<p>We have the tradition of putting the electric (plug in ) candles in our front windows - we have a New England colonial on a corner lot in the neighborhood and every year we get many, many compliments on how everyone looks forward to our candles as the official start of winter and the holiday season. We have 9 front windows. And every year, no matter how I store the candles, I have to replace all 9 - even if I take them down still working, store them very carefully in a cool, dry place, the next year not one will work - replacement bulbs don’t work either - SO annoying!</p>
<p>So before I throw away the dozen or so electric candles and bulbs on my table out, thought I’d see if anyone here has any wisdom. What am I doing wrong?</p>
<p>Someone else may have a better idea, but due to their proximity to the windows, they may be condensing water inside of the candle. Cold window + ‘warmer’ inside of the candle = condensation? Best idea I can come up with!</p>
<p>We use battery operated, candles that have a light sensor, like a nightlight. They have an on/off switch for storage. We’ve had them for about 5 yrs. or so and just replaced batteries last Christmas. I’m sorry I don’t have an idea about what is causing you to have to replace the electric candles.</p>
<p>The condensing water is an idea. Just weird to me that when I remove them from the window end of February they are working fine, but that every single one will not be working come the next November.</p>
<p>I prefer the electric ones because the glow is much brighter.</p>
<p>Where do you store your candle lights? We had same problem when we stored ours in our attic…and think the temperature fluctuations killed the lights.</p>
<p>I used to store them in the attic - this past year I stored them in the finished basement - good temperature, dry - still, not a one was good to use again.</p>
<p>Are they stored in a place that gets damp enough to oxidize the inner works.</p>
<p>My mom had fewer candle than you, and she just stored each in a drawer or on a closet shelf in its “own” room. Try something like that next Feb. and maybe the survival rate will improve.</p>
<p>We have the battery operated ones as well. I just replaced the bulb with a white (clear) bulb and they work just fine. I think I got them at the hardware store or Walmart or something to begin with. They sure are a lot easier than the plug in ones. As for the OP’s not working each year, do you take the bulbs out when you store them? I have some plug in ones that I still use every once in a while that are 20 years old that still work. I just keep them in a box with the rest of my stuff.</p>
<p>My mother never had this problem with her candles. Weird. Perhaps they are more cheaply made these days.</p>
<p>I would guess it is either corrosion inside the bulb socket, or the connections are so poorly done they fail.</p>
<p>Are you wrapping the cords around the candles when you store them? This could be putting stress on the wires and/or connectors that causes them to break.</p>
<p>If I were confronted with a pile of non-working candles, I would first sand or scrape out the metal in the socket - particularly the tab at the bottom that touches the bottom of the bulb. These can get very corroded. I would also take a small screwdriver and pry the tab up so it sticks up higher.</p>
<p>If that doesn’t do anything, I would sacrifice one and gently break it open to see how it was wired. Once it is open you can check the connectivity of the wires to see if there are breaks inside the insulation.</p>
<p>I have never seen them in action, I found out about them when hunting for small plugs to use on my island. If I were in New England I’d be all over this for any remodel. I love window candles!</p>
<p>If the candles have a light sensor, the sensor itself may have gone bad. Put some masking tape in the area of the sensor or use one in a very dark room and test it out.</p>
<p>While we’re on the subject, can we recommend specific candles? I am in the market for a half dozen or so. I want white lights that don’t “flicker”… battery operated is probably preferable, not sure how I’d get plugs to work without putting extension cords across the house.</p>
<p>I’ve never had them before so I’m not sure what your problem would be, abasket. My only idea would be the condensation. I would think while they’re on all the time they’re probably burning most of the moisture off, and then maybe they stop when you turn them off… but it seems odd they’d break this way every year.</p>
<p>I do have to use extension cords with all 9 of mine, but the way they are located the plugs are on the same wall as the windows so I am able to do it without the cords being too noticable. </p>
<p>I have bought my the last few years at Walmart - a 2 pack for under $6. Includes bulb. White candlestick, pewter base.</p>
<p>QVC has Bethlehem window candles that run on a timer or are photo sensitive. They have clear white bulbs and adjust from 13" to 15" in height. Free shipping today. These look nicer than what I have.</p>
<p>I have the QVC Bethlehem Lights window candles, and I’m very happy with them.</p>
<p>For many years I had candle lights with extension cords, but I finally wanted to get rid of those unattractive cords and a few years ago decided to try battery-operated lights. I was unhappy with the two models I tried before I bought the QVC lights last month. The others had bulbs that were either too dim or too bluish, but the QVC lights are perfect. They’re as bright as my old extension cord candles, with a pleasing white light.</p>
<p>abasket, I wonder if an email to the manufacturer might be enlightening? I’d be curious what they have to say about it. Perhaps there’s somehow something wrong with the way you’re storing them, although I really wouldn’t think so.</p>