Farm lights

farmerjj

Well its that time of year again nights are closing in. I wanna replace a old yellow street light down the yard, but wondering what is the cheapest light to run instead of it, i want something that comes on when it gets dark and stays on till it gets bright again so need something cheap to run, anyone got any recommendations for this?

twin_beacon

I'd say get a few high powered LEDs. I have been meaning to get some fitted in our yard for ages. Halogen lights are brighter, but the bulbs blow very easily.

Mooooo

Led light would be the way to go, gives off a whiter type light but you get used to it. Probably dearer first day but way cheaper to run

Musketeer4

Halogen lights are also the gas guzzlers of bulbs. They gobble up kWhrs.

Get some LED floodlights. They are more expensive to buy but they are very light on electricity as the power is very efficiently converted into light whereas a halogen blows most of the input power out as waste heat. The LED chips also last indefinitely.

Sam Kade

Musketeer4 wrote: »

Halogen lights are also the gas guzzlers of bulbs. They gobble up kWhrs.

Get some LED floodlights. They are more expensive to buy but they are very light on electricity as the power is very efficiently converted into light whereas a halogen blows most of the input power out as waste heat. The LED chips also last indefinitely.

What size led replaces standard halogen?

_Brian

farmerjj wrote: »

Well its that time of year again nights are closing in. I wanna replace a old yellow street light down the yard, but wondering what is the cheapest light to run instead of it, i want something that comes on when it gets dark and stays on till it gets bright again so need something cheap to run, anyone got any recommendations for this?

I presume this is an old yellow sodium lamp.
It's going to be hard to get the same light output for the same running costs, good leds are good but just don't have the light output.

You can now get white bulbs for the sodium lamps and buy a dawn to dusk sensor to switch it automatically.

Track9

Dawn to dusk sensor great job usually is Light Sensitive ( may come on during a very foggy day ) The light sensitive unit is wired between the power switch & bulb . ( Can also buy a unit incl bulb ) Best ensure one can turn it off also with standard on off switch ( Had to do that as ESB bill went up a lot , think its because they not led ) Still haven't figured which bulbs are the gas guzzlers )
Best of luck .

_Brian

Track9 wrote: »

Dawn to dusk sensor great job usually is Light Sensitive ( may come on during a very foggy day ) The light sensitive unit is wired between the power switch & bulb . ( Can also buy a unit incl bulb ) Best ensure one can turn it off also with standard on off switch ( Had to do that as ESB bill went up a lot , think its because they not led ) Still haven't figured which bulbs are the gas guzzlers )
Best of luck .

I did quick sums there and an 80w sodium lamp on dawn to dusk, if it runs 12 hours a day, 7 days a week for 26 weeks it would cost less than €40 for the whole time. We have one here but I disconnected it, I just got fed up of the light pollution from it and use regular sensor lights instead.

Ten Pin

Lidl LED

This might be worth a try, there are probably better quality in the specialist elec shops but at a higher price too.

Bass Reeves

Ten Pin wrote: »

Lidl LED

This might be worth a try, there are probably better quality in the specialist elec shops but at a higher price too.

Not sure if I wpould get an integrated sensor they tend to be poorer quality rather than seperate sensors. Also Sensors are movement as well as darkness rated. Do not know much about sodium lighting but put LED up under previous TAMs 2 scheme. 10W LED lighting is equivlent to old standard 100W. I put up a 40W and 60W LED on a light switch.

I think they are still TAMS granted however you need to reach slightly over 2K in total grant rated spend. LED Technology has improved over last few years and has certain advantages as usually you have multiple leds functioning. The advantage is that these do not blow togeather unlike older bulbs that left you in total darkness. When a single LED blows it reduces your light output but gives you notice that you need to replace the unit.

I think a 60W unit costs in the region of 80 euro excluding sensor.

893bet

I just bought one of these

[Lifetime Warranty] InaRock Large Size 100 LED Outdoor Wireless Solar Energy Powered... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01FA1RHVI/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_G2e5xbT4HGDHQ

Might well be a load of ****e but time will tell. Reviews are good!

_Brian

Problem is that there is so much cheap led tat being sold its hard to know what's worth spending money on.

Good LED lighting isn't cheap to buy, it's cheap to run but not cheap to buy.

Odelay

_Brian wrote: »

Problem is that there is so much cheap led tat being sold its hard to know what's worth spending money on.

Good LED lighting isn't cheap to buy, it's cheap to run but not cheap to buy.

