Frequently Asked Lighting Questions
You can purchase replacement bulbs for GKI/Bethlehem products quickly and easily online through Betty's Christmas House
The lamp lock on a POS Mini light features a patented internal design that ensures wire contact and provides extra security against bad weather and vandals. Balanced spacing of precisely 6" between lamps. UL listed for indoor and outdoor use.
The lamp lock on Bethlehem Mini Lights feature an external design that ensures wire contact between the bulb and socket and provides extra security against bad weather and vandals. Balanced spacing of precisely 5.5" between lamps. UL listed for indoor and outdoor use.
In a controlled and stable environment, these bulbs will burn up to 3,000 hours. Outdoor elements that cause extreme wear and tear may lower their normal burn time and life cycle. Our 200 milliamp bulbs produce long lasting lights and our superior color dye process ensure vibrant color.
will the rest of the bulbs light?
Yes. If a few of the bulbs burn out the rest of the bulbs will stay lit. However, the remaining bulbs will burn brighter, use more electrical power, and will eventually burn out faster than if all the bulbs were burning evenly.
end-to-end?
A total of three (3) sets may be plugged in together end-to-end. All end-to-end connections must be with the same bulb types and same numbers of bulbs on a strand.
Up to a combined maximum total of 100 bulbs can be plugged in together end-to-end.
No. Connect together only light sets of the same type with the same number of bulbs. Different light set styles have different voltages and should not be connected end-to-end.
Bethlehem® Mini Light sets have 5.5" spacing = 24' each strand. Perm-O-Snap® Mini Light Sets have 6" spacing = 25' each strand.
end-to-end?
You may plug in together a total of six (6) 100-light sets, or a maximum of 600 bulbs.
A Micro light is a smaller version of the Mini POS light. However, the bulbs are low voltage, use less electricity, and last up to 12,000 hours.
Yes. Each light set comes with a package of replaceable bulbs. Micro lights feature the (Perm-O-Snap®) patented internal design lamp lock feature.
None. They do not have end-to-end connectors. Instead, these lights have low voltage adaptors and multi-function controllers.
No. Micro lights are for indoor use only.
Micro lights are smaller in size and do not have end-to-end connectors. They are designed for indoor use only and have thinner wires that are easier to hide. Mini lights are able to connect up to three light sets end-to-end and can be used both indoors and out.
LED stands for light emitting diode. These bulbs do not contain filaments, the substance that burns out in traditional bulbs. LED light sets last on average ten times longer and use 1/10 the power of standard mini lights. They also emit a brighter and more distinct color using less energy. LEDs are constructed from tiny solid-state chips similar to those used in computers. These chips directly convert electricity to light without the use of a filament or glass bulb. Instead, the chips are encased in solid plastic that can be made into a variety of shapes and sizes. LEDs are also good for applications where vibration often leads to early failure of conventional light sources. Being a solid-state device, LEDs are highly resistant to damage caused by vibration.
It depends on the manufacturer. GKI's FLEXCHANGE™ bulbs are replaceable but LED mini lights made by other manufacturers are not. Click here for more details about our patent pending FLEXCHANGE™ design.
Expanded connection is UL-approved for end-to-end connection up to 210 watts (1.75 amps). Our FLEXCHANGE™ and non-replaceable 50-light sets are .04 amp and our 35- and 25-light sets are .02 amp. This means that you can string forty (40) 50-light sets or eighty (80) 35- or 25-light sets end-to-end. Do not interconnect different types of products. Other manufacturers may have different amounts of watts and amps per light set. We only state our LED light sets can be strung 40 or 80 end-to-end. Always check the manufacturer's amp and watt information to determine connection. Do not overload. All GKI FLEXCHANGEâ„¢ and non-replaceable LED light sets are 120V and 60 Hz.
Yes. Both our FLEXCHANGE® and GKI non-replaceable light sets are designed for indoor and outdoor use.
Our LED lights are brighter and bolder! We enforce a stringent manufacturing process that produces the most consistent color spectrum in the industry. Our LED sets last on average ten times longer and use 1/10 the power of standard mini lights. These bulbs do not contain filaments, the substance that burns out in traditional bulbs.
Our LED light strings have a patented rectifier built in. This eliminates unwanted flickering and ensures delivery of the truest color possible. The rectifier for our LED light sets replaces the need for transformers which limit light sets to indoor use only. Our LED lights will shine brighter both indoors and out!
Since LEDs generate very little heat, a much higher percentage of the electrical power is going directly to generating light, which cuts down on the electricity demands considerably. Despite a higher initial cost, LEDs will save money in the long run due to their durability and the low cost of operating them.
FLEXCHANGE™ bulbs are polarity specific. Similar to the older non-replaceable version, our bulbs are specifically designed to only fit in one way. They cannot be incorrectly inserted into a socket. Current will flow through the chip every time the strand is powered.
