Sandstone1
Well-Known Member
Does anyone use solar lighting for stables? If so which sort? I would like to be able to turn on and off if possible so not like security lights.
Solar lighting
- Thread starter Sandstone1
- Start date
Callieann
Well-Known Member
I use them. I've got two 12 inch led strip lights ( bought off ebay). A small solar panel (approx 10 x 12 inches) attached to side of stable. A leisure battery. I've got a switch on the wall to turn them on and off. There is enough light to see clearly in my two stables when it's dark to mucking out grooming etc. Cheap to set up but it works
Glitter's fun
Well-Known Member
palo1 was asking about this recently. Not sure what the conclusion was.
Off Grid lighting recommendations | Horse and Hound Forum
palo1
Well-Known Member
Hmm, well I am not sure yet if the system I have purchased is ok or not tbh! I have a large agricultural (steel framed building) barn to light up sufficient for feeding, checking, mucking out etc. This space includes a tack room area and is open fronted with also 1 side open so generally quite light. Until it's dark lol!! The bit of barn that I need to light is 3 bays (15 or 20ft - I haven't actually measured) long x 30ft wide, so it is quite big. The kit I bought is designed for stables and outbuildings but I think my specifications might have pushed that envelope a bit far in honesty. I have bought a Hubi 64 solar lighting kit with 5 LED strip lights. We put it up yesterday. Hub is charging, panel is on the roof and it was very simple to do really. It all seems reasonably robust but I don't know yet if the lighting will be sufficient, whether the lights are too high up in the barn to help (I could, with a bit of trouble change that) or whether the panel will stick the winds that we get or charge suffiiciently to provide enough light for about 2 hours daily. There are a variety of add-ons available with this system which is one reason I chose it. I can add panels, hubs and lights. It will also charge a phone/lap top and has a 12 v charger with it. Currently I feel really sceptical and a bit disappointed; it all looks so small and weak lol!! BUT my building isn't really a stable building and I am hoping that it will, if nothing else, be a start. It cost me about £250 so a snip in relation to getting mains electric/lighting to that location. Ho hum...Will provide better/more feedback when I know how the system works.
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite
Well-Known Member
Went to a demmo at Clippersharp a few years back now as I'm in the wider local area and they had a nice selection of solar-powered lights for arena's & stables as well as motion-activated security lights (which is what I purchased).
Theirs wasn't the cheapest on the market at the time (and presumably wouldn't be so now either) but the item seems to have lasted well and is still serviceable - although in the darkest winter there frankly isn't a lot of light which is emitted from it - which sadly makes me a bit cynical about the whole "solar" sell. However there are no storage batteries in it unlike I assume the commercial solar panels, so guess this is inevitable.
Might be worth having a peek at what Clippersharp have?
Theirs wasn't the cheapest on the market at the time (and presumably wouldn't be so now either) but the item seems to have lasted well and is still serviceable - although in the darkest winter there frankly isn't a lot of light which is emitted from it - which sadly makes me a bit cynical about the whole "solar" sell. However there are no storage batteries in it unlike I assume the commercial solar panels, so guess this is inevitable.
Might be worth having a peek at what Clippersharp have?
palo1
Well-Known Member
I looked at Clippersharp and wondered about it all too!! In fact my lighting system provides much better light than I thought. I will try to post some pics of before and after
Apart from perhaps needing a little bit extra in the tack room area I reckon the set up I have will be really good in fact; more than adequate for mucking out, checking over, clipping and for veterinary stuff. Time will tell re: robustness but I am feeling much more positive about the tiny box of solar that I bought now 
ElleSkywalkingintheair
As excited as Kitty about to be a bridesmaid
Light my ride were at Burghley and they have lots of really good solar powered types of lights. Have ordered one for my hay barn ?
lynz88
Well-Known Member
Not for stables but for my garden, yes, I have solar lights from Solar Centre. I actually want to get some more and replace all of my outdoor wired lighting with solar but I think I might need an electrician to help (at least at first....I haven't touched wiring since grade 9 which was.....a long time ago now it feels!)