Solar Christmas Lights
Is it a gimmick, or something that will work well for you this Christmas season? Initially, when solar lights hit the market, many companies had very cheap products mass produced and sold making people believe that most solar lighting is cheaply put together, or junk. But the industry has matured and solar Christmas lights are now something that you will enjoy for many years. And one great feature makes them a best seller each year.
Since the string of lights, actually LED’s, are solar powered, there is no outlet needed which means you can string them up anywhere, far away from an outlet. And solar Christmas lights use no power so you won’t have to worry about them loading your utility bill when your spirits should be bright. Many people place these on mailboxes or lampposts, and really there is no end to what you can decorate with them.
Problems encountered with the cheaper lights are the batteries not receiving a full charge throughout the day when compared to other solar landscape lighting. This is typically because the solar cell is inferior. Look for at least a 3 watt solar cell to power one string of lights. The problem is generally not with the batteries. However, you can upgrade most low-end units to a higher quality, higher capacity battery. Try to stay away from sealed batteries (you can see on the case) as you won’t be able to replace these when they are expended.
One of the best uses of solar Christmas lights is on a camping trip. Most campsites are pretty dark and a couple of strings of these lights will liven up the whole atmosphere and even have others stopping by your campsite asking where you got them. And because you’re dealing with LED’s, chances are these bulbs will last a lifetime. In fact, the strings we have seen work even when one bulb goes out or breaks. If the string is left in the elements for the entire year, you will probably see some UV damage to the wire that runs between the lights. This is expected. The best colors for outside wear and tear and the darker colors. Clear will eventually breakdown in the sunlight.
Have fun with the family in choosing your solar Christmas lights and then planning where you will put them this season. And when you’re done, remember there are many uses for stringed solar lights, including lighting up the back porch area or garden areas. There are dozens of landscaping ideas. At the beginning of next Christmas season, simply buy another string, or move the string in the garden back to the door, mailbox, or wherever you choose.
Since the solar Christmas lights are totally contained, there is no on or off meaning they are designed to come on at dusk and will run until the battery is exhausted, or daylight arrives. Under perfect conditions, it will take direct sun most of the day to fully charge your Ni-Cad battery. Most units will flash or remain on solid. Shop for the best value today.
Tags:Bulbs, campsite, Campsites, Capacity Battery, christmas lights, Christmas Season, Lampposts, landscape lighting, lights for camping, Mailboxes, Sealed Batteries, solar cell, solar christmas lights, solar landscape, solar lighting, solar lights, Uv Damage