Warm White Led Solar Fairy Lights Clear Cable
Only available at Lights4fun
- Failed durability tests
Our verdict: Not watertight
Key features: 200 lights, 19.9 metres long , claimed battery life of up to eight hours during the summer, It’s recommended you store the lights away over the winter, 8 light settings, warm white light.
During the six weeks these lights spent outside, including a week of sub zero temperatures, they started to show visible signs of corrosion on the wire underneath the plastic coating, but they did still work.
They flew through our shower test, deep freeze test, wire tugging test and being roughly bashed against a fence. But they failed the tougher water resistance test where they were submerged in a bucket of water for an hour. Water is able to seep into the charging unit, pooling around the battery and internal wiring.
While these lights might shine brightly in your garden for a while, we suspect that many sets won’t last too long, and you’ll see visible signs of corrosion on the bulbs in only a few weeks of cold wet weather.
How Long Do Solar Lights Shine For
It all depends on the quality of the product. Or, more specifically, on the quality of the integratedbattery and thebulb. But also on the solar energy that the light is able to capture from the sun throughout the day. Light duration ranges from five to 20 hours. Generally speaking, it is aroundeight to ten hours for most solar lights.
Again, please be aware that solar lights must be fully charged before they are able to perform at their optimal capabilities.
Solar Parts Coming Together
So far, I was pretty pleased with the solar-powered outdoor light project. Everything was built at this point and finally ready to be assembled outside.
First, I installed the post mount :
Then the solar panel mount followed :
I was really excited to secure the solar panel to the mount next, tilted to 30 degrees. So, I used some structural screws to fasten the solar panel to the mount.
The battery and charge controller enclosure went on next :
Then, I installed the first lamp fixture on top of the post:
Next, I dug a shallow trench towards the other lamp post to run some landscaping wire to:
I buried the landscaping wire and compacted the ground with a tamper. There was now no trace of a wire running between the two posts.
Next, I wired up the second lamp fixture on the remaining shade sail post:
Finally, I hooked up the lamps to the solar panel charge controller and was able to successfully test the lights. Heres a close-up of the charge controller in action:
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Durasol 12v Solar Lighting System
The Durasol 12v solar lighting system is an all-year-round, rechargeable power source for 12v outdoor lights. This low voltage kit includes a solar panel, battery and remote controller, as an all-in-one unit. A VERSA 2 pin connector makes the Durasol highly versatile. Simply plug the connector into VERSA connectors, splitters and lights for a hassle-free installation, without the need for hard wiring. Either secure the Durasol to walls and fences using the wall mount bracket, or leave free standing on lawns and planters using the A-frame mount.
The Durasol powers up to 30W of garden lights for up to 12 hours with as little as 4 hours charging time. Position the monocrystalline solar panel in a sunny, south facing spot for the best charging performance. Being solar-powered, the Durasol is totally off-grid, ideal for areas where mains power isnt an option. The 12v solar system is both durable and highly weatherproof with an IP65 rating. 3m of 2 core cable is supplied with a 2 pin VERSA connector at the end.
The multi-function remote control offers 4 timer modes: 4hr, 6hr, 8hr & 10hr. Each mode automatically begins at dusk unless manually overridden.
Charge Controllers What Regulates The Power From The Sun
Next to the solar panels themselves, the next biggest price drop in solar has been the cost of regulators. The regulator or charge controller is what takes the power coming from the panel and keeps it within a safe range to charge your battery with. Some charge controllers can also provide you with a low voltage disconnect and the ability to automatically turn the lights on at dusk and back off at dawn.
In the not too distant past, a 15amp charge controller would easily set you back $50 or more. Granted these were high quality American made units. Like most everything else electronic, the Chinese have figured out how to make them dirt cheap and keep all the features. These cheap regulators are PWM technology which is not the most efficient but dirt cheap right now and more efficient than shunt type regulators.
Avoid older shunt type regulators as they can wreak havoc on electronics. The way they work is by connecting the panels directly to the battery and watching the voltage. Once it hits a predetermined value they shut off and wait for the battery voltage to drop again. This on/off up and down voltage swing can upset some electronics.
There’s one more charge controller tech called MPPT which is the most efficient and has some benefits over the PWM type but they do cost more money, hence out of the scope of this instructable.
What is the LVD?
What is the dusk till dawn feature?
USB charging – added bonus!
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More Solar Lights To Consider
Linkind Outdoor Solar Motion Sensor Landscape Spotlights: This is a less expensive motion-sensing option with a simple streamlined design and several different modes to choose from. However, it fell short of the competition because it only lasted 4 hours and 9 minutes in our testing, although this may be enough for some people.
