Driveway lights - solar option?
So we want to illuminate our driveway as it's got high trees both sides and is pitch black.Option 1 - put a mains electricity cable up the driveway connected to 3 lights which are automatically activated when it's dark and on all the time. Simple but wasteful of electricity.
Option 2 - put a mains electricity cable up the driveway connected to 3 lights which are motion activated with a standard sensor to only supply light when needed.Perhaps the most efficient but will the sensors be sensitive enough to light up the drive appropriately?
Option 3 - have self contained solar lights.Aren't they pretty dim and cheap/nasty?
Option 4 -have solar powered lights all connected to a single largish panel using a kit like this http://www.thesolarcentre.co.uk/products/Geo_4_Mains_Free_Solar_Lighting_Kit-557-53.html with the electronics in a small weather proof box on the drive and the panel located out of the way, on a tilted south-facing stand.Will a 12v battery drive several bright lights all night?
Option 5 - combine options 2 and 4.
Anyone done anything like this?
Thanks If your drive has high trees either side, then self-contained solar lights are going to be next to useless.
We've had several different types of self-contained solar lights over the years and even after a day of charging in clear sight of bright sunshine they are pretty useless after only a short time.
Your option of a 'remote' solar charging point is interesting, although it would still mean running a cable to the individual lights.
In which case, maybe as well running a mains cable and going for efficient lights?
Can't help with the sensors, sorry.
I wouldn't bother myself, I'd simply switch them on/off via a switch in the house.
I can't see the cost of running a few lights like this being prohibitive.
So for sheer ease and effectiveness, I'd go for option 1. This is what we have. I've got 6 * 1m high lights (3 on each side) of the drive with the switch at the front door. I have a tree planted next to each light, though they are still quite young (only about 10ft tall). When fully grown, I think the effect will be pretty good.
During the summer months they are never switched on, but at this time of the year they are very handy.
Edit: My neighbour had solar light's and they were next to useless. They eventually gave up on them and went for 'proper' lighting. I'd go for option 2 Stuart with a sensor at the house and at the end of the drive if the drive is too long for a single sensor at the house to activate the lights as people pull off the road. A bit late to the party, but I got this link in an e-mail today and thought of this thread. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
easy integrated solar street lights rising sun sresky esl-07 solar led street light, View solar street lights, eco-sources Product Details from Xiamen Eco-Sources Technology Co., Ltd. on Alibaba.com
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