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rmak
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# Posted: 23 Dec 2014 11:47
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I need some kind of light on the porch of the cabin. Since it's solar powered and the power is inside, I am moving away from wiring a light and switch since I would have to get into the cabin and turn the power on at the inverter. This kind of defeats the purpose of lighting my way into the cabin at night. But it would be nice to be able to turn on at will to check what's outside.
My second option is a solar powered motion light. This would be great, but I don't really want the light to come on all night if a branch sways in the wind, etc.
Not a great dilemma. Just thought some of you smart folks could suggest something I'm not thinking of.
If a motion light is what I need, is there a brand better than others?
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 23 Dec 2014 12:12 - Edited by: MtnDon
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I gave up on motion detector lights; too many other things that move in the night. My easiest solution is the Surefire flashlight that goes everywhere I go. We also have a porxh light and a couple other side wall LED lights connected to the same switch inside the door. We use that when we are inside and are going outside. At times I also use one of the headband lights we have in the cabin. Very handy when you need your hands free.
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rmak
Member
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# Posted: 23 Dec 2014 12:26
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Flashlight? Is that some kind of new electronic technology?
That would work with a switched porch light.
I'm just curious. is there an outdoor self contained solar light with a switch?
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 23 Dec 2014 14:11
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Waka waka
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rmak
Member
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# Posted: 23 Dec 2014 17:35
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Looking for information on Waka Waka led me to the Sun King Pro 2, also very nice...
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basrijn
Member
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# Posted: 24 Dec 2014 01:29
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We use quite a few MrBeams (http://www.mrbeams.com/) lights with Eneloop rechargables. Works great for quite a while even in very low temps. In our case I was able to place them in a few places where animals etc are not likely to trigger them.
Bas
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BaconCreek
Member
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# Posted: 24 Dec 2014 08:25
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Mr. Beams are great. Batteries last a long time and the light is bright. I have one in the outhouse so when the door is opened it comes on automatically. I have one on the cabin front which illuminates the stairs leading to the front door and another on the front of the outhouse so that it lights up as you approach it. In the summer if we find the lights annoying when we are outside late we just cover the head with a piece of foil or something so it doesn't trip.
I bought mine on Amazon.
I also bought 2 more to illuminate the step on my front walk at home. Solar just doesn't do the trick in cloudy KY.
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beachman
Member
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# Posted: 24 Dec 2014 11:16
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Costco sells neat led puck lights with a remote switch. You can place them on a porch ceiling and have the switch anywhere nearby. Each one takes 3 AA batteries. I have seen other led lights with remotes so check around - Dollar Store, Christmas Tree Shops, etc...
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rmak
Member
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# Posted: 25 Dec 2014 21:38
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I just bought a Sun King Pro 2 on sale. I'm going to try it with a hook on the deck overhang with the solar charger on the roof. The big selling point over Wakawaka for me was the phone/tablet charger. I often listen to music (Pandora, Spoitfy) while I'm working back at the cabin, but my phone battery goes down fast. This will give me an option to keep it charged. Also, I can bring the light inside and use it as a desk light or night light when I don't want to use the full solar system.
Solar King also has the same program as Wakawaka in that it supplies lights to developing countries to provide night light for families there. These efforts are funded by sales, so it's all good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWG8IkSN5Sw
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Julie2Oregon
Member
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2014 02:29
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I've been looking at those on Amazon, rmak. Could you let us know how it all works for you?
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rmak
Member
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2014 09:16
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Will do, Julie. I was given some Christmas money and I found a Wakawaka on sale too. I might just pick that one up and do a comparison for the folks here.
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2014 17:16
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That's great, rmak!
Haha, when people asked me what I'd like for Christmas, I said to think in terms of three words -- off the grid. I received a French press coffeemaker, a solar flashlight, a manual coffee bean grinder (yes, I love my coffee!), and an Amazon gift card!
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rmak
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2014 22:37
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Hi Julie,
Good for you! That's some cool stuff. We got rid of our French press about 10 years ago because "they" said unfiltered coffee was bad for you. Now "they" are saying strong coffee has numerous health benefits. What a crazy world.
Sun King and Wakawaka are on amazon. I'll take them out for a test drive and try to give an accurate report.
Take care.
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timcook
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2014 23:38
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I have a rotating motion light on my cabin it runs just off of 2 AA batterys and it works great i have had it up for about six months and have not had to replace the batterys, justr got 4 more for christmas and i cant wait to mount them at the cabin. They are so simple and they work great. Cheers enjoy
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rmak
Member
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# Posted: 30 Dec 2014 10:37
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Hi Tim,
Do you have a brand name or link I can use to look them over? Do you ever get the light going on when you don't want it to? Earlier in this thread I mentioned I didn't want lights going on and off unnecessarily at the cabin site. We have a motion light at our home and in windy conditions moving branches and leaves set it off. Also, how expensive are the lights you're suggesting?
Thanks!
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spencerin
Member
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# Posted: 31 Dec 2014 13:17
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I bought a motion-activated porch light that runs off 4 C batteries. I am VERY pleased with how well it works. For lack of a better description, it turns on exactly when it is supposed to, and I only need to replace the batteries 1-2 times per year. Run a search for "Maxsa 40219 Battery Powered Motion-Activated Wall Sconce" on Amazon.
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rmak
Member
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# Posted: 3 Jan 2015 09:49
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Thanks for the tip, spencerin. I just found a cheap Maxsa 40219 on Ebay. It's worth giving a try.
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TranquilMan
Member
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# Posted: 17 Feb 2015 20:04
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A good thread going here on motion lights. I'm a new member on the site so happy to weigh in here. I've got a small cabin, remote, off-the-grid, boat access. I wouldn't be worried about animals setting them off in the night. I had a bear go through my shinny new door in October 2013. A heck of a mess! I still haven't found my honey jar. I put a solar motion light up to test last year and it works great. It only comes on when someone or something gets to the first step. I've read that motion lights help spook the bears so after my experience, I'll be putting up a few more once I find a good one. I'd also only go with LED. That's the way of the future because they are so efficient. Next year I'm going to run an experiment to see what scares the mice away. Any ideas?
- TranquilMan
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