solar powered barn light suggestions

MarkLeininger · Oct 11, 2004

I need a few small lights in a remote barn where there's no power. I just need it for short periods in the morning and evening when we feed. Anyone have any suggestions on solar lights they've found. All I can find at the big box stores are the outdoor lights you put along a path.

daedong · Oct 11, 2004

Mark,

You could buy a solar panel and a deep cycle battery and run !2 volt fluro tubes.

MarkLeininger · Oct 11, 2004

That's a good idea. Maybe someone local can suggest a place to buy. I'm in Fall crisis mode trying to get all the buildings and machinery ready for winter, so I don't have any time to engineer something. I just want to buy something and put it up.

v8dave · Oct 12, 2004

Try a RV accessory shop. They sell solar panel systems for charging 12 batteries in recreational vehicles. Then just use a 12 volt battery and a 12 volt lamp. A deep cycle battery preferred, but a car battery will work. Get the 12 volt lamp while you're at the RV supplier.

ronjhall · Oct 12, 2004

Check out West Marine. They have many different lights and solar charging systems.
There are several stores around Chicago plus mail-order.

kensfarm · Oct 12, 2004

I saw that Northern Tool had a bunch of diff. solar panel setups.

DaveNay · Oct 12, 2004

Hi Mark,

Would a light like this one be similar to what you are thinking?

Dave

Jimbrown · Oct 12, 2004

??? Home Depot has several versions of them look in the security light area. comes with solsar panel motion detector and one has a remote switch about $80. If i remember they claim 17 hours of light with no sun.

fractal · Oct 13, 2004

How many lumes / candlepower do you need? Just enough to see the feed or enough to read? How many square feet do you need to illuminate?

If all you need is the ability to see walls and not walk into them, then you can get by with 12 volt lighting. This will save you the cost of an inverter and the inefficiencies of an inverter.

The basics of what you need are a couple of deep cycle batteries. The trojan t-105 battery can be had for around 65 dollars and is 220 AH at 6v. I use a pair of them on my backup power supply. They are also known as "golf cart batteries" and are one of the most cost effective batteries on the market. Next you will need a charge controller. This little gem protects your batteries and charges them nice no matter what your solar cells put out. Finally you need some solar cells. Northerntool sells solar cells and charge controllers. As does the place I bought my stuff, http://www.partsonsale.com/ . I estimate you are looking at a minimum of 500 dollars for solar cell, charge controller and batteries if you use the grade of equipment I am discussing.

A less expensive solution, and one that might "future proof" your investment would be one of those battery powered generators you see at the box stores and use conventional 120v lighting. Those units have a battery charger, a battery and an inverter in a box. Drop it on a hand card and wheel it out with you. You would probably have to wheel it back to the house and charge it once or twice a week. That should hold you over till you get tired of it and dig the trench to get real power to the barn.

MarkLeininger · Oct 13, 2004

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll look once more at HD to see if they have something in the security light section. Otherwise the one Dave suggested will work fine, and I have a Northern catalog at home so I'll check that out. I just need something to keep from banging into walls and find the feed. No need to read because I always throw the instructions out.