Exactly this! Good LED's are not cheap and the pay off isn't that great compared to the initial cost. There is plenty if hype about them, but I know of an industrial building that only went with half the lights as LED on a new build. The issue was the cost to buy and uncertainty about life span. A meter was stuck onto both systems to compare costs. Give a few days and I'll report back on the savings... If any.

farmerjj

Odelay wrote: »

Exactly this! Good LED's are not cheap and the pay off isn't that great compared to the initial cost. There is plenty if hype about them, but I know of an industrial building that only went with half the lights as LED on a new build. The issue was the cost to buy and uncertainty about life span. A meter was stuck onto both systems to compare costs. Give a few days and I'll report back on the savings... If any.

How did it go, much of a difference in price to run?

larthehar

farmerjj wrote: »

How did it go, much of a difference in price to run?

I stuck up an LED at home.. my logic is as follows..
Current running costs of 500w halogen:
Average 4hrs/day for 6 months
720hrs run time
So that is 360kwh @ €0.1665/kwh is €60
50w LED is 36kwh @ €0.1665/kwh is €6
So saving €56/yr plus no maintenance i found halogens were prone to blowing.. life span is 10k hrs so 13 odd yrs.. intial cost was 140.. halogen was 13 to buy so 2.5yr payback was good enough for me!!
Up 3yrs now and find it a great job..

Muckit

Ive a 9000lm beast to fit on front of slatted shed this weekend if l can get time to do it. Sitting in the box the last 3months and its not going to light much in there!

farmerjj

Well went with the led light, its puts out a v bright white light does the job, put it on a dark bright sensor, hopefully lasts now

jimini0

Has anyone tried solar powered lights? I have a old small barn with no power. I was thinking of buying a few cheap weanlings and feeding them in there over the winter.

Muckit

Problem with solar powered light is not alot of good during winter months for charging and the light is only as good as a torch.

Buy a good LED headtorch. Not the €5 poundshop tatt.

I bought a rechargeable led lenser on mickeystyles recommendation. Excellent job l have to say and can charge in cigarette lighter or with 3 pin.

jimini0

Muckit wrote: »

Problem with solar powered light is not alot of good during winter months for charging and the light is only as good as a torch.

Buy a good LED headtorch. Not the €5 poundshop tatt.

I bought a rechargeable led lenser on mickeystyles recommendation. Excellent job l have to say and can charge in cigarette lighter or with 3 pin.

I have a head torch bought one on done deal for 60 great job. But the reason I want the lights is cos my 5 year old would be with me and the lights would be a bit better for his clumsy feet. I might just get a suitcase generator and wire a few lights up.

maidhc

Hired a cherry picker and replaced all the old halogens with LEDs last weekend. 60w LEDs seem at least as bright if not brighter than 500w halogens. Great job.

GrasstoMilk

Anyone any experience with LED strip light in place of the old fluorescent strip lights?
38e for fluorescent
80e for LED

inthepit

jimini0 wrote: »

Has anyone tried solar powered lights? I have a old small barn with no power. I was thinking of buying a few cheap weanlings and feeding them in there over the winter.

Neighbour has outfarm with no power.He has a couple of LED tractor spot lights wired up in the shed.If he wants to check on animals he pulls up jeep and lifts the bonnet.Lenght of cable at corner of the shed,two crocodile clips onto battery and flick the switch.He has as much light as he will ever need in the shed.

Bass Reeves

inthepit wrote: »

Neighbour has outfarm with no power.He has a couple of LED tractor spot lights wired up in the shed.If he wants to check on animals he pulls up jeep and lifts the bonnet.Lenght of cable at corner of the shed,two crocodile clips onto battery and flick the switch.He has as much light as he will ever need in the shed.

A good solution. an adaption of this would be to get a solar panel connected to a 12V battery to keep it charged and work it all off a switch. By watching the voltage on the 12V battery you could take it away maybe once a month and charge it at home. Those Led tractor lights are only 30ish watts so only draw 2.5 amps. A smallish tractor batter 120 AH would last a long time (50ish hours with out any charging system) powering these if getting any bit of charge from a solar panel

Muckit

Muckit wrote: »

Ive a 9000lm beast to fit on front of slatted shed this weekend if l can get time to do it. Sitting in the box the last 3months and its not going to light much in there!

