Decent reviews on Amazon and few iffy comments on Ozbargain last time but overall still seem like a good price at $5.50 each.
50% off voucher must be ticked.
Each light has 100 LED, 200 is the combined figure. 1000 lumens and IP65. 3 different modes.
Not sure how long it will last as I missed out last time after a few hours.
CamelCamelCamel.
How long have you had it for? Any issues?
Roll of the dice. Could get a year , could get a month. I got them to use one and one as a spare.
This looks like more substantial solar panel than in the OP post
I got eight of them a year ago. One was dead out of the box and three died at varying stages of the last twelve months, but four are still running fine.
At a 40% premium, the $7 you'll spend on these Baseus Solar LEDs is money better spent - www.ozbargain.com.au/node/639104 . All four of them are working fine after fourteen months and the build quality is infinitely better.
Can't seem to find any, at anywhere near that price at the moment.
@Alpine58: Yeah, I had a scout around to see if I could find a link, but have nothing.
In retrospect, they were an amazing purchase at that price…
@UncleRico: is it this one?
i used google to find it, and the result came up in ebay, wont find it with ebay search engine though. will wait for sale if this is the correct one, $27/ea is a bit steep imo
Cheers for that mate, super helpful
Did you get a refund or replacement for the 4 that didn't work?
@OzBoganYeah: No. I paid $6 or $7 per unit.
For an average of 12+ months usage each for the cost of a coffee or beer, I received decent enough value.
None of these will last 2 years. They are landfill and should be banned. The charging circuits are wrong (will fry the battery and will end up dull and flashing).
They have no water ingress protection. You need to seal the top.
Lastly, no battery should be in the sun. So the design is doomed from the start.
Avoid.
I agree in general. I have dismantled a couples of different ones and they all have undersized PV panels for the battery and lights used (if you want to use it every day or so)
And tend to discharge the Lithium battery down to 2.5V - which will deteriorate the capacity severely in a couple of months.
The Baseus ones I have are of very good build quality compared to other (noname) and the model I have has a relatively decent PV panel -but still not enough to keep it topped up even in Australian conditions.
@ripprind: What do you recommend? I just spent $215 on outdoor solar sensor lights and I'm now concerned I just wasted my money after reading some comments including yours.
Mind are very similar to the ones posted in the OP deal. Not sure if I should return them, if i knew that solar lights weren't so great, i wouldn't have had bought them
@OzBoganYeah: If you only use on a sensor, and only activated couple of times a day it may be ok.
If you want them to last for more than a season check the seals at the top and seal with extra silicone/glue.
Sometimes it's best to have a drain hole at the bottom. In this humid weather, and if open to direct rain, I've found that day/night cycle will pump moisture into the enclosure even when there are seals all around.
Best to make watertight at the top and allow drainage at the bottom.
The one in the OP has "always on" function. This PV panel is Way! too small to use this. The solar panel should be at least 4 times! bigger imho to harness enough power for that - in direct sunlight.
There is nothing you can do about the charge profile. Most discharge too low because the cheapest standard protection circuits are 2.5v cutoff.
Its difficult to find cheap protection circuits that limit the discharge to 3v for DIY modification
Could you please elaborate, or tell me what to Google, on the charging circuits being wrong (ruining the battery) and the water ingress protection and how to seal it properly? I'd really appreciate your help.
I just spent over $200 on outdoor solar sensor lights and am now wondering whether i should return them after reading your comment. They look very similar to the ones in the Op deal.
I am now concerned I've just wasted $215…
@OzBoganYeah: Keep it simple. If you can't see any silicone or a seal around the top of the solar panel, then it's going to get water inside.
If you think the battery will get hot in the sun, then it won't last long.
I have one of these rubbish type left. I sealed around the solar panel with silicone. Replaced the battery inside with a decent one, and placed it under an eave so that it only gets direct sun in winter (as winter sun is lower angled). Keeps the heat away, and stops it from being overcharged. Only use it in sensor mode, to prevent it from being over discharged.
Personally, if you bought a heap of these, return them. If not, at least do steps 1, 3, 4 above.
About 6 months. Fine so far. But they arnt used as a permanent source of light. Just set to motion.
Anyone with experience with these lights? A lot cheaper than the other brand posted from Amazon the other day: JESLED: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/723812
thanks, might give it a missed based on feedback.
Good choice.
I have a bunch of these I purchased from aliexpress or some such outlet. Have had them for maybe 4 years. Some had failed but only needed a wire resoldered. Others fell and the panel fell off - so user error. Nothing majorly wrong with them and I like their form factor. Getting a few more.
These are very bright but don't last that long. Bought some more.
Keep them out of the weather as much as possible. The quality control is very random/bad.
This. They do not handle rain or UV well.
Which in my experience, is not a good thing for a device that relies on direct sunshine for power…
relies on direct sunshine for power
sales rep: yeah no mains or external power required! 100% solar.
customer: that's great!
sales rep: …not too much sun though .. and not too much exposed.
customer : i..uh..
Just like those umbrellas they sell which aren't waterproof!
It's like deja vu all over again…
what do you expect for $5?
Any product that is fit for purpose. These are resource wasting trash.
How do they do in a moderately shaded area 40% of the day in terms of charging?
Pretty well. In you use them in motion sensor mode rather than always on, you'll find that even areas which only get a couple hours sun is ample to get them through typical overnight usage.
Again, just be conscious that it's only a $5.50 light and build quality and lifespan will reflect that, esp if subject to the elements.
Does anyone have feedback on a similar spec, but more reputable/reliable option at the sub $30 price point? Have a 5w Arlec solar flood light I picked up from bunnings about a year ago and it's been fine, but I need a few more solar lights and am keen to get some input on other options
There are literally hundreds of options. ALDI have pretty good offerings imo. Their current $15 clip on solar pir activated lights aren't bad.
Cheers, yeah your "hundreds of options" comment pretty much sums up why i was asking.
I've only tried Aldis fairy lights which only lasted a year.. Main issue for me seems to be UV degradation, the rubber/plastic just becomes brittle and eventually break
Anything that has the solar panel and battery/light seperate.
You can't put any battery in the sun..period.
I bought a few Kogan solar lights/ panel seperate. A couple of years old, still working great.
Solar powered battery lights are landfill fodder after a few months, a year at best
In most cases sure, so far my ALDI solar spotlight is still going strong after 3 years, in the weather and everything.
I had an ant colony grow in mine
How many Antsi lumens was it?
i bought 4 one year ago, 1 dead out of box, and another 2 dead after 5~6months. build quality is not great, hence the cheaper price
i got a set of these awhile ago and they lasted around 3 months. biggest pieces of rubbish ive ever purchased.
the solar panel even came of from the summer sun. dont waste your $$
Sure are cheap, no idea if any good.
Got a couple of these Goodland ones off Ali over a year ago and they've worked flawlessly.
A great utility for ~$25 a pop.
Avoid any all in one solutions. Batteries will get cooked in no time. Get a light with the solar panel seperate.
Yip, have these outside at spots around the house when you just need some light to take the bins out and so on. They work great. Charge during the day, then you can set them to turn on once it detects its dark or only turn on when it senses motion after dark.