How to make a 12' to 15' light post?

[Iowachild]

I purchased some solar LED 300W street lights to place along my driveway. What I did not think of was how to get a post to mount them to. I saw some Youtube videos where people tried 4x4 posts and they said that a 16' 4x4 stuck 3' into the ground with concrete swayed like the dickens in wind with these lights mounted.

I have tried Amazon and Google to find say 12'-18' steel posts, but my fail has been consistent and enduring.

Do any of you folks have an idea for an affordable and functional street light posts?

The lights I ordered:

300W Solar Street Light, 2 Light Set Motion Sensor Dusk to Dawn 15000LM Solar Lights Outdoor with Remote Control

In my area a local lumber yard sells class 5 power poles in 20, 25, 30 & 35 feet at reasonable prices.

 

[chatwithtom]

I purchased some solar LED 300W street lights to place along my driveway. What I did not think of was how to get a post to mount them to. I saw some Youtube videos where people tried 4x4 posts and they said that a 16' 4x4 stuck 3' into the ground with concrete swayed like the dickens in wind with these lights mounted.

I have tried Amazon and Google to find say 12'-18' steel posts, but my fail has been consistent and enduring.

Do any of you folks have an idea for an affordable and functional street light posts?

The lights I ordered:

300W Solar Street Light, 2 Light Set Motion Sensor Dusk to Dawn 15000LM Solar Lights Outdoor with Remote Control

The item is a scam, 300W no way equates to 10k lumens. From a solar array perspective you would need at least a full size solar panel to generate 300W at peak times. the battery capacity of to run 300W for any reasonable time would far exceed the price if this item. This item is full of false misleading claims

 

[crashz]

My guess is that the fine print says 300W equivalent.

 

[chatwithtom]

ok, but even that would be closer to 5K lumens.

 

[dhawken]

When we built our pole barn, rather than using 6x6s, we tacked together 3 2x6s with offsetting joints. Supposed to resist twisting a lot better and is cheaper than 6x6s. Unsure if they would sway the same but might be a cheap thing to try. Also was able to use treated at the bottom and not at the top that way for further cost savings.

 

[KenP]

If you go with wood sticks I'd suggest only using round. Using square sticks will almost certainly result in warping issues at some point.

 

[Deano]

When I mounted an outside PTZ camera, I used a 12 ft 2x4 bolted to a 4x4 fence post with 1" angle screwed to one corner of the 2x4. Stops the swaying and the warping!

 

[JWR]

The item is a scam, 300W no way equates to 10k lumens. From a solar array perspective you would need at least a full size solar panel to generate 300W at peak times. the battery capacity of to run 300W for any reasonable time would far exceed the price if this item. This item is full of false misleading claims

I tend to agree. Solar powered lights of any kind sold for the mass consumer market often work for a while and rarely ever put out the light expected. You best take a look at another aspect before you go too far: The remote control is very unlikely to work at much of a distance from the light.

 

[rlipeles]

I purchased some solar LED 300W street lights to place along my driveway. What I did not think of was how to get a post to mount them to. I saw some Youtube videos where people tried 4x4 posts and they said that a 16' 4x4 stuck 3' into the ground with concrete swayed like the dickens in wind with these lights mounted.

I have tried Amazon and Google to find say 12'-18' steel posts, but my fail has been consistent and enduring.

Do any of you folks have an idea for an affordable and functional street light posts?

The lights I ordered:

300W Solar Street Light, 2 Light Set Motion Sensor Dusk to Dawn 15000LM Solar Lights Outdoor with Remote Control

Do you have room for 3 wires about 2/3 to 3/4 the way up and at a 45 degree angle?

 

[Hunter4282]

Use treated 2x6 and laminate them together, offset joints by 2 feet, Use 3, if possible bury depth should be 5 ft or greater, treat the bottom with a coating of tar, and compact on the way up. Newer construction methods suggest not putting concrete around posts, but under as increased rot may occur