Any really bright solar garden light systems?

Dirtslinger · #1 07/16/08, 08:23 AM

I want to get some brights lights around my pond (300' from the house!) that will light it up fairly well at night.
They need to be solar. And so far all the one's I've seen are barely visible from my deck.

Is there anything out there or do I need to get extension cords through my pasture? Thanks!

paulaswolfpack · #2 07/16/08, 03:48 PM

might try some of these.
http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/sea...k=solar+lights

CowgirlGloria · #3 07/16/08, 05:25 PM

I have some solar powered lights, but I cannot recommend any of them to you. They are very dim, about as bright as a night light.

Beltane · #4 07/16/08, 08:59 PM

I have two small ones that I got at the dollar store attached to the end of our pond dock. They are small and give that 'surreal' look. (DH doesn't like them - he tells me that the turtles, bass, and deer don't appreciate my decorating).

Dirtslinger · #5 07/16/08, 09:33 PM

Thanks for the replies. Yes- everything I've seen are like a night light.
The reason.... As I develop my stead, it really has become my outdoor living room- the land surrounding the pond has become the best/only shady spot here so I have set it up with a picnic table, fire pit, etc etc. When night hits- it's either go inside the hot house or chill out by the pond. I figure lights could extend the days come fall. But as I mentioned there is cattle pasture, veggies/fruit, etc in between which gets brush cut, tilled etc and the pond area itself gets mowed- a cord would be a serious pain.

Jan in CO · #6 07/16/08, 09:43 PM

Dirtslinger, I think, from my studies in trying to find lights that were bright for our front deck, that SPOTLIGHTS are what you need. The regular solar lights just are a 'marker' light, nothing that actually projects any light to see by. I bought several sets of Malibu brand lights from store, then saw them in Walmart. I paid 19.95 on sale, regular price is about twice that, for three lights and a charger. Each light has a long wire attached, so you can position the lights about 12 feet from the charger in any direction. So far, so good, the light lasts all night and shuts off automatically when the sun comes up. I'm pleased with them, and plan to put one in my chicken house, as well as the sheep barn/shed. My only regret is that I didn't buy more of the sets. Jan in Co

galee · #7 07/17/08, 10:50 AM

I have never had good luck with finding "brite" solar landscape lites. If it was me I would just use either battery lanterns or oil lanterns. My DH and I were able to plan for landscape liting when we built our house. We put in the low voltage electric adjustable lights around the house (about 30 feet away from the wraparound porch). They are switch controlled and can be aimed up into the trees for a pleasant backlight effect. But, it sure was alot of trench to dig--thank heaven for ditch witch. You might find if you and your family really spend alot of time around the pond that it would be worth it to dig that 300' trench and lay wire(in pipe) for electrical. You could also add outlets for any plug-ins you might need. Try to find someone who has a ditch witch and barter the use of it for some of your time and labor for a job for them. Your electric company might even provide the electical PVC free of charge for the line burial and then your electrician would only have to pull the line and connect it to house current. Just a suggestion.

artificer · #8 07/17/08, 11:34 AM

Is a 60watt incandescent bulb bright enough? If you use a 15w compact florescent bulb you would get the same amount of light. Going from there:

How long do you want the light to run at night? If its only 5hours/day, then you would need a 15 watt (better yet at least a 20w) solar panel. Less time means a smaller panel, more time means bigger

Take a look at the Harbor Freight 5watt panel. It is 18" x 12.5", and it only provides 1/3 to 1/4 of the wattage you need. I haven't seen any prepackaged landscape system that comes near this in size.

Would you be willing to wheel out a small car battery each night you want to use the picnic table? If so, then you could get a 20amp hour battery and a good multistage charger. Plug the charger in, and charge the battery during the day. Wheel the battery out to the pond at night, and plug in an inverter and CFL, or whatever LED's you want.

Solar alone is going to cost about $200. The battery/charger system would be about $100. Just getting 300' of wire is going to be $75 to $100.

If you get a bigger battery you would only have to charge it once a week. You could still do it for under $125, if you're willing to live with the pita factor.

Battery $50, Inverter $20, CFL and corded socket $10, Charger $30

Another option is to use what you already have. Drive out a tractor, atv, electric start lawnmower, car and get an inverter. Use the battery to power the light. When you're done, the battery gets charged driving back to the house. You would have to find out how long you could use the light, and still start the engine.

You need to decide how much light you need. A single 60 bulb is a lot of light when its dark out.

Michael

Dirtslinger · #9 07/17/08, 11:48 PM

Oh wow, lots to think about here. Thanks for the ideas! I like the car battery idea, but yeah it might just be worth having a line trenched in as well. Maybe I need to wait on this, till things are more developed- so I don't invest in solar that isn't required once a mainline is in. I could use some tunes out there too!

Quint · #10 07/18/08, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirtslinger

The reason.... As I develop my stead, it really has become my outdoor living room- the land surrounding the pond has become the best/only shady spot here so I have set it up with a picnic table, fire pit, etc etc. When night hits- it's either go inside the hot house or chill out by the pond. I figure lights could extend the days come fall. But as I mentioned there is cattle pasture, veggies/fruit, etc in between which gets brush cut, tilled etc and the pond area itself gets mowed- a cord would be a serious pain.

I just use torches for outside lighting around the picnic table and lounging areas. It's a nicer light and bugs don't seem to be quite as attracted to it.

frogmammy · #11 07/18/08, 08:03 AM

So, what's wrong with oil lanterns? Portable, inexpensive, good light.

Mon

wy_white_wolf · #12 07/18/08, 12:27 PM

Have you looked at low voltage led landscape lights that run from a transformer? Since these are usually 12 volt they are easily converted to solar. Would be a lot cheaper to convert than the 15watt CFL.

There is a thread started about it on http://www.solarpowerforum.net/forumVB/index.php But they seem to be down right now so I can't link directly to them.

Wisconsin Ann · #13 07/18/08, 01:39 PM

Revisiting Artificer's idea for a moment.....

What about building a small table/box that houses the battery (waterproof, with a hole out the side for the cord...hmmm...grill instead of solid side for any gases to escape). Battery inside box, solar panel attached to...oh, the top of the umbrella, tree, out further in the plot...somewhere it gets sun. You'd need something to ensure it didn't overcharge. Anyway..then you can attach those 15w CFLs to it. A more permanent thing.

OR

remove the solar idea completely. Put your battery inside a wheeled cart...something like a bar cart

. Your lights are permanently mounted out around the pond. You charge the battery up at the house (or wherever is closest electricity). Take it out with you to the pond/lights. Of course, you need to remember to charge it,but it should hold enough charge for a couple of nights on each charge. Those little CFLs don't take much at all.

On the other hand, Tiki torches (or similar) cast lovely light, and if you use citronella oil, mosquitos go elsewhere. (big PLUS up here in Wisconsin)