powing incans from 12v dc...

[chrisatpsu]

I. have 50 cnt incan mini strings that run on 110 vac.  (.17A)
Would I be able to power about 5 bulbs using about 12volts dc? Would I even need a resistor?

[JonB256]

No resistor needed. The bulbs are resistors.

If you pull a bulb out and all 50 go dark, then your bulbs are 2.5volts.  (120/50 is 2.4)

12vdc divided by 2.5 gives you 4.8, so you would use 5 bulbs.

But, you might try using 6 bulbs to see if that is bright enough for your needs. They will last much longer.

[chrisatpsu]

since it's a single string of 50 incans (all 50 are in the same segment). Is it safe to say that since the string uses .17A, that each bulb is .17A?

[chrisatpsu]

powered 5 of them succesfully, thanks!