Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Solar Power for Post Lighting

Solar energy is all around us, but most people don't notice it. For instance, the power source for many emergency phones on freeways is powered by it. This brings us the subject of solar post lights.

Solar Power for Post Lighting

Solar energy started to come into popularity in the 1970s, when technology advances combined with massive oil price increases to make solar a popular alternative energy source. Back then, the world was just starting to become more aware about the risks of using so many non-renewable resources, and people wanted to decrease their dependence on fossil fuels. Now, solar power is being used by many different people all across the world, both in big and small ways. One of the small, but still important ways it is being used is in solar post lights.

Often, people want to light their driveways or backyards. Aside from running expensive extension cords to lamps, using battery after battery, or running lines in underground pipes, there really weren't many choices to power their lamps. Now, solar post lights are regularly used by those who want the convenience of not having to change batteries, and those who want to save money on their electric bill.

Solar post lights work by using very small solar panels, which are attached to an energy collector. These solar panels stay out in the sun all day, attached to your post, and they soak up all of the sun's solar energy. The energy collector in many of the solar post lights is a NiCad rechargeable battery, most of which can go up to 1000 charges! That is about three years. The light that is powered by the battery is an LED light, which takes very little power but emits a bright light. LEDs can last up to 25 years, making solar post lights a very economical investment. These lights will emit their soft glow for many hours during the night, depending on the amount of solar energy they received during the day.

Other advantages to solar lights are that there are no wires needed, so installation is very easy. Also, you can often buy the lights individually, so there is no need to buy a large package of the lights if you only need a few to illuminate your way. Each light runs independent of the others, so if one light malfunctions, the rest will still be there and glowing.

Whether you choose to buy a few or a lot of the solar post lights, they are still the most economical and ecology minded choice for your driveway and fence lighting needs. With a long lifespan and easy installation, these lamps are the perfect thing to shine through the dark of your front yard.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Fountains of Refreshment

When hot, sticky days hit, try to use all your senses to keep cool. Sight and sound have amazing psychological effects, even when the thermometer soars.

One of the most cooling and relaxing sounds I know is that of a trickling spring. It relaxes my mind and helps my body unwind. In the city, it can drown out the sounds of the daily hustle and bustle of life, calming and refreshing the spirit. I also love the glinting, reflective surface of water. You can have the soothing coolness of water without a huge space so why not recreate this in your outdoor living area?

Some small water features have still water and aquatic plants but with the fight to remove stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed, many people now prefer items with moving water.

The most popular "moving water" items are tabletop fountains, statuary fountains and spitting creatures. All rely on a pump to circulate water through the feature. The water is pumped up through plastic tubing and released into the fountain, returning to the bottom where it is pumped up the tubing again. Most pumps run on an electrical connection but some smaller tabletop fountains have batteries. There are also solar units available that require no electrical hook-up.

Simple or elaborate, all fountain features have the following elements:


a "bottom" where the pump where will be located and the water returns. This can be a large pot, an urn, a trough and so on.




a "top" from which the water will emerge. This can be a small pot, a fanciful creature such as a frog, a conch shell, etc.




a "middle" - the water course which will receive the water from the top and return it to the bottom. This can be pots, pebbles, shells, marbles, or even empty space, creating a freefall.




a pump. Give crucial attention to two features of the pump: maximum gallons per hour (gph) and maximum lift.


The gph can vary from 35 gph for a small battery-operated tabletop unit to over 600 gph for large garden fountains. Choose one appropriate to the size of your water feature - more is not necessarily better. A low gph will give you a gurgling effect in the same fountain that a higher gph pump would provide a steady stream - or even splash. It's strictly a personal preference within the range recommended for the fountain size.

The maximum lift figure tells you how high you can expect your "little pump that could" to push the water. A small pump that has a lift of "up to 2 feet", for example would not be appropriate for your 3-foot wall mounted lion's head.

You will also want to consider the length of the electrical cord if applicable, and whether the unit has an on/off switch, if that's important to you. Remember, though, that water left sitting will stagnate.

If you are making your own fountain, the pump is the most important part. Pump kits are available that include pump and tubing but tubing is quite inexpensive (about 60¢ per foot) and can be purchased at most garden centers.

