light-all-sheds

[echoes]

Has anyone installed, or has had installed, solar lighting for a shed that they are happy with?
I've had a bit of a 'google' and seen some kits ranging from cheap to not-at-all cheap.

I can't be bothered with running a mains supply to since it's 15m away from the house; a torch is preferable.

Grateful for any advice or links. Cheers.

 

[securespark]

What is it you want to do in the shed with light but no power?

Or perhaps I should keep my big nose out of it?

 

[echoes]

What a man gets up to in the privacy of his own outbuildings is his own business!

But since you ask: fetching rabbit-food, kindling/logs for the fire. That sort of in-and-out thing.

 

[securespark]

Most folk can manage in and out things without putting the light on.

 

[echoes]

In this instance, I aim to minimise both the 'in' time and the unnecessary fumbling around!

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Maybe this as an alternative?
MB360 Mr Beams IP65 Exterior Spotlight (indoor and outdoor use)
If have never installed one or used one, so no first hand knowledge of the product. Maybe someone has?

 

[ericmark]

Many years ago I remember lights being fitted into a caravan site loo block using a windmill. The easy method was to use a bicycle hub dynamo (really an alternator) and replace the rim with a disc and wrap insulation tape around the spokes to produce the blades of the windmill. It was not rotated into wind but fixed in prevailing wind direction.

Today there are many pre-made systems and the problem with the old system was the bulbs were rather dim so in gusts they would not blow and now with LED lamps this is no longer a problem. It is the control systems which have transformed the whole idea and these controllers take the varying output and set the voltage to the best to extract energy and then with an inverter change this to the voltage required to charge batteries.

It is these

regulators which are the key in using both wind and solar power but they are not cheap. The old system was to use a heat sink to get rid of any excess energy so the generator had to be many times bigger than really required.

 

[JohnD]

you will need some sort of battery, of course, since the solar power will be at its lowest when the need for lighting is at its highest.

 

[echoes]

you will need some sort of battery, of course, since the solar power will be at its lowest when the need for lighting is at its highest.

Yes, in fact that will probably be the most expensive item.

 

[ericmark]

Do remember there is a huge difference between a car battery and a traction battery.

A car battery is designed to give very high amps but to be recharged as soon as it is used.

A traction battery is designed to give much less amps but can be deep cycled and left partly discharged for a longer time.

A leisure battery is a hybrid of the two.

It instead of lead acid alkaline batteries are used these can be left in a discharged state for long periods and also have a more consent voltage. However to get a delta V charger for alkaline batteries may be more of a problem. Also with the standard D, C, AA, and AAA cells one also needs to get battery holders so I would be looking at converting garden lights to use in the shed since they already have built in nearly all you need.

 

[mattylad]

Surely the expense of a solar system (which would be very limiting) is likely to be far more than wiring it up to the mains properly (which will be far more useful). ??

 

[ban-all-sheds]

a torch is preferable.

Get yourself a decent torch.

Actually - if you fancy making a torch more fun spend some time converting one of those large 12V rechargable lanterns (the 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 candlepower ones they sell in the sheds*) to use a HID lamp.




*OK - I exaggerate a bit. But I expect they do too...

 

[echoes]

Might look into that, b-a-s!

 

[echoes]

Surely the expense of a solar system (which would be very limiting) is likely to be far more than wiring it up to the mains properly (which will be far more useful). ??

That may well be the case. If clipping 15m of SWA to the fence, or running flexible conduit was acceptable, then I'd do it. But it isn't, so I won't.
And the prospect of either the work or cost of digging a trench (partly under concrete) is unappealing.

 

[17thman]

If you go down bas's route you may want to invest in one of these. you could keep it in the shed.