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When in France a month ago, we ate at an outdoor garden cafe and I noticed some strung lights up in the trees. What a great idea for home, I thought, if I can only find something similar. A quick search led me here and I ordered two strands to try. The cable is very heavy outdoor quality. Each string has 7 sockets and they can be strung end to end so you will only need one outlet. I used 15 watt bulbs which are perfect at night giving just the right amount of light without being too bright or overloading a circuit.
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These lights are well worth the investment. After years of investing in a series of cheap string and umbrella lights I finally decided to bit the bullet and purchase something a bit more heavy duty for our backyard lighting needs. The price-tag on this set of lights might seem high, but they are heavy duty, well made, and provide the kind of light that no rope or string lights could. At first we put 60 watt bulbs in these and ended up having to put in 40 watt bulbs for a better ambiance; the 60 watts were like daylight even on the darkest of nights.Best Deals for Table In A Bag SL3507BLK European Café Commercial String
Very heavy duty and well made. I spray painted the silver cover a bronze color, added amber light bulbs, it looks great.Honest reviews on Table In A Bag SL3507BLK European Café Commercial String
I purchased 3 strands of these lights for our fairly large patio. I wanted to replace the ugly halogen spotlights we have on the side of the house that basically blind everybody and produce a very harsh light. The thing I LOVE about these lights is the nice soft effect they produce. This obviously depends on what type and size bulbs you choose to use. I am using small 25W clear globes and they produce a lot of light, but it is not harsh. Kind of like the outdoor lighted dance floors/pavilions you see in movies. Very happy with the results. Hopefully the durability of the product will please me as well.Unfortunately there are a few things about the quality and construction of the lights that detract from their value. First, even though the lights have a 3-prong plug, they are NOT grounded. So please be aware of this as you decide how and where you are going to use them. On the positive side, they are really "heavy duty" in construction (see comments later about stiffness).
Second, one of the strands has a short in it and one of the sockets does not work unless I hold it at a particular angle and relieve the tension on it. I solved this by using wire ties to attach it directly to the guide wire to which I connected the strand. Takes away from the visual appeal, but it works. There's no way to get into the socket to repair it as it is a molded one piece unit. Guess I should have the sent the strand back, but was too far down the installation path and I found a somewhat acceptable workaround.
Third, the strands are very stiff when you take them out of the box and are hard to work with at first. My advice is to stretch them out in the sun for a couple of days and limber them up.
Fourth, the strands are pretty heavy, so if you're considering stretching them over a long expanse without support in the middle, be sure to use suitable strength guide wire/cable to support them. I used 3/32" braided steel cable and this is the minimum I would recommend. Especially important if you live in an area where they may become coated with ice...
I've read several other reviews about the sockets overheating and melting. Haven't experienced that problem yet. I would not recommend connecting multiple strands together if you can avoid it.
Other than that I am pleased with them. The metal shades are sturdy and easy to attach and create a nice "starburst" pattern on the bottom of the shade when the lights are on. Would have been nice if they included hanging hooks with the lights. I just bought some "swag lamp" chain and separated the links and made hangars.
Would I recommend them? Yes.
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These lights are fantastic! The cable is a thick gauge of wire that is thicker than a regular extension cord. The metal shades are held on the sockets by a rubber o-ring and help reflect the light downward somewhat. The light sockets will fit standard light bulbs. I installed 25 watt, clear, globe-style bulbs on the one I purchased and they provide the perfect amount of light. I strung these up on the cross beams of the roof of our deck using screw in hooks. Then I just hung the lights on them using the built in holes. It has male and female plugs on the ends of the cord. If you're using low wattage bulbs, it should be able to handle two strands together. The lights are spread out with about three feet apart with about seven feet from the first and last lights to the plugs.I had to run a drop cord to reach the outlet but hid it behind the posts. The holes on top of the lights run parallel to the cord, so you'll have to set the hooks perpendicular to the cord or run a wire and attach rings through the holes. These lights are built very well and seem like they will stand up to the test of time. If you're looking for a way to capture the feel of a vacation overseas or the ambiance of your favorite restaurant, these will do the trick. I am pleased with this purchase and highly recommend them to anyone.