Only got round to fitting this last night, ironically....in the dark!! (Well l had a headtorch.)
I have to be the clumsiest fecker ever! Dropped a pliers from the ladder into bucket of tools. It dented a can of wd40 and it proceeded to spray it's full contents everywhere. Next l dropped a 21mm drill bit and it just snapped. At least l didn't electrocute myself, the front of shed is now like daytime when l flick the switch and cattle prob got a good laugh!

jimini0

Bass Reeves wrote: »

A good solution. an adaption of this would be to get a solar panel connected to a 12V battery to keep it charged and work it all off a switch. By watching the voltage on the 12V battery you could take it away maybe once a month and charge it at home. Those Led tractor lights are only 30ish watts so only draw 2.5 amps. A smallish tractor batter 120 AH would last a long time (50ish hours with out any charging system) powering these if getting any bit of charge from a solar panel

That's exactly what I'm looking for. I must look online for the solar panel. I have a new car battery that I bought for a car but never used. A bit of wire and a couple of bulb holders and I'm in business

DJ98

http://www.farmlighting.ie/store/c10/IP65_Floodlights.html

Anyone any experience with this company? Also what w of light would be best suited to lighting a small farmyard?

joeyboy12345

maidhc wrote:

Hired a cherry picker and replaced all the old halogens with LEDs last weekend. 60w LEDs seem at least as bright if not brighter than 500w halogens. Great job.

How many lights is lighting that pic?

inthepit

maidhc wrote: »

Hired a cherry picker and replaced all the old halogens with LEDs last weekend. 60w LEDs seem at least as bright if not brighter than 500w halogens. Great job.

That looks to be a nice white colour of light.What temprature light is it?

Timmaay

Bass Reeves wrote: »

A good solution. an adaption of this would be to get a solar panel connected to a 12V battery to keep it charged and work it all off a switch. By watching the voltage on the 12V battery you could take it away maybe once a month and charge it at home. Those Led tractor lights are only 30ish watts so only draw 2.5 amps. A smallish tractor batter 120 AH would last a long time (50ish hours with out any charging system) powering these if getting any bit of charge from a solar panel

If your buying a battery then make sure you get a leisure battery instead of a normal starter battery. The leisure battery is designed to give off a steady charge, against the tractor starter one which is designed to send out a huge amount of amps in a short time, and doesn't take too well to consistant trickle discharging. I picked up a leisure battery on sale in halfords last yr for about 70e, normally well over 100e.

jimini0

Would this be any good? I would only be using it max 1 hour an evening. surely the calves would survive in the dark for the night

maidhc

joeyboy12345 wrote: »

How many lights is lighting that pic?

Two, both at the left. Planning for new slatted shed at the right, so will light that in due course.

Sami23

DJ98 wrote: »

http://www.farmlighting.ie/store/c10/IP65_Floodlights.html

Anyone any experience with this company? Also what w of light would be best suited to lighting a small farmyard?

No experience with the company but was looking at them yesterday myself as want to replace a couple of 500w halogens.
I'd recommend the 50w as neighbour put up a few 30w last year and I don't count them great tbh.

What I don't understand is what is the difference between the two 50w lights in the picture bar the price ?

vinne

DJ98 wrote: »

http://www.farmlighting.ie/store/c10/IP65_Floodlights.html

Anyone any experience with this company? Also what w of light would be best suited to lighting a small farmyard?

I got a good bit of stuff off them, great quality and their tractors lights are super. I'd go for a 50watt if i were you

Muckit

Lumens is what you want to be looking at.
Very happy with this lamp l wired in at front of shed. Savage light. Makes things v safe.

joeyboy12345

Muckit wrote:

Lumens is what you want to be looking at. Very happy with this lamp l wired in at front of shed. Savage light. Makes things v safe.

Where did you get that?

Muckit

joeyboy12345 wrote: »

Where did you get that?

In a shop!!!:D

Parkmore electrical, Ballinasloe.
Here's another one l stuck up on another shed, good light but wouldn't be a patch on other one.

Sure you'd put a 100w conventional bulb up in a room years ago, now that power will light a whole yard ...properly.

pedigree 6

Muckit wrote: »

Ive a 9000lm beast to fit on front of slatted shed this weekend if l can get time to do it. Sitting in the box the last 3months and its not going to light much in there!

How do you find the light now?
Is it too dazzelly on the eyes?

I put up a 20w 1500lm yesterday and I find there's good light out of it. (On a dwelling house). Yet if you happen to look at it, it's not going to blind you and go through your head.

Basically I'm thinking it would be better to have a few of these around the farmyard instead of one big blinding knock you down light.

Thoughts? How are you getting on with the 100w?

Muckit

pedigree 6 wrote: »

How do you find the light now?
Is it too dazzelly on the eyes?

I put up a 20w 1500lm yesterday and I find there's good light out of it. (On a dwelling house). Yet if you happen to look at it, it's not going to blind you and go through your head.

Basically I'm thinking it would be better to have a few of these around the farmyard instead of one big blinding knock you down light.

Thoughts? How are you getting on with the 100w?

