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Last Update: 11/10/06 1:30pm


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Lightscape Decorative Lighting, LLC

Frequently Asked Questions (F. A. Q.)

How does it work? How difficult is it? How long does it take?
How do you mow over the Lawn Lights? Can you mow over the Lawn Lights?
If one bulb goes out, do they all go out?
What colors are available? Do Lawn Lights come in different colors?
How many lamps come in a set of Lawn Lights?
How long is a set of Lawn Lights?
Can Lawn Lights be connected end to end?
How far apart are the lamps? How much space is between each lamp?
Are the wire stakes included?
What kind of bulbs do Lawn Lights use? Do Lawn Lights use special bulbs? Are extra bulbs included?
Is this product like a big net? Can I go around trees and other obstacles?
How difficult is it to dismantle and store the Lawn Lights product display, and how long does it take?
What happens if it snows? Won't the snow cover and conceal the Lawn Lights?
Doesn't all that wire and those 'stakes' make the lawn rather unattractive and cluttered during the daytime?
Can the Lawn Lights product be used in high foot traffic areas and walkways?
How much electricity does the Lawn Lights product use? Doesn't it take a lot of power to run all those lights?
What about dogs/deer/pets/animals? Will they get into and damage the display?
What about crossing my driveway? Can I drive over this product?
I have a small yard (less than 4000 square feet). Can I still use Lawn Lights in my yard?
Is the Lawn Lights product available in stores?



Q: How does it work? How difficult is it to decorate with the Lawn Lights product, and how long does it take?

A: You can decorate with Lawn Lights very quickly and very easily. Each set is a long string of lights that is wound on a spool. You simply unwind the Lawn Lights off of the spool in the pattern that you want (arc patterns are recommended) and plug them in. It only takes 10 to 15 minutes to unroll a set of Lawn Lights in your lawn. It is also recommended that you take the additional step of 'staking' each of the lights as well. This will make the display even more spectacular by making the lights more visible and appear brighter and more uniform. It also keeps the lights visible in the event of a snowfall. 'Staking' the lights requires you to push small inconspicuous stakes into the ground at each lamp and then attach the lamp bases to them. It is not very difficult and entirely optional, but well worth it. This additional step will take an additional 10-20 minutes for each set of Lawn Lights (much less if there is more than 1 person doing it). The entire procedure is described in more detail in the User's Manual which comes with the Lawn Lights and is also available for viewing here: User's Manual.


Q: How do you mow over the Lawn Lights? Can you mow over the Lawn Lights?

A: You cannot mow over the Lawn Lights product. However, Lawn Lights were designed to be used primarily during the winter season when lawns are not being mowed or utilized, and for short term temporary use for events like weddings and Independence Day. If you decide that you want to mow the lawn after the Lawn Lights have been deployed, you can remove the Lawn Lights from the area in less than 5 minutes when using an inexpensive Bayco model KW-130 spool (highly recommended), mow the lawn, and then return the Lawn Lights to the lawn in another 15 minutes.


Q: If one bulb goes out, do they all go out?

A: No. Lawn Lights work just like most other Christmas tree light sets do these days. If one bulb burns out, the rest will remain lit. However, if the bulb is physically removed from the socket, the rest of the lights will go out - just like with other Christmas tree light sets. If for some reason your Lawn Lights will not light up, the problem can generally be found within 5 minutes when using an inexpensive proximity type Christmas light string tester. This procedure is described in more detail in the User's Manual, which comes with the Lawn Lights and is also available for viewing here: User's Manual.


Q: What colors are available? Do Lawn Lights come in different colors?

A: Each set of Lawn Lights comes with the clear lamps only. For color, you simply slip Magic Color Caps (TM) onto the lamps. This is very simple and does not take much time. Magic Color Caps (TM) are available here on the catalog page, and they can also be found in some retail stores and elsewhere on the internet. This is the best way to add, remove, or change color on your Lawn Lights or other mini light sets. Magic Color Caps (TM) do not fade, chip, or flake off like colored mini-light bulbs tend to do, and allow you to remain versital with your display. You also will not be required to buy multiple sets of Lawn Lights in order to have multiple colors.


Q: How many lamps come in a set of Lawn Lights?

