Should I buy solar security lights - Thanks Whoopydoo

Whoopydoo

I want some security lights and don't want to have to pay to have them installed. I have seen some solar lights that I can just attach to the wall but does anyone know how effective these are. They are apparently free to run.

Whoopydoo

Sorry forgot to mention. The light was an Evo36 solar security light. Seems like good value. Anyone got one?

Whoopydoo

Should have mentioned I am after about 3 that need to light an area for parking about 20 cars.
Thanks
Whoopydoo

Kay_Peel

I don't know the product that you mention but I know about security and have some experience of solar lighting.

Generally speaking, solar powered things give out a weak light that (just about) light up an area directly around it. The less the sun shines the less light it gives out, so security equipment need boosters and batteries to be effective. You have to factor in those costs during the autumn and winter.

If they are easy to install then they are easy to steal, usually. A lot of solar security lights get stolen for that reason. Wired lighting sytems don't get stolen, as far as I'm aware (but they can still be vandalised, I suppose).

Motion-activated security lights are best. They deter burglars, car thieves and garden thieves.

A garden festooned with stick-in-the-ground type solar lights helps a burglar/thief. Even though the beam is weak, he or she will be able to see into the garden without being seen - all those little lights show the way around paths and into dark corners. And he or she will nick some of the lights on the way out!

If the EVo36 has a strong white light that can be boosted by a battery and is motion-activated then it has to be a contender. If it doesn't give off enough light and can be removed/stolen easily, then it's not. Hopefully, someone might have seen the lights in use and can comment on its effectiveness or give you some alternatives.

Best of luck.

Whoopydoo

Hi,
Thanks, I hadn't really considered my security lights being stolen. A bit obvious really. If I go for the wired in type I need someone qualified to install though. Its less about security I suppose and more about lighting the way temporarily for people coming and going. Thanks that gave me something to consider.

foreign_correspondent

Whoopydoo wrote: »

Hi,
Thanks, I hadn't really considered my security lights being stolen. A bit obvious really. If I go for the wired in type I need someone qualified to install though. Its less about security I suppose and more about lighting the way temporarily for people coming and going. Thanks that gave me something to consider.

A lot if the PIR lights are a doddle to install, these things - they are also very cheap:

it is simple, so long as you have somewhere you can plug them in inside - I set up a load recently to stop my stuff getting nicked from the greenhouse and yard.

You just buy a lamp, a length of cable (from Wilko or B and Q), and a three pin plug, take the panel off the lamp and wire the cable in (it is just like putting wire into a plug), run the cable inside, and fix a normal three pin plug on the other end, and plug it in - bingo!

I can only just wire a plug, but it is easy and took me about ten minutes per lamp! The lamps were £7 ish from aldi, the able and plugs were a couple of quid, so I reckon they cost me less than a tenner each to put up!

My top tip is to buy long enough cable, so you have plenty to go round corners etc.. you can always cut it shorter if you need to! Ask in the shop about which sort of cable you need, there are lots of variations!

Whoopydoo

Hi,
This forum is great. I never expected quite so much positive advice. I could certainly drill through the wall to run a cable as the lights could be positioned fairly close to a socket.
Your comments have ben really helpfull.
Thanks