Moonrays 91225 Verona Style Solar Powered Plastic Path Light, Black, 10 Pack

CCI Moonrays 91225 Solar Powered plastic path light verona style, 10-Pack, black. This set of 10-path light fixtures helps to illuminate any area that needs added safety. They nicely mark the edge of a driveway or sidewalk, garden steps or swimming pool perimeter. The black plastic fixtures have one white LED and cast a soft glow, blending into the landscape of any home. Fixtures have durable plastic construction for longevity in all weather conditions.

Technical Details

• Durable plastic construction
• Rechargeable AA NiCd battery (Included)
• 10-Lamps per package
• White LEDs
• 10-1/2-inch above ground height

What People Are Saying About These Outdoor Lights

The 10" inch stake perfect for setting in container plants.
Very aesthetic, very well constructed, easily assembled and the higher stake a bonus.

3 of the 10 now buried in neighbor's front yard [at bottom of porch steps] to 'highlight' thick tree roots coming up. A safety measure for mail carrier and us. Don't really care if they don't burn all night as no one should be in these two yards after 10pm.

Remaining seven in large container plant pots this yard. Rec'd 5 days after placing order. As always Amazon's great expediency of orders. Well packed in Mfg. box so 'Out of box-assembled and into place outdoors within 1.5 hrs.'
[Less time if no dog looking for his treat from the truckman]

All ten light up brightly during [indoor] test as soon as battery strip removed as instructions say. There is a ticket that says let them 'sun charge 8 hrs'

Since some are in the shade - will be able to easily remove tops and set on table to get full sun to charge.

These pix for now - may try night ones later - 


Updated Info.
On the set I received, all worked, so far. I fully charged all the batteries before I installed them. One note: they currently come with 400 MaH batteries. I was not aware you could even find batteries with such a low rating, but here they are. I have replaced the battery in one unit with an 800 MaH battery so I can see if this makes any difference. One night's usage only seemed to deplete 80 MaH so hopefully the solar charger will keep up.

I live in Minnesota so I don't expect these to work in the winter and I will probably remove the heads for the season. So far, after a week, all are working through the night.

great yard light
Mine have been going steady for over a year. Shining away every night summer and winter with ice on them. One got hit by a weedeater and broke the clear plastic on one side but the weather (and rainbirds) never seem to bother it. I had some from a big box store and the slightest rain had them all shut down for a week and now they are all dead permanently, insufficient solar cell area on those, Moonrays are made to work.
 
Pretty night lights
These night lights are small but shine a pretty light along the faux creek-bed in the back yard. Don't think lights, think fireflies, and you'll get the size right. One star off because the stakes are a bit short (IMHO) and the lights are SO small. For the price, these are a great buy, though, and they add a sort of fairy-land charm to the yard.

Setup was easy and quick. With a day's charge, the lights stay on sunset to sunrise. Silly as it is, my favorite thing is to watch them flicker on as evening falls.

My box came with ten lights but only eight stakes. I requested the missing two stakes by email from Moonrays (3 weeks ago) but have not yet received them.

Nice little lights
Bought these from Amazon two weeks ago but only put them up this past weekend. Very fast shipping (as always) from Amazon and had them within two days of my order. Opened the box right away to look at them and was impressed how the Moonrays box had the individual tops pacakged inside to prevent breakage.

As I was placing them this weekend along my front stone path there were two things I noticed. For one, the plastic is very light and seems fragile to me. I don't know how well these will hold up, but they look pretty good for now.
The second thing was the length of the stake at the bottom. It was probably a little over 4" long, which was good because they should stick in the ground fairly well. The hardest part was trying to keep all the lights even with each other and keep them straight as I lightly hammered them into the ground. (*Note: Hammer the stakes into the first, them attach the tops. Don't try to hammer them with the tops on. Duh)

Out of the package, I only found one light that was dim...possibly a bad battery or just needed to be recharged. But I used 8 of the 10 for my path and, so far, they have been great. They light up well enough to see the stepping stones but not overly bright. They just seem to bring a touch of class to the front of my house at night, which was all that I wanted.

Overall, very pleased with this product. Took off 1 star for the 1 dim light and the flimsiness of the plastic.

Worked straight out of the box
These lights worked straight out of the box and kept on working until they switched off at daybreak.
They've been in the garden since then, and seem to be reliable so far.
I would have preferred a little more light and a little less on-time, but they do seem to be a fair deal.
Minor quibbles would be about the instructions which were written to cover three widely differing models and so tended to be slightly less than straightforward. The spikes were cleverly hidden inside the stands and had to be fished out, which was not mentioned anywhere that I could find (but then I did dump the instructions pretty early in the game).
All in all a nice birthday present for the wife.

Great looking lights, at a great price
I ordered this product Wednesday night, and was amazed that Amazon was able to get it to my house Friday morning with Free Saver shipping! Lights were packaged neatly.

