On Sun, 14 Feb 2016 21:14:54 -0800 (PST), wrote:

Anyone know for sure what's going on???

Dunno. There are a bunch of LED wiring schemes:
https://www.google.com/search?q=led+christmas+light+wiring+diagram&tbm=is ch
The diode or resistor might be hidden inside the AC plug. Or, the LED
might have an internal current limiter (which I doubt because these
types of LED's are expensive).

Or, the lump might be a flicker suppressor:
http://electronics-diy.com/eliminating-led-christmas-lights-flicker.php

When you're done solving the LED problem, could you work in this one?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/squirrels-go-nuts-for-tasty-christmas-lights-1.720643
The local squirrels would take a few bites out of the incandescent
wiring. I could easily fix that every year. Now, they trash the LED
lamps in a manner that is not easily repairable. I end up replacing
the entire string each year.


--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558