Malibu 3 Pack Solar Landscape Plastic Flood Light Set with Remote Panel, Textured Black #LZ413
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List Price: Category: Lighting See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Malibu 3 Pack Solar Landscape Plastic Flood Light Set with Remote Panel, Textured Black #LZ413
Customer Review: Great SOLAR LED lights
Summary: 5 Stars
As has been pointed out - these are LED lights powered by AA batteries - they will not replace your porch lights or your plugged-in landscaping lights. They will be no-where near as bright as incandescent or halogen lights. Their advantages: LEDs "burn" a long time, you will probably not need to replace the lamps. LEDs don't use as much power, so the same batteries will power them longer than incandescent, etc.
Some general notes about solar powered lights:
1) you need to place the panel where it gets direct light all day every day. This is key to recharging; more direct light means the lights will stay on longer at night.
2) Since they use batteries, which will need replacing, it's nice to get easy to replace batteries - AA NIMH are about the easiest to deal with.
3) self-contained lights are easiest, you can put them anywhere they get light. Light sets with a base and separate lamps allow you to put the lamps in shady spots, but you are limited by the cord length, as the base will still need to go in direct sun light, and the lamps will need to plug into the base.
About these lights in specific: I use these lights to light a 10' by 14' back porch. They have a base, and 3 lamps, each plugs directly into the base. I used the bolt-on installation adapters to install the lights under the porch roof and attached the base to the eaves. The base is in direct light all day.
The lamps are fairly bright. With my set-up, 3 lamps makes the whole back porch about 4x as bright as the full moon, just barely not enough light to read by. Getting full direct light all day allows the batteries to last all night (I installed mine in April; the batteries might not last all night in the dead of winter). I liked these well enough, I added two sets to light up the front porch and walk way. It's just enough light to not need the porch light, unless I'm expecting company.
Before installing them, I left the base in the sun all day, then connected the lamps at night, and walked around with them. This gave me a good idea for how bright they are and what distances they are good for. I strongly suggest making this kind of survey before installing the lights.
Customer Review: NOT GOOD !!!
Summary: 1 Stars
10-10-08
I bought 2 packs, 3 in each. Granted it is October in Massachusetts, the North East, I expected a little more from this product. One light can very dimly light up a 2ft by 2ft hanging sun garden decoration, about 4 feet away. And I mean DIMLY. Same with my back gate, very dimly lit, but I can see the gate, but I wouldn't use just one light for either of gate of the decoration if you really want to see. I would suggest all three on any item; plant; tree; door; etc. if you actually want to see it. I would not use the "flood light" to face down, to make a walk way light up, this seems to do even less. I suggest, placing them every few feet, facing a fence that surrounds a yard, which will in turn light up the outer area surrounding the yard. But do not expect any actual "flood light" you can get from using your regular 40 watt light you can plug in to a timer or any outdoor outlet.
I havent placed the 'Malibu Super Bright Solar Lighting' 4 pack pathway solar lights, but I am hoping that the 360 degree expression of light may work better for walk ways, in front of paths, or near garden sculptures.
I am not a "plant" of any sort, and I rarely post a comment unless I really like an item, or really am not happy with an item.
I am really not happy with this item.
Final note, I live in the city, so I have a fairy small back yard garden area. It is about 20 feet by 20 feet, and in my calulation, it would take about 6 lights on three sides to actually make an impact like my low voltage garden lights I used in the past.
I am trying to be more "green", but I wonder if I am just defeating my purpose by buying so much plastic solar lights, and wondering if using my old low voltage lights would be less detremental to the earth, or just using 4 or five 40 watt flood lights on timers, where only 1 or two are on at a time.
Anyone know how I could find out this information?
Thanks in advance.
