19:21Z")
Um…why does the guy sitting out front on the bench have his hat positioned that way? The lights may not be the only thing flashing. /hijack ---
**Author:** ![xanthous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/53a042/32.png) [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blinking-lights-on-one-of-those-decorative-village-pieces-can-i-unblink-them/563278/11 "2010-12-07T21:11:03Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I think you’re right. I didn’t notice before that you can access a magnified view. > > So the question for **xanthous** is: do they blink all together or separately? They all blink together, one second on, one second off… and p.s. this item is at my sister’s in a different town, so I probably won’t look at it until I go there for Christmas. I’ll come back w/ a new post if/when i decide this is worth a try! ---
**Author:** ![orangemodern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c57346/32.png) [@orangemodern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orangemodern)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blinking-lights-on-one-of-those-decorative-village-pieces-can-i-unblink-them/563278/12 "2016-11-16T21:29:26Z")
I’m having the same problem. I realize this is from 6 years ago, but throwing it out there in hopes you have a solution. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blinking-lights-on-one-of-those-decorative-village-pieces-can-i-unblink-them/563278/13 "2016-11-17T00:02:08Z")
I found this: > **[St. Nicholas Square® Village 20-piece School / Train Station Starter Set](https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-2522927/st-nicholas-square-village-20-piece-school-train-station-starter-set.jsp)** > > This St. Nicholas Square school and train starter set is sure to add holiday charm to your home. Which includes the school and train station. Specs say the station takes “1 C7 bulb (included)”. A C7 is the nightlight/Christmas tree light - 120 VAC (line voltage). This may well be a different iteration than the ones cited here. But: a C7 will not blink unless it is designed to internally. I don’t think they are made in blinking form, but I do remember (1950’s) tree lights which WOULD blink. So: either find the blinking module or replace the bulb (if there isn’t a blinker module)