Slightly OT - Solar powered patio lights

[ChuckD]

Hey, I just wanted to update this in case someone else can benefit. I went with the Westinghouse and they're pretty great. I say 'pretty' because of the 15, 5 were pretty dim after a full day in the sun. Further exposure seems to have brought their brightness up some but they shut off too soon. So for kicks I swapped out the batteries (standard AA rechargeables) with some quality rechargeables I use for the camera. That made all the difference. So I'm now going to replace all the cheepo brand batteries with some Powerex 2100's.

I give this product 4 out of 5 stars. The quality of light is the best I've seen and very useful. The batteries must be how they made them so affordable.

ChuckD

[Simmons99]

I saw this on HGTV's "I Want That!". They are solar globes that you can just put in the pool. DH and I were thinking about getting a couple.

http://www.grandinroad.com/jump.jsp?...&keyword=solar

[ChuckD]

Well, there you did it. I'm a 'light addict' and can't get enough. Find me at Home Despot in the lighting section. I've got to see one of those floaties Very cool!

I see where the site you posted has the 'Europa II" lights which are the Westinghouse lights I got. Except I got 15 for $110 on Amazon while Grandinroad has 6 for $89.

ChuckD

[mshumack]

I tried the solar lights about two years ago. They were great for the first year. Now none work well. It may have been a cheap brand - I got them at one of the box stroes. The batteries don't hold a charge and the solar panels are all clouded up with moisture. I also repalced the batteries at least once which helped for a while. They always seemed to dim to light the sidewalk. Okay for just showing the direction (rough location) of the sidewalk.

I'm going to install low voltage lighting soon. There is a website (forum) for low volatge lighting that is very helpful. Sorry I can't remeber the website.

Mainlesson learned - what ever you buy, spend the extra money for quality stuff.

[ChuckD]

I tried the solar lights about two years ago. They were great for the first year. Now none work well. It may have been a cheap brand - I got them at one of the box stroes. The batteries don't hold a charge and the solar panels are all clouded up with moisture. I also repalced the batteries at least once which helped for a while. They always seemed to dim to light the sidewalk. Okay for just showing the direction (rough location) of the sidewalk.

I'm going to install low voltage lighting soon. There is a website (forum) for low volatge lighting that is very helpful. Sorry I can't remeber the website.

Mainlesson learned - what ever you buy, spend the extra money for quality stuff.

Then I think you'd be pleasently surprised at these. I too went with something I picked up at a Target, 10 for $50 IIRC. They had a kind of amber color light which at best was about the brightness of a candle. These give off a bluish color much like those fancy-schmancy HID headlights you see. I believe they each have two LEDS as well (thus two batteries per light). Plus the housing is real glass and stainless steel.

[Simmons99]

Chuck - I don't know where else you can get those globe lights - that is just where HGTV said they were. I'm sure you can find them cheaper. $30 each is a little steep - but they are cool looking.