solar set up to run a lightbulb in winter?

[keljonma]

Have you looked into Solatube?

http://www.solatube.com/homeowner/Introduction.php

 

[patandchickens]

Solar fence chargers are kind of a waste of money in most circumstances - you have to replace the battery every few years anyhow, so why not just get a battery-operated charger or a plug-in. Commercial solar-powered fence start at like upwards of $200, although if you happen to have an inside way to get an affordable solar panel and, what's it called, charge regulator?, then an astute person can sometimes do it for a bit less).

If you *did* have a solar fence charger, I would think it wouldn't be too hard to tap off the battery to run a light although it might necessitate housing the battery outside of the charger compartment where it's supposed to go (so you'd have access for another wire). I don't know what commercially-available timer could be used on a DC system like this, though (the only ones I've ever seen are meant for AC wall current) and you would have to have a timer to do what you want.

I don't suppose you could just buy a couple of the solar 'patio light' type things and install them with the panel sticking outside and the light inside the coop? i mean, 4x6 is a pretty small space, and if it were painted white over the entire inside I think you would have a good shot, at least, at a few hours' worth of bright-enough light from a couple of those patio lights.

It would be simpler in the long run, though, just to run electricity properly out to the coop, if you can manage it at all. This will be especially valuable if you live in a climate where it freezes in winter, so you can run a heated waterer or waterer base.

JMO,

Pat

 

[grullablue]

Thanks for posting this, and for those who posted the links to lights. I would like to have a light in my coop...not for full time use, but for if I need to go in there at night after the sun goes down. I do not have power in my coop, and really do not want to run an extension cord. I also would rather have something there, rather than carrying a lantern. I have been looking at the solar wall lights as well, just to place one outside the door, but worry that they are just as dim as my little solar path lighting I have outside....

As far as the solar fence chargers, I don't know how cheap they go....but you obviously wouldn't need much for the little amount you would charge, and these fencers are not cheap. I do know several people who have solar fencers, and have had no problems with them. But.....they are designed to charge miles of fence....so I don't know how cost effective they would be! My horses, donkeys and goats are kept in by electric fences, but I use a plug in one, just because I'm able to keep it in the barn. When I was shopping for a fencer, the solar ones were way too expensive, and I didn't need one anyway.

Good luck!
Angie

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
A 60 watt bulb would need a larger panel and more storage. You would be looking
at hundreds of dollars. The heat that a 60 watt bulb puts off is minimal and would
do nothing for the chickens or keeping water defrosted.

A small flourescent bulb or led puts out the same amount of light at an incandescent.
If more light is what you are after than buy multiple small flourescent/solar setups.


The timer is the trick though. Hmmmm. Gotta think about that.

 

[dftkarin]

I'm dissapointed that this seems so complicated and expensive. Do people run extension cords out their houses, through their yards and to their chicken coops sometimes during the coldest months of the year? It doesn't sound safe or practical, but maybe there could be a way? I don't have any outlets outside of the house, so how would an extension cord to able to run out a door without stopping the door from closing completely? Is there some trick to doing that? I guess I also had fantasies of hooking up a lightbulg under an unglazed flower pot as a water-warmer in the winter (a la Backyard Poultry magazine).

 

[PurpleChicken]

I think most people do run extention cords. Keeping the water from freezing is
a big challenge.

We have power and propane in our barn/coop/hangout.

 

[Rhett&SarahsMom]

We bought a solar powered light at HD for about $15
It isnt very bright. has an on/off switch. But it works. We are going to be insulating the shed before "winter" so I am not too worried about them being too cold. Plus we bought "hardy breeds"

I have a small acreage solar electric fence charger as well. It ZAPS but not as strong as a plug in model.
I hadnt thought about using electric around the outside of the run, but might just do that. I have extra copper piping hiding in the basement