LED for outdoor lighting the flag

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I have a spot light attached to the house, hooked to a photocell that shines on the flag. I tried an outdoor CFL and that lasted less than a year.

The light is on from dusk to dawn.

Is there a reliable LED that I can use for this? Anyone have any luck with these yet?

This will be outdoor, in Wisconsin, subject to rain, snow, sleet, and temps ranging from 95 to -15 or -20.

Or should I go back to the incandescent or try another CFL?

 

[Stuart in MN]

RAB lighting sells LED spotlights: http://www.rabweb.com/productLines.php?majorGroup=LFLOOD I haven't used their spotlights but have had good luck with some of their other LED products, and the while they cost more than the equivalent in fluorescent or incandescent they're not that much more, and the added lifespan and lower cost to operate makes them worth it.

Here's another possibility - I've never used this company but they send me catalogs all the time: http://www.e-conolight.com/ Their prices look pretty reasonable for LED fixtures.

You'll have to figure out what size and style LED fixture is equivalent to what you have now, it depends on the distance from the light to the flag. Make sure you're looking at spotlights rather than floodlights, you want to concentrate the light on the flag instead of flooding the whole area.

 

[Gary S]

Why not try another florescent light? I have some on photocells that have been going strong for 9 years and not failed yet. I'm thinking you got a dud the first time if it died in a year.

One of mine failed within a year too, but the one I replaced it with is now 8 years old. They aren't all equal.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Also be aware that some photocells will not properly control fluorescent or LED bulbs due to the low draw and circuitry in the bulbs. Be sure and use a photocell or timer that specifically states that it will work on CFL, fluorescent, and LED.

Neighbor has a LED like that used on solar cell/battery walkway lights on top of his flag pole. It really does not do a good job of illuminating the flag, but I guess serves the legal purpose of lighting it after dark (required by US Code). There is a street light across from it, so the whole area is reasonably well lit anyhow.

Charles

 

[arroberts]

I use a low voltage system with two spots on the flag. I use the Philips LED that I picked up from HD. I think the bulbs were about 10-15 each. They have been out there for 2+ years with no problems.

 

[drunklaw]

I bought a Solar LED light that mounts on the top of the pole and does a good job lighting the flag. Ebay for about $30.00

It looks like a little spaceship on top of the pole and casts a light around the entire base area.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Solar-Flag-...932?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c4b011dc

MK

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I bought a Solar LED light that mounts on the top of the pole and does a good job lighting the flag. Ebay for about $30.00

It looks like a little spaceship on top of the pole and casts a light around the entire base area.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Solar-Flag-...932?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c4b011dc

MK

Bought it about a month ago. Very happy for the price. Well see how long the batteries, wiring, and lights last! Works pretty good. Bottom of flag not well illuminated, light ring too narrow.

I think more batteries would fit in it; I wonder if the solar cells could charge more batteries.

Add another inch in diameter, use larger solar cells, use more lights. I think moving the lights out another inch would help bath the flag better.

I'm happy with it.

 

[TonyBuonocore]

Hi,

Just wanted to check in and see how your solar LED is working out. If it didn't work out this year, I would recommend the RAB HSLED13 and ground-mount it or mount it from the house. Let me know how your experience with the pole-mounted LED has been!

http://www.westwayelectricsupply.com/search/?q=HSLED13