Solar Security Lights

[p3t3]

Hi All,

I am trying to decide on what solar security light to buy, I have narrowed it down to about three but would like your opinions on them as they have different types of LED's and solar panels. I am after a light that is quite bright to put near my front door. Here are the 3 that I'm looking at:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/130760062698?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/190597244903?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/150869601362?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Which one would you recommend and why?

Kind Regards,
p3t3

 

[SemiMan]

Hi All,

I am trying to decide on what solar security light to buy, I have narrowed it down to about three but would like your opinions on them as they have different types of LED's and solar panels. I am after a light that is quite bright to put near my front door. Here are the 3 that I'm looking at:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/130760062698?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/190597244903?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/150869601362?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Which one would you recommend and why?

Kind Regards,
p3t3

I would say they are universally crappy.

Are you in Australia? One of the units has a Lithium Ion battery that may rapidly decay in the heat and be hard to replace. Others have NiMh that are probably cheap and will also fail quickly, but at least you can easily replace them with Eneloops when the time comes.

Pictures in operation looked faked, or real long exposure so they are meaningless.

The version with the Cree LEDs may be more applicable to DIYing a proper solution.

 

[p3t3]

Yeah I am in Australia. Would I be better off with something like this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/160695976919?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Which has a lead acid 6V, 4Ah battery.

 

[p3t3]

I am trying to light up a area that measures 5.1m length, 1.8m Width.

 

[deadrx7conv]

~16x7ft isn't too large of an area to light for safety. Most of those security, PIR, motion sensor... type lights do work well, as long as you don't trigger the lights excessively.
But, I do recommend that you waterproof them with some silicone sealant and nail polish. And, its always best to install the light/battery under an eave, awning, in the shade..... and with the solar panel aimed correctly higher up on the roof, or in direct view of the sun.

Avoid any that have the batteries built into the solar panel as cooked batteries don't last long, don't charge well, and can be a hazard. Better to have batteries remotely wired or part of the light.

And, not knowing the weather conditions, I think that you'd want something to was made out of white plastic or painted white to keep it from heat caused failures.

You should check your local hardware and department stores to see what they offer. It'll give you an easier to return option if it fails to meet your expectations.

But, I don't see too much of a problem with any of the lights that you linked too. Key words to search on ebay are solar pir, solar security, and solar motion, which should bring up many options to choose among in Aus. Read through the sellers feedback to see if there are excessive 'failures' with the lights.

You can also build your own with a battery, solar panel, solar charge controller with lighting control, and a DC motion sensor switch. If you build it, you can adapt it to your needs and service it when there is a problem. If any of the 'boxed' ebay/store systems fail, its usually garbage if your not an e-tech. Common failures are dead batteries(even when light is new and easiest to fix), moisture/water ingress(corrosion rust failed shorted electronics), and bad/cold solder joints that quit(resolder and hope).