The product itself is a great buy. There are 10 lights that are extremely simple to assemble and install... my 5 year old son had no problems helping me put these up along our walkway. There are basically three simple steps to putting these lights together. Put the stakes in the ground, attach the lights to the stakes, and remove little plastic tabs from battery slot in order to start the charging and use of the batteries.

The design, made from all plastic, is very sturdy and has an elegant look to it.

I put the lights up outside around 1pm today, and it was fairly cloudy. That being said... once the sun went down, all 10 lights lit up and looks great along my walkway. The LEDs let off a nice blueish white light.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with the lights, and the job Amazon did shipping the product.

good and cheap solar lights
I wanted some cheap solar light tolight up my yard without adding to my electricity bill. I ordered these on 12/13/09 and received them after three days in good conditions (it was a rainy day here), even when the box was sitting outside my house. I never have trouble in receiving anything from amazon shipping has been fast always. right now they are sitting on my kitchen counter fully assembled and tested.
about the lights:
1 yes they are cheap even compared to biglots
2. construction is plastic from a distance does not feel cheap.
3. I received all the lights ie 10 of them nothing missing
4. the solar panel probably is amorphous silicon which are not very efficient in converting light to electricity. nicely sealed from the inside that poses the problem of water seeping into the sides of the exposed panel may be lead to shorting later on (not sure about this)
5. the batteries are 600mAH 1.2 V NiCad
6. one of the poster commented on the stands beign very fragile. In my view they are designed for holding these lamps and does the job well. however how they are going to hold these lamps in rains and winds time will tell.
some of the lights i received the sensor was kind of smudged though it worked even in presence of the fluorescent light, so it will definitely work in sunlight. with my experiment in presence of fluorescent light i am thinking that they may not work in my front yard because of the street light in my front yard. as one poster mentioned that the led's are not bright which is true anyways.
The lights are very simple in construction and I hope that no one should have any problem in modding them to their taste in fact these are the best ones for modding. i will try to replace these leds with yellow ones in some of them to have a feel of warmth instead of the white light. I will add a red led on one of them and place it on my mail box, the neighbours may get a kick out of it. I will update this post after the experimentation later on.       

Outdoor Lighting Ideas to Improve Your Outdoor Living

When driving along at night, the homes that draw the most attention are, of course, those that have employed a great outdoor lighting plan.  These homes showcase the architectural and landscaping features that make these homes unique and of course also enhance the security and usability of the property.  You can also have one of these homes that people riding by at night admire by utilizing the many outdoor lighting ideas available on the market today.  By doing so, you can extend the use of your outdoor living space by making these areas available well into the nighttime hours.

Lighting the outdoor living space has become one of the many new amenities builders are including in the new homes built today.  Where in the past, the lighting provided for outdoor use consisted mainly of porch lighting for the main entrances of the house, there are many modern outdoor lighting ideas that promote the increased use and enjoyability of the outside of your home.  This lighting is used to illuminate the modern living rooms that have moved outside the house and are used not just for special occasions, but on an every evening basis.

Outdoor lighting fixtures and bulbs have advanced far beyond the standard flood lights or spot lights that adorn many of our homes.  While these are still mainstays in providing outdoor lighting, many new modern fixtures can not only be placed in areas never thought of before, but do it in a most energy efficient way.  In place of the standard incandescent bulbs you can now utilize halogen lighting, LED lights,  or compact florescent lamps (CFL).  All of these new products, while more expensive to purchase, provide a comparable amount of light to the incandescent bulb while utilizing much less electricity thus reducing the cost of operation.  And, if you really want to reduce the cost of operation, most modern fixtures can be found that operate totally off of solar power.

These modern light bulbs can be operated using a large variety of fixtures that were unheard of in the last generation.  Fixtures available today include ones that include rope lighting, floating pool lighting, deck lighting, floor lighting, rail lighting, as well as floor and table lamps that can be moved to different areas at will.  As you can see, the ways in which you can apply your outdoor lighting ideas today are limited pretty much only to your imagination.

Motion Sensor Outdoor Lighting - Added Security for Your Family

Most everyone if familiar with motion sensor outdoor lighting even though it may be on a limited basis.  But, if you are considering some type of upgrade to your outdoor lighting, you owe it to yourself and your family to become more educated on the advantages of utilizing motion sensors on at least some of your outdoor lights.  Some people's outdoor lighting consists simply of porch lights near the front and back door of their homes.  Even if your lighting plan is this simplistic, motion sensitive lighting can still be a consideration.

Much of the outside lighting today around homes is used to highlight the extensive landscaping or architectural features of homes and would not benefit from motion sensors.  It is the other outdoor lighting that we are talking about.  The lighting that is used to either guide you around some obscure parts of your property or the lighting used for the security of your property.  Both of these type lights are prime candidates for motion sensor outdoor lighting. 

While this type lighting is generally a great idea, there are a few drawbacks that you should consider.  Many police departments will tell you that lighting is one of the best alternatives to use when it comes to creating a deterrent to keep intruders off your property.  However, having constant bright lighting shining in all different directions on your property creates light pollution that neither you or you neighbors will be very happy with.  You also have to consider the amount of energy that many of these high intensity outdoor lights utilize.  The answer to both these problems is the installation of motion sensor outdoor lighting.

