Farm style security light

LGinIA · Feb 12, 2002

Anyone have an idea of the cost to have someone install a farm style (pole and light) security light? Is this done by the utility company or by a electrical contractor? Any installation problems to watch out for or other helpful hints?

MikePA · Feb 12, 2002

I had one installed on our barn when the barn was built. The electrician installed it.

My electric co-op will also install them on their electric poles, assuming the pole is in an appropriate location.

MarkV · Feb 12, 2002

Larry,
In our area the electric co-op installs them and maintains them. Of course they charge you $18/per month on your bill. I never put one up because I wanted to be able to turn it off.

MarkV

Anonymous Poster · Feb 12, 2002

I am in the country and have two yard lights on all night only because the wife insists that the dogs need them. I also have a motion detector covering the drive. That only lights if someone enters the drive.

I am not a fan of "security" lights. What good do they do? If you think that they deter the criminals, think again. All they do is light up the area so they can see to work. No, they do not help you see what is going on. You are in bed and asleep.

A case in point: My neighbor lost a new 4x4 loaded with gas and a bed full of tools. Where was the PU? Under the security light right outside his bedroom. He knew nothing of it until the morning. Even more to the point, his farmstead sets several hundred yards off the highway up a narrow lane. If the light hadn't been on, the thieves would probably never have known the place was there.

Harry K

MikePA · Feb 12, 2002

That's probably why our co-op refers to them as 'dusk-to-dawn' lights and not 'security' lights.

beenthere · Feb 12, 2002

Seems these lights should long ago have been equipped with a shade that restricts the light from being seen at longer distances than just the immediate area they are lighting up. Now the countryside is laced with lights at night. Seems people put them up "to be seen" rather than to light up an area.

Best security light to me is one that detects motion, and then dings a bell or alarm when it lights up. This might alert one to anything going on (problem with animals or wind tripping them) and wake them up.
I agree with the mention that the all night lights only permit the intruders to see what they are doing.

PLanger · Feb 12, 2002

If it is security that your looking for, a good German Shepard dog is all you'll need. Bad guys will almost always avoid a larger protective dog. And GSD's make great companions/family pets. Just a thought.

JeffRey30747 · Feb 12, 2002

I am not a fan of security lights either. I have one motion light on the corner of my house next to the entrance and three large 500W halogen flood lights on individual switches. I figure that in the dark the advantage belongs to me and my 70 lb. chow mix sooner dog and if I need a lot of light on the situation, it is only a switch or two away. I already get light pollution from two of my neighbors. I don't want any more and luckily my wife agrees with me.

rdln · Feb 12, 2002

I agree, there is a term called "light pollution" or something like that.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 12, 2002

Light polution for sure. Back in 93 I think it was we had one of the greatest displays of norther lights I have ever seen (and I have been in Alaska). It started about 10:00 pm and went till about 3 in the morning. As soon as I saw it going on, I called both my neighbors and suggested they go out and look, oh by the way, turn off your yard light.

Yep, it worked. Light out, 5 minutes looky loo, lights back on. Fortunately the display was so great their addition to it didn't matter.

Harry K