Battery/Solar powered 12v lights in remote location

[RobA]

I would like to have two 12 volt LED landscape type lights at my driveway entrance to illuminate a hanging address sign. The location is 1,000 feet from the nearest source of electricity and I have no interest in running electricity to the site. I would want to use a light sensor so they turn on only when dark.

The lights would be similar to this:
Amazon.com: Moonrays 95557 1-Watt LED Outdoor Landscape Metal Spot Light Fixture, Low Voltage, Black, 2-Pack: Lamps & Light Fixtures

I am guessing I would need:
2 LED lights
light sensor
battery
solar panel
controller (necessary?)

Does anyone have recommendations as to what I would need to build this or how to set it up?

 

[davesl708]

The components you need to build your own are simple and readily available. the battery would serve as voltage control and the switch is available in the yard light section at the hardware store. You will need a box to install the battery and switch in.

 

[KennyG]

For your application, you would probably be better off getting all in one lights that already have the battery and solar cell integrated into the light.

Amazon.com : Solar LED Lights (2 Pack) [3rd Generation] Siensync(TM) 2-in-1 Solar Powered Outdoor Spotlight for Landscape Lighting Waterproof Wall Light Bulb Driveway Yard Lawn Pathway Garden : Home Improvement

 

[EddieWalker]

I only have a little bit of experience with something like this and found that the quality of the solar cell makes a huge difference in how long it lasts and how well it charges the battery. I only use the small rechargeable 12 volt batteries for my use, but would think that for your use, going with a full sized, automotive sized battery would be better in the long term. I would also use a decent light sensor from Home Depot or Lowes. The bigger the sensor, the longer they seem to last.

 

[JRobyn]

I just recently had this issue with my MURS driveway alarm - got tired of having to frequently replace all the little CR-123 batteries. I was surprised that there are not a bunch of pre-packaged solar panel/controller/battery sets out there. The game camera and feeder folks make a few, but of mostly low capacity.

I wound up making my own with a 8aH sealed battery ( Amazon.com: UPG UB1280I Sealed Lead Acid Batteries: Electronics ), a 5w solar panel ( Amazon.com : Solar Panel 5 Watt 12V Poly Crystalline-Grade A Cells-Diode-5W Panels : Patio, Lawn & Garden ), and a plastic box to mount it all in ( Amazon.com: ESPi EC-1 Outdoor Enclosure Outdoor PVC Enclosure, 8" W x 4" H: Electronics ).

Probably would have been a lot easier if I had used a little larger box like ( BUD Industries JBH-4956-KO Steel NEMA 1 Sheet Metal Box with Knockout and Hinged Cover, 6" Width x 8" Height x 4" Depth, Gray Finish: Electrical Boxes: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific ). Or maybe a little smaller battery, like a 5aH. Don't know if I really needed the charge controller, but for <$10, why not ( Amazon.com : Docooler Solar Charge Controller Solar Panel Battery Regulator Safe Protection (10A) : Renewable Energy Charge Controllers : Patio, Lawn & Garden ).

Like Eddie said, there were cheaper solar panel options available, but figured this was where I least needed to scrimp. It's working awesome so far, I guess. It may take a year to run down that battery even if the solar panel/controller quits working ;-)

- Jay

 

[PILOON]

Your biggest problem will be available sunlight to recharge the battery.
Snow, short days will be the enemy as to re charge you need lots of direct sunlight.
In a wide open windy area most 'off the shelf kits' would do fine.

On the other hand do you really care if the lights go dim at 2 AM due to discharged battery?

I have some solar powered garden lights that I paid $20.00 for 24ea on a promotion that still work after living outdoors year round for 4 years. (not brightest but nice garden effect) Most of them have spent winters under 48" of snow. (Simply forgot to collect B4 first snow and since they survived I no longer bother)

 

[oosik]

I've had quite a few different "yard lights" over the years. For one reason or another they do not seem to last to long.

I finally bit the bullet and bought a solar powered marine light from mcdermottlight.com. Its been in operation for three years now and has required no service what-so-ever.

I chose this light because its totally self contained, completely sealed against all weather conditions and - according to the literature - will continue to function for 20+ days without any additional sunlight - on a full charge. Fortunately, I will never know if this is the case - we never go that long without sunlight.

I have it mounted on a tripod about five feet above the ground and it illuminates an area of at least a 50 foot radius.

To date it has withstood all weather conditions including a very unusual wind storm two weeks ago where I recorded wind speeds of 78 mph here at the house.

If you are looking for solar powered light - I would recommend you give this site a look-see.

 

[RalphVa]

I bought an LED, solar powered, at Lowes to light up our solar powered gate. Works fine.

If you want to go with components, I did this for my electric fence before they came all in one. I use an old plastic bucket with lid to contain the battery. I just affix the bottom of the bucket to a tree or 4x4 into the ground and slide the battery in.

Ralph