eMarine Solar Rail Lights

[geoffschultz]

A while ago I posted a question (http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=14860) dealing with rail mounted solar lights. I decided to go with lights from eMarine Solar (http://emarinesolar.com/solar-lights/solar-rail-lights.php) because I'm not too thrilled with having my boat look like a tiki bar and I figured that something built for the marine environment would last a lot longer than the typical garden variety light and would pay for itself in the long haul.

I just received them and was I mistaken! There's nothing about these that are "marine" grade. Here's the letter that I just sent them:

I just received 4 of your solar rail lights and they're a piece of crap! These things won't last in marine environment for any length of time. Starting from the outside:

1. You're using soft-iron (not stainless steel) screws to hold the light dome retaining ring on.
2. There's absolutely no attempt made to seal the battery or the electronics from external water sources.
3. There are 2 holes (one large, one small) in the retaining ring which would allow large amount of water in from the underside.

I don't know what your definition of "marine" is, but as a cruiser with over 40,000 miles under my keel, I can assure you that there is nothing marine about this and it will fail very quickly.

How do I get my money back?
​

So, save your money and don't order this "marine grade" junk. I also attached 2 images showing the construction. Don't you love the one where you can see the circuit board from underneath?

-- Geoff

 

[dlewis812]

thanks for heads up!

after seeing the orig thread was actually going to order these.. thanks for the warning (sorry, hope you can return)

 

[windward54]

I tried to warn you. I tried the product when it first hit the market and found them to be the crappiest product I've ever tried. I usually don't bad mouth a product, as I figure maybe there a niche for it for someone, but these lights just stink.

 

[fireman416]

I think I will stisk to the giant tiger or Canaddina tire $1.50 garden lights. At least if the only last a summer or a few weeks I won't be out much money

 

[Chris Patterson]

Well, the mount looks kinda snazzy. But the innards look just like the two dollar walmart junkers..

 

[geoffschultz]

Windward54: I was off skiing on 1/9 when you posted that and I guess that I just missed it. My bad and $.

-- Geoff

 

[soldier1964]

glad i got the dollar store throw aways. the better half always get a dozen for her plants and there is always a few left over. hope you can get your money back or some kind of satisfaction.

 

[capta]

4 of the 8 cheap garden solar lites have lasted for 2 years, every night. Can't beat that for value. At anchor in all weather. The ones I found at Heartland America fit right into my winches after you pull off the spike. I built a "charging station" that they sit in during the day as I use them around the cockpit which is under the bimini.
We still run our anchor lite of course, but I doubt we'll get hit amidships with these little babies illuminating the center cockpit.

 

[med2463]

I tried to warn you. I tried the product when it first hit the market and found them to be the crappiest product I've ever tried. I usually don't bad mouth a product, as I figure maybe there a niche for it for someone, but these lights just stink.

I was warned too, but bought them anyway. They lasted about a year, threw them away. My husband made some holders out of bimini hardware and stainless pipe that we already had that he cut. They hold inexpensive solar lights from Walmart. We also have a solar light on the dinghy motor, bought a flag holder that holds a solar yard light. See pics.

 

[robertsapp]

For the best price to performance ratio, you can't beat the $1.99 stainless steel solar yard lights at Wal-mart. We've found that they work great for a season. If you want, you can go by Harbour Freight and buy a cheap package of rechargable NiMH AA batteries for a few bucks and renew the lights for a second season. We've found after two years in the Florida sun the plastic lens becomes too cloudy, so then we throw them away and buy a new set. Two years of deck safety lighting for about the cost of three lattes at Starbucks.

 

[kenn]

Well, the mount looks kinda snazzy. But the innards look just like the two dollar walmart junkers..

...because the innards are $2 junkers.