As you can see, motion sensor outdoor lighting incorporated into an overall outdoor lighting plan can be an excellent idea when utilized properly.  Lighting of this type has many advantages when it comes to saving energy and providing cost effective solutions to your outdoor lighting needs.  Moreover, they provide vital security for your property without sacrificing functionality.  When the lights are not needed, they are not on, but if some intruder makes his way onto your property, the motion detectors on your outside lighting will provide the first line of defense for the security of you and your family.

Outdoor Deck Lighting - A Challenging But Rewarding Project

There is no question that outdoor deck lighting not only enhances the look of your deck but also increases the use of your outdoor space.  If you take a look at all the different type outdoor lighting available today, you will find that the choices are easily adaptable to whatever situation your deck may present.  Fixtures are available that allow you to attach or recess lighting into walls, posts, steps, railings, ceilings or even the deck flooring itself if you are so inclined.  In addition to all the types of lighting available, their low voltage power systems will usually allow for the lights to be low cost and pretty easy to install.

Many of the decks that are appearing on newer homes today utilize some type of outdoor deck lighting.  With the variety of different materials these lights are constructed of, such as aluminum, wood, plastic, or vinyl, you can easily match most any style of deck you may construct.  They also come with different type bulbs depending on your preference of lighting.  If you prefer a cooler light, you have the choice of LED or fluorescent lighting.  If you opt for warmer lighting, then the traditional incandescent bulbs will be for you.

If you find yourself without adequate electricity available on your deck or you simply do not wish to deal with the electrical wiring necessary to operate a hard wired low voltage system, most all types of outdoor deck lighting are available in solar powered units.  The solar lighting available today is much better than those that were on the market just a couple of years ago.  They can be purchased with a solar collection panel that can be located remotely from the lighting fixture, thus allowing you place the panel in a spot that allows the unit to gather enough energy from the sun to charge the batteries adequately to provide lighting for up to 10 to 14 hours depending on the lighting system you choose.

In addition to providing lighting for looks and practicality, you really should consider the safety of your deck when you install this type lighting.  In doing so, the steps become the most important area that you can light to increase the safe enjoyment of your deck.  Not only will recessing lights into the risers of you steps make for a much better environment on your deck, they could also keep you out of court if you prevent someone from tripping and injuring themselves on your deck steps.

Although lighting your deck can be a challenging project, it also provides you with the chance to really improve the usability of the area.  Outdoor deck lighting presents you with the opportunity to show your creativity and to create a space that you, your family, and your guests can enjoy no matter the time of day or night.

Garden Lighting Adds Inexpensive Beauty

For the homeowner that desires to maximize the enjoyment of their garden no matter the time of day, lighting is not only a necessary but mandatory enhancement.  In today's hustle and bustle society when time is a commodity of more value than money, evenings are the only time many of us are able to just sit, relax, have a nice cool drink and enjoy that garden we work so hard to grow.  Adequate garden lighting is a must for not only the enjoyment of your garden after night fall, but for the safety of your family and guests as well.  You do not want to wander the garden without proper outdoor lighting as you could possibly trip and fall injuring yourself or damaging some treasured garden feature.

Many backyard landscapes today are meant to provide entertainment for family, as well as friends since our busy lifestyle does not always allow a weekend get away.  Thus many homes are professionally landscaped and equipped with backyard swimming pools meant to be enjoyed long after the sun has set.  Without proper garden lighting, those special features on which you spent so much money to install and time to maintain will appear as a dull shadow in the moon light.  A swimming pool provides a great opportunity for the reflection of lighting into your backyard landscape.

When considering a lighting plan for your garden, keep in mind you are not looking to provide a place for wayward aircraft to land.  Keep your lighting in the garden area more quaint and subtle in order to set a mood of calm and maybe even romance.  While some function areas such as the cooking and food prep areas will require lighting that is somewhat brighter, most of your garden lighting will provide just enough illumination to provide for the safe movement around the grounds and highlighting of special features.

While lighting your garden for safety and security is a necessary thing that you should address.  Remember that you are also wanting to highlight unique architectural and natural features of your landscape as well as maybe a specimen tree that truly stands out in your yard.  Also, as you devise your garden lighting plan, keep in mind that you do not have to keep things entirely serious.  Consider adding some character to your garden with whimsical lighting such as cartoon characters, chili peppers or any type fixture that tickles your fancy.  Your lawn is an open palette that provides you with the opportunity to have fun and show the uniqueness of your personal taste as you carry out the lighting plan of your dreams.

Outdoor Garden Lights Add Pizazz

All the work that is done in a garden can easily go unnoticed after dark if you fail to put the finishing touches on your garden with outdoor garden lights. I came across an interesting article that will provide some information that can help plan for the use of lighting in our gardens.

