15 replies to this topic

[Wade J]

   My wife would like some outdoor solar lights to illuminate our backyard sidewalk. Does anyone have anything like that that has an easy access on/off switch so I can turn them off when I observe.

[Dynan]

Some have individual ON/OFF switches, depending on the model.

 

Three lighting modes with a remote to turn them off:

 

https://www.amazon.c...138&sr=8-6&th=1

[AstroVPK]

My wife would like some outdoor solar lights to illuminate our backyard sidewalk. Does anyone have anything like that that has an easy access on/off switch so I can turn them off when I observe.

The ones that I've seen are pretty pleasant from an illumination standpoint - not too bright - they don't spoil the nighttime ambience. That being said, I've only ever seen switches on the string lights, and that too, typically in the panel base.

[JimK]

I have one walkway solar white light that distracts from my observing, but the on/off switch is in the housing, so I took another approach.

 

I took a red nylon camping ditty bag (such as the one in this link => https://www.walmart....avel/5306687674 ) and placed it over the solar light, rendering it both dimmer and red-colored.  Easy to put on and take off, and it works well for me.

[csrlice12]

Cover the top solar cell during the daytime.....

[sevenofnine]

Solar pathway lights are more for looks than they are for function IMO. If you really want to see the pathway then the low voltage type work much better and will actually light the path as long as it's turned on with a switch. All of the solar pathway lights I've owned wound up in the trash. Good luck! 

Edited by sevenofnine, 08 August 2024 - 03:41 PM.

[jcj380]

I stayed at a rental that had motion-activated solar lights on posts about chest high.  Luckily they had a mode switch to turn them completely off.  Otherwise it might have been good to have had a few of those red bags with me.

Edited by jcj380, 08 August 2024 - 04:28 PM.

[JohnTMN]

  Does anyone have anything like that that has an easy access on/off switch so I can turn them off when I observe.
 

Yes. it's called a carpenters hammer, duct tape, or divorce.

I mean honest,(!?) an observers wife want's more random light!!

 

Wired low voltage are controllable, cheap box solar repeaters aren't,, find out why she want's/needs more lights first.(?)

Edited by JohnTMN, 09 August 2024 - 02:26 AM.

[msinc]

I doubt you will have to worry about them for too long....I have never seen any of those lights last more than about two or three weeks!!!!!!

[RalphMeisterTigerMan]

Outdoor Solar Lights? Doesn't the Sun do a good enough job already?

 

Clear skies and keep looking up!

RalphMeisterTigerMan

[rcooley]

My solution has always been a home depot bucket over ea of the lights while observing from my solar lit driveway. The color is not quite correct for dark adaptation, but then they’re not all that bright anyway. I really only cover the nearest ones, about 4 in total. I’ve also used those small paper bags used for brown bagging your lunch (or farolitos in this neck of the woods) that are prob available at any grocery. Either of these work arounds knocks down the light enough for the solar lights not to be an issue while observing, then I just pull ‘em off when I’m through.

[Wade J]

    Thanks. I was hoping someone made a solar charged path light (as opposed to a solar light) with a convenient on/off switch on it. It looks like that isn't made. Anyway I put the lights in my front yard (since there is already a street light there so it can't get much worse). I have 3 old ones that I left for the back. I could put a bucket over them but my skies are not that great anyway and the water treatment plant behind my house has lights on all the time anyway so I be doing mostly lunar and planets from my yard.

[Hexley]

I doubt you will have to worry about them for too long....I have never seen any of those lights last more than about two or three weeks!!!!!!

Mine survived two Ohio winters and summers and going strong ‍♂ 

[Napp]

I did a search in Amazon for remote control solar lights and got hits.  

[Nankins]

There are lights you can get that you can move if need be.  We have some little rustic looking ones in some modified jars.  They emit a blue light that is actually dim enough to illuminate only the area within 30 ft of them (at the most) and to still be pleasant to look at when you aren't wanting dark adaptation.  They can be placed on the ground, shelves, or hooks (of any sort; chairs will work just fine) and can be moved inside or moved to a spot where they won't interfere with your observing (I usually just move them to another side of the porch, which wraps around part of our house).  They're decorative and green but not a big bother unless you don't move them.  

[Sam Danigelis]

You may find some that have a remote with selectable colors. Red would work well.