I want a light for the area at the side of the house where my bins are kept. It is so dark I sometimes can't tell the colour of the bins. Mains is not convenient so I am wondering if there are any decent solar ones. Useage may be only for the odd 30 seconds 2 or 3 times a week - so I would hope that the winter sky might be enough to keep the batteries charged. Any suggestions (other than take my torch)?
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Aldi/Lidl did one in the past that has a remotely connected solar panel. Not terribly bright but perfectly adequate for putting the bins out. A remote panel is useful if the light has to be located in a shady spot but you might not need this. Mine is like this one. GardenKraft 23450 Motion Sensor Solar Security Light with 60 LED - Black
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I think that (orientation) is key. As long as the panel can be positioned facing South ish and the use of the light itself low, then it might cope.
We have a solar / PIR light by the front door and the sun (if there is any) is on it pretty well all day long. In the darker months it struggles after even only a few illuminations (and then locks 'on', discharging it further). ;-(
Cheers, T i m
Just make sure the local wildlife or cats don't trigger it though!
Brian
Of course you might consider tactile marking your bins. Say a few holes in the wheelie bin side flange of the lid to correspond to the colour. I have done this for obvious reasons four bins 1 to four holes. Also acts as a way to know if its your bin or somebody elses. I'm sure there are other tactile solutions short self tapping screws instead of holes, for example. I did test cable ties on the hinges but these were broken of by the wheelie bin Lorry when it grabbed and emptied them. Brian
"Brian Gaff \(Sofa\)" snipped-for-privacy@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in news:qq8ktt$q7r$ snipped-for-privacy@dont-email.me:
Good idea Brian - but I also want to ensure that the bogey man isn't lurking there to jump out on me!
After many years I haven't got into the habit of orienting the bins in any particular way.
PIR LED light powered by 3 C cells. eg
Not worth trying to do it with solar power the thing will fail every winter just like the local solar powered "please go round the bend" signs do round here. They are always dead in the water 2 hours after sunset in mid-winter. Inoperative early on frosty mornings like today.
They wreck a set of rechargeable batteries every year without fail!
John snipped-for-privacy@ntlworld.com wrote in news:XnsAB0366258E7CFtrainJPlantntlworldc@81.171.92.236:
Brian - I now realise that the lids of the two bins are different - I have now mentally noted this, Thanks.
Just the bogey man lurking in the dard to worry me now!
My solar powered light is about 5 years old now and still works fine. The duty cycle is very light so no problem in winter, even with the shorter days, darker skies etc.
Tim
Well mine are put back by the collectors but then I'm on an assisted collection. Have you every tried putting bins out when you cannot see?, indeed finding them and bringing them back, I need some homing bins. Brian
7dayshop have a number:
I bought a 54 LED version (apparently now discontinued) which is pretty bright, and the motion sensor worked fine.
Like you, I didn't trigger it very often, and eventually it died. I removed the batteries and recharged it, and it came back to life. I suspect that the solar charging never actually worked, as the batteries will keep it going for some time (I tested it).
It was replaced free of charge, and I hope the new one lasts rather better.
Chris
I've got a Sunforce triple head solar outdoor light from Costco. It's great but was pricey. They are currently out of stock for online ordering, so somewhat moot,though they might be available in store (Chadderton had them the other day).
It will take the edge off the darkness.
I fitted it as she did not have a SDS drill, a red wall plug and a screw (no rude comments please).
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