Solar powered lights

[bumblefish]

In response to my paraffin light question someone mentioned the solar powered option. I looked a while ago for a suitable light and could not find one that would provide more than 6-8 hours lighting time. Can anyone recommend a 'longer' lasting solar powered light?

 

[reginaldon]

Mine in the garden from Aldi's will give up to 12 hrs light provided it has been a reasonably bright day - in fact last most nights throughout the year

 

[AliM]

I adapted a couple of bog-standard garden lights. They work fine as anchor lights (even in December) but in the winter need a couple of bright days to recharge enough (that's why we've got two). When we used them at first we checked a couple of times in the night, ready to change them over, but they seem to last fine.

You may be able to set up two together so that the photo-detector on the second sees the light on the first, and only comes on when the first runs out of juice.

 

[CAAAD]

On offer at Q8 garages, £4.99, keeps going all night, no probs .

 

[macd]

About four years ago I made the fundamental mistake of buying a supposedly 'marine' automatic anchor light, which ran off 12V rather than a solar cell. It cost over 30 quid and the sensor telling it when to come on packed in after about five months. Since then I've used solar-powered garden lights. At £5 apeice I'm not bothered if they only last a season.

Their one drawback is that they're not all that bright. So if you want another type of low-drain/no drain anchor light, check out one of the LED arrays from www.ultraleds.co.uk. For around £13 you can get a bulb that's plenty bright enough, should last almost forever, yet only draws around 0.1 amp

 

[bumblefish]

Now that is a good idea.

 

[tugboat]

[ QUOTE ]
On offer at Q8 garages, £4.99, keeps going all night, no probs .

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, to be still able to keep going all night! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[jmp]

There was i think an article in a mag or on a forum about a year ago where it explained how to wire up two garden solar light cells and batteries to one light unit thereby doubling the light time. Maybe someone else can elaborate?

Michael /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[VicMallows]

They nearly all come with a pair of 600mA NiCd cells. If you replace these with 1800mA or greater NiMH cells, they will easily last two long winter nights even with no sun at all. Try also to get lights with an on/off switch...that way you can leave them to fully charge when not needed. Another point to look for is that some have a photocell to determine the point to switch on/off. Others rely on the voltage output of the solar panel and tend to switch ON too early and OFF too late. Robert Dyas had some nice s/s ones at £9.99/for 2.

Vic

 

[bumblefish]

Can you replace the bulb with an LED version?

 

[VicMallows]

Yes, you can, though it would mean soldering and scarcely be worthwhile. It is highly unlikely that you would ever need to though. Make sure to get a lamp with a WHITE (not amber) light.

Vic