Solar powered shed light & alarm

18 years ago

Has anyone tried any of the solar powered shed lights or alarms? I've seen lights ranging from $30-$100, but they all seem to be 8w fluorescent. I just installed a shed and I am not going to be adding electric to it any time soon. It isn't in the sun all day, but it might be enough to give me a little light late in the day when I am putting the equipment away or maybe for a few minutes if I run out to get something at night. I also saw a solar powered alarm that seems like it would be better than nothing. I am just wondering if either of these are worthwhile.

Greg

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Comments (8)

bas157
18 years ago
Greg, no input for you, just wondering if there are any websites for the solar lights or alarms? If so, can you post them here. I wouldn't think the solar panel would need to be in the sun all day to give you some usable light though.
Can you use some wire and remotely mount the solar panel to an area with more sunlight?
delcogreg
Original Author
18 years ago
Well, the lights I've found range from $30 on sale at Northern Tool (http://www.buy-solar.com/solarshedlight.html) to $100 at this specialty site: http://www.buy-solar.com/solarshedlight.html . It seems like ones similar to the $100 one are more common. As for the alarm, I found this one by accident when I was looking for lights: http://www.securityandmore.com/cctv2.asp?Model_ID=815&Task=Detail.

I just did some more searching and the alarms don't seem to be very common.

Greg
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The most practical use, I think, would be to run fans (HAF, vent - depending on whether you can get fans with 12VDC motors, 120VAC motors would require an inverter with the subsequent losses), vent opener motors (I am building a set of these for my GH that use 12VDC power window motors), pumps for irrigation/misting. Harbor Freight sells some 32W compact florescent lamps that could be used to light the garden for night watering, etc. Any of these applications is going to need some kind of battery/charge controller that also includes a float charger from the power line for cloudy days. There are a number of DIY solar sites that offer plans (and sometimes kits) for chargers, panel positioners, etc. HF has a 400W inverter on sale for around $40. This would be good for a motor up to about 1/4 horsepower. Think loads that have to run periodically for a short period of time with long "recovery" periods.
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For a 10x12, you'd need several (I'd guess at least 4) HF Solar Fans to cool your GH. Plus shade-cloth. I've discovered that my one HF fan is only 85% efficient for my 6x8. And, honestly, 85% efficiency ain't good! (although I've got it down to I'm "on the fence" as far as to whether the HF Solar Fan was such a good purchase (Hubbie loves it - but he's a "Techie-Geek!"). The panels are rather cumbersome and don't put out all that much amperage (compared to the 'real estate' they require). And, like I said, one fan just isn't enough! Solar lighting: Easy to do. Relatively inexpensive, too. There're lots of options out there - just don't expect anything too bright. We've got a solar-powered light in our shed, and it's *just* bright enough to keep you from stubbing your toe on something when you walk in (still need a flashlight if you want to find anything!!!). It's definitely not bright enough to sustain plant life! Still... Not a bad idea - and "OK" Bang-for-the-Buck. Solar-powered Heating: Forget it. Heaters require far too much amperage for a 12V system. But there are other options, I'm sure (and tons of threads on GW if you search "heating greenhouse"). Me: I'm just gonna deal w/the extension cord and a 120V heater (and X-Mas Lights) when the temps drop below freezing. Another alternative energy source is wind power to charge a 12V system. But you'd have to be out in the boonies (w/consistent wind, of course). Unfortunately wind-generators are mondo-expensive. And definitely not practical in my locale (Suburbia - w/zoning restrictions, etc.). Wind power seems very under-utilized IMHO. I really wish there were more options available. But I'm going off on a tangent, aren't I?!! (Oh, well!) I lived on a boat for 6 yrs - hence my interest in 12V systems. One of my 'neighbors' had a wind generator rigged up on his trimaran. Downside: It was kinda noisy (whirring) - but his boat wasn't next-door to mine! Upside: Our marina was nicknamed "Hurricane Gulch" - so I think it's safe to assume his batteries were topped off ALL the time! He wasn't a liveaboard, so I never had a chance to ask him what he thought of (or what he paid for!) the system, but it looked like a cool set-up! Just my $0.02 - Keep the Change! :-) -Nancy Here is a link that might be useful: My HF Solar Fan Adventures...
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A standard hard-contact photocell used on post lamps and other standard outdoor fixtures should face north, never into the sun. This is not because it will deteriorate the lens, but because it will cause the internal thermal relay to overheat and fail prematurely. This is a shortcoming of the unit's fairly simple design. You'll find this warning printed in the installation instructions. However, many or most of the photocells used in motion sensor lights are not of the same design, so this precaution may not apply to them. The only time I've used such a fixture I had it fixed to the west side of the house, and it worked reliably for several years. (Then I moved away, so I don't know what happened later.) LEDs as used in solar powered fixtures, and available for a price that mere mortals can afford, are great for path markers and indicators. They are satisfactory for illuminating small areas if low light output (tens of lumens) is acceptable. However, they have a considerable distance to go before they're really suited to providing really bright, useful general illumination, with good efficacy, at a reasonable price. Try again in 5 years or so. If you really need to light up the outdoors, I recommend a hard wired fluorescent wallpack light. Metal halide is great but AFAIK not really available in the homeowner's price range (if someone knows of an exception please post!). HPS is wondrously efficient, but the color rendering is dismal. Hope this helps!
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ricky_j_b
18 years ago
Hey Greg
Here is a thought. I own a cottage in northern ontario and I run on 12 volt batteries for all my lights with solar panels. I think what you may need would be a 5 watt solar panel with a small lawn tractor battery. There is a web site called superbrightleds.com . This is where you will find l.e.d bulbs that require very little power to give off a lot of light.You can also find these bulbs at an automotive parts store.
delcogreg
Original Author
18 years ago
You light an entire cottage with those LED's? I am guessing you built the lights from the raw LED's because at $20-$25 per 25watt bulb, that seems like it could add up pretty fast (not to mention the solar panel and battery costs). I guess over the long haul you get paid back by the lack of electric bill though.

I think I am going to take a stab at one of the packages with the panel, bulb, and battery included. I will have to post again once I find out how they work.

Greg
stevenlord
18 years ago
Shed alarms are available at www.cabinalarm.com

There is a model made especially for sheds that run on 12V DC batteries.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cabin / Shed Alarms
stevenlord
18 years ago
Please ignore my previous post if available.
davefrommd
18 years ago
Check out northern tools for some solar light kits and also lowes and home depot. We recently installed a 12 volt battery operated gate opener called the mighty mule. It is run off of a 12 volt deep cycle battery and we installed a 5 watt solar battery charger to charge the battery. If you are thinking about buying individual parts like the solar panel, lights, and battery to build your own system make sure you have a blocking diode which is wired in between the solar panel and the battery. Some solar panels have a blocking diode already installed. If you don't use a blocking diode at night the battery will start to drain it's charge. A diode keeps the battery current going one way. dave
bas157
18 years ago
Harbor Freight also has a shed light (saw it in the last sales flyer I got in the mail)

Solar powered shed light & alarm

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Solar powered shed light & alarm

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