September 18, 2016

Solar Barn Light and Paint

With the sun rising later and it getting dark earlier, I was very happy to get this installed.


We didn't want to run electricity out to the barn, so I found a solar LED shed light at Amazon. The reviews on it were great and at the time I ordered it (about two weeks ago) the price was only about $50. It has since more than doubled! (I note that the one currently listed on Amazon is a different seller for the same product. I would definitely recommend it, but wait until MicroSolar, Inc. offers it again - better price.)

It turns on and off by pull chain and has three brightness levels.

This is on high

The only problem with the pull chain is that it hangs from the lamp so I can't turn the light on from the doorway. I reckon I'll have to leave a flashlight at the door in case we want to go in when it's pitch dark out.

The Little Barn is mostly shaded, but Dan chose a corner which gets both morning and afternoon sun on which to mount the solar panel.

It will still charge without full sunlight, just more slowly.

The panel is adjustable to get the best sun.

It's both hinged and swiveled. 

You can also see that I've started painting. Dan is working on the last door so I'll be able to show that to you soon. Windows will be after that.

39 comments:

Goatldi said...

Sweet! That would fit in my barn nicely. What is the estimated usage time for it? I will have to keep an eye out for those in that particular brand. What about a solar porch light for the outside barn door and even the solar garden stake lights to light the pathway?

Michelle said...

I didn't know such a thing existed! It would be nice for our henhouse, but I don't think it has a single sunny corner.

Bag End Gardener said...

Love your light, will have to have a look and see if something like this is available in the UK.

Leigh said...

When the battery is fully charged it's estimated to last for 5~6 hours on high, 10~12 hours on medium, and 15~18 hours on low. Customer reviews were pleased with it, also that they were still working well after two years of use. That said a lot! I probably only use it about an hour in the morning, so even without getting full sun, the battery has plenty of juice for my needs.

We have a solar motion-activated light over the carport which lights the way going back to the barn or chicken coop. The only other thing we'd like to add is the smallest size solar powered ventilation fan, like the one we put in the attic.

Jason and Michelle said...

That light is amazing. I may need to watch Amazon for it :)

Farmer Barb said...

For getting to and from the barn, I love wearing a camper's headlamp. I have both hands free and I can see where I need to see.

Stefan said...

I saw on amazon uk that similar ones are available with remote control - not sure how that one's powered though. it might make sense if it worked with rechargeable batts (we have a solar recharger for those...). we have invested in several smaller solar chargers over the last few years - there might come a time when (sun)light is all we have for this!

Leigh said...

The cord to the panel is about 16 feet, with additional extensions costing about $6 each. If you put the solar panel on a pole in the sun, you could probably do it. I got one extension to go from my workbench to the corner of the barn.

Leigh said...

Jayne, I'm guessing you can! So much is international nowadays, especially with international sellers like Amazon.

Leigh said...

MicroSolar seems to sell it off and on. They are the manufacturer and hence the better price.

Leigh said...

In the morning it's usually light enough to see to the barn, it's just inside that's too dark. I do love those headlamps during kidding season, though. They are definitely must-haves!

Leigh said...

A remote control would be nice, even though it uses another battery! Next on our to-get list is a solar 12-volt battery recharger.

weavinfool said...

We used battery powered lights in our barn that you pushed on to get it to turn on, then pushed again for off. If you install one just inside your door you could have more light than a flashlight to get to your pull chain. It does use batteries, but so do flashlights.

1st Man said...

Oh my gosh, you are my hero. I've been looking for some sort of light for inside the shed and the barn, and I LOVE that they look like an new version of an old school hanging light. At night they are just so dark and we don't have electricity run to them yet. One would be fine in the shed, might need two in the barn.

I've also often wondered about those solar outdoor motion lights.

Will keep my eye open for this. Thanks!!

Donna OShaughnessy said...

Love that light Leigh and it looks very bright!Also love your barn. Oh do I have new barn envy as we head into winter number two here on The Poor Farm with less than ideal shelters.

Ed said...

Where's the battery? If it is with the solar cell, you could install a switch between that and the light and just leave the pull chain in the on position all the time. If the battery is in the light base, well, it gets more complicated.

Renee Nefe said...

that looks awesome. I still need to look into getting solar lighting (either solar tubes or like yours) for my basement. There's electric lighting down there, but it doesn't light up every where and usually not where I need it to be lit. :p

Chris said...

Sweet little set-up. Not much else to say, but that. :)

Goatldi said...

I found them on ebay also.

Goatldi said...

A fan would be great. I have one that runs on D batteries. If it weren't for Costco and their large economy packages I couldn't afford to use it. Would love to fine something else!

Leigh said...

The solar models really do help with running costs, but they cost more upfront. I just hope that they last long enough to make them the better purchasing choice!

Leigh said...

That's certainly an option.

Leigh said...

Well, it looks better in a photo, because the lamp housing is just cheap plastic, but oh well! I think another company makes them with metal, but of course the price goes up. I believe there are other sizes as well.

The motion light is okay. We got it to replace a street light in the back yard that the electric company charged us rent for. Ours has started coming on any time of day or night, which would be annoying if it ran on household current or used a battery.

Leigh said...

Donna, I can empathize! This is our 7th winter here, so you can imagine I'm thrilled with this. :)

Leigh said...

I had to look that up in the instructions. The battery is in the light base. But really, I know I said this was a "problem," but so far it's been okay. We don't go out to start chores until it's light enough for the chickens to come out of the coop, and by that time it's light enough to make my way into the milking room without bumping into anything.

Leigh said...

These lights would make great light sources for all kinds of places, as long as you can get the panel in the sun.

Leigh said...

Thanks! I like it!

Nancy In Boise said...

I may have to get one for my coop! Thanks!!!

Nancy In Boise said...

I saw this for $30. https://www.amazon.com/MicroSolar-Lumen-Lithium-Battery-Solar/dp/B00E1ZOJ48/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1474504936&sr=1-2&keywords=solar+barn+light

Leigh said...

Nancy, yes! I was going to tell you the same company makes a smaller model but you found it on your own first! That would be perfect for a chicken coop, and they still have that one in stock! The plastic covers are kind of cheap-looking, but I would definitely buy from MicroSolar again.

Nancy In Boise said...

I will probably get one for our coop, and you could stash a few of those for emergency power outages. I could see running the cord inside (thru a window, etc) and using inside with some creativity!

Nancy In Boise said...

Putting a link back to your post on mine.

Leigh said...

I've been thinking the same thing! At first I was thinking porch light, but then, like you, I realized how easy it would be to run the cord through a window for indoor lighting too. A great thing to have when the power goes out!

Leigh said...

Thank you!

matty said...

This is a great light! We were just talking about putting one in our hay barn. It is on its way! I always learn something from you, Leigh!

Lilypink said...

My grandparents solved the chain reach problem by tying string onto it and running the string to the door and attaching it to something there.

Lilypink said...

My grandparents' light fixture was porcelain and metal. I'm not sure this light would tolerate being pulled to the side.

Leigh said...

This was something I just stumbled upon awhile back and kept tucked back in my brain for my barn. Really happy with it and would like to get a few more.

Leigh said...

That's a very clever idea, but I have to agree that the cheap plastic doesn't lend itself to something so creative and useful. Actually, I rarely go in there when it's extreme night, but keep a flashlight hanging by the door just in case. That's worked okay the few times I've had to use it.