I've never had much time for solar lights. I bought some cheapo garden path lights a while ago and they were pathetic.

But now I might need one to light up a small dark area at the top of the garden where I have built a small office/shed.

So I am think of getting a small panel which can sit on the flat roof with a spotlight or something shining down onto the side pathway. Ideally so it works from dusk for a few hours, say to midnight.

Don't intend to spend a lot and I don't expect a wonderful bright floodlight.

Any experience of these things out there please?

David

 

They are all useless , or good ones will be expensive i imagine. Have you no electric in the office/shed ?

 

I`ve used all sorts and they`re all crap imo! As said above ^^^^maybe electric ones on a timer.

 

Thanks guys. I guess you've confirmed what I thought. I had hoped that they might have improved since I bought mine years ago but probably not.

I have got an outside socket so all I really need is a waterproof light that I can run a short cable from and plug it into a timer in socket. But all the ones I've looked for are fancy lantern type £50 quid jobs.

David

 

Go to a electrical wholesaler and tell them what you are after , they will give you a cheaper light.

 

Silly as it sound, I probably could build better that most of the ones I've seen available:

50watt p/hr solar panel including charge controller (like this: ...I have the 80watt folding version of this for camping )

MR16 LED bulb 3 to 5 watts (using ultra bright single chip CREE type LED(s) )
IPx5 rated MR16/LED lampholder
Photocell/switch (or timer)
12v lead acid battery (kept in shed)
wires..etc


That should run a few LED spotlights. Won't be cheap mind...

 

Exactly , may aswell wire a normal light up.