A: Each set of Lawn Lights has 50 lamps. This may not sound like very many lamps, but each set of Lawn Lights will cover 4000-5000 square feet (or less). One of the great things about Lawn Lights is that it gives the illusion of having several hundred lamps when in actuality there are far fewer. However, if one wanted to cover an area with more lamps, it could easily be done by rolling out additional sets of Lawn Lights in the area. This is really not necessary, though, as evidenced by the Picture Gallery.


Q: How long is a set of Lawn Lights?

A: Each set of Lawn Lights is roughly 500 feet long (that distance varies a bit due to the twist in the wire). That may sound like too much length, but Lawn Lights are designed to be rolled out back and forth over a 4000-5000 square foot area (or less). However, Lawn Lights could be rolled out as one single 500 foot long string if desired. Lawn Lights have been used to outline long drives, fencelines, and ponds, but Lawn Lights are primarily designed to cover large areas with lights as shown in the Picture Gallery. Lawn Lights also come with roughly 20 feet of cord between the plug and the first lamp, so you may not need an extension cord in most cases.


Q: Can Lawn Lights be connected end to end?

A: No. Lawn Lights are not equipped with the outlet at the end of the string, so you cannot connect Lawn Lights end to end. However, each set of Lawn Lights is roughly 500 feet long. Therefore, it is really not necessary to be able to connect Lawn Lights end to end in order to make a longer string. If you want to use multiple sets of Lawn Lights, you simply plug them into the same power source and roll them out over different areas starting from the same location (or, starting from different locations if you want). Incorporating the end to end feature into Lawn Lights would significantly increase the cost, and as explained above, is really not necessary.


Q: How far apart are the lamps? How much space is between each lamp?

A: There is roughly 10 feet of space between each lamp on a set of Lawn Lights. This spacing allows you to generate the displays shown in the Picture Gallery.


Q: Are the wire stakes included?

A: Yes, the wire stakes are included. You get 55 wire stakes - that's 5 extra in case you accidently lose one or two over time.


Q: What kind of bulbs do Lawn Lights use? Do Lawn Lights use special bulbs? Are extra bulbs included?

A: Lawn Lights use regular 2.5 volt mini-lamps. These are the same lamps as many miniature Christmas light sets use. Each set of Lawn Lights will come with a few spare bulbs. However, if you need more bulbs, you can get them easily. This is described in more detail in the User's Manual, which comes with the Lawn Lights and is also available for viewing here: User's Manual.


Q: Is this product like a big net? Can I go around trees and other obstacles?

A: No, this product is not a net, although it does give the appearance of one. The Lawn Lights product is a long string of lights that should be unrolled in arcing patterns over the area being decorated. It can easily be used around trees and other obstacles.


Q: How difficult is it to dismantle and store the Lawn Lights product display, and how long does it take?

A: Dismantling the Lawn Lights product display is even quicker and easier than setting it up! If the Lawn Lights are 'staked', the stakes must first be collected by removing the lamp bases from each stake. This is not difficult and only takes 10 to 15 minutes. The Lawn Lights can then be quickly and easily wound on its spool in about 10 minutes. However, it is highly recommended that you purchase an inexpensive Bayco model KW-130 spool to collect and store your Lawn Lights. You can remove the Lawn Lights from the lawn in well under 5 minutes with a Bayco model KW-130 spool.


Q: What happens if it snows? Won't the snow cover and conceal the Lawn Lights?

A: In general, snow does not create any problems for the Lawn Lights product. Actually, snow makes the Lawn Lights product display even more beautiful! It largely depends on how far the stakes have been pushed into the ground and the amount of snow that falls. Many people actually prefer the beautiful and unique effect that is generated by Lawn Lights when they are under a little bit of snow. If it snows, the stakes will generally keep the lights above the snowfall for a truly beautiful display. Depending on how far the stakes have been pushed down into the ground, several inches of snow must fall before the lights will begin to become covered, and even then, the display is truly beautiful and unique (please see the Picture Gallery for examples). The stakes that are included with each Lawn Lights set will accomodate a snowfall of up to about 8 inches. Obviously, in the event of a significant snowfall, the Lawn Lights product would become buried and eventually concealed, as would any lawn decoration. However, several inches of snow must fall before the lights could no longer be seen illuminated. In the 10+ years that I've been doing this, snow has only been a problem for me one time, and that was a 17 inch snowfall that melted within the next 5 days.


