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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Ridgefield CT
Posts: 1,290
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Solar-powered spotlights
Anybody out there use solar-powered spotlights to light up trees (or something else) on their lawn?
We had a ton of tall bushes put in our back yard last fall (to block out a b!tch neighbor), and we'd like to light them up at night so we can see them from our sunroom. The solar-powered accent lights that are along paths seem so weak. I was wondering if anybody could recommend a worthwhile set. I don't mind spending a few bucks; I'm not looking for the Home Depot specials. Thanks.
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'08 RX350 (Hers) '84 911 Carrera '83 911SC Cabrio '06 Miata |
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03-03-2008, 09:24 AM
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: N. Phoenix AZ USA
Posts: 28,943
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I tried several of them and they were so dim that I replaced them with powered versions. Assume that if you buy an industrial version that it might be better but have not tried them.
Just found some solar panels that put out 45w on CraigsList and going to try to play with these a bit. Want to rig these up to my backyard lighting to kinda get my feet wet in the solar field and slowly try to get off of the grid if possible. I use enough power that it would be difficult to do totally but with all the sun that we get in AZ might as well try to do what I can.
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03-03-2008, 09:30 AM
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The Unsettler
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Lantanna TX
Posts: 23,885
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Yeah, what Joe said.
They only give off a soft glow.
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"I want my two dollars" "Goodbye and thanks for the fish" "Proud Member and Supporter of the YWL" "Brandon Won" |
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03-03-2008, 09:41 AM
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If they are anthing like the accent lights I have in my dog run, they are effing worthless, and we get a lot of sun here in Colorado.
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03-03-2008, 09:59 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Ridgefield CT
Posts: 1,290
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These are the ones I see all the time that don't do much:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100026060&N=10000003+90401 I was hoping that someone had tried something more like this: http://www.solarilluminations.com/acatalog/Solar_Spot_Lights.html
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'08 RX350 (Hers) '84 911 Carrera '83 911SC Cabrio '06 Miata |
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03-03-2008, 10:18 AM
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Parrothead member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Monmouth county, NJ USA
Posts: 13,828
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I bought two to light up my flag pole. They were pretty bright, but the problem was they only lasted about 6 hours.
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03-03-2008, 10:26 AM
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Monkey with a mouse
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: SoCal
Posts: 6,006
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Check these out:
http://www.gardeners.com/Powerful+Solar+Spotlight/35-070,default,pd.html IMO, you need a large, separate solar panel like the above offers to gather enough "power" for the LEDs - and more than one LED! These claim to output 90 lux at four feet. FWIW. Best, Kurt |
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03-03-2008, 10:28 AM
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