I live in the PNW where we get 8 hrs of daylight a day in the winter, and need path lights the most. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the ones that use LED lights and charge with solar cells — do they light a path even with that little daylight to charge up? I’d be needing light from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, or 6 hrs, on about 8 hrs of daylight and THAT is indirect light, not direct sunlight.
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Ummm. No.
In my experience even the best of the solar units only last, put out useful levels of light even under ideal conditions, six months or a year. Dirt fouls the solar cells. The batteries don't recharge or hold a charge. Cold only makes the batteries weaker.
The 12v, transformer fed, units last longer. Decent plastic variety maybe a couple of years. Commercial 12v models maybe three times as long.
The longest lasting variety are 120v commercial metal units but these are not cheap, last I installed were right at $25 to $50 per head, and they need cables or conduits usually run deep so the installation isn't cheap. In their favor once installed, if you can keep the lawn mower away from them, they can last decades so their per year cost is not really out of line with the cheaper units.
I'll second 4Lorn1's comments...
The ones I have seen have been noted for dismal light output. Not only are they lame, but they're ugly too!
I have used the 12volt timer/transformer versions with good success. The bulbs burn out now and then, but nothing else has gone wrong. Cheap. less ugly, and effective. My girlfriend got me some really cool decorative versions, but they weren't cheap.
For me, 12V was a good compromise between cost, the cool timer/transformer, low energy use, and ease of installation.
Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
I agree that the incandscent ones are pretty dang minimal. If you need 1-2 hours of weak light in the beginning of summer evenings, sure, yeah, they kind of work.
At least LEDs should give 4-5 times more light from the same photovoltaics/battery combo.
But if at all possibly, just run wires and have a real light where you need it.
My 3 for $15 or so cheapy H Depot LED's have been working for the last 2 and 1/2 years. They do NOT put out much light, but do let me know about where the sidewalk is. <G> Even in the winter I'll get several hours of light.
For REAL light I prefer a solar charged motion sensor, but they're about $100, and the ones I've had have not been terrribly long lasting. I see some now with longer warranties.
Thon
My sister has tried a lot of these, they tend to be ultra-cheapo imports, good for maybe 6 months to a year. If you have excellent rod vision, they'll give you a useful amount of light. Otherwise, go with something hard wired.
Keeping the contrast ratio down is more important than having a high light level. A few really bright patches actually makes it harder to see in the places in between.
-- J.S.