General Product Description:
Art After Dark pictures are framed wall art enhanced with special lighting effects including Neon, L.E.D. lights, 'Mini-Lights' (screw-in incandescent bulbs) and fiber optics. These lights are installed permanently into the picture and, generally, accent the appearance of lights and other objects featured in the actual scene. Not all pictures feature every lighting effect. Each picture is powered by a small AC wall adaptor (included) that plugs into any standard household electrical outlet. The plug and the cord are White in color to blend in with most walls. Art After Dark pictures have been tested by Underwriter's Laboratories and bear the UL mark for safety. Generally, two picture sizes are available: The small "Mini Pic" size 12" x 18" (= 31x46cm) and a larger size generally 24" x 34" or larger. Not every image is available in both sizes. For more details you may contact us by telephone at (702) 740-4100 or by email at: service@artafterdark.com. We are open weekdays between 9:00am and 4:00pm Pacific Time.
1) Describe the four types of special lighting effects that may be used in Electric.Art.pictures.
A) L.E.D. lights- stands for "light emitting diodes". These are small colored lights similar to the lights used in cell phones, clock radios, etc. Colors are generally limited to red, yellow or green. These lights are soldered together internally behind the picture face and can only be replaced at the factory. .L.E.D. lights have an approximate lifespan of 100,000 hours or 10 years of continuous use.
B) Mini-Lights- Some pictures (i.e. "Foggy Night in Paris" and "Nature's Majesty" Lighthouse) have miniature screw-in light bulbs which screw into the front side of the picture just like a regular light bulb. The bulbs you'll need, along with one extra spare bulb are placed in a small plastic bag taped to the rear side of the picture.
C) Neon Tubes- These are tubes containing a small amount of actual neon gas just like the lighting seen on many commercial store fronts and window signs. What is Neon and how does it work? These are naturally occurring rarified gases contained within a glass tube that when electrified produce colorful characteristic glows. These gases occur naturally in the atmosphere and are not toxic or harmful. The neon tubes are powered by an internal UL approved solid-state transformer. Each tube is generally very sturdy however when broken they can only be replaced at the factory.
D) Fiber Optics- This lighting effect is created by the reflection or 'internal transmission' of light through an optical fiber. One end of the fiber points to a light source, contained inside the picture, and the other end pokes visibly through the picture face.
2) How long do the lights last? And what happens when they fail?
Electric Art
pictures use up to (4) different kinds of lights -- Fiber Optics, L.E.D.s,
Miniature Incandescent Lights and or Neon. They all last quite a long
time so their lifespan should not be a great concern. See the table below
for individual lifespan ratings. These are figures based on factory design
and testing. Note: the expected life span is not the same as the product
warranty.
Type
of Light ...............Expected Life ......Product
Warranty ............Replacement Source
Mini
Lights (bulbs)*........ 3-5 years
..........5 years (bulbs only) ... .....
Electric Art or Radio
Shack (inUS)
L.E.D. Lights .................10 years
...........6 months after purchase. ...Permanently
Installed**
Neon Tubes ..................5-10 years .........6
months after purchase ....Permanently Installed**
Fiber Optics ...................10 years
...........6 months after purchase
....Permanently Installed**
*Note: The Mini Light (screw-in) bulbs can
be replaced by the customer. They merely screw into the front of the picture.
A spare bulb is usually included with each picture. Electric Art guarantees
the life of each individual light bulb for a period of five years after
purchase. Customers can obtain free replacements by sending any non-working
bulbs back to Electric Art along with a self addressed stamped envelope.
An equal number of new bulbs will be returned to the customer by mail.
Replacement bulbs can also be obtained in the United States at any Radio
Shack store. Customers should ask for their 12volt lamp - part
#272-1143.
**Note: These
lighting components are permanently installed into each Electric Art picture.
Replacement of the lighting source requires a return of the picture to
the factory.
3) What is the cost
of Shipping ?
For delivery locations
within the 48 Contiguous United States we charge the following:
12"x18" Mini L.E.D. Pictures: $ 9.60
18"x24" Medium L.E.D. Size Pictures: $13.55
Large Size L.E.D. Pictures:$21.25
Large Size Neon Pictures: $24.65
Note: The maximum charge you will pay for any combination of products
delivered to locations within the 48 Contiguous United States is $35.00. Please email or call
us for shipping costs to Hawaii or Alaska, Europe or other International locations. A
shipping upgrade is required to cover additional costs. Note: Foreign countries may also impose import duties or V.A.T.
taxes which are not included in the purchase price.
4) How can I hide the
cord coming from the AC wall adaptor?