The Advantages of Garden Lighting
By Paul Shipway

All of us fully enjoy late summer evenings in our gardens. It is an enjoyable part of the day when the sun has gone down and made the air comfortable to do outdoor chores, play with the children, have a barbecue, or simply enjoy a stroll or refreshing drink while relaxing. This is a time when we wish to make the most of outdoor living. Though darkness may fall, you still may not wish to retreat to the house. It is a good idea to have some garden lighting installed so that you are able to enjoy this beautiful time of year.

In the winter, sparkling snow and glittering icicles invite us to join them in the quietness of late evening. It is fun and calming to walk through freshly fallen snow and watch the moonlight glow against the whiteness of the snow. Or perhaps you have children who are eagerly begging to run out and throw a few snowballs or make a snowman. All this can be made more possible with the addition of a few garden lights. This will make you feel more comfortable and help you enjoy being able to see your surroundings more.

Do you own a terrace or patio that needs some evening lighting? Garden lights will perfectly create an intimate atmosphere for that dinner date or create a twinkling array for a celebration party or family gathering. Why should a party end before the evening does? Lighting creates mood, and this can be very helpful when entertaining, especially around the holidays.

Garden lighting also adds an element of safety and protection to your property and to you personally. It is a known fact that having lighting around the outside of your home is a deterrent to crime. If people are worried about being seen, they will not attempt to do things that they would easily do in darkness. Lighting with motion sensors are another type of lighting you may want to consider, especially if you live in a crime prevalent area.

No matter what the season or weather, garden lighting can improve your late nights or evenings at home. It will be well worth the investment and time you put into it to see all the enjoyment and security your family receives from it. It will also enhance the appearance of your home and make it more attractive when garden lights are installed around it. So outdoor lighting is practical and fashionable.

Many outdoor lighting systems work with a low voltage, a safe and economical way to install garden lighting. However, it does require some work and thought when considering the placement and installation of the cables. If you are not ready to deal with this hassle, a simpler and even still more cost-efficient solution would be solar lighting. Solar lighting has become much more popular in modern days and is constantly being improved and reinvented to be better and more effective. Candles and lanterns are good for short-term use such as parties, but are not meant to be left on for long periods of time and require you to be vigilant in case of a fire.

If you are not worried about the hassle of low voltage lighting, but are just not sure which route you want to take concerning outdoor lighting. You can visit your local garden supply centre for some ideas. They will have many different varieties available for you to examine. Another option you have is to drive around local neighbourhoods and observe the lighting systems others have put to use. This will help you determine what looks you like most and where you would like to install your lighting. There are several commonly used lighting techniques to consider which will help you receive the maximum benefit from your lighting investment.

You may wish to do a little experimenting to help you determine what looks best with your particular home and garden. Solar lighting makes it very easy to do this as there is no attached wiring to worry about. Keep in mind that lighting systems look best when they do not overlap one another and are not too harsh.

Up lighting is usually placed at the base of an object and angled upwards to highlight certain features. Down lighting gives a shadow effect from behind an object. This technique is often used to highlight a fence, a wall, or plants. Path lighting is much as the name suggests. This type of lighting is used to create light around stairs, paths, and walkways. Lighting can be placed on one side of the walkway or on both sides to produce the desired effect. Highlighting is often achieved by using one or two lights to place emphasis on an object such as a sculpture, plant, or water feature. There are also several other forms of specialized lighting such as underwater lighting and pond lights.

Depending on the size of the project you are attempting and how much of a handyman you are, you may wish to consult the help of an electrician. You will need to determine how many lights you can safely be attached to the system you have in place. Your transformer, wire thickness, and available wattage can help determine this.

You may also need help if you are not planning to place your garden lighting in traditional style on the ground of the surrounding area. You may wish for some of your lighting to be hung or placed upon a wall. This will require a little more experience and know how.

It is always a good idea to put your plan onto paper before actually implementing it. This will help you when you are determining exactly what you want and it will also help you when you need to seek the advice of others.

Outdoor lighting will beautify your home and garden and make your evenings at home even more treasured and desirable. You will soon find yourself spending every free moment outdoors as you enjoy those evening hours more and create fun family memories you will cherish for a lifetime.

If you are looking for some garden lighting for your home, you should try the Blinkingsun.co.uk website. The site features a wide variety of solar lights and water features to enhance your living space. All the garden lighting products are available for immediate delivery throughout the UK.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Shipway
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Advantages-of-Garden-Lighting&id=3312739

Outside Lights for More Than Just Security

Maybe it is just me, but people seem to decorate more and more each year for Halloween. It is not just a few ghosts and goblins, but elaborate displays utilizing large arrays of outdoor lights, carved pumpkins and ghouls of every kind imaginable. I suppose it is just a product of people's fascination with the use of outdoor lighting for everything imaginable. I will admit that the lights do draw my attention to people's homes and I notice the architectural and landscaping features on the property that would otherwise go unnoticed during the nighttime hours.