Q: Doesn't all that wire and those 'stakes' make the lawn rather unattractive and cluttered during the daytime?

A: Actually, no. A great deal of effort was made to keep the Lawn Lights product as inconspicuous and unnoticeable as possible during the daylight hours. The Lawn Lights product blends in with the natural color of the lawn. It's rather difficult to see during the daytime hours and is rarely noticeable. Please click on the Day/Night Appearance link to see the dramatic difference between the daytime and nighttime appearance of the Lawn Lights product.


Q: Can the Lawn Lights product be used in high foot traffic areas and walkways?

A: Using the Lawn Lights product in high foot traffic areas is not recommended and strongly discouraged due to the inherent tripping hazard associated with the product. The Lawn Lights product is for use only in areas where no foot traffic is expected. The same consideration that is given when running extension cords and other Christmas lights should be used when decorating with the Lawn Lights product. Quite often, Lawn Lights can be displayed in such a way that they do not enter high traffic areas. In addition, during the cold winter months, most lawns do not see any foot traffic at all. Therefore, Lawn Lights can be used without creating a tripping hazard most of the time.


Q: How much electricity does the Lawn Lights product use? Doesn't it take a lot of power to run all those lights?

A: Lawn Lights require very little electricity. It typically costs less to run Lawn Lights than it does to light your Christmas tree! Each set of Lawn Lights only requires about 0.2 amps. By comparison, that's 1/2 of the electricity used by an ordinary 100 bulb miniature Christmas light set, and is equivalent to the power drawn by a 25 watt light bulb. It would take 5 sets of Lawn Lights to draw 1 amp of current, so you needn't be concerned about overloading your power circuits.


Q: What about dogs/deer/pets/animals? Will they get into and damage the display?

A: That's a very good question, and is one that I cannot definitively answer. One must use their own best judgement in this case. If you have a pet that likes to chew wires, then obviously you will not want it near Lawn Lights or any other powered holiday decoration or extension cord. Only you know the behaviour of your pet or other animals in the area. However, in 10 years of experience, I have encountered only one occurrence where a dog chewed the wires. Since the product was plugged into a GFCI equipped outlet, the animal was not harmed in any way. I have, however, experienced a number of rare cases where a rodent (squirrel, rabbit, chipmunk, etc.) decided to chew through the wires. Again, because the product was plugged into a GFCI equipped outlet, the animal was not harmed in any way. In the event an animal does damage the display, repairs are often very simple. Troubleshooting procedures are provided in detail in the User's Manual, which comes with the Lawn Lights and is also available for viewing here: User's Manual.


Q: What about crossing my driveway? Can I drive over this product?

A: This is a common delimma for many holiday lighting products. The answer is the same as it is for most holiday lighting products - it is not recommended that you attempt to drive over this product. It was not designed to withstand that. My recommendation is to use another set of Lawn Lights on the other side of the driveway rather than attempt to cross it with a single set of Lawn Lights. If there is no power available on the other side of the driveway, it may be possible to use an appropriate heavy duty extension cord to cross the driveway.


Q: I have a small yard (less than 4000 square feet). Can I still use Lawn Lights in my yard?

A: Absolutely! Although each set of Lawn Lights is designed to cover up to 4000-5000 square feet, you can put Lawn Lights out in smaller areas by simply spreading the lights out closer than normal. For instance, if the area you wish to decorate is only 2000 square feet, you simply roll the Lawn Lights string out with 5 feet between each pass/arc instead of the normal 10 feet.


Q: Is the Lawn Lights product available in stores?

A: I am currently working hard to make this product readily available in many major retail stores. I am also working to make this product available in a few stores in the Washington, Indiana area. You can see where this product is available from the Where To Buy link. I have made this product available on www.EBay.com as well. This product will always be available through this website.

If you are a retailer who might be interested in carrying the Lawn Lights product line or if you would like for your local retailer to carry this product, please contact me at the Contact Me link.


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