You can make a fountain from something as simple as terracotta pots and pebbles. For instructions, visit [http://www.paradiseporch.com/fountain.php]

So soothe your senses with the calming sounds of moving water and keep cool in your outdoor space!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Fuji Circuit Joule Thief CFL Light

Here is a neat little project that I built using a Fuji disposable camera circuit and 1 AA battery to run a 13 watt CFL. The CFL does not run at full brightness but is about one half brightness. On a AA battery 1.2 volts@ 2800mah the light will run for about 2 hours. I added a small solar panel from an old garden light so I could sit the light in a window during the daytime to let the sun charge up the AA battery. Not a real useful project but its guaranteed to get people talking when they come over to your house. They will never believe that you are running a CFL from one AA battery so you would have to show them. You can build one of these however if you would like me to build one for you please pm me.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIOZMpWZVC4&hl=en

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Garden Lights

You can extend your outdoor entertaining by adding decorative lights to create a wonderful mood and you don't need a plug or power!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyeE_UkIeuM&hl=en

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Garden Lighting - Now Easy to install and makes sure your home and garden

Landscape lighting is its popularity in parallel with the development increases the availability and improve the quality of lighting garden solar lighting, and today are a worthwhile investment for the owners of a conservatory.

In the early days of sunshine, many people one of them, because there was a lot of bad elements, but the drive of today tend to be efficient and reliable, and is an investment for the power to payTo use the savings during their lifetime.

Alternative energy sources not only save money, are better for the environment and in a garden when they have less technical problems when connected to the frame, compared to households.

Use a garden lighting of some trees, shrubs or beds, and moving units of solar energy, according to the season about choosing the best features illuminated garden. Can alsolight paths and steps to make your garden a safe passage during the night.

Lighting can also be your home more secure to deter thieves in the garden as a shortcut to your home.

The only downside is that sunlight on the shaded areas of the garden, they can not get enough sun for the application they need in places where they get enough light to recharge the battery.

Is also necessaryHow long can stay on their lights during the afternoon and evening. So before investing in them, please refer to the descriptions of producer and ask someone that lighting and solar power, what their experience has been gained.

Most solar garden lights automatically at dusk, but if you want a light in the night, it is logical for them to type mixing caused by motion detectors.Neighborhood cats, squirrels and other small gardens, visitors can motion sensor light, but attempts against intruders.

Most models currently in light emitting (LED). Are durable and energy efficient, bright light suitable for most users will appreciate their parts in his greenhouses garden of the night.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Solar Lights Take control of pests in solar energy

Solar lights are pretty good, but how cool would if they could be used as pesticides, as well as a sort of super-hero sun? [Www.chinavasion.com]. By people with outdoor areas of mosquitoes or other insects, and flight control garden tend to love these lights. What can eBay Keywords: the use of solar energy, solar panels, solar lamps, solar lamps, outdoor lighting, landscape lighting, interior lighting,Pesticides electronic pest control, the sad truth is that you have landscape lighting and interior lighting with solar panels, but if you get rid of pests and must be made electronically via cable or options to address the battery. Those responsible for these wholesale solar powered outdoor lights have been launched at a function of insect killer to keep the two things that you probably want to do when you relax on the terrace or garden, at dusk or at night, combineTime barbecue. Much light to see, and no mosquitoes, flies, gnats, flies in grass, or any other type of parasite, insect that is supposed to be on the menu. These solar lights are very bright and not reject an aneurysm, if you try to put together. The large solar lights have several mounting options may also be conventional solar lights installed in his garden with his land, are the mounting post or as landscapeLights ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN2jnu--jNQ&hl=en

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Solar Powered Lights - Ideal For Open Commercial and Public Places

Solar powered lights are popularly associated with providing illumination and accent to the exterior areas of home properties such as gardens and walkways. But do you know that they are also useful for lighting up commercial and public places such as office parking lots, building car parks, bus stops and shelters, outdoor signage, streets, roads and highways and public and national parks?

What is immensely beneficial to these solar powered lights is the safety and security that it provides to the riding and walking public especially during the night hours. These outdoor solar lighting efficiently keeps the parks, roads and sidewalks brightly illuminated, which in turn deters any crime and other untoward incidents from happening, to the benefit of the pedestrians.

Of course, the city and local governments can benefit from the use of solar powered lights instead of the conventional ones when lighting up their offices, parking lots, streets and parks as running all these lighting can be very expensive and consume a good part of the government budget.