In the past, with the exception of Christmas, outdoor lights were used primarily just to provide some security for people's property. The lights now guide us through some extremely beautiful landscaping and along the paths and walkways which lead to some gloriously well lighted entry ways. I am sure that in addition to the striking appearance this lighting presents, they are installed to add a safety element to the property as well. Where most homes built prior to the last 25 years or so utilized straight walks and driveways, more recently constructed homes utilize winding paths that change elevation and meander through various displays of high value landscaping. In order to prevent guests from becoming injured while approaching their homes, property owners utilize this outdoor lighting practically as well as for its attractiveness.

However practical these lighting themes may seem, you know they are installed primarily for the way in which they enhance the property. If it were just a matter of safety and security, I bet the way many of the lights shine up through the trees and against the house would be either altered or eliminated all together. Once these outside lighting plans are in place and all the landscaping matures, some of these properties truly take on majestic like appearances. Their outside lights are surely much enhanced when compared to the homes I was accustomed to growing up in the 1960s and 1970s.

Outdoor Lighting Adds Curb Appeal

When asked about the type of outdoor lighting around their home, most people reply that the standard front and rear porch lights are all they have. These are usually the lights required by local building codes and all that most builders install. While these lights are utilized based solely on security and are definitely a great idea, there are so many other uses for outdoor lighting. Homeowners, justly so, spend thousands of dollars each year for landscaping around their property. However, when darkness falls, that beautiful and costly landscaping sits unseen in the darkness of early evening.

In order to see the change that can be made in your property through the use of outside lights, plan a trip around some of the nicer neighborhoods in your area early one evening. While on this leisurely drive you are sure to notice the difference in the overall appearance of properties with professionally lighted landscapes when compared to residences without outdoor lighting. After your sightseeing trip about town, I feel confident that you will be inspired to develop your own plan for enhancing the nighttime appearance of your residence.

As you noticed, there are countless ways to light your property and countless styles of outside lights you can use in which to do it. Due to these facts, I recommend you hire a professional landscape lighting designer to help you develop a plan specifically for your needs. The designer will be aware of any new outdoor lighting for curb appeal techniques that you may not have noticed while on your excursion and will know the type of lighting that will work best for your property.

J du J Sierra Craftsman 18" High Outdoor Post Mount

While you may find it easy to decide what you would like to light, the type outside lights you will use to do it is another matter all together. The choice you make will depend on site considerations specific to your property as well as the effect you are attempting to achieve. The landscape lighting designer will visit your home, take pictures and sketch the layout of your property and its features. The designer will then develop a plan utilizing some or all of the fixture types mentioned below.

Up lighting usually consists of the floodlight or spotlight type and the fixtures are placed at ground level and point upward to highlight either a specimen tree or a special architectural detail.

Down lighting again will utilize floodlights or spotlights to highlight a special area and normally attempts to simulate natural light.

Path lights do just what it sounds like they would do. They are installed slightly above ground and spread light across paths and walkways. These outside lights will assist your guests and other visitors in safely negotiating areas that could be trip hazards if not properly lighted. These lights will help you prevent that lawsuit that is waiting to happen if someone were to be injured by tripping and falling on a dark sidewalk.

Back lights are placed behind objects and cast a shadow that provides a silhouette for a dramatic effect. Again these fixtures are generally floodlights or spotlights.

Special lighting consists of torch lights, string lights, post lights and other various type outside lights that usually provide low level ambient lighting to an area.

Sea Gull Lighting 9226-12 Single-Light Outdoor Path Fixture with Clear Glass, Black

Once the plan and design phase is complete it is time to consider installation. While there are DIY kits available for simple installations, a comprehensive outside lighting plan for your property will likely exceed your skill set unless you are an extremely advanced do-it-yourselfer. Here again, I recommend utilizing a professional for the installation. They will not only have the knowledge needed for such a project but will also have access to the necessary equipment and personnel.

Now that you have all the preliminary legwork done, it is time to sit back and watch the magical transformation of your property take place. Once the final light bulb is screwed in and the outside lights are burning on the first night following project completion, you will realize that you have made one of the best investments you could make in the curb appeal of your property. Not to mention the fact that you will be the envy of all your neighbors whose homes lack that additional outdoor lighting are lost in the darkness of a long winter night.

Solar Security Outdoor Lighting

My wife and I live in a rural area and our home is somewhat secluded. The home was built in mid 1980 and has a carport instead of a garage. My wife is heavily involved in athletic activities at our son's school and on occasion, arrives home alone well after dark. She was always concerned about the lack of lighting in the carport on these occasions so I set out on a mission to put her mind at ease at least on this issue. The solution turned out to be a solar powered security outdoor lighting fixture. However, this was not the first idea for a solution.

