Solar lighting

[Peter Maas]

Where can I find a solar lighting unit with timer that I can use to turn on lights both at dawn and at dusk?

 

[DiYMama540]

All timers will have a light sensor, for the dusk to dawn setting if that's what you're asking. Not sure if they make a fully solar powered one though, but I could be wrong. Usually if I can't find something anywhere else, I can find it on Amazon or EBay.

 

[Peter Maas]

Thank you. What laying hens need is their day lengthened from dawn (5:30am?) to full morning daylight, then from end of afternoon daylight to around 8pm. Then they will continue higher egg production. The only small solar timed lights I find on Ebay/Amazon only turn on at dusk. Some can be programmed to shut off after 3, 4, or 5 hours, but none I have found can be programmed to turn on again in the morning.
Anyone else have a helpful thought?

 

[aart]

Chances are you are not going to find an off the shelf solar option with the kind of timer you need for supplemental lighting for winter laying. Most run on light sensors as stated above and come on at dusk and run for how every many hours you have stored energy for...or for the several hours durations you noted. They also may not be bright enough.

You'd need to build your own solar system with adequate collector plate and battery storage sizes to fit your climate. Then timers and light fixtures are available to add on.
Have seen a couple folks on here build these systems over the years.
Supplemental lighting for winter laying needs to be pretty precise and consistent.
Here's a pretty good article on supplemental lighting.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I have one small solar light in my coop however there is no timer on it. Before I retired I went into the coop really early and manually turned on the solar light and a battery operated lantern. I've been looking to find either a solar or battery powered light to turn on early in the morning however, have not been successful. I will be testing some of those battery operated candles that will turn on and off and see if that works. I don't see the need to keep the lights on at dusk. The chickens need the natural progression of the daylight cycle to remind them to get to their roost before the sun goes down.

 

[Peter Maas]

Chances are you are not going to find an off the shelf solar option with the kind of timer you need for supplemental lighting for winter laying. Most run on light sensors as stated above and come on at dusk and run for how every many hours you have stored energy for...or for the several hours durations you noted. They also may not be bright enough.

You'd need to build your own solar system with adequate collector plate and battery storage sizes to fit your climate. Then timers and light fixtures are available to add on.
Have seen a couple folks on here build these systems over the years.
Supplemental lighting for winter laying needs to be pretty precise and consistent.
Here's a pretty good article on supplemental lighting.

I have one small solar light in my coop however there is no timer on it. Before I retired I went into the coop really early and manually turned on the solar light and a battery operated lantern. I've been looking to find either a solar or battery powered light to turn on early in the morning however, have not been successful. I will be testing some of those battery operated candles that will turn on and off and see if that works. I don't see the need to keep the lights on at dusk. The chickens need the natural progression of the daylight cycle to remind them to get to their roost before the sun goes down.

 

[Peter Maas]

Thank you aart and Wee Farmer Sarah. Let's keep looking and inventing.

 

[PirateGirl]

What @aart said. You need to build a solar electric system for the coop then you can plug in/use any accessories like you would in your house. Lights, timers, heaters, etc. but you need the inverter the batteries the solar panels. It's a project for sure.

 

[Ryan1963]

I have a solar motion sensor spotlight. It automatically charges in day time and automatically lights at night. It automatically lights when people walk by. It can be used to avoid theft. We don't use a timer, beacuse I think it is good and useful for us.