I met a young couple at the Mosquito Creek dry dock in North Vancouver; they had recently purchased an old Catalina 27 like mine so of course, swapping stories was more fun than working on the boat on "the hard." For lighting they told me they used the lights you can purchase for patio that have solar panels incorporated into them. They leave them out during the day and take them inside in the evening. Has anyone else done this? How long does the light last; I forgot to ask them?
Anyone use the solar panel patio lights
- Thread starter rsn48
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Thought about it
I've thought about these lights for cockpit lights and even lashed one to my dock for dock lighting. I never thought about taking one inside the cabin. Great idea.
I've thought about these lights for cockpit lights and even lashed one to my dock for dock lighting. I never thought about taking one inside the cabin. Great idea.
A long Time
The sun goes down around 8 o 'clock .I come home about 1 in the morning and they are still on.
The sun goes down around 8 o 'clock .I come home about 1 in the morning and they are still on.
solar lights
I use them on the exterior and as well as the interior. It depends what lights you use some give about 9 hrs and even more. Usually I find they come on at dusk and go off at dawn, so you figure the hours. I replace the rechargable battery once a year (usually after the season) The one's I habe noe are led and can be switched on or off if you want to do it and they can be switched from white or amber ligt, I am also working on getting another set with swirtchable red / green light for night vison. The sun is free so use it when you can. The prices range from about $6 to a set of dual switchable light color set of 8 LED for about $80. Harbor freight and yes guys even QVC sells them. Smooth water and light breezes folks. K9piper
I use them on the exterior and as well as the interior. It depends what lights you use some give about 9 hrs and even more. Usually I find they come on at dusk and go off at dawn, so you figure the hours. I replace the rechargable battery once a year (usually after the season) The one's I habe noe are led and can be switched on or off if you want to do it and they can be switched from white or amber ligt, I am also working on getting another set with swirtchable red / green light for night vison. The sun is free so use it when you can. The prices range from about $6 to a set of dual switchable light color set of 8 LED for about $80. Harbor freight and yes guys even QVC sells them. Smooth water and light breezes folks. K9piper
LED Anchor Light
I can't help but jump in. Bought an LED pool solar light two weeks ago and mounted in at the top of mast. Unofficial Visibility +/- 3/4 of a mile (in marina with considerable background light) Easily lasts through the night. Was approached by no less than 5 other boaters commenting on the great modification and wanting to know details in the Thousand Islands area of Lake Ontario. URL http://www.canadiantire.ca/intro/homepage.jsp?bmLocale=en&bmUID=1125332055083 click on "Garden & Patio" tab enter the sample postal code to get past the next window search keyword "solar floating light" There are two listed. I bought the first one for $19.99 PS How much more waterproof can you get??
I can't help but jump in. Bought an LED pool solar light two weeks ago and mounted in at the top of mast. Unofficial Visibility +/- 3/4 of a mile (in marina with considerable background light) Easily lasts through the night. Was approached by no less than 5 other boaters commenting on the great modification and wanting to know details in the Thousand Islands area of Lake Ontario. URL http://www.canadiantire.ca/intro/homepage.jsp?bmLocale=en&bmUID=1125332055083 click on "Garden & Patio" tab enter the sample postal code to get past the next window search keyword "solar floating light" There are two listed. I bought the first one for $19.99 PS How much more waterproof can you get??
Ralph K - do you have a switch??
Ralph - I like the light you use. Do you put a switch on the light so it is not on every night - or do you not worry about it always coming on. If someone had a boat in a marina it may be weird to always have the "anchor Light" on at night.
Ralph - I like the light you use. Do you put a switch on the light so it is not on every night - or do you not worry about it always coming on. If someone had a boat in a marina it may be weird to always have the "anchor Light" on at night.
RALPH...I had the same IDEA...
Ralph...I mounted a solar MAST light on my MAC 26 Classic..."LOOKS GREAT" and visibility is awesome, on TOP OF THE MAST !!!! No worry of battery drain, switches, wire, etc. Just occasionally a BIRD likes the "PERCH" .. if you know what I mean...HA ! PATIO SOLAR LIGHTS <<< best kept secret for BOATERS, but not anymore...inexpensive, affective, durable, and uncomplicated !!!!
Ralph...I mounted a solar MAST light on my MAC 26 Classic..."LOOKS GREAT" and visibility is awesome, on TOP OF THE MAST !!!! No worry of battery drain, switches, wire, etc. Just occasionally a BIRD likes the "PERCH" .. if you know what I mean...HA ! PATIO SOLAR LIGHTS <<< best kept secret for BOATERS, but not anymore...inexpensive, affective, durable, and uncomplicated !!!!
One for the Boom
I have a solar light I found at HD that looks like a lantern with most of the light projected out of the bottom. I tied it off to the end of the boom on my Cat22. It gives off enough soft light to illuminate the cockpit at night so I don't trip or fall. My wife calls it a nice romantic glow. One warning. If you leave it out during the summer nights you will find your cockpit full of gnats in the morning.