I wouldn't be without it. I'm sure rugby players dont find the floodlights they play under too dazzly, that's only light l could compare it too. Only I'm playing against a very rough team (sometimes) even worse than all blacks as they are multiple times their weight and have four legs!! I work in yard on my own. If l go down because l can't see right, that's game over.

pedigree 6

Muckit wrote: »

I wouldn't be without it. I'm sure rugby players dont find the floodlights they play under too dazzly, that's only light l could compare it too. Only I'm playing against a very rough team (sometimes) even worse than all blacks as they are multiple times their weight and have four legs!! I work in yard on my own. If l go down because l can't see right, that's game over.

How high would you have the light mounted?

Muckit

pedigree 6 wrote: »

How high would you have the light mounted?

It's mounted over door up near apex, 15 or 16' at a guess. Not going to get caught with anything. Other light mounted on a pole about same height and can be swiveled.

enricoh

Lads I have a couple of gewiss 1000w metal halide lights that give great light but are a bit hungry on the esb meter.

They are fitted about 8m' high and throw out the light 80m into the yard. Any recommendations for an led light that will do the same? I got a big led one before but I forget the spec n it was useless. It lit up the first 20m n that was it.
I don't want to put 6-8 lights dotted round the yard as it,'d be a pain to run cable all the way round, cheers folks

Bass Reeves

enricoh wrote: »

Lads I have a couple of gewiss 1000w metal halide lights that give great light but are a bit hungry on the esb meter.

They are fitted about 8m' high and throw out the light 80m into the yard. Any recommendations for an led light that will do the same? I got a big led one before but I forget the spec n it was useless. It lit up the first 20m n that was it.
I don't want to put 6-8 lights dotted round the yard as it,'d be a pain to run cable all the way round, cheers folks

I put up a 60 watt and it throws light about 25-30 meters it is about 3-4 meters off the ground. I imagine if it was 8 metres it would go to 50 metres. A 1000 watt would be heavy alright at nearly 20c/hour. If you had it on for 2 hours/day during a 60 day billing period it would add 24 euro to the bill, if it was on 4-5 hours:eek:

Muckit

Well the 9000lm one l stuck up has 100w draw. I wouldn't go any less. There is great light out of it and should light what you want to light no bother. Makes things very safe.

pedigree 6

I put up a 20w led light on the side of the dwelling house.
I'd say it was turned on for just 7 nights and it's now kaput.


The power is getting to the light and it's going through the LED chip part but no light. It looks to me like (after googling) that a small wire in the chip must have burned out.

Is there supposed to be some fuse or something to limit the power getting to the light to the 20w as I read (google) that they don't like too much power.
There are two other ordinary 100w lights on the same wire and this LED is/was on the end of the cable and the LED replaced a 100w bulb.

Or would the other light bulbs have caused the LED to blow. Maybe I should have all leds on the same cable??
Disappointed as didn't expect this.

Muckit

There's some real crap out there led wise. Flood lamps, car bulbs etc..... l don't know enough about it myself but there are good and bad led chips. Did you buy off a retailer or online? I'd be bringing it back and demanding my money back.

Not saying yours is, but loads of videos on youtube of cheap led sh*te. Is the unit earthed?

pedigree 6

Muckit wrote: »

There's some real crap out there led wise. Flood lamps, car bulbs etc..... l don't know enough about it myself but there are good and bad led chips. Did you buy off a retailer or online? I'd be bringing it back and demanding my money back.

Not saying yours is, but loads of videos on youtube of cheap led sh*te. Is the unit earthed?

It's from a dutch company.

It was screwed onto a pvc facia board.
Surely though if it was an earth problem it wouldn't work in the first place?

Hmmm. More investigation needed.

Muckit

Lidl have small led 'under cabinet' striplights on offer at the moment.

They are about 22" long and can be swivelled. Also come wired with 3pin plug.

Ideal to mount on wall near workshop bench and a bargain at €12! I bought one and very impressed! Be also handy to use with extension lead under the bonnet of car. And because led you won't scinge your hair!

Sugarbowl

It's that time of the year again to start switching on the lights. I'm going to replace my old halogen with LED. Any good recommendations on a proper LED? Thinking about 50w.

Say my name

Sugarbowl wrote: »

It's that time of the year again to start switching on the lights. I'm going to replace my old halogen with LED. Any good recommendations on a proper LED? Thinking about 50w.

Just don't make the same mistake I made and putting up an LED light and a standard household bulb on the same light switch/line.
The differences in output going up and down continually of the household bulb wrecks the LED light.
Keep LEDS separate on their own line/switch. Never mix with other light types.

Sugarbowl

Any recommendations for some good outdoor LED farm lights?