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(More customer reviews)The "Rope light by the foot" package that includes a controller unit and enough track to install it. I'm not entirely sure if CB Concept manufacturers this produce or not. I'm guessing, but more than likely they are just a distributor/ cut to length. This rope light can be ordered from CB Concept by the foot either here or their web site.
The good.
First let me say CB Concepts did deliver my order earlier than promised and everything was there. (except the 1 sheet of instructions)Tech support.
The not so good.
I unpacked the box and everything was there but the instructions. The rope light consists of a flat silicone rope with four wires embedded in it. (one with for each string of the R,G,B, L.E.D. lights. (the 4th would be for the ground) There is a 4 pronged, multi channel controller that allows you to flash the lights in various configurations and multiple speeds.
The problem started when I foolishly thought the 4 holes were for the four prongs (understandable for no instructions) After contacting CB Concepts support (was good support) they send me a link to view and print the instructions... The holes are part of the molding process and as it turns out you have to press the 4 prongs into the silicone until all 4 prongs come in contact with the 4 L.E.D. wires. (Quite a feat even laying it on a flat surface as the silicone inhibits the prongs from going in straight) Finally (after three try's) I got all 4 prongs to hit the 4 wires and the rope came to life....(it is beautiful) So I got to install it on the house...Problem: The controller unit has to be protected from the weather! (another 40 bucks for a weather proof electrical box). Why you ask? Well if you remove the controller unit and take it inside until next year, it's back to struggling to hook it back up and eventually you will ream the silicone out and lost your connection.....
Oh, I forgot to mention there are no connectors other than pressing the prongs into the rope light and hope it holds through all the expanding in heat and shrinking in cold.
More bad news. So I installed it during good weather and a few days after Thanksgiving, hooked up all my lights. I plugged in the controller and once the timer came on it worked beautifully! A great addition to my blinding NASA Astronauts. Sadly after only a week or less of operating for only 4 hours a night....only the red LEDs worked. I bundled up and went out and tried wiggling the connection (which if you remember is weather protected) and although the green never did come on, I did manage to get the red & blue on.... Well for about an hour until my neighbor called and asked it my 66 foot rope light was shorting out...I looked out and sure enough, it was dead!
So tomorrow, I got out in 7 degree weather, clear out a spot in the foot or snow and try to figure out if it's the connection I think it is or maybe the controller malfunctioned (it did pause quite a while between settings I made)
The rope light is beautiful and worth the somewhat higher price......When it works. If you are good at electronics and can find some prewired connectors (or crimp connectors) That would be the way to go....but a lot of cost for something new that you're going to have to modify for peace of mind....
Good luck!
All the above being said.... I contacted CB Concept support and they did send me two brand new controllers and the flashing problem has been taken care of....
One small 3 foot section of green did burn out (they offered to replace the entire rope light)...but it's in a hard to see place and as I intend to leave it up all year... Lol, I thanked them, but declined the replacement (guess I'm getting lazy)
NOTE: The lights did draw a lot of compliments during the holidays! Rope light by the foot...could be the way to go for all you light nuts like me. CB Comcept support did come through.
Click Here to see more reviews about: RGB 18 FT 110V-120V LED Rope light Kit, 1.0" LED spacing, Christmas Lighting, Outdoor rope lighting
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