As mentioned above an AC wall adaptor plugs into the back of the picture and has a thin white power cord that hangs down the wall. This is how the lights in the picture get their power. The cord is white to blend in with most wall decor and avoid an obvious appearance. Electric Art may also be able to supply you with a wall adaptor that has a Black cord and case. If you prefer another color for the cord it is perfectly OK to paint the power cord to match your wall color. Use any standard latex paint. For those who still wish to hide the cord altogether there is another option. At your own risk, you can make a hole in the wall directly behind the planned picture location and run the cord down on the opposite side of the wall to a nearby electrical outlet. Or, you can run the cord down "inside" the wall - making another small hole in the wall at floor level so the cord can reemerge and then route to the nearest electric outlet. In this manner, the cord is completely hidden. Note: Care must be taken to avoid (vertical) studs in the wall and "cross-blocks" which are small pieces of wood that are normally positioned horizontally between the studs at various positions. An inexpensive "stud finder" is available at most hardware stores and can be used to detect the locations of wood or metal studs within a wall. The user must also be careful to avoid existing electrical wiring which can be concealed within the wall. A hole drilled into a wall, directly on top of a concealed electrical conduit, for instance, could create a dangerous shock and or fire/hazard potential. End users are therefore cautioned to undertake this process carefully and at their own risk. For those who are unfamiliar with the construction of their home or have little experience with home improvements Electric Art strongly recommends the hiring of a trade professional (i.e. Carpenter or Electrician) for assistance.
5) Can these pictures run on batteries?
Batteries are not a practical alternative. Electric Art pictures use a variety of lighting effects such as miniature incandescent lamps and actual Neon tubes which elicit a very realistic appearance in the artwork. However the steady current draw from these kind of lighting effects would drain a battery quickly and only last a short time. Therefore batteries are not practical for the aesthetically pleasing designs we strive to produce.
6) What about custom pictures? Can I have my own special picture decorated with lights?
Yes, its possible. But it is much more expensive. The pictures displayed on this website are mass produced with the savings in cost passed on to you. You may expect the manufacture of a custom image to cost twice or more than one of our standard pictures. For more details you may inquire with Electric Art at: service@artafterdark.com.
7) What is the warranty on Electric Art pictures? And how can I obtain service.if needed?
Products made by Art After Dark are warranted for One Year from the date of purchase. During this time Art After Dark will repair or replace, at its option, any products which fail during normal use as a result of defects in materials or workmanship. To exercise the warranty all items must be returned directly to Art After Dark with all costs for shipping prepaid. Before returning an item directly to Art After Dark the end user must first contact us and obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization or RMA#. An RMA agreement will also be issued containing various return conditions. The end user is then responsible for returning the item to Art After Dark with the RMA# written on the outside of the box. Upon receipt, Art After Dark will inspect and repair the item and return it to you. All you pay is the shipping costs. If the item is not covered under warranty you will be contacted with our advice and options regarding the problem. Art After Dark cannot repair scratches or cosmetic damage of any kind that result from consumer use or return shipping. Items returned should be packed carefully, preferably, in the original carton. Please note: the products sold by Art After Dark are for indoor use only. There are no user serviceable parts inside. Opening the picture voids the product warranty and is discouraged for safety reasons.
13) Can I take Art After Dark pictures with me when traveling by air?
Yes you can. If the product is purchased at a retail store -- ask the store for one of the 'single white' cartons that the pictures were originally packaged in. This size box can usually be checked with the airlines just as a regular piece of luggage with no extra charge. In this box you can carry up to (3) of the L.E.D. or "Mini Light" pictures or up to (1) neon picture. Once again, the box must go as "checked luggage". .It is too large for "carry on" baggage.
14) Troubleshooting Tips; When pictures don't light up properly the following.information will be useful:
----Try
these suggestions when the picture does not light up at all
(NO LIGHTS WHATSOEVER):
A) Generally, the cause is because the picture is not getting power for some reason. Check to make sure the adaptor is plugged into a wall socket that is a working 110v electrical outlet - and also that the adaptor is firmly plugged in to the jack on the back of the picture. If the adaptor has a built in Dimmer control, make sure the slide switch is not in the OFF position or one of the low power positions.
B) Make sure the push button switch located on the bottom of the frame is pushed in (ON position).
C) Verify that you are using the right adaptor. The larger adaptor for Neon Pictures (see label) should not be used with any other kind of picture. The plug on this adaptor has a slightly larger internal diameter and does not make a solid connection when plugged into any picture that does not have neon.
D) It is possible that the adaptor is not working (i.e. bad adaptor) - another cause for the picture not receiving power. If possible, check the picture with an adaptor that is known to be working and plugged into an outlet that is known to be active.
E) If none of these remedies are successful then the picture may have an internal problem that requires factory repair. Call Electric Art for further instructions.
---Try
these suggestion when the picture does light up -
but some lights do not come on:
When some of the screw-in light bulbs do not work this is often because they are not screwed in all the way. Sometimes a light bulb will not screw in perfectly straight and therefore not make contact with the bottom of the socket. When this happens unscrew the bulb 1-2 turns and screw the bulb back in. To better grip the bulb use a damp napkin or paper towel between the thumb and index finger. This will allow you to grip the bulb much more tightly and turn the lamp firmly into or out of the socket. Another suggestion is to try switching bulbs with another socket. This will help verify whether or not the problem is merely a bad bulb. If problems with the miniature screw-in bulbs continue or if some of the multi-colored L.E.D. lights are not working then this may a sign of an internal problem with the picture that will most likely require a return to the factory for repair. Call Art After Dark for further instructions.
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