need some help with outdoor LED deck lights

[Christien]

Just got 2 packs of these from a neighbour. They're a string of 8 LED lights with a light sensor and plug. Out of 2 boxes, 10/16 worked. Ok, fine, they were free, and they're just for accents around the pool, actually being mounted in the ground, not the deck. So then I get them outside and placed roughly where I want them, I plug them in, now 4 more are out!

Is this just par for the course for these? As far as I understand, they're not high-end, but weren't exactly discount either. Neighbour said they were from Costco, and were $200 or so for both boxes. If they're just cheap garbage, I'll pitch them and get something better, but maybe they're fixable.

[Baz]

Christien,

Most of what you buy at box stores are not serviceable - they are throwaways.

A quality LED fixture has a replaceable bulb.

Most consumers don't know this....thus a lot of LED lighting is sold at the box stores.

Now the box stores also sell serviceable units but unless you know in advance what to look for you could end up with those that you have.

To be sure.....do your LED housings unscrew? If not - those are tossaways...

[Christien]

They most certainly do not unscrew

That sucks. As dusk turns to dark they actually look quite nice, at least the ones that work...

[Baz]

Night lighting is wonderful - I love it. So much potential to add to your outdoor living experience.

Nice, pic there Christien!

[Christien]

Thanks! Too bad it looks like hockey teeth...

Oh well, at least now I know what I need to look for before I actually spend any money. Thanks for your help!

[john70t]

Had a couple FEIT spotlights go bad after one winter.

[VincentVega]

Sorry to hear about the lights but dont check them, Costco has a great return policy.

[1990C4S]

I have purchased $4 led bulbs for my kitchen from China, 30% failed within a month. The remainder are still going strong.

When I pay $10 locally they seem to be 100%.

There seems to be a high early failure rate with cheap LED bulbs.

I have switched over to COB LED, they seem much better, and of course, more money...

Lee Valley might have similar bulbs that you can swap out. Or banggood.com, which, despite the odd name, has a crap load of cheap stuff with free delivery to Canada.

[Christien]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

Sorry to hear about the lights but dont check them, Costco has a great return policy.

No receipt, they were given to me by a neighbour, and were probably sitting in his garage for a year or so. Costco doesn't even carry them anymore. I saw a package of the exact same lights under the Hampton Bay brand at Home Depot today, $70, so maybe they weren't quite as expensive as I thought.

I'm going to take Baz's advice and buy some that have replaceable bulbs.