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Bzzzzzt
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# Posted: 12 Nov 2011 10:37pm
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I bought one of these today:
http://www.harborfreight.com/solar-shed-light-95573.html
I have not had a chance to install it yet as I'm at home this weekend. My intention is to have it in the cabin right inside the door permanently mounted so that if I get there after dark there will be some kind of light I can turn on inside. The thing has mixed reviews on harborfreight.com but it was only $30 so I'm hoping it does some good.
I pulled it out of it's packaging and put the solar cell outside so it'll charge up in the morning. The light has 4 AA NICad batteries that get charged from the 4x6" solar cell. I installed them and turned the thing on and the light works. It's a 4 watt fluorescent light so it's not exactly gonna blind ya when you use it, but it should be adequate to light a dark area enough to get the generator started. I don't plan to use it as a primary light of any kind, just something to kinda see by if it's dark.
My biggest problem may be that where my cabin is located there may not be enough direct sunlight to be able to charge the batteries properly. I'm hoping that since this will be an occasional use item it should charge them up during the week when I'm not using it. Time will tell.
It looks promising though. Thought I'd pass this on and let you know how it works, but it may be a couple weeks before I know really.
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Mtnviewer
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2011 12:06am
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I use 2 LED puck lights, one is outside but above the porch door attached to the door frame & one inside the porch for the main door. You push the light face to turn them on/off. They use 3 AA batteries & have lasted 2 years & are into their 3rd Canadian winter. I use them to let me see the stairs, the door lock & whatever else close by. They were in a pack of 3 or 4, under $10 at Costco, & have far exceeded my expectations. They can be found in lots of stores, but be thrifty as some places WAY overprice them as singles vs. in packs of 3 or 4. They really should only cost a couple of bucks. These have 6 LEDs & are about 4 inches across. Cheap & easy to stick anywhere.
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trollbridge
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2011 11:42am
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Wow-you have had good luck with those puck lights. Sounds like we need to buy a few so we also can see the locks when we arrive at our place-always have to point the car or flashlight(when we remember one) at the front of the cabin. If they can last for your cold,long winters they can last here in Wisconsin as well. Thanks for the info!
Bzzzt...We had something similar for our outhouse but for our cabin I don't know if we would get enough light all winter either. Hope it works for you-keep us posted.
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Mtnviewer
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2011 02:07pm
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That's what I mainly use them for, key locks at night, so they aren't on for long, but sometimes too while I unpack the car.
I'd avoid the smaller ones that use small & expensive AAA batteries. Costco AA's last well or rechargeables might be nice but they don't stand by long. Easy to place anywhere, even with Velcro!
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Borrego
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2011 09:38pm
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Did you read the reviews? Not so good. Great idea though, wonder if they make these with led lights?
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