My first thought was to add a motion detector to the existing light fixture in the carport. But, despite my best efforts, I was unable to locate one that would work with the overhead light fixture that we presently have. My next thought was to replace the existing light fixture with a new one equipped with a motion detector. I struck out again due to the inability to locate an overhead light fixture with motion detection. The only thing I could think of was to purchase a hard-wired wall mount fixture and have it mounted on a post in the carport. While my wife's safety is most definitely an item in which no value can be placed and no expense spared, I still felt like there must be a less costly solution. That's when I came across a solar security lighting fixture and did the research and installation following the steps outlined below.

Determine the best location to mount a fixture that will provide adequate lighting for your area of need. The location you choose may limit your choice of fixtures to a certain type. This is why it is best to determine the mounting location first.

Research the different solar powered outdoor lighting fixtures that are available. These fixtures come in a variety of light bulb types such as incandescent spot and flood lights, halogen, and LED. I chose the LED type because according to the reviews I read, the lights seem to last longer and shine brighter. The LED fixtures are a little more costly so your budget could be affected by this choice.

Determine if you will need a fixture that requires remote mounting of the solar cell. With most fixtures, the solar cell must be able to receive direct sunlight for at least six hours each day to provide the maximum charge to the battery system. A fixture with a remote mounted solar cell allows the light fixture to be mounted at a location that receives no sunlight and allows the solar cell to be mounted in direct sunlight up to approximately 15 feet away depending on the fixture.

Purchase and mount the fixture at the desired location. Allow the fixture to fully charge the battery system. Most solar powered outdoor lighting fixtures require the battery pack to be charged for 3 to 4 complete cycles before using the light. Once the light is fully charged, wait for darkness and adjust the light to shine directly on the area of need.

With the development of solar security lighting there is no limit to where lighting can easily be installed. By following the steps above, you can provide a more safe and secure property for you and your family.

Patio Lights for Enjoying the Outdoors

There is a feeling you get sitting on a well designed patio enjoying one of your favorite cool beverages that just can't be easily matched. However, for many, as the day draws to a close, so does the opportunity to enjoy that patio that you worked so hard to get just right. So what is the solution to this dilemma? Patio lights placed with as much care as was taken in the original design of the patio.

Moonrays 91249 Solar Powered Plastic Post Cap Lamp Light, Black

In addition to the added time you can now spend on your patio, installing patio lights provides additional benefits that may not be immediately apparent. They can also provide additional security around your property. Many police departments believe that low levels of lighting on and around your property are a great deterrent to intruders. When confronted with a property with no place to hide in the shadows, most burglars will bypass a residence in favor of one not as well lit. Along with added security, outdoor lighting can make your property safer for your guests and other visitors. By lighting trip hazards around your residence, you reduce the risk of someone becoming injured, thus, eliminating what could be a devastating and unnecessary lawsuit. In today's litigious society, anything you do to prevent accidents around the home is a worthwhile investment. Now that you have decided to light the area on and around your patio, let's determine exactly where the patio lights should be placed.

Patio umbrella lights outdoor electric garden party lighting

Survey the different parts of your patio and the likely uses in each area. This will assist you in determining the types of patio lights you will want to use as well as their placement. Always light steps and/or paths that lead to your patio. This is that prime area I was talking about where lawsuits can be prevented with the use of patio lights. Provide dimmer patio lights in seating areas and other places where your guests are likely to just relax and enjoy each others conversation. Install brighter and more intense patio lights in functional areas such as the grill or that nice little niche where you like to sit and read.

Royce Lighting RT05133/3-23G Marrakech 3-Light Table Torchiere, Oil Rubbed Bronze, Ribbed Violet Glass

Keep in mind when installing patio lights that more is not always better. Remember, you are not going to land aircraft on your patio, so keep the lighting low key and only provide brighter lighting in the functional areas as needed.

In addition to lighting, consider other items that can help you enjoy your patio more, such as propane patio heaters. A heater can help you enjoy your patio long into the cool weather season thus allowing you to utilize that patio for many additional days each year.

Minimize Voltage Drop in Low Voltage Outdoor Lighting

One sure fire way to add value to your home is to enhance the curb appeal of your property. While there are several ways the average homeowner can improve the overall beauty of their property, a cost effective and simple way is to install low voltage outdoor lighting. This project provides several enhancements by putting into action one well thought out plan.

In addition to the added dramatic effect that will distinguish your home from others without lighting, low voltage lighting can light paths, steps and walkways which will help your visitors safely navigate these obstacles at night. In today's litigious society, anything you do to prevent an accident is worth the effort and money. This type landscape lighting also provides security for your property which will cause intruders to pass when it comes to thoughts of entering your home.

Intermatic LX10610T25 Malibu 10-Pack Low-Voltage Plastic Lights with 44-Watt Power Pack and 50-Foot Cable, Black

Many homeowners choose to install their low voltage outdoor lighting system themselves without the aid of a qualified electrician. This is definitely a doable DIY project for the homeowner as these systems are safe and easily installed. As long as there is access to a 110 volt receptacle near the area, you are good to go with the installation. However, some installations done by inexperienced homeowners can operate improperly due to voltage drop. The further away a fixture is from the transformer, the lower the voltage. This voltage drop can cause lights furthest from the transformer to appear dimmer than others. In order to minimize this voltage drop and ensure your achiever the look you desire, consider the following when installing your system.

