February 21, 2008
Introducing to Solar Lamp Post Lights for Your Deck
Solar lamp post lights are an interesting breed of light because of the fact that a) they are so economical and b) they are so versatile.
When you consider solar power, what most people tend to think about it is that it is a clean, renewable source of energy. Most also tend to believe that it is very expensive. The idea that solar lamp post lights are costly, though, is a myth, and it is one that is demonstrably proven to be a myth by a person simply looking at the solar lighting ideas in any hardware store.
You can get solar lamp post lights for as little as $40 from some retailers both online and offline, and as a whole, that price is pretty comparable to standard post light options.
There are many different kinds of these solar lights available, but for the most part, they are split up into two different categories.
- Functional solar post lights - operate on stored solar power and will get the job done, but they will be significantly less showy than their aesthetic counterparts.
- Aesthetic solar post lights - have all of the functionality of a functional solar post lamp, but will also come in many different architectural styles and colors to allow you to select one that fits in with your landscape perfectly.
Aesthetic lights can be a a bit more expensive than functional ones. Most decorative lights will run nearly twice as much as their functional counterparts. So consider cost, functionality and looks when you are thinking about purchasing solar powered lights for your deck.
Going solar has a lot of benefits. Once you have installed the solar lights, you are going to find that they save you a lot of money from month to month. Because they are powered by the sun, you don't have to use any electricity lighting your deck. You can use it to power your TV to watch the Canucks play hockey, or your favorite sports team 
The fact that you can save energy and money, it is perhaps no surprise that solar lamp post lights have become some of the most versatile lights in use today. People use them with landscapes, on their deck and patio and even for security in some cases. And there are easy to install because there are no wires to install.
Filed under Articles, Decks, General, Outdoor Lighting by Peter
Comments on Introducing to Solar Lamp Post Lights for Your Deck »
One of my two identical solar column/post lights stopped working. To test it, I put "already charged" batteries into it, and when I covered the "electric eye/photo-cell" with my finger (to simulate night conditions), the light came on briefly but immediately began to fade to dark (within just a few seconds, it goes out). Which component is likely "bad," based on the above test? Is this likely to be repairable? These lights cost about $150 each, and they are less than a year old. The company that makes these lights will not respond to my inquiries. This light has four solar collectors on the top cover, and each collector has two AA rechargable batteries (for a total of eight batteries).
Note: Just as the light is about to go completely dark, I can take my finger off of the electric eye, and much to my surprise, this action of removing my finger causes the light to "flash" bright again, just for an instant. It then quickly fades to completely dark.
Thanks!