Solar lanterns?

Lapp_Dance

Lapp_Dance

Joined
Apr 20, 2005
Messages
1,044
Some recent threads here in W&SS have prompted me (along with a product I found on a website about Geeks who Think) to ask if anyone has any experience with a quality LED lantern which is recharged by a built-in solar cell.

The product on the other website looks like a kitchen glass jar (with the metal latch flip-lid) but with a cloudy glass, and the lid has a built-in solar cell to recharge on board batteries which power an LED within the jar. Essentially, it's all self contained renewable light for emergency situations (or just patio mood lighting). However, the battery life is stated to be short (about 6 hours) and the light output is minimal (6-8 lumens I believe).

I'm looking for something with a longer run time, possible variable brightness. I have searched a popular auction site and found imports from China, but the build quality looks to be marginal at best, and most use Ni-Cad batteries. One model was found with Ni-MH batteries, which I feel is a better option, due to not having a "memory".

So, anyone have any ideas where to look, or a model to suggest?
 
I found this place on line, my only solar lamp experience is my head lamp by Everlite. So far this head lamp has worked very well. I've been tempted to find one of those yard and garden solar lamps that has proved itself then repackage it in a smaller container for my/our purpose.
 
hushnel said:
... I've been tempted to find one of those yard and garden solar lamps that has proved itself then repackage it in a smaller container for my/our purpose.
Click to expand...

I recently read a MYOG article by a guy who used some el-cheapo garden lights to do just that, so it can be done. He did have to concoct a switch to turn it off and on, but the end product weighed less than 2 oz. Seems like he used a slip of plastic to break the connection with the light, but there are better tiny switches available
 
I've moded a few garden lights, even put one inside a carving I did. Fun to mess around with. Takes a rechargable AA battery so upgrades aren't out of the question. I think run time and output are the same as you mentioned though. I'm gonna have to put a switch in.
 
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