Anyone have any experience with or any recommendations on any solar powered security lights for home security? I want to install a couple on my house, in areas where I don't have any electrical wiring and don't want to incur the expense of having an electrician running wires for me (just don't have the cash for it). I live in a very quiet semi-rural area that is considered pretty safe, but the wifey is bustin my balls to put up a few of these lights in after reading about some stories of home invasions down in the Jersey shore area lately.

 

I'm referrign to security floodlight type lights, with a sensor that makes them turn on... I know the hardwired lights are much superior... but I've heard that there's some decent solar powered lights like this on the market. I did a quick search online, but didn't find anything impressive...

 

Thanks,

Tony

i purchased one 3 years ago from home depot. it worked for about 6 months.... been wanting to purchase another one but have not done the leg work yet on what i want to purchase as 6 months is a short life span..

 

This is the one i had purchased, worked great not sure why it died maybe tomorrow i will take it down and have a look at it..

 

http://www.homedepot...catalogId=10053

 

 

just read feed back on the light seems everyone else has the same problem with a few lasting 2 years..

A buddy of mine deals with commercial lighting for a living, and in his opinion there are no solar lights that he would install for security lights. You'll spend much more than hard-wired lighting in the long run with any solar option.

i purchased one 3 years ago from home depot. it worked for about 6 months.... been wanting to purchase another one but have not done the leg work yet on what i want to purchase as 6 months is a short life span..

 

This is the one i had purchased, worked great not sure why it died maybe tomorrow i will take it down and have a look at it..

 

http://www.homedepot...catalogId=10053

 

 

just read feed back on the light seems everyone else has the same problem with a few lasting 2 years..

 

I got this one for myback yard, it also only lasted about 6 months before crapping out.

Those solar lights are good for outlining a pathway in a dark yard, but not much else. In my opinion, you would be better served by buying a low-voltage DIY kit consisting of a transformer box and lights. This way you can actually get some security benefit from them, the lights are interchangeable/replaceable , and you only have to bury the wire a few inches.

On my property where the shed is their is no electric..

On my property where the shed is their is no electric..

 

You can put the transformer inside the garage or house and run the low voltage wiring out to the shed (without an electrician) - not the best scenario but also not the worst.

 

Or just bite the bullet and put electric in the shed.

My dad put some of these up around his house:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11679366&search=led+light&Mo=13&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search〈=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=led+light&Ntt=led+light&No=13&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

Solar's just aren't bright enough, at least the ones I have seen.

 

We tried a solar sensor light near the back door. My maglite was brighter.

 

Then we tried an electronic sensor light. It lasted about 5-6 months then just stopped working.

 

Now we plan to just put two really bright flood lights and just keep them on during the night. They are brighter and although they will be on for most of the night, it seems like sensor lights just don't have much lifespan.

You can put the transformer inside the garage or house and run the low voltage wiring out to the shed (without an electrician) - not the best scenario but also not the worst.

 

Or just bite the bullet and put electric in the shed.

 

Theirs no house we tore it down..

Tony, for the cost of Solar vs, hardwired when you factor in how long each of them last. Now add in actual lighting capabilities, there really is no comparison.

 

Hardwired all the way

Opinion from and electrician:

- The low voltage light solution is a good idea. Quality lighting can be purchased for a reasonable price and instaltion is fairly simple

- Hardwiring lights is the brightest and most permananet solution there is. Its also costly but will require the least amount of maintenance.

- Motion lights..... This is a tricky one. If you really want motion sensors that work rite and last more than 6 months you will have to spend money! A company called RAB makes a motion sensor called the "stealth sensor". These things work great and they last! The downside is that you better expect to spend about $80 per sensor.

- Solar... Crap. the technology is not there yet. There are systems that charge deep cycle batteries and use an inverter to create real 120v power to run things. These systems work realy well but are fairly expensive. The $19.99 home improvement center kind of lights leave a lot to be desired.

Ken

Thanks guys... I appreciate all the feedback! I'll have to look into the hardwired lights... Sounds like the most reliable and long lasting option.

Thanks guys... I appreciate all the feedback! I'll have to look into the hardwired lights... Sounds like the most reliable and long lasting option.

 

Good choice. Thats one of the reasons when I built my house I had a piece of 4" PVC installed in the basement above the electrical panel that runs all the way up to the attic. The house has a basement, main floor and second floor. This way anything I wanted to add on the main floor I could from underneath, and on the second floor I would be able to run electrical up to the attic and down to wherever I needed. Only thing I wish I did do, was run 2 or 3 more tubes so I could run more electric if I wanted and CAT 5 and Coax to keep them separate.

Good choice. Thats one of the reasons when I built my house I had a piece of 4" PVC installed in the basement above the electrical panel that runs all the way up to the attic. The house has a basement, main floor and second floor. This way anything I wanted to add on the main floor I could from underneath, and on the second floor I would be able to run electrical up to the attic and down to wherever I needed. Only thing I wish I did do, was run 2 or 3 more tubes so I could run more electric if I wanted and CAT 5 and Coax to keep them separate.

FFU tubes are a great idea when you are the builder. FFU = For Future Use, not something bad! I usually incorporatew them in most every job I do. The have made me lots of money in the past and also saved my customers lots of money. Its a win/win

Ken