I have a solar light I found at HD that looks like a lantern with most of the light projected out of the bottom. I tied it off to the end of the boom on my Cat22. It gives off enough soft light to illuminate the cockpit at night so I don't trip or fall. My wife calls it a nice romantic glow. One warning. If you leave it out during the summer nights you will find your cockpit full of gnats in the morning.
More choices
Like Gallagher, I found the solar lantern at HomeyD and use it in the cabin. I replaced the rechargeable battery with a regular AA and added a switch as it doesn't get put out during the day to recharge. We hang it under the bimini at night when we leave the boat to light the cockpit when we return. Yes, the knats and mosquitos love it too! We found another solar powered light called a "Picnic Table Light"--looks like a tall hockey puck. We put them out on deck at the lifeline gate and on the cockpit seat and floor. Their amber light doesn't attract as many bugs and they make seeing footfalls easy. They come open easy to insert a plastic tab against the positive battery stud to shut them off when not needed. Cost was about $10 ea.
Like Gallagher, I found the solar lantern at HomeyD and use it in the cabin. I replaced the rechargeable battery with a regular AA and added a switch as it doesn't get put out during the day to recharge. We hang it under the bimini at night when we leave the boat to light the cockpit when we return. Yes, the knats and mosquitos love it too! We found another solar powered light called a "Picnic Table Light"--looks like a tall hockey puck. We put them out on deck at the lifeline gate and on the cockpit seat and floor. Their amber light doesn't attract as many bugs and they make seeing footfalls easy. They come open easy to insert a plastic tab against the positive battery stud to shut them off when not needed. Cost was about $10 ea.
LED Bouy Light
On a related note.. I was looking for possible LED anchor lights and stumbled on this unit, which is built for a bouy or fixed nav light. Gotta figure it's pretty heavy duty, but it's $150 (Australian?), which isn't crazy but still pricey.
On a related note.. I was looking for possible LED anchor lights and stumbled on this unit, which is built for a bouy or fixed nav light. Gotta figure it's pretty heavy duty, but it's $150 (Australian?), which isn't crazy but still pricey.
solar lights
Some friends have a few of the real cheap sets in the yard, and while not the brightest light source, are plenty good for basic lighting. Also, after I found out they had a nicad in them and looking at the price for a set of 10 I had him pick me up a set, I have a lot of odd tools that use aa batteries, (radio/cd/mp3 player, flashlights, laser levels,studfinders etc) enough that battery costs over the course of a year gets crazy and I couldn't buy nicads for the price of 10 lights, took the batteries, and tossed most of the lights, kept two to see if I could use them as lightless chargers. ken
Some friends have a few of the real cheap sets in the yard, and while not the brightest light source, are plenty good for basic lighting. Also, after I found out they had a nicad in them and looking at the price for a set of 10 I had him pick me up a set, I have a lot of odd tools that use aa batteries, (radio/cd/mp3 player, flashlights, laser levels,studfinders etc) enough that battery costs over the course of a year gets crazy and I couldn't buy nicads for the price of 10 lights, took the batteries, and tossed most of the lights, kept two to see if I could use them as lightless chargers. ken
I Found a Great Solar Light ;D
Like you, I thought about looking, after my wife bought a set of individual solar lights for the yard. The were nice, but put out a small white point of light. I don't work for the company or have any affiliation, but you can see what I bought at: http://www.buy-solar.com/soloutligsl.html I found a great lantern with a light diffuser lens, on/off switch, replacable battery, aluminum construction that looks like copper, and one that lights all night on one day's charge. I use it as an anchor light hanging from the jib halyard, in the cockpit and in the cabin. Cost $40. from an American distributor who has a GREAT customer service department! I love it.
Like you, I thought about looking, after my wife bought a set of individual solar lights for the yard. The were nice, but put out a small white point of light. I don't work for the company or have any affiliation, but you can see what I bought at: http://www.buy-solar.com/soloutligsl.html I found a great lantern with a light diffuser lens, on/off switch, replacable battery, aluminum construction that looks like copper, and one that lights all night on one day's charge. I use it as an anchor light hanging from the jib halyard, in the cockpit and in the cabin. Cost $40. from an American distributor who has a GREAT customer service department! I love it.
COLREGS Rule 22 (c)
Methinks we have been through this discussion before. Just so a newcomer to sailing doesn't make a mistake and think that the garden variety solar lamps are marine legal - COLREGS rule 22 (c) states that for vessels under 12 meters, a masthead light, or an anchor light must be clearly visible for a distance of two miles. Over 12 meters - 3 miles. You can't see one of those cheap garden solar lamps at half a mile!!!
Methinks we have been through this discussion before. Just so a newcomer to sailing doesn't make a mistake and think that the garden variety solar lamps are marine legal - COLREGS rule 22 (c) states that for vessels under 12 meters, a masthead light, or an anchor light must be clearly visible for a distance of two miles. Over 12 meters - 3 miles. You can't see one of those cheap garden solar lamps at half a mile!!!
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