Solar Spotlight for Flag

[DavidD]

Most solar powered spotlights (accent) use 5mm LEDs. Anyone know of one that would use a Luxeon I (or III or Cree, etc). This would be to illuminate an outdoor flag off the front of my porch.

David

 

[Ken_McE]

I thought the 5mm were more efficient than the 1-watters? With a solar setup you need maximum efficiency. How about if you mount two clumps of lights out at the end of the pole so they are as close to the flag as possible?

 

[DavidD]

I thought the 5mm were more efficient than the 1-watters? With a solar setup you need maximum efficiency. How about if you mount two clumps of lights out at the end of the pole so they are as close to the flag as possible?

True. But I have found (since posting this topic) a .5 watter. I think it might be a Jupiter - think River Rocks. These are essentially Five 5mm, but with a single point source, are better at focusing the light. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000N43VPO/?tag=cpf0b6-20

I think that Cree XREs also have about the same efficiency, but I am not holding my breath that any have been put into outdoor lighting yet.

I have a three 5mm solar spotlight. It came with 3x 800mah NiMH AA batteries. Luxeon I's are less efficient, but given larger/more solar cells, more higher capacity NiMH cells, and the ability to underdrive the Luxeon I, it should be able to last all night. I have a River Rock headlamp. On high, it lasts for 8-9 hours on 2x 900mah AAA batteries. Throw in a third battery, and it basically would be the same as the solar collection/storage setup that came with my current spotlight. And it puts out a much better spot than my existing 3x 5mm spotlight.

My Fenix L1P puts out 25 lumens for most of a 3 hour runtime using a single Duracell 2650 NiMH AA. Three batteries could run it for 9 hours. Four could run it for 12 - that is all night with 25 lumens. Yes, it would require a larger solar array to recharge. OR, you could use two batteries, and have it put out 12 lumens, thus requiring a smaller solar panel.

So, using either a Jupiter or a Luxeon I should be feasible. I am having trouble finding any specs about the .5 watter from Amazon. All I have to go on is their stated spec of it being .5 watts.