Frontgate Pro Series VI Solar Path Lights: If you’re willing to spend a little more, these path lights have an attractive design and produce 60 lumens of light. Unfortunately, they only lasted 3 hours and 20 minutes on a full charge.
Do Solar Lights Require Direct Sunlight
Solar lights can still work in indirect sunlight and on cloudy days, but they may not stay on as long. For best results, place your solar light in a location that gets several hours of direct sunlight each day.
“A good rule of thumb is eight direct hours of sunlight will produce approximately 15 hours of illumination, but it will vary depending on the exact light you have,” says Singleton.
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Types Of Outdoor Solar Lights
Outdoor solar lights are used for security purposes, illuminating pathways, decorating driveways, and lighting decks. The first step to choosing appropriate outdoor solar-powered lights is to determine the purpose. If you want something decorative, then appearances matter most. But if you want to light up a pathway, then you require bright focused LED lights to do the job.
Here are some of the most commonly used outdoor solar lights available out there.
Solar string lights or fairy lights
Ideal for decorating your outdoor space. Drape them along your deck or wrap them around trees to give your outdoor space a gorgeous appearance.
Solar deck, fence, or patio lights
Ideal for patios, staircases, and walls to subtly light walkways.
Solar post lights
Ideal for when you need a portable light such as camping or during power outages.
Security solar LED lights
These lights have built-in motion sensors, so the lights automatically turn on as soon as some movement is detected. Security solar LED lights are a popular option for security lighting around homes and offices.
Where To Find Tempered Glass Solar Panel Outdoor Lights
Solar lights can be found at your local hardware store such as Home Depot or online at places like . There are also hundreds of solar lighting companies and dealers around the world. How do you make sure you find a trustworthy company that uses tempered glass solar panels in all of their products?
The answer is easy choose Gama Sonic USA. As your outdoor solar lighting provider, Gama Sonic offers hundreds of specific products varying from solar accent lights for pool and patio lighting, solar lamp posts for commercial spaces, RV Parks, and downtown development, to security and shed lights for homes and businesses. There is seriously something for everyone!
Products are available in a variety of styles and color options to meet your homes needs. When your solar light is placed in direct sunlight, you will receive automatic dusk-to-dawn performance.
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Best Decorative Solar Power Lights: Lancaster Solar Decorative Deck Lights
Imagine the soft warm light peaking through the clear stained glass of these handcrafted solar deck lights. The real glass lens will add a decorative touch to any outdoor patio or deck, and the DIY installation makes these solar decking lights easy to place anywhere you would like to add a small amount of relaxing light. Built with cast aluminum and a black powder finish, these deck rail lights are incredibly durable. Get yours with FREE shipping using Code: Freedeck at Solar Us Shop. Shop now!
What Do I Need To Look Out For When It Comes To Solar Lights
- The solar module must receivesufficient daylight ideally direct sunlight
- The module should be placedfacing south
- Dont placeunder roofs, trees or in the shade
- The module should be keptfree from dust, dirt and other interferences
- Some models allow you to charge the built-in battery using aUSB cable. Other models, such as the Hybrid System Sun Connec, automatically switch to mains power when the battery is low
- There are differences regardingmaterials too. Consider where you will be positioning the light and what you will use it for. Stainless steel, aluminium and high-quality plastic offer a longer life span
- If you want to use the solar lightduring winter, look for high-quality products with a good solar panel and battery that can be charged externally
- If the light is for safety or security reasons, it might be advisable to use lights with apower connection
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Consider The Surrounding Wildlife
Artificial light can affect wildlife, disturbing garden birds, disorientating moths that use natural light to navigate, and affecting the breeding cycles of certain animals.
The key to minimizing disruption to any wildlife in your garden is two-fold. Firstly, stick to solar lights or warm, soft bulbs rather than bright, dazzling lights or floodlights. And secondly, think carefully about positioning: direct light down and choose step lights with hoods to reduce the glare.
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V Versa Plug & Play Lighting Range Garden Lighting Made Easy
Installing garden lighting has never been easier with the VERSA Plug & Play Garden Lighting Range. Follow these easy steps to install your 12v garden lighting today:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The output of the Durasol is DC, therefore may not be suitable for some 12v LED systems. All Lumena 12v DC LED lamps and fittings will work with this system. We recommend not using more than 20m total cable with this low voltage solar system. For more information on cable length, see our voltage drop table.
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How Do The Solar Panel And Post Mount Work Together
The solar panel mount would sit in between the segments of the post mount, connected with 4 heavy-duty bolts.
