Solar lights for art project

[sadhu two hat]

I'm starting to put together the materials for an art project I will be bringing to the deep playa. Naturally, I don't want half-crazed art car drivers to run into it in the middle of the night. That would be dangerous, and wrong. The plan is to use solar lights, to set around the perimeter. So I am seeking suggestions for particularly good brands of solar lights: lights that will stay illuminated throughout the night from a full day's charge.

[shykat]

Check these thread out,

http://eplaya.burningman.com/viewtopic.php?t=37543
http://eplaya.burningman.com/viewtopic.php?t=34255#p555313




good tips here..

[sadhu two hat]

Thanks for helping a lazy man to be lazy. What I learned:

1. Cheap plastic lights will work fine. Put in more than I need, because 25% will die by the end of the week.
2. To last through the night, swap out stock batteries for higher quality batteries.
3. Do not rely upon plastic stakes. Attach lights to rebar.

[oscillator]

I have learned to avoid the ultra-cheap Harbor Freight lights and now use stainless-steel units from Lowes, etc. The price difference isn't much, and you will get more years use, especially if you install better batteries.

For the batteries, consider 'higher-quality' to mean nickel–metal hydride with higher mAH rating over the NiCad's that usually come with low-cost solar lamps. This added capacity means your piece will stay lit thru out the night.

See if you can seal all openings, it is the all-pervasive alkaline dust that corrodes terminals and kills electronics. Also, I have had good success with Cramolin on battery contacts. I think it is now called DeoxIT.