Triggering solar powered lights only during loadshedding

[supersunbird]

So my dad got gifted these cheapo solar powered floodlights. I would like for them to only go on when there is loadshedding.

Currently they work on the premise of the floodlight going on when the solar panel stops providing charge to the floodlight, there is a remote control but that only controls off and on, brightness and runtime. If the solar panel is exposed to a normal LED bulb in close proximity, the floodlight does not go on as it us getting a small charge.

I was thinking of mounting the currently solar panels on the roof, getting the below unit and cutting of the connected and wiring it into the little box at the back of the current solar panel but mounting this second panel close the LED lightbulbs for the driveway (on south side of house, always in shade). So then when there is no sun for current panel, and no LED bulb shining on the second panel, the floodlight goes on.

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The specs listed on the back up the current panel:



Think the above idea will work?

 

[gotaway]

Where is the day night switch on the cheapo solar units? On the solar panel, or in the light?

If on solar panel, can they be mounted so that the electric light shine on the sensor when there is no load shedding?

Use a real flashlight to test.

 

[supersunbird]

Where is the day night switch on the cheapo solar units? On the solar panel, or in the light?

If on solar panel, can they be mounted so that the electric light shine on the sensor when there is no load shedding?

Use a real flashlight to test.

From what I can figure out, when it stops charging the floodlight goes on, so I do not think it has a day/night sensor of it's own, the panel acts as the day/night switch.

I cannot mount the 2 lights existing panels where the electric lights are, because they will not get direct sunlight for charging.

That is why I want to wire a second panel onto the system and mount it where the electric light shines on it.

End result:

If no sun + no electric light = no charge detected = floodlight goes on

If no sun + electric light on = charge detected = floodlight stays off

If sun + no electric light = charge detected = floodlight stays off

 

[Fcon_Vpro]

So my dad got gifted these cheapo solar powered floodlights. I would like for them to only go on when there is loadshedding.

Currently they work on the premise of the floodlight going on when the solar panel stops providing charge to the floodlight, there is a remote control but that only controls off and on, brightness and runtime. If the solar panel is exposed to a normal LED bulb in close proximity, the floodlight does not go on as it us getting a small charge.

I was thinking of mounting the currently solar panels on the roof, getting the below unit and cutting of the connected and wiring it into the little box at the back of the current solar panel but mounting this second panel close the LED lightbulbs for the driveway (on south side of house, always in shade). So then when there is no sun for current panel, and no LED bulb shining on the second panel, the floodlight goes on.

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The specs listed on the back up the current panel:

View attachment 1491177

Think the above idea will work?

This isn't answering your original question, but why don't you just use the solar lights to replace the bulbs?
They are designed for that, although this is a very small version.

 

[supersunbird]

This isn't answering your original question, but why don't you just use the solar lights to replace the bulbs?
They are designed for that, although this is a very small version.

There is no details on the battery etc, I have seen how these cheapo solar stuff die after a few months, probably from deep discharges and stuff.

 

[Fcon_Vpro]

There is no details on the battery etc, I have seen how these cheapo solar stuff die after a few months, probably from deep discharges and stuff.

Fair enough, I have also found it difficult to get battery specs on most of the solar lights out there.
I have a 100w major tech solar light with ~22ah battery that has worked very well for me, but they are one of the few that have "specified" specs (Although some of the specs differ between the box and the manual).
Also very expensive for what it is.
Mine has worked for 4 months so far with no drop off in quality. I think it uses 18650 style batteries so its a lithium based battery of sorts.

 

[gotaway]

From what I can figure out, when it stops charging the floodlight goes on, so I do not think it has a day/night sensor of it's own, the panel acts as the day/night switch.

I cannot mount the 2 lights existing panels where the electric lights are, because they will not get direct sunlight for charging.

That is why I want to wire a second panel onto the system and mount it where the electric light shines on it.

End result:

If no sun + no electric light = no charge detected = floodlight goes on

If no sun + electric light on = charge detected = floodlight stays off

If sun + no electric light = charge detected = floodlight stays off

I can switch my neighbours solar light off with a strong flash light…

 

[supersunbird]

Works like the charm, the floodlight only goes on when the bulkhead light goes off at night, so thus only during loadshedding or power outages,