Intermatic CL9 20-Watt Malibu Low Voltage Cast Metal Halogen Landscape Floodlight, Black

Determine the total wattage of all lamps powered by a single transformer, than install a transformer with a higher wattage output than the total wattage of all lamps.
Use multiple transformers if you are unable to provide a single transformer with sufficient wattage output.
Use heavier gauge cable. The lower the number on the wire, the higher the gauge. For example, 8 gauge cable is heavier than 10 gauge cable.
Install lower wattage bulbs in some fixtures. You may actually want different levels of brightness to enhance the look. The key is to control the effect yourself.
Consider shorter cable lengths. However, this may cause you to alter your plan and prevent you from achieving the overall goal of your plan.

Malibu ML88TL 88-Watt Low Voltage Power Pack with Timer and Ground Shield

When planning your low voltage lighting system, be sure the 110 volt receptacle you utilize is a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. Also, the addition of a weatherproof cover will help keep out any moisture. A good plan and some basic understanding of low voltage outdoor lighting and wattage should allow you to install a landscape lighting system that will enhance the beauty of your property and provide enjoyment for many years to co

Landscape Lighting Shows off Those Plants

It's beyond dispute that today's residential architecture is a true beauty to behold. Considering this fact, it would be a disgrace to not show off that beauty once night falls. That's why many homeowners enhance the curb appeal of their property with well planned landscape lighting. In addition to the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the lighting, it also makes your guests safer around unfamiliar landscape features such as pools, spas, decks and tiered walkways. Thus, providing you with peace of mind and in our litigious society, less liability.

There are many inexpensive ways to utilize landscape lighting that will add style and charm to to your property. Unfortunately, there are just as many ways for you to do a less than stellar job in the design phase of the project. If it starts bad, I assure you it will end bad. So, I suggest you consider a landscape designer for the overall development of your landscape or garden lighting plan. Once you have your plan, then you can decide if you would like to perform the installation yourself. DIY installation is definitely doable if you utilize a low voltage system. If you are using any regular high voltage lights in your design these will be best left to a professional to install.

While I recommend using a landscape designer, you should also familiarize yourself with the type lighting available and have some ideas of what you would like to see on your property when you have your initial meeting with the designer. The best way to start is to take a good flashlight and hit the yard after dark and try out some different effects. You won't achieve perfection with this method but you can see what some of the individual effect the lights will display.

There are some different types of basic lighting effects that you can achieve.

- Uplighting: Lights are aimed upward to accent trees, statues or wall textures.
- Downlighting: Fixtures are mounted high and aimed downward to cast broad illumination over wide areas for entertaining and also security.
- Spotlighting: Lights focus a narrow beam on small shrubs, statues, flowers or other focal points in your landscaping.
- Crosslighting: Utilizing two or more fixtures from different directions to reveal a three-dimensional form for a striking perspective.

If you are using high voltage electric fixtures as part of your landscape lighting, consider colored bulbs for the different holiday seasons. Pastel colors in the spring for Easter and reds and greens at Christmas time provide some fun, easy decorating ideas.

Finally, use lighting controls such as timers and photocells to turn your landscape lighting on and off automatically. Keep in mind that there is little advantage to having all the lights stay on all night. Few people will see your property in the wee hours of the morning. Have a few low level lights stay on all night for security. Any more is just a waste of energy and a source for higher utility bills.

Patio Lighting Prolongs your Outdoor Enjoyment

For many of you that are like our family, you have spent lots of time and money planning and building a nice patio that provides hours of enjoyment in the perfect outdoor space. However, when night falls that nice area you spent so much time designing can become useless. So what's the solution? Patio lighting that can turn that dark patio into a warm, inviting space for entertaining and relaxing. When planning your patio lighting be sure to remember that more is not always better. Lighting too much of the area can provide too much glare. For a comfortable patio, a few well-placed patio lamps provide enough lighting to see, but retain the alluring, relaxing mood.

While patio lighting comes in a variety of styles and shapes, there are basically two types. Those powered by electricity, or those that burn lamp oil. I personally think that it takes a mixture of both types to obtain the perfect lighting scheme for a patio. For overhead lighting when your patio is covered, the obvious choice is electrical lights. You could also use hanging solar lights in this situation, which for the purpose of this discussion, I'll put in the class with electrical lights even though they will actually not be connected to the power grid. I would suggest that any overhead lighting you use, be installed on dimmers. With dimmers you can alter the amount of light at different levels in order to obtain the atmosphere you want at different times. If your patio is not covered and you have some tables with umbrellas, you can get LED patio umbrella lights that attach to the ribs of the umbrella and can make the area take on an almost magical feel.

