Outdoor Lights - to light up dark path.

Wizwoo

Hello,

Our house is about 60 yards from the main road and the path to it (is at 90º angle up to our gate) is not lit. We're pretty used to it but do worry about friends visiting after dark.

We have a light that has motion detectors on attached to the house that picks us up at the gate but need to light up the path beforehand (or at least have something to aim for).

We had planned to put another light with motion detectors at the end of the path but the electritian pointed out that they don't work too well when people are walking straight towards them (i.e. work better by walking across them).

We are now really confused about what to have.

We need something that will provide plenty of light but not cost too much to run? Any suggestions plus links to show me what you mean would be great. Really am at a bit of a loss.

Moneymaker

Not sure why you need "plenty of light". I'd have thought that the solar-powered LED lamps would be adequate. You simply stick them in the ground at intervals where they will see the daytime sun. The rechargeable batteries last for several years. The LEDs give a useful glow to mark the path until after midnight.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gardman-Multi-Solar-Accent-Lights/dp/B000FVAKEA/ref=pd_sbs_kh_3/026-6111311-8249249

Failing that, you could install low-voltage LED lights that run from a transformer at the house. Using low-voltage means that you have no safety regulations to worry about for the wiring. The transformer could be on a timer or a daylight sensor switch.

http://www.lighting-direct.co.uk/bigprod.asp?id=7359

Wizwoo

The path to our house is shared and not ours to put any lights on plus it's slabbed / tarmac. This means that the last 20 yards to our front gate is pretty dark (otherwise the street light is sufficient). So we need the light for that.

We have some solar-powered LED lamps in the back garden but they're more decorative than practical in terms of the level of light that they throw out - plus the last bit of the path is made darker by tree cover (protected by a preservation order) which make things even darker .

flang

Have you considered a illunminated bollards?
Local councils are starting to use them a lot in conversation areas however they are pricey.
I have used these at work in the past
http://www.urbislighting.com/products.php3?type=16&light=No#illuminated

Moneymaker

Wizwoo wrote:

The path to our house is shared

Excellent, then your neighbours can share the cost!

Lorian

Wizwoo wrote:

We had planned to put another light with motion detectors at the end of the path but the electritian pointed out that they don't work too well when people are walking straight towards them (i.e. work better by walking across them).

In my experience PIR's work pretty good when you walk towards them. the tange might be an issue though. If you look through a decent suppliers catalogue though you will find some more expensive units with various range abilities. (cfc, farnell, maplin maybe)