Q: What is the power consumption?

A: Forever Bright L.E.D. light strings typically consume less than 2 Watts for each single string. Double or triple sets consumer proportionally more power. A set of 150 L.E.D.s uses twice the power (4 Watts) of a set of 75 L.E.D.s.

Actual power consumption of 2 Watts per string/set ties directly into the series block. That said;
Typically if comparing apples to apples (unless specified)
25L 35L 50L = one (1) SERIES block or 2 Watts of energy
50L 70L 100L = two (2) SERIES blocks or 4 Watts of energy
75L 105L 150L = three (3) SERIES blocks of 6 Watts of energy

Q: I noticed the warning label on your product says, “Handling the coated electrical wires of this product exposes you to lead.” Is it Safe?

A: The labeling is required to comply with a new regulation mandated by the state of California, which had taken issue with trace levels of lead typically found in the PVC coating of the electrical wire. This type of wiring is found on nearly everything you plug-in including your computer and other appliances. You will start to see this label on electrical products as well. It should be noted that it is not the lead content in the products that has changed only the labeling regulation, that has changed. On our Sheer Glow™ lighted ribbon product, the labeling applies to the light cord not the ribbon material. Although the labeling is only required in California, all of our electrical products will include this label since it is impossible to control the distribution.

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Q: The maximum number of light strings that can be connected is stated as only three, the same as traditional mini-lights, why?

A: The short answer is that this remains a UL safety requirement today. Forever Bright™ products use standard plugs and connectors for convenience. Since traditional light strings can be connected with Forever Bright sets, the "three string maximum" ensures that adding traditional lights does not overload the wires. We fully support UL standards and product labeling requirements as they've been enacted to help assure public safety.

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Q: What is the power consumption?

A: Forever Bright L.E.D. light strings typically consume less than 2 Watts for each single string. Double or triple sets consume proportionally more power. A set of 150 L.E.D.s uses twice the power (4-Watts) of a set of 75 L.E.D.s.

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Q: What is the brightness?

A: Brightness varies with L.E.D. color and increases every year with advances in L.E.D. technology. Just as 2003 Forever Bright models are much brighter than their 2002 counterparts, the 2004 models are significantly brighter than those available in 2003. In addition, for 2004 and onwards, we offer a line of extremely bright grade light strings (which use very expensive L.E.D.s) specifically for commercial installations. These strings are rarely sold in stores, but our distributors often carry them.

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Q: I'd like a different color combination. Can I interchange different color L.E.D.s?

A: No, and please don't try! Each color of L.E.D. requires a different amount of power in order to work at its highest efficiency. Most replaceable bulb sets are supplied with a red L.E.D. (which is the least expensive). If you replace a lost or defective blue L.E.D. with a red replacement L.E.D., it will soon burn out because the socket for the blue is wired with a much higher power than that for the red. If you were to place a blue L.E.D. in a socket designed for a red L.E.D. then it would hardly light. IN OUR SET, EVERY SOCKET IS SPECIFICALLY WIRED FOR THE COLOR OF L.E.D. THAT IS INSERTED AND PERMANENTLY AFFIXED SO THAT THE BEST PERFORMANCE IS GUARANTEED. This is why our strings of lights have been designed with Non-Replaceable bulbs.

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Q: Can I replace the bulb?

A: Our patented manufacturing process includes the injecting of plastic material over the connection of the L.E.D. and the copper wire. The husk or socket that normally holds the bulb is actually a one-piece injection on our set. This means that the L.E.D. can not be removed from the socket and therefore no replacement L.E.D. (s) will ever be needed.

Q: I bought a string of blue L.E.D. Lights. When lit up, the color varies. Why does this happen?

A: L.E.D. chips will emit only a specific color regardless of the coloration of the plastic shell surrounding them.  Color differences between L.E.D. lamps are normal and will be the most noticeable in the yellow and blue.

A typical "blue" L.E.D. lamp will emit a measured color between 450 and 490 NM (nanometers). However, the greatest number of L.E.D. lamps will fall inside the 460-470 NM range.  In order to keep the product cost reasonable for our customers, we do everything possible to minimize waste.

Blue L.E.D. lamps are very expensive because there is approximately a 25% waste factor, and the base material required to manufacture the lamps is a synthetic sapphire.  If we only used blue L.E.D. lamps that were close enough in color that the human eye couldn't tell the difference, the waste factor would be much greater and the cost of the light sets would be much higher then they already are.

To keep the cost down and minimize waste, we run all of the blue L.E.D. lamps through special machines that read their lit color and sorts them according to color parameters programmed into the machine.  We batch the lamps into 4 specific colors.

The longest wavelengths (480-490 NM) shift a bit toward green, and they're the ones you describe as teal blue.

The two middle ranges (470-480 NM and 460-470 NM) are the most common and comprise the majority of the light sets.  Your eye will have difficulty telling the difference between these colors if we use only 1 grouping of color in each light set.

The shortest wavelengths (450-460 NM) start to shift toward violet.

Unfortunately, as a manufacturer, we must decide between manufacturing efficiency (lower product cost) and perfect uniformity (higher product cost).  In order to make the products as affordable as possible for consumers, we are forced to put up with some non-uniformity of color between light sets.  

Q. Can I find your product without lead in the wires? What are the hazards?

A: Forever Bright Lights use a standard wire containing trace amounts of lead. This is the same wire that every other light string manufacturer uses that we know of. We choose wire suppliers who claim the lowest lead content that still meets all insulation safety standards. Decorative light strings sold in the State of California require a label alerting consumers to the lead contained in the wire insulation. We print this warning on all of our products, regardless of where they're sold. The potential hazard is controversial because the actual amount of lead is minute and because studies conducted on people handing such wire every day for years have been inconclusive. We neither endorse nor oppose the wire insulation standards, but do recommend washing your hands.

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Q: Your box says, "Patents Pending." When will these patents be granted?

A: We already have two patents granted. The most recent of these was granted on October 8, 2002, and it directly applies to the AC transformer-free design. We have several new patents pending for more advanced designs and manufacturing methods as part of our ongoing Forever Bright development.