Solar powered security lights - any body got one?

[Woody]

Hi Guy's,

Just wondered if anyone has got experience (good or bad) of any solar powered security lights.

My Girlfriend has just moved into a new house and there are no lights covering the back garden.
Don't really want to start drilling through new walls and messing with the electrics (all still under warranty and I'm not Part P certified... ), and being an eco-friendly kinda girl feels that this may help keep her electricity usage down a bit!

Been looking around and found THIS

I know it's not gonna be as bright as a 150W halogen but its just for a bit of light for when the dog's are out in the garden or when she brings them back from a walk late evening.

Thanks in advance.

Chris

[wainy]

I have one which supplements a normal security light from a different company (and it does not use LEDs)

To be honest it is ok in the Summer - long sunshine but in days when the light is not great it often runs out of battery life. We have a south facing garden so it gets as much light as possible during the day. I would like to see better batteries / bigger (or more efficient) solar panel.

[miniman]

On the basis that I have 5 solar powered garden lights which are effectively just a solar cell and an LED, and they need a good 72 hours of sunlight to give around 8 minutes of light, I would get your drill out, forget about the Part P and fit a proper one!

[Wacky Racer]

[catso]

My neighbour has some solar powered lights in his front garden and they shine really cr@p for about a half-hour or so then gradually fade to nothing - absolute garbage, fit some proper lights.

[Westy Pre-Lit]

Yep solar lights are crap and a waste of money.

The electric ones are really simple to fit. Just plug it in if your not confident playing with electics. All your need is a length of flex long enough and a plug. I'm sure your can wire a plug.

Edited by Westy Pre-Lit on Monday 28th July 22:09

[ClioKarl]

I use something similar to this from maplin in my garage (it's in a block separate from my house). To put it nicely, there's no risk of blinding!

As a temporary/backup measure for your back garden then I'd say go for it. But long term, get a proper, decent halogen sercurity light, it will be a lot more effective.

[Morningside]

wainy said:

I have one which supplements a normal security light from a different company (and it does not use LEDs)

To be honest it is ok in the Summer - long sunshine but in days when the light is not great it often runs out of battery life. We have a south facing garden so it gets as much light as possible during the day. I would like to see better batteries / bigger (or more efficient) solar panel.

This is the classic ironic failing of these solar lights. The times you need to be on the longest (ie long winter nights) they do not last long enough. Brilliant marketing or what

[Westy Pre-Lit]

And they solar is the future.....Gord help us.

Edited by Westy Pre-Lit on Monday 28th July 22:14

[audidoody]

Bought some ... threw them away. Might work fine on the Equator. Useless in the UK

[Woody]

Thanks for the info guy's.
It's not that I'm not competent (Electrical Engineer) I just don't have the bits of paper and messing with a new installations a bit iffy for warranty reasons.

Thanks again for the info.

Chris