Solar Security Motion Lights

Started by JamesV3 • 15 replies • 726 views

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JamesV3 (New Hampshire)
Posts: 50

Posted:

We are seeing a uptick in crime here in Manchester NH.

As a board member (VP) I would like to add some security lights, 4 out of the 6 lights would be solar, Running wiring would be too expensive at this point for those.

I am Currently Testing one as a trial on Tree and it has been working well for one of the problem areas. $40 was the cost of the fixture and is bright at 1500 Lumens. Light is mounted 9 feet from ground level and the solar panel is about a foot higher and gets well more than the 6 to 8 hours a day to keep the batteries charged.

Has any other community here tried or used solar security lights?
I would like to hear any opinions good or bad.
Our Board meeting is on 8/25 and this is up for discussion.

Thanks
James

DouglasK1 (Florida)
Posts: 2,046

Posted:

Our association never used them, but I've tried a couple personally. I bought models about twice the price you are looking at and if there is much motion at all, they barely had enough battery to last until midnight. If you can put them somewhere that they won't catch branches moving in the wind, that could help.

I did some reading on these and found that is a common problem, $40 (or even $80) does not buy enough battery to last overnight except in very low motion areas.

Escaped former treasurer and director of a self managed association.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,061

Posted:

I know of a community that installed solar powered street lights.

Security (theft, vandalism) of an off the shelf kind that you describe would be one of my concerns.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,061

Posted:

That said, if it works for your community and I was on the board, I'd support expanding it. It's certainly inexpensive enough and if it works, the board can look at a more permanent, long term solution.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

James

A cheap enough investment to see if they can help before a long term, more expensive project is undertaken.

I also assume not on all night (battery issue) but only come on when motion is detectd then shut off after a period of time.

JamesV3 (New Hampshire)
Posts: 50

Posted:

Last night we approved the 2 HARDWIRED Lights to be installed next Wednesday. These will be dusk to dawn.

I'm Continuing the field test on the solar light So far Battery life has been excellent. And i am not getting tree motion trips ( Massive Trimming done in June) which is a good thing. However yesterday morning a SKUNK tripped the sensor and i got it on video. The concern that i have with the solar lights are when acorns and leaves start falling in October. If my testing proves itself we will purchase more solar lights in November.

Thank you everyone for your input.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,061

Posted:

Thanks for the update James

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By JamesV3 on 08/26/2020 2:17 AM
Last night we approved the 2 HARDWIRED Lights to be installed next Wednesday. These will be dusk to dawn.

I'm Continuing the field test on the solar light So far Battery life has been excellent. And i am not getting tree motion trips ( Massive Trimming done in June) which is a good thing. However yesterday morning a SKUNK tripped the sensor and i got it on video. The concern that i have with the solar lights are when acorns and leaves start falling in October. If my testing proves itself we will purchase more solar lights in November.

Thank you everyone for your input.

I believe most have a "sensitivity" setting meaning how large an occurrence turns them on. A skink should not. A person yes.

JamesV3 (New Hampshire)
Posts: 50

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By JohnC46 on 08/26/2020 10:48 AM

I believe most have a "sensitivity" setting meaning how large an occurrence turns them on. A skink should not. A person yes.

Sensor was set to high. I changed it to medium. Will test again in the morning.

JeffT2 (Iowa)
Posts: 880

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By JamesV3 on 08/26/2020 1:24 PM

Posted By JohnC46 on 08/26/2020 10:48 AM

I believe most have a "sensitivity" setting meaning how large an occurrence turns them on. A skink should not. A person yes.

Sensor was set to high. I changed it to medium. Will test again in the morning.

Most of these sensors are PIR (passive infrared) that respond to changes in infrared, so they get triggered by a warm body such as a skunk or human, but they are not going to be triggered by falling leaves or tree branches that have the same temperature as the background.

Solar is not going to be reliable when you have 2-4 cloudy/rainy days in a row, especially in winter when days are shorter. If you are just filling in some areas that don't not need perfect coverage, then they may be fine.

JamesV3 (New Hampshire)
Posts: 50

Posted:

Just to give everyone a update the testing went very well all winter as both solar lights got enough sun and were still very bright.

Now what myself and another board member are considering and have the backing of several unit owners is putting up commercial grade solar street lights to cover the dumpster areas and parts of the parking lot around them.
Crime has increased a bit and now a homeless camp is set up about a 1/4 mile away.
I mapped out the areas that get the most sun. Cost is about $125 for the larger ones to cover certain areas. The other areas the $85 ones will do. Looking to have property team install them. Looking to buy 8 total.
My electrician friend recommended the Wagan brand.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,061

Posted:

Thanks for the update.

Please remember the forum rules about posting of names, developments or companies.
It is prohibited.

SilviyaG (Florida)
Posts: 1

Posted:

Do you mind sharing info on the community and the company they used for converting the street lights to solar? I am currently looking at that option.

WendyM5 (North Carolina)
Posts: 1,522

Posted:

there's tons of solar street lights on amazon now, just get the biggest solar panels you can afford. the bigger the panel, typically the bigger the battery. get a real glass panel, not that cheap plastic that only last 1 or 2 yeasr befroe it clouds up and is useless.

vis ta vie

JamesV3 (New Hampshire)
Posts: 50

Posted:

Update All solar lights are Still Working perfectly.
I think we made a good investment.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,061

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By SilviyaG on 06/03/2023 6:53 AM
Do you mind sharing info on the community and the company they used for converting the street lights to solar? I am currently looking at that option.

I don't have ready access to that info yet (it's in an email that I have found yet).

Last I heard, they were very happy with them. When I find the info again I'll give a shout out.

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