This is the reason why more and more US local governments and cities as well as those from all over the world are using solar powered lights as a much inexpensive lighting alternative. While replacing the old, conventional lights with new solar lighting can be very expensive, it cannot be denied that a significant amount of money originally allocated for power is saved with the long term use of such sun powered lighting gadgets.

And as the power comes from the sun, no pollution is further created unlike if electricity from carbon and fossil fuels is used in the case of conventional lights. What is great about solar powered lights is that there is no need to worry about installation as the process is easy since wiring and cords are absent.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Solar Garden Lights | Solar Lighting, Garden Lighting

Solar garden lights create a considerable contribution to photovoltaic lighting revolution. Outdoor solar lighting are based on alternative source of energy which have become exceedingly cheap and economical. You, your friends and communities benefit by converting sun light into electricity.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDuLhd9rm9Q&hl=en

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Solar Garden Fountains

Planning to add solar fountains to your garden? What a great idea! Not only can the Sun make the flowers in your garden bloom, but the Sun can also make your fountain work and add to the charm and the elegance of the garden. These fountains are as beautiful as the other varieties, and to top it all, they are much more cost effective to run because they operate on the power of the Sun. They are easier to set up too because you will not need any power lines. And the lack of any power lines makes them safer in the home too, particularly if you have pets and kids. Just select a corner in the garden that receives adequate sunlight and install it.

Though solar fountains are not the conventional variety (they are an innovation keeping in mind the convenience of the user), but nowadays they have become very popular. Improvements in the water pumping technology have optimized the performance of these fountains.

The self-contained features of solar fountains will add to the charm of your home. The gentle sound of running water will bring in peace helping you relax and distress after a hard day at the office. Solar fountains almost always come with a solar panel that captures the sunlight and a pump. Since they come as a single piece, there is no requirement of fixing anything. The set up of solar fountains also means that there are no water leakages. And in case it does, there is no risk of a hazard because there is no electricity.

Solar fountains come in a wide variety of designs, colors, sizes, shapes, materials and budget. There is so much variety that you are sure to find something that is just right for your needs, taste and preference. So go ahead, browse through a few products on display, and select the solar fountains that meet your fancy. You can keep them in the yard, at the patio, the deck and at the garden too. However do keep in mind that these fountains do not work in the evening or in the night and also when the conditions are overcast. However there are a few models in which the solar power can be stored so that they can work as well in the night too.

In some models, the solar panels and the actual fountain are separate. If you are purchasing such a model, you can keep the fountain almost anywhere (even inside a room) as long as the panel is able to capture the sunlight.

There are many things to be considered when buying solar fountains. They make great outdoor fountains.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Pie Bridges@www.redwoodgardenbridges.com

The owners and designers can choose from a variety of styles, types of bridge railing and accessories to get the look you want. High-arched bridges can count on pools to make room for swimming or sitting on the pond of koi, is the light in water after the sun hats. You can also use the short and long term, with a minimum of 4 meters and a maximum length of 40 feet. Material options include redwood, wood and composites. Redwood garden bridges for Koi ponds. 559.325.2597.www.redwoodgardenbridges.com.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65VBHHfX_DU&hl=en

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Solar lights are not just for the gardens

Deck Solar Lighting

Some good ideas for indoor solar lighting include using your house, shed, garage, etc. .. Creating a solar light is simple and maintenance and operation are very low.
The solar panel collects the sun's energy must be translated and receives the most sunlight. When the battery is charging, you can enjoy the solar system, during the night light. We must find a solar system Group, which can be easily installed on the roof of a building or garden. Once the interior lights, solar chargers and batteries are installed, the light at any time to lose.

Solar Outdoor Lighting

Different types of outdoor lighting to solar power. For example, you can find the swimming pool solar lights, solar lights, solar post lights, solar flag > Fire and others. If you're lucky enough to have a pool or pond in the garden, by illumination with solar technology is very simple and secure. Everyone wants a well-kept garden and suggestive, and now thanks to the use of solar energy, which could in the landscape lighting easily. If you have a flag in your garden, you can see during the day. With the addition of a sun your banner flag is visible at all times. If your> Garden is too dark at night, you can invest in some sunlight to be automatically every night. You can also use the solar lights way to describe the steps and paths.

The sunlight is not weak as in the past, thanks to ultra-bright LEDs (Led Emitting Diodes) modern solar lights are strong enough to provide decent lighting for most situations. Today, solar lighting outdoor applicationsGarden lighting lighting Range. Investing in sunlight can be an inexpensive and convenient.