Okay, now that you have taken care of your overhead lighting needs, it's time to look at some of the more subtle forms of patio lighting. The oil burning lamps are ideal for this need. The lamps are portable so they can be placed in different areas of your patio depending on the activities taking place at any given time. Keeping in mind that these oil burning lamps have an exposed flame, try to place these lamps in a place where they will not be bumped and possibly knocked over. Hot burning oil on the floor of a patio can quickly alter the mood of even the most lively party. Since you are going to be burning oil anyway, you might as well make the lamps serve a dual purpose and burn a citronella oil that will repel insects. Citronella oil is a safe, effective pesticide that emits a lemony fragrance that helps drive mosquitoes away. If you live in an area where mosquitoes are a problem you know why I suggest citronella oil.

When planning your patio lighting project, keep in mind that there is no reason that you cannot enjoy the same touches outside of your home that you enjoy inside. With all the choices available to you today, you should be able to develop a lighting scheme that can be used as an accent to the natural beauty of your surrounding landscape. By taking the time to discover the correct placement, your lighting will add that extra bit of allure and ambiance that will set just the right mood you are looking for.

Save with Solar Outdoor Lighting

Solar outdoor lighting is an inexpensive way to add charm and style to your property. I know what you are thinking. These solar powered things just do not do the job. They put out dim light that lasts little time, and they last very little time before needing replacement. Well, that used to be true. However, today's solar outdoor lighting systems use LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs and utilize nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal-hydride batteries for energy storage. The LED light bulbs last much longer (sometimes for the life of the fixture) and burn brighter than there incandescent counterparts. Also, the nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal-hydride batteries provide more power for longer periods of time.

The solar outdoor lighting in use today will generally store enough energy to burn for 8 to 12 hours depending on their location and the time of the year. Obviously, the key factor for any solar application is that the solar cell used to charge the battery be in a place where it will receive sunlight.
If the lights are placed in shaded areas or other places where they do not receive full sun, the burning time will be reduced proportionately. However, when properly placed, solar lights provide ease of installation and portability that their wired cousins just can't provide.

Some other advantages of solar outdoor lighting are that they can be installed without disturbing your present landscape; provide security even in remote areas of your property; reduce liability by illuminating a walkway or stairs, thus helping to prevent trips and falls in the dark; and one nice additional benefit is they save money because outdoor solar lighting costs nothing to operate.

When planning the purchase of solar outdoor lighting, keep the following things in mind. Ensure that replacement batteries and bulbs are available in case of failure. Some cheaper models can't be replaced, and must be disposed of when a problem occurs. If your yard has many trees or does not receive a lot of sunlight because of surrounding buildings, solar lights may not be right for you. For best results, replace batteries periodically and clean the solar cell of occasional dust and debris. Some manufacturers of these lights allow for the change of light bulbs so you can coordinate them with decorative colored bulbs for Christmas or other special events.

Don't be afraid to experiment with the placement of these lights. If you do not like the effect, they can easily be moved to another area. By doing a little early research and being attentive to the proper placement for the most available sunlight, you will have a solar outdoor lighting system that will last for many years to come, as well as, enhancing the beauty and enjoyment of your property.

Security with Outdoor Lighting

Don't you wish that all that time and money you spent enhancing the curb appeal of your home did not go to waste after dark. Well worry no longer, you can solve this problem utilizing outdoor lighting that can enhance the overall look and appeal of the architecture of your home and your property as a whole. In addition to creating an elegant and beautiful effect, carefully placed outdoor lighting can increase the property value of your home as well.

But before buying any lighting it is best to develop a plan that will best create the effect that you desire. Things to consider when planning include, but are not limited to, areas such as walkways that assist people in finding the entrances to your home, stairways to eliminate any tripping hazards or outdoor lighting that creates a dramatic effect by lighting that truly amazing specimen tree. You may also consider lights for the security of your property. While some people utilize security lighting that comes on automatically when someone comes on the property, some police departments suggest that a better outside security light plan is constant low-level lighting when it comes to deterring crime.

Another place people seem to overlook is their garden. Perfect outdoor lighting in a garden can transform what would otherwise be just another dark area on your lawn into something that is a true eye catcher. Also consider lighting driveways, pathways and of course properly placed lighting on a porch or patio can transform those spaces into a truly magical spot for parties or that special romantic dinner you've been planning.

Always keep in mind that you can have too much of a good thing also. As you see the dramatic change that outdoor lighting brings to your property it is easy to keep adding lights and to overdo it. Excessive outdoor lighting can have a number of harmful consequences. Glare from unnecessary lighting can be hazardous and could actually take away from the effect you are trying to create. Also, too much artificial light just serves to be a waste of natural resources. Lastly, install timers that turn your lights on at dusk and off at dawn. As previously stated, there's no use in wasting energy because you forget to turn off the lights in the morning.

There are software programs available that allow you to simulate how your outdoor lighting plan will look. With the wealth of styles and types of lighting available today, and the availability of computer software simulators, I know that you will create the perfect outdoor lighting plan. After all is said and done, you will be overjoyed that you have turned a seemingly normal looking landscape into one that looks totally amazing when night falls.

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