Interior solar lighting?

[woytovich]

Has anyone used the simple solar exterior lights in an interior application? It seems with some of the solar landscape lights out there it would be easy to divorce the little solar panel from the body (light/battery). Mount the panel up top and the light inside. Add a switch and you should be good to go... This would be for my small cargo camper hybrid but would be applicable for any small trailer.





Thoughts?

Mark

[dh]

I did that with the light you pictured on top. I put the pannle/battery on the south (back) side of the roof so it got more sun and wasn't part of the landcsape in the front yard. I ran 12g wire down the side of the house under the siding and under ground to the lights that light up a yard sign in the front.

[eatatjoz]

I like the Idea. No clue how long the battery life is in those little things though. The only issue I see for sure would be the photovoltaic sensors on the second example. You'd have to cut them out of the circuit or paint them black.

[dh]

Now that I think about it, the photo eye is on the pannle, you would have to dissable it to be able to turn the lights on when its not dark outside.

[woytovich]

As I researched more I realized that solar shed lights are really where this is headed... now I just need for find one that has a high and low setting (maybe) and is bright enough on high to actually light up the inside of a little 5x8 cargo trailer.

Battery life shouldn't be an issue as this is going to be used mostly for a short time while getting settled for bed. I don't expect to spend any significant time int he trailer after dark except for sleeping.

[eatatjoz]

I meant the lifetime of the battery, not how long it will run before being discharged. I don't really think that a el cheapo garden light will have a very good battery in it, or if it can be replaced.
Maybe if you wired the solar panels to a computer back up battery and wired the lights from that it would work and be replaceable.

I may just have to buy one tomorrow and take it apart. Joe like taking apart.

[Catherine+twins]

I am looking into the solar shed lights, but so far the reviews keep mentioning shoddy construction. With the shaking a trailer will get just driving to the camp site, I'm not sure how the shed lights will stand up. I guess I'll just have to pull the trigger on one of the $30 ones and see how it works.

Meanwhile, there is this previous thread to check out. I have also considered these spotlights for reading lights.

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=38534

Catherine

[dh]

The evil-mart landscape lights I have on my back fence have a AA NiCd battery in them, easily upgraded when the time comes, but I've had them out there for 3 years now and they still stay lit up till around 4:30 AM. I didn't look in the solar pannle on the roof before I put it up there, but still going strong after 2 years.

[KenC]

I have 3 of these, see link, purchased from Amazon.

http://www.nokero.com/

[Shadow Catcher]

I have a number of the lights (not use with Compass Rose) that I have replaced the Nicad batteries with NiMH, and they can be taken out and recharged in a charger.

[woytovich]

I'm all geeked up to go "cheap" for this BUT... in the end would it be better to buy a SMALL 12v battery and add some 12v LED lighting?

ie:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02833275000P?prdNo=5

Charge the battery before leaving home and call it good... I guess I could calculate how many hours one could expect out of a small car battery and 6 or 8 "real" 12v LED lights (but maybe someone here has that info at their fingertips)

[GuitarPhotog]

If you're going to go the battery route, buy a good deep-cycle marine battery. You'll be better for it.

Cheap batteries seldom are worth it. That car starter battery is not made for the kind of use you propose.

Check out some of the battery threads on this forum for some good advice.

<Chas>

[woytovich]

But now I am back to spending big bucks...(bigger than I would like)

I gotta think that a regular battery, used for just a little LED lighting, for WAY less than an hour a day, for no more than 5 days running, would be fine.

I DO have one of those dashboard solar panels that purport to help maintain a battery. I could add that in to bring some power back to the battery if necessary.

http://www.harborfreight.com/15-watt-solar-battery-charger-44768.html

At home it would charge with the Battery Tender.

[rowerwet]

I bought two solar LED rope lights ($25 at HD), I plan on mounting the solar panel in the galley hatch and cutting in a switch to one side of the string of LEDs for inside control. it has a couple AA batteries for power, my outside solar lights are still going strong the next morning on one AA battery, with only one LED

[woytovich]

Let us know how bright the rope lights are inside the trailer at night (if you are using them inside that is)

Mark