Customer Review: Best there is, change the batteries though.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had this set for almost a year now. I replaced the three AA batteries with Duracell 2650mAh rechargeable, after the first two weeks. These are installed in a dog kennel (built as a horse barn). The solar panel faces south. The lights remain constant bright until the sun comes up and shuts them off each morning. I spliced in longer wires for each light so the distance from the solar panel is about 20 or 25 feet for each one. The light does not attract any bugs, no flies, knats, moths, nothing. Each individual light is directed into a different room of the kennel, and gives enough light that no additional light is needed to get around safely. I have electricity in the kennel, with flood lights installed also, but don't use them every time I go in there. These solar lights provide enough light for the dogs to get around safely at night, see their food bins, and water buckets, and I have one enclosed room for them (with electric heater) and the solar light I have in there gives them light all night. Mounted about 7 feet up, these lights do not give a light bright enough to distract from sleeping, but do easily provide enough light for safe walking around. Some mornings during the winter months they are dim, but these are during cloudy days, of several in a row, and most winter mornings the lights remain bright. Using the
Duracell Rechargable 2650 mAh batteries make an improvement in their length of time. I have tried other brands of solar lights, these are without a doubt the best ever. After 10 months of recharging in the solar pack, I have not yet needed to replace these Duracell 2650 mAh rechargeable batteries. Get these solar lights if you want bug free, bright blue-white light all night long, night after night, but I would replace the three AA batteries with the Duracell Rechargable 2650 mAh batteries to be sure of the best possible performance.
Customer Review: Good for my camping trailer
Summary: 4 Stars
I have a small trailer we use at a campsite, that sits there without moving. Our only power is solar. I have a 45watt panel array that usually charges the 12volt batter, and powers the Flourescent lights when needed. We use solar other stuff for other things. The dragging about of the array takes time, and is a hassle. I have purchased this LZ413A series for my back yard and love them.
A single detachable panel with replaceable batteries [easy to get to, no screws] is great. The lights plug into the back side, and it looks dressy. My desire was to NOT have to keep placing the individual lights I had previously to get the best sun. This item allows it to be in the best sun always, and the cords to it from each light are light, and with about 12' of cord, which is plenty.
Brightness, well 'ok' not flashlight bright, but close. I have each light with 3 LEDs in it.
I plan to 'wire' into the walls of my trailer, about six of these lights. The battery/panels noted in this pack will be mounted on a bulkhead for easy removal. I plan to have the panels taken during the day, mounted onto the ground to recharge each day, then re-hooked back into the trailer [we always park it in the trees/shady area] during the evening. IF like my backyard ones, it should provide enough light to read or whatever. IF I need more light, then another set. The backyard ones last all night, and hearing of going to a better batter capacity might be my next improvement when I repalce them, whenever that happens.
I've also read of the newer 4 LED set, with more durable housing...not sure if it's worth the cost, but, I usually upgrade when offered, so I might be buying those instead. Either way, I'm satisfied.
Customer Review: TOP OF THE LINE! VERY PLEASED!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
First off im pretty picky about quality, and i have to say that the quality of the lights, is light, yet sturdy plastic.
The lights include PLENTY cable for running them far far away from the sensor/panel.
The Solal cell is Glass, unlike the ones i have bought in the past that were made from resin or plastic this one shouldnt crack and and i expect it should last at least 5 years or more...even the plastic ones i have and they are still running after 4 years.
Malibu delivers with their Rechargable batteries. The included are good quality. Good ni-cad technology can last up to 800-900 charge cycles.
I have dealt with these SAME batteries before in other units i have 4 years now and they are still maintaining to hold charge.
I AM IMPRESSED.
another Great aspect of this unit is they make a user friendly panel for battery replacement. It sure seems from the design that the designeres intended this to last at least as long as the Solar cell itself....which...coudl be many years from what im reading online about Solar cell technology.
Just to be extra safe i squirted Di-electric grease in each socket that the lights plug into to prevent condensation/outdoor issues from inhibiting the connection over long periods of time. I also did this to the battery terminals. After doing this i have noticed for years no i never have problems with connections.
after buying MANY solar lights for my backyard, i have to say this is the best set i have yet, I WILL be buying 3 more of these, at 30 bux a pop with free shipping..its a steal.