Solar powered fairy lights options

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Solar powered fairy lights options

KellyP

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#290273 31-Oct-2021 11:27

Wanting to get fairly lights on my front verandah, I have used the ones sold at Bunnings (lytworks brand) and they just don't seem to last. I get about a year out of them... not sure what fails in them, battery tests ok.

I was thinking a Philips Hue or equivalent with a stand alone solar panel... would that work better?

SATTV

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#2804695 31-Oct-2021 14:17

I replaced the batteries on mine with ones from Jaycar, they cost more than the lights but give no issues.

I am looking at new light and may go mains power to take advantage of a hole in the bricks already.

John

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Handsomedan

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#2805194 1-Nov-2021 11:18

We had the Bunnings ones wrapped around some trees in our front garden. They also lasted about a year before failing.

I just ended up cutting them out and getting rid.

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.
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pih

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#2805218 1-Nov-2021 11:56

I would imagine that in the race to manufacture the cheapest products (because that's pretty much the only variable affecting sales in this category), things like UV stabilised insulation and corrosion resistant connections are basically non-existent in consumer products. In fact, if other cheaply manufactured electrical products are anything to go by, there are probably 2-3 factories in the world churning out 90% of the products and they will all be using the cheapest possible materials at every turn.

Maybe it's the cynic in me, but if you want lights on all year round I suggest one of two strategies:

Buy up end of season lights cheaply and consider them a consumable product, or
Buy a commercial product. A quick Google led me here: https://www.decolight.co.nz/product-range/commercial-fairy-light-system/

timbosan

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#2805322 1-Nov-2021 13:26

Not directly related to the fairy lights option, but I have an outdoor Philips Hue light strip (5 meters). It wasn't cheap but its very well made, and has been outdoors for about a year and looks like new. Its also integrated into HomeKit and can be triggered from Hue motion sensors if needed. I have mine on a schedule in HomeKit to turn it on and off at dusk and dawn, which is nicer than a simple timer.

I have more outdoor Hue lights planned, and some of them can work off a single outdoor power unit which can help to keep costs down, plus there are extension power cables to make locating lights easier. Hue White and color ambiance Outdoor 100W power supply | Philips Hue (philips-hue.com)

I have tried various cheap outdoor solar lights in the past and non have lasted more than a year.