Stable lighting ideas

[Crosshill Pacers]

Hi guys.

Looking for some ideas on lighting for my stables. At the moment putting in electricity isn't an option (OH is a former electrician and advised me we can't do that). The yard is dimly lit at night/during the winter by street lights from the road which shine some light over into the yard but inside the stables it's pitch black. We tend to use headtorches and battery powered lamps in the feed room; I did try stick on LED lights in the stable but they weren't robust enough or sticky enough to stick on to the wood (which has been treated). We've got an industrial portable (chargeable) lamp which we sometimes put at the top of the yard which provides enough light to get water/hay etc. but I'm wondering if there's something a bit more permanent/long term we can do.

Thought about solar panels but the stable roofs are corrugated sheets and probably not suitable to have the panels attached to, plus they're expensive and we don't get half enough sunlight in Scotland to power them!!

So I just wondered if anybody has any other suggestions? We could rig lights up to our small generator but it's quite noisy and fairly thirsty too (although may be the only option - we're planning on buying a horse to train during the winter and although OH will be at home during the day to train, my work hours mean that I'm only able to go to the stables before or after work when it's dark and I'm the one responsible for changing rugs/brushing/working on legs/evening feed/water/hay top ups etc.)

Thanks!

 

[scrat]

Have a look at this www.mrbeams.co.uk. I have a few of the remote control spot lights around my yard. They only run off normal D batteries but last for ages. There are loads of other options and multi buy deals.

 

[Crosshill Pacers]

Now that might just work - the remote control ones look like the kind of thing I would maybe be needing. Motion sensor lights are no use as we have dogs out on the yard during the night and I'd like to fit lights inside the stables as well if possible. Thank you! Will show OH and see if it's something we could work with

 

[Antw23uk]

I have a 150w solar panel attached to my corrugated stable roof (and it survived yesterdays storm) which goes to a charge controller and from charge controller to a 130AH leisure battery. From the charge controller I have cables to each stable and each stable has an LED strip light which lights up the whole stable (they are screwed into the stable beam)

I've not had to worry about the battery running out of charge once this winter and I use my lights for a couple of hours each night easily ... Oh I also have a powerful 12v LED spot light which lights up the yard.

You could look at those solar/ wind turbine kits to keep a leisure battery topped up to run lights (I was thinking about it but solar is enough) Best few hundred quid I've spent. Can have a look for light links if you like but the charge control and solar panel came off ebay.

 

[Blurr]

I was going to describe our lighting set up, but it's exactly the same as Antw23uk's. Works really well. Our solar panel also powers our electric fence so in the winter we need to take the leisure battery home for recharging every couple of weeks or so (we have a few so just swap them). The LED strip lights are fantastic and ours have remote control too.

 

[scrat]

The remote control lights can be set to a motion sensor if required. I have the same issue with not wanting them to be triggered at night. These lights can also set so they all come on at once with one control, so quite useful in a dark yard.

 

[sychnant]

Have a look at http://www.bedazzled.uk.com/

Fab lights and run off their torch so you just need to recharge the torch at home

 

[buddylove]

Have a look at http://www.bedazzled.uk.com/6

Fab lights and run off their torch so you just need to recharge the torch at home

Second this - really good set up - and the charge on the torch lasts ages. Love mine!

 

[Chococat]

We installed the Geo5 kit (from solarcentre) The solar panel itself is quite small and very lightweight. It doesn't require full sun, only daylight. Ours lights 4 stables in an open fronted barn, a small feed room and the space in front of the stables really well. Would definitely recommend this or similar set up.

 

[Crosshill Pacers]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions, it's always better to hear personal recommendations and I'd like to think I could talk my OH into getting at least one of them! He doesn't see the need as much as I do because he can get all his jobs done in daylight!!

 

[DD]

I have a good quality head torch. Its great can muck out groom pick pot feet. Loads of light where its wanted and no shadows, and cheap.

 

[Antw23uk]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions, it's always better to hear personal recommendations and I'd like to think I could talk my OH into getting at least one of them! He doesn't see the need as much as I do because he can get all his jobs done in daylight!!

I go by worst case scenario ... my horse has an injury and the vet is called. They need to be stabled to be treated by the vet ..... its dark and the sun has gone down .... what do you do?

 

[JACQSZOO]

http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/mega-dual-worklight---2-pack-383162

I have a couple of these. One always charged ready to go. They have hooks at each end so they hang like a strip light. Three settings and I only ever need to use the lowest setting. Cheap and cheerful and does the job brilliantly.

 

[horselady]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Battery-Spotlight-Wireless-Weatherproof-Triggered/dp/B01M9JZRRE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488036157&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=outdoor+battery+spotlight&psc=1 I use one of these to see and it is really bright so good for when I need to do my chickens in the pitch black but in a stable I would put up 2

 

[DaveRodda]

Hi...in my case from the charge controller I have cables to each stable and each stable has an LED strip light which lights up the whole stable.I've not had to worry about the battery running out of charge once this winter and I use my lights for a couple of hours each night easily.

 

[Micky]

Id be gunning for electricity to be put in...ok for him as he gets jobs done in daylight but you have to struggle in dark?

 

[webble]

The remote control lights can be set to a motion sensor if required. I have the same issue with not wanting them to be triggered at night. These lights can also set so they all come on at once with one control, so quite useful in a dark yard.

Another vote for these they are fantastic. My tip would be go for the lithium torth rather than the led as its a bit cumbersome. The guys there are great, really helpful

 

[Goldenstar]

I have a 150w solar panel attached to my corrugated stable roof (and it survived yesterdays storm) which goes to a charge controller and from charge controller to a 130AH leisure battery. From the charge controller I have cables to each stable and each stable has an LED strip light which lights up the whole stable (they are screwed into the stable beam)

I've not had to worry about the battery running out of charge once this winter and I use my lights for a couple of hours each night easily ... Oh I also have a powerful 12v LED spot light which lights up the yard.

You could look at those solar/ wind turbine kits to keep a leisure battery topped up to run lights (I was thinking about it but solar is enough) Best few hundred quid I've spent. Can have a look for light links if you like but the charge control and solar panel came off ebay.

This is the system MrGS has in his caravan bolt hole as long as you use panels that react to ambient light it will do the job in a stables really well

 

[lunginggirl]

My stables has no electricity and my dad set me up some really handy lights. He brought some cheap lights and connected them to a car battery. They work really well and the battery lasts a long while.

I usually take it home and charge it once a week if that!

 

[Nasicus]

I have a couple of 12v systems set up at my yard. One running four 12v leds in my two stables and ajoining tackrooms/storage rooms at the back, one running 5 12v leds in the other two stables/storage rooms, and one running a 12v led in the barn, as well as a 20w 12v floodlight (soon to be two when I get time to hook the second floodlight in). All are attached to small £20 solar panels to help trickle charge the batteries during the day, so less time lugging batteries around to charge at home.

The most expensive aspect of setting this up would have been getting the batteries, but I was lucky enough to come into two beefy UPS batteries, as well as a couple smaller spares my dad had hanging around. I think my stable ones are currently being run off of a small 12v motorbike battery.

If OH was an electrician, he should have no problem whipping up a 12v system with a fusebox, switches etc

 

[Britestar]

These. Fab and rechargeable, last for ages on one charge.

 

[Nasicus]

Ooh, forgot to mention, painting the inside of your stable light colours will make a heck of a difference in the amount of light reflected as opposed to being absorbed, making it brighter. I have one stable painted magnolia and light blue, and one that's just regular (if aged and grubby, certainly in the pipeline for painting) wood, and the difference between the two when the lights are on is astounding!