Two of the bolts would allow the solar panel mount to freely rotate to the desired angle. The remaining bolts would lock in the chosen angle.
During construction, I had pre-drilled bolt holes in the mounts to allow for a 45-degree tilt of the solar panel. When the mounts were securely attached to the shade sail post, I planned on drilling another pair of holes to accommodate a 30-degree tilt.
Here are the two mounts connected to each other :
Why Trust The Spruce
Jenica Currie is the Associate Commerce Editor for outdoor, gardening, and home improvement at The Spruce. She has tested dozens of products at home and in the Lab, including artificial Christmas trees, clothing racks, bean bag chairs, fans, and vacuums. She spends her weekends gardening and working on other projects to improve the outdoor space around her home . For this article, she used our test results and researched dozens of top-rated outdoor solar lights to compile this list of the best available options. Emma Phelps, an Updates Writer for The Spruce, provided research assistance for this article. She reached out to Sheva Knopfler, the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Lights.com, to learn more about best practices for choosing, installing, and caring for solar lights.
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When Do Solar Lights Switch On
When the sun goes down. Most solar lights don’t need to be switched on to light up. As soon as it gets dark, the integratedtwilight sensor causes them to illuminate.
Please note: External light sources, such as other garden lights or street lighting, may interfere with the solar light. Artificial lighting may cause the sensor to fail to turn the solar light on due to the brightness of the local conditions.
In addition to a twilight sensor, most solar lights also come with anon/off switch. Whatever the conditions, you can always turn the light on and off!
Batteries What Will Store Your Power
The battery is your “gas tank”. It stores the power you have generated during the day. For a simple dusk till dawn setup , 10Ah per 10w of LED lighting is right at the minimum. If you can afford a little more battery capacity then go for it! Is 10w of LED lighting bright? Yes, a modern 10w LED floodlight can easily light a driveway for example. A 10w LED bulb in a lamp can illuminate a room.
The type of battery I use is called an SLA, Sealed Lead Acid . This battery is commonly found in UPS systems for computers, adult mobility scooters, and kids ride on toys like Power Wheels. 6V and 12V are common. They will be rated in voltage and amperage. For example an SLA battery could be marked 12V 10.5Ah . This means it’s a 12v battery that can hold up to 10.5Ah of current. If you are pulling 1 amp from this battery and it’s fully charged and in good shape, you should be able to run up to 10 hours off it. The higher the Ah rating, the more capacity the battery has. These types of batteries are typically rectangular or little cubes. They can be mounted upright or on their sides but I prefer to run them upright just in case the seals aren’t up to snuff.
sourcing them..
How much battery capacity do you need?
Take the number of lights running, add their wattage, multiply by the number of hours they will be on, finally divide by 12 which is our system voltage. this will give us the amount of amps we will draw for one day of operation.
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How We Tested Solar Garden Lights
We know that these products have an issue with longevity. They just don’t last long enough, and too many end up in landfill, too quickly.
So we designed a really tough set of tests to simulate the type of conditions these types of lights might endure over a few really tough British winter. Then we did leave them outside for one winter.
Features To Look For In Outdoor Solar Lights
Color temperature
The color temperature of the bulbs set the mood of the area being lit. Bulbs with lower temperatures provide warm colors similar to candles and incandescent bulbs. Bulbs with higher color temperatures provide cool colors or blue hues similar to LED or daylight CFL bulbs.
Coverage angle and distance
Coverage might not be an important factor to consider for ambiance lighting. It should however be a determining factor when purchasing a motion sensor security light. The angle of coverage determines how wide the sensor can detect motion for the light to be triggered.
A minimum of 120 degrees is recommended. Anything over 170 degrees could be bothersome as the light would be triggered frequently. The coverage distance is recommended at a minimum of 5 or 6 meters.
Weatherproof materials
Outdoor solar lights are frequently exposed to rain, dust, and heat. Choose waterproof or IP 55 certified outdoor solar lights. These lights are made with durable materials able to withstand unpredictable weather conditions.
Flexible positioning
Some lights can rotate or flip from back to front. This means that you can change the direction of light by simply rotating the head. This type of light provides versatility and allows you to cover a range of areas with a single installation. Some lights even come with a rotatable solar panel, allowing you to adjust the angle of the panel so it can capture the most amount of light and fully recharge.
Settings and recharge time
Accessories
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Do Solar Lights Work In Every Part Of The Country
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, solar lights work well in most parts of the United States. As long as the solar panels have access to enough sunlight, the lights will work well. Pay attention to how much sunlight your yard gets during the day, and use that to manage your expectations for how bright the lights will be and how long theyâll last into the evening.
