Need Ideas for a Flag Pole Light

[LifeLongWNYer]

I just purchased a 20' flag pole for the front of my home. Before I install it, I would like to select a light so that I can include the light/wiring/switching into the base plans.

I've searched this forum for suggestions and found only one specific model identified, a RAB, model HSLED13. That suggestion was not too current, and, while RAB makes really high quality products, that fixture was pretty pricey.

In the recent times, has anyone come up with a good fixture? I prefer something which will operate with a photocell, but I realize that some LED's draw so little current that I may need to use a clock timer. I'd rather not, because it is a pain to keep resetting the trippers, but I will, if I HAVE to. Finally, since the fixture "looks up" all the time, I think I'll need something "waterproof" and not "water resistant."

Thanks to all for your input.



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[cybrdyke]

Kichler. You'll probably need 2.

To clear up some errors in your post...
RAB makes commodity grade products, not really high quality products. It's good value for the price.
Photocells that are designed to work with LED lights work great, and it's nothing to do with too little current. This would be a low cost solution for you, however the lights will be on dusk to dawn if that's what you want.
An in-wall timer like an Intermatic EI600, fits in a wall box, doesnt need to be reset twice a year, knows when daylight savings days are, and knows when sunup and sundown is every day. No trippers. And a battery back up in case the power goes out.
Good luck,
CD

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

Humm, Kichler... I just bought a couple of their fixtures fro a bathroom upgrade. I've used RAB for quite a while and really like their products. Usually, they last forever, but when they don't, RAB is great about making things right.

I would like to go with the photocell, by rights, a flag should be illuminated from dusk to dawn, so a eye is perfect.

I have a clock timer for some other lights, and in the spring/fall, I end up changing the trippers about every 7 -10 days. It sounds as if the timer you suggested is an "astronomic" timer, I'll look at getting one to replace the one I have now.

Thanks for the tip on the light, I'll look it up.

Thanks, Cybrdyke, I appreciate your input.



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[zmaxmotorsports]

How about some solar ones you just stick in the ground?

 

[hichamaziz]

I appreciate your input.

 

[kinglew]

led photo cell solar lite not good

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

I am looking for more info on the fixture that Cybrdyke suggested. Anybody actually SEEN, or used one?

According to the Kichler website, the only place around here which sells that line of products is a landscape firm. I called them, they have never seen one, never used one in any of their designs, and will get one for me to look at, if I pay in advance. If I don't like it after I see it, they will invoke a "50%" ( yes, 50% ) restocking fee.



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[kabinenroller]

I use one of these to light my 30’ pole. https://www.e-conolight.com/replace...rk-bronze.html?cct=5251&finish=5311#configtop

It looks great, the pole itself looks bright and the flag is illuminated no matter which direction the wind is blowing from.
Not inexpensive, but you get what you pay for.
There was a lite mist in the air when the picture was taken so the light beam is visible.
Jim

 

[cybrdyke]

I am looking for more info on the fixture that Cybrdyke suggested. Anybody actually SEEN, or used one?

Call them. 866.558.5706

 

[Lelandwelds]

I was expecting a post about a monster flag with a pole so tall it needed a red light on top to keep planes from hitting it.

I am a bit disappointed.

 

[Hubmonkey]

A guy in my Mother In-law's neighborhood has something similar to this on top of his flag pole...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JYQV4AA/ref=asc_df_B01JYQV4AA5395149/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B01JYQV4AA&linkCode=df0&hvadid=216521394602&hvpos=1o6&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14500050058212736355&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026563&hvtargid=aud-417278613774la-351143304137

Hub

 

[danb35]

An in-wall timer like an Intermatic EI600,

Fascinating--I'd never heard of such a thing as a timer with an astronomical clock that could figure sunrise/set times for your location. I was looking for something for the same purpose, and just bought a Leviton unit from Amazon. Installed yesterday, and it does the trick. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

I got behind on projects, but am moving back to the flagpole. I looked at the specs for the fixture submitted by Kabinenroller in post #8, but just received a suggestion of a Phillips LPF3, which is available with a spot beam.

The Phillips has a controller built in which figures how long the light is turned on, then after it is on for a portion of the "night" decreases the current ( and illumination ) by 25% for a time in the "middle of the night." It saves electricity during the part of the night when there are fewer people around to see the flag. Does anybody have any experience with this? Does it work, or is it a "likely to fail" gimmick?



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[dgithens1]

I use one of these to light my 30’ pole. https://www.e-conolight.com/replace...rk-bronze.html?cct=5251&finish=5311#configtop

It looks great, the pole itself looks bright and the flag is illuminated no matter which direction the wind is blowing from.
Not inexpensive, but you get what you pay for.
There was a lite mist in the air when the picture was taken so the light beam is visible.
Jim

That is a sight of beauty for any patriotic American! LOVE IT!

 

[HOTRODPRIMER]

I used a solar light,I didn't think I wanted a light but a year or so later I tried the solar,works pretty good. HRP

 

[Lelandwelds]

I thought up lighters weren't used anymore due to "light pollution"? I thought the respectful practice was to not fly flags at night?

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

I used to run into the "dark sky" concept when I worked as a security consultant, and it complicated things, but we had to live with it. We generally ran into it on the more progressive places, like California, etc.

I am in semirural NY, and as a combat vet, I WILL light my flag. It would be nice to be able to raise it each morning, and lower it at sunset, but life is too busy for that.

Drive by the government buildings in your area and see how many of them light the flag at night, instead of raising and lowering it. The flag code provides for flying flags at night, provided they are properly illuminated.



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[kabinenroller]

I thought up lighters weren't used anymore due to "light pollution"? I thought the respectful practice was to not fly flags at night?

The light on my flag ( see pictures in my previous post) is very bright (LED) and I am sure is visible from space but I want the flag to be seen and comply with flag etiquette. As for “light polition” how do you explain Los Vegas?
The American flag should be flown with pride!

 

[cybrdyke]

As for “light polition” how do you explain Los Vegas?

Like any big city, it was lit before anyone had any concern over light pollution. Now that it's a concern, they're trying to put the toothpaste back into the tube. Not so easy.
The International Dark Sky Association has a lot of influence on municipalities, institutions and businesses. Their goal is to reduce (ultimately eliminate) any upward light and any other light that would adversely influence animals. You'll start seeing more and more legislations written around Dark Sky criteria. One of them will be that outdoor lighting should be 3000k or lower, with 0% uplight.
CD

 

[GTO]

I thought up lighters weren't used anymore due to "light pollution"? I thought the respectful practice was to not fly flags at night?

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

The animals have been getting along just fine since Edison invented the light bulb, and I've never seen one that died from light escaping from my fixtures into the atmosphere. In my opinion, that "Dark Sky Association" is a bunch of gadflies, trying to make something (...and some money ) out of nothing.



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[Norcal]

How about some solar ones you just stick in the ground?

Seems like the easy way, but it's not, they do not provide enough light to comply with flag display regulations.