Solar lighting for tractor shed

[Anthonyw]

Has anyone had any success using any off-the-shelf solar light kits for a tractor shed? My new shed is 20 x 20, open on two sides. Way, way too far to consider running any 110v power out to it right now. I've looked at the solar motion detector lights but they don't seem like they would do the trick. (And motion detection is not my desire - I want to turn it on and off when I want.) I'm not trying to create perfect lighting for 12 hours a day in the thing - I just want to be able to pull in to the shed as it is getting dark and have an hour (or two) of light a day - good enough that I can put up tools, do a little maintenance, etc.

I'm trying to stay away from buying all of the separate components (solar cell, battery, controller, lights, etc.) which I know would probably be superior, but would also come with a superior price tag.

Thanks!

Martin

Made some research before buying mine. These solar flood lights work from dusk to dawn (no motion detector). Both are quite bright:

Solar Flood Light 108 LEDs with Remote Control

12 LEDs Solar Flood Light

 

[Dadsgreenpsd]

I wired my horse barn just as if it were conventional wiring, with the exception that instead of going to a breaker panel, it goes to a bank of tractor batteries (three). The light bulbs are 12 volt, instead of 120, and if/when I get power to the barn, all I have to do is change the bulbs. These batteries are charged by 2 solar panels, a 15 watt and a 30 watt, which keeps them fully charged. I run a 12 volt fence charger, and have an inverter for the very few outlets in the barn. I figured that as my needs grew, I could simply add more batteries for storage, and more panels if I find that they are not charging fast enough.

 

[Beltman60]

This picture is of my gator but you can see next to it my solar panels

I have 10 205 watt evergreen panels (but only have 8 in this string as my charge controller can only handle 80 amp) with an Outback MX80 charge controller that puts power into 32 72 amp/hr batteries
I have about 1100 amp hrs of power at 24 volt for storage
I run all my lights from 12 volt marine type fused rocker panels I get off of ebay
my lights are all LED (some flood off road lights out in the mud lot, some flood from Northern tool in the barn and some rope lighting in the stalls)
I have an 8000 watt inverter to run things that are 110 volt AC (bucket heaters, fans, battery chargers, hay elevator, ect)

My inverter has a built in battery charger to back feed the batteries with my gen set if no sun in the winter

If I remember tonight I'll take some pictures to post on my set-up

Has been on line for 3 years with no problems

solar is boring if you want work put up a wind mill

 

[Beltman60]

also whats nice about 12 volt is you can use just bare wire you don't need it to be insulated or run in conduit
my 110 runs are in conduit but nothing else
no fear of anything getting hurt on 12 volts