Shed Light

[Allan]

One of the current crop of gadgets is a solar powered shed light. I have examined one in a shop and my judgement is that it's no better than your average torch. The lamp itself can't be bigger than anout 4 Watts which is totally inadequate if you want it to work by, the storage is 2 xAA batteries which is 2.8 volts and will give you, optimistically 1 hour of light when new.
Look for a torch or lantern with multiple LEDs or fluorescent mini-tube, a more versatile buy. As a general principle seperate rechargeable batteries are a better bet than internal Nicads built-in. NiMH are better than NICad but either will need perionic recharge even if unused
Allan

[richard p]

i reckon a small car battery with a caravan flourescent is probably as good as anything. u can either take the battery to the house to charge it or usea small solar panel. in our case during the winter ive got solar chargers on the caraven and mower batteries anyway it only needed to get a light. if the light is not used much the soler charger keeps the battery up without need to boost charge the battery.

[Allan]

The C.A.T recommend going on the lines of a 12 volt system, they sell the solar panels. That shed light is little more than a toy, but it's featured in the April magazine.

[Chantal]

Theres an article on page 7 of the new KG about a new solar shed light that you can switch on and off. Costs £19.99 or less from Gardman.

[Allan]

The one in the mag is the one to avoid. Lots of garden catalogues have it and would have you believe that it would give you a fully lit work area, no such thing, many a torch would do better than that one.NEVER buy any garden gadget purely from a magazine or catalogue description. Too many have never been tried out as being practical and durable, 'designed' by MDs while shaving one morning and put into production without further testing.

[Chantal]

It sounds as bright as the solar lighting I have in my garden. It's good as path markers and stops us falling in the pond or down the steps but a couple of glow worms could do better.

I'll not buy one for the chicken shed then.