Why didn't I think of that?

[W5LZ]

Not really 'home-brew', but still a neat idea.
Ever needed an extra flashlight, candle, whatever during a power outage? How about those 'solar yard lights' out in the yard along the walk ways, drive ways, etc? They typically last for 4 - 8 hours and just need to go back outside to be recharged... :blushing:
- 'Doc

 

[AudioShockwav]

Great Idea Doc!
My wife loves the things, has them all up the drive and never once did I think of them as a source of light inside......Kudos!

73
Jeff

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Most of our power outages are in the winter months an we pack the solar lights away in the fall. Good idea however for those summer outages.


On second thought,Doc are you just looking for a cheap source of lighting? You always say how cheap you are. :laugh:

 

[Black_Bart]

i have a several LED camping lanterns at the ready, a coleman cook stove for cooking & making coffee, last winter during a bad storm we went without power for 10 days, i had fun with a battery powered shortwave radio, the reception was nice with all the electric off in my house and all the neighbors houses too, absolutely no QRM to be heard anywhere

 

[hookedon6]

Great Idea Doc!
My wife loves the things, has them all up the drive and never once did I think of them as a source of light inside......Kudos!

73
Jeff

those #*&^%$$*!!! things create massive RFI

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

those #*&^%$$*!!! things create massive RFI

Really? It must depend on the type and manufacturer. We have about a dozen on the back deck and another half dozen or so around the house in flower gardens and I get zero RFI. The ones on the back deck are only about 2o feet directly below one end of my wire antenna too.

 

[hookedon6]

Really? It must depend on the type and manufacturer....

darn,..... I guess my neighbor bought the cheep ones

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

darn,..... I guess my neighbor bought the cheep ones

And I thought I bought the cheap ones.

 

[W5LZ]

HA! Let ME tell you about cheap...
(I use my neighbors lights)
- 'Doc

 

[mackmobile43]

those #*&^%$$*!!! things create massive RFI

Really? It must depend on the type and manufacturer. We have about a dozen on the back deck and another half dozen or so around the house in flower gardens and I get zero RFI. The ones on the back deck are only about 2o feet directly below one end of my wire antenna too.

Ditto, I have at least a dozen directly under my antenna and not a single issue but I do turn on my security lights when I throw the big fuck switch.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

HA! Let ME tell you about cheap...
(I use my neighbors lights)
- 'Doc

Doc, I believe you would use your neighbors sunlight to recharge them too. :laugh:

 

[HomerBB]

True story.
A lady comes into the store with a complaint. She forces me to sit and listen to her tell much of her life's story for over an hour. When finally I get to ask her, she brings the story to her solar powered driveway gate. She ordered it from us, but someone else installed it . . . another 1/2 hour. Then the problem, it quit working and so she has to park her car on the street.
I promise her I'll drop by her place after work and see what's up.
I do. It has been raining for two weeks without a moment of sunshine and her solar rechargeable batteries are dead. I tell her to wait until after we've had a few days of sunshine and then let us know if it is still not working.
Never heard from her again.

Great idea, Doc.

Additionally, use the batteries from the solar lights to power your AA flashlights, or cameras, etc. They are recharged for you by the sun simply by placing extra light caps outside and rotating the charged/discharged batteries into them. The lights sell for $3 or so and will charge 2 batteries at once. Every light comes with 2 batteries and you can not by rechargeable batteries for that price otherwise. They are usually Ni-Cads, but your flashlight won't care.