Solar lights for shed?

[morfa]

Anyone got a solar light for their shed/workshop? There's no chance of running power to the shed (least not permanently) and it's a handtools workshop, so I'm not fussed about lack of power.

I came across this:

http://www.thesolarcentre.co.uk/product ... 55-85.html

Not cheap at £180 including the battery. But I don't mind if it actually works.

Anyone used one? Any better/cheaper alternatives?

Also I've seen in the past that you can get small (about the size of a can) 'lights' which are like little glass reflectors which you put in the roof for extra light during the day. As if the door is shut, it's a bit gloomy. However I can't figure out what they're called. Any ideas?

 

[AndyT]

Well, a cheaper alternative would be an old car or fire alarm battery and a charger to use indoors and carry out to the shed when needed. There are plenty of 12v LEDs sold for boats, cars or caravans. Cheaper than the panel but less convenient. Or even some of the amazingly good bike lights available now.

The tube things are called sun tunnels - from Velux and many others.

 

[morfa]

Aha, sun tunnels! Pity they're more expensive than the solar panel option. I'd rather hoped they'd be a cheap option. But they all want you to buy a full kit. No need for that on a shed.

Yeah, I could wire up a battery and cat it up and down, but that'd be annoying in the long run. Hence the solar panels idea. Just wondering if anyone else has done it.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Can you not get a sun or wind driven trickle charger? Just a thought.

 

[Sheffield Tony]

You could try the solution for a "sun tunnel" used in rural Africa - an empty 2L PET drinks bottle filled with water and jammed halfway through a hole in the roof. Leaks might be a problem.

There are cheaper ways of doing the solar powered light. There are cheaper kits, or if you want to DIY look for a "solar charger" on say, CPC or Maplin, make sure it's for a car battery, and waterproof if neeeded - about £25-30 The other bits are easy - car battery, 12v (eg MR16) LED lamp and a socket.

 

[mind_the_goat]

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-SOLAR-BOTTLE-BULB/

And one of these ( ) http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/12v-solar-panel-5w connected to a small Lead Acid car battery with a low voltage LED bulb.

...oh, someone beat me to the solar bottle, but you need to add bleach.
edit - and he beat me to the solar panel as well, think he's installed spy-wear on my laptop - :shock:

 

[Phil Pascoe]

So what do spies wear?

 

[Wildman]

any solar charger less than 80W will not keep a battery charged in winter and to my mind that one looks very small. I use a lot of solar, and have 320w on my motorhome to run the lights, TV and water pump etc. 80W on the shed roof for misc battery charging (the workshop does not have mains power only a 6.5 kva generator.

 

[kostello]

Anyone got a solar light Any ideas?

Long extension lead?.....

Sent from my E2303 using Tapatalk

 

[OLD]

Petrol generator say £120 and construct a weatherproof housing. Just run when you need it.

 

[Woodchips2]

How about one of these http://www.screwfix.com/p/ae0183-rechar ... wgodQqwAbg. It seems to last around 3 hours and takes about 5 hours to recharge. If you worked longer hours needing light then maybe buy two.

Regards Keith

 

[n0legs]

I've got to ask.
Why can't you get a supply out there?

 

[morfa]

Lots of food for thought there. Thanks gents.

Not sure about the plastic bottle idea, but it's no different to buying something I guess.

I do have a external power socket on the house, so a tewmporary cable can be used, but it's a bit of a pita.

nolegs - I can't be bothered, it is just for lights so a solar panel will do fine. I really have no need to have it powered up properly. Also the garden would make laying a trench tricky (we have a retaining wall).

 

[n0legs]

nolegs - I can't be bothered, it is just for lights so a solar panel will do fine. I really have no need to have it powered up properly. Also the garden would make laying a trench tricky (we have a retaining wall).

Gotcha

 

[morfa]

nolegs - I can't be bothered, it is just for lights so a solar panel will do fine. I really have no need to have it powered up properly. Also the garden would make laying a trench tricky (we have a retaining wall).

Gotcha

As you're just down the road, if you ever want to pop over for a natter and take a look, feel free to drop me a PM.

 

[n0legs]

As you're just down the road, if you ever want to pop over for a natter and take a look, feel free to drop me a PM.

I'll take you up on that offer one day, maybe in the summer. Thanks