*Decent* solar garden lights

blunt

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May 1, 2006
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I have a very big garden and am looking into solar lighting to give it a bit of light at night. There are 1001 different solar garden lights out there and I'm afraid, as with other solar products I've bought in the past, that most of them are cheap junk that will last only a few hours and then fizzle out.

Anyone have first hand experience of solar garden lights that are bright and last at least 10 hours on a full charge?
 

Nokkie

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Dec 7, 2005
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I'm using something called "3 Pack solar powered lights" They seem to be very durable and lasts up to 8 hours on charge...
 

rorz0r

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I also wouldn't mind some decent ones, but it seems that in solar garden lighting specifically "you get what you pay for".
 

blunt

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I'm using something called "3 Pack solar powered lights" They seem to be very durable and lasts up to 8 hours on charge...

The ones from Homemark? I've got a set, they're OK but they come with 600mAh batteries which is very weak, I've ordered some higher capacity rechargables to see if it improves things.

Unfortunately they aren't very bright at all - well, they dont have a very wide "range" of light, they work fine for clipping on to gutters but I need spike ones to go in the garden.

I've looked around for "more expensive" ones but it seems they generally are the same as the cheap ones just asking a higher price or it jumps from affordable to crazy expensive and I'm a bit hesitant incase they suck..
 

rorz0r

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I've looked around for "more expensive" ones but it seems they generally are the same as the cheap ones just asking a higher price or it jumps from affordable to crazy expensive and I'm a bit hesitant incase they suck..
This too, I want to avoid this.... Paying more than then getting the same 1 led/600mAh battery story...
 

MickZA

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I purchased a couple of "cheapies" from Builders at R30 each and have found that I'm lucky to get 5 hours after an overcast day, they're not very bright either.
 

spiff

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Oct 17, 2007
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I bought some expensive R150/each square glass brick solar led garden lights from a garden shop and they are rubbish - last 1-2 months and then are kaput!! :mad:

tried to replace the battery with a better rechargeable battery but no dice!

got an el cheepo garden solar lamp from PP for R50 and it's still going the whole night after a year :)

so if anyone knows of any solar garden lights that work and last the whole night and don't die after 2-3 months please let me know
 

bandooq

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Sep 17, 2014
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I've paid R15 each from shoprite 3 years ago and still working.

In winter the battery lasts about 4-5 hours
In overcast weather, 2-3 hours
In full summer sun, the battery lasts the entire night
 

Recruitsmiths

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Dec 14, 2011
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I bought from both Makro & Builders warehouse....waste of money...
Seems like one needs a show center where one can see a demo...or you literally buying in the "dark"
 

bandooq

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Sep 17, 2014
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I've paid R15 each from shoprite 3 years ago and still working.

In winter the battery lasts about 4-5 hours
In overcast weather, 2-3 hours
In full summer sun, the battery lasts the entire night

What I find useful is that the top simply clips off and I place it indoors during load shedding.
 

SilverNodashi

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Oct 12, 2007
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If anyone has recommendations for lights which can last through the night, i.e. 10-12 hours, please let us know?
 

rorz0r

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Well with 3 1200mAh batteries it should last 3 times longer at twice as bright compared to the cheapies I have from builders with 1 600mAh battery and 1 led.
 

Dan C

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Well with 3 1200mAh batteries it should last 3 times longer at twice as bright compared to the cheapies I have from builders with 1 600mAh battery and 1 led.

Yup, but not too sure about those cheap 'Chinese' batteries :) So far it does what it suppose to do, mounted it and it goes on at night and off in the morning.

dead of night.jpg
 
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