I was a bit taken aback when I started watching the video for this gadget. My first thought was that I could buy something similar to this in a store and also that the lights are way too bright to stay on at night. But the fact that the lights are on separate dimmers sold me. This is a cool gadget if you have the skill and know-how to rig it up.
What a great idea, and kills the proverbial two birds with one stone. My question: the caption for the second photo says "The LED based light modules were modified to maintain their sealed weather proofing." What was done to modify them for this purpose?
Watching the video, I was fearing for Mr. Grill's health-- he sounded decidedly winded. Also, this isn't so much a standalone gadget as it is an installation project. Nevertheless, I'd have to say he put together something worthy and interesting.
Sounds like the real advantage to this system lies in the bill of materials. Buying the solar panel and regulator at a garage sale, the entire project must have cost almost nothing.
agree with earlier post. If I could find a free or low cost solar panel, I would build this, or a similar system. Without that, I would 'reverse' the main power source with the backup mains power source and just run off of AC with a backup battery and no solar! This approach would meet all functional requirements except social acceptability.
Though the result is not that effective aganst being spent much effort, time, material cost especially the wiring is pretty wirings ! Anyway I admire the strong sense of make it done spirit, I am pretty admired and respected the idea.
I agree, proent. The strength of this entry is the get-it-done spirit. There surely could have been more costly ways to accomplish it, but this designer was determined to make the garage sale items work, and he did it in impressive fashion.
The wiring is not to NEC code and I hope this isn't being backfed into the house voltage, and I didn't notice an isolator for the solar panel and an inverter. This is a great idea and works but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Don't let an inspector or insurance agent see this setup.
WhEEngineer - Not sure what the NEC or the local inspectors might have to say about the details, but from how I read the article, the solar panel setup just feeds some 12VDC auxiliary lighting. If he fed that into the house voltage it would provide a whole lot of light for about one second and then the LED's would be no more.
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