Oct82012
INSTANT SURVIVAL TIP: Light up the whole outdoors
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image by Matthew Juzenas
Tonight we celebrated my sister’s birthday on a patio decorated with strings of lights. I commented to my husband, “I want strings of outdoor lights powered by solar.”
So, I tracked down string lights that are solar powered. They’ll provide outdoor lighting over a large area, such as a patio or a portion of a backyard. Sometimes you need larger spotlights or floodlights, but to illuminate a large area, these string lights will do the trick.
I’ve also seen string lights brought indoors and placed in large jars to serve as lanterns.
More and more, I’ve been adding to my stash of solar powered gadgets as well as small solar panels. In case of power outages, they’ll come in handy, and if we ever experience an EMP (electro-magnetic pulse) or CME (coronal mass ejection), at least we’ll be able to have a few electronics, lights, and communication devices.
Always start with the simple, and for me, buying a couple of strands of solar string lights to be prepared for power outages is a great first step.
© 2012, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.
(14) Readers Comments
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Walking Onions Invaded My Bug-Out!
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Space-Saving and Effective Sub-Irrigated Planters (SIPS)
Mosquitos are definitely an issue with this type of design. There are
hedgehog mom
For folks who have found their solar lights fading or not working- The batteries can only handle so many charge cycles. The internal rechargeable batteries can be replaced with new, higher quality rechargeable batteries. The standard rechargeables from Target or Wallyworld will work.
jane
I like the solar powered string lights idea, could you give a link for some on amazon?
thesurvivalmom
Here’s a link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CXGSAG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005CXGSAG&linkCode=as2&tag=thes0d-20
doug hathaway
If you need help finding something on Amazon, you might not be survivor material.
Dino
RIght on, Mom! I just purchased several solar strings to use as grow lights for my indoor vegitable garden. Check out this industrial grower
Roxy2711
Does anyone know how well the solar outdoor lights would work in the Pacific Northwest? It is overcast here for much of the year, and I would think that those lights would need at least a couple hours of direct light. I have read that many solar panels need quite a bit of sun to charge properly.
Chandra
I live in the middle of the woods where I get next to no direct sun during the summer. I use a solar powered flashlight which sits in a south facing window during the day to navigate my house at night. It isnt as bright as it could be, but I dont stub my toes.
Half Acre Heaven
I live in North Central Washington, near Wenatchee and I use the solar Christmas lights in my chicken coop. I love them. They come on each evening just after dusk and provide a little extra light for my laying hens. I plan on getting a few more over the next few paydays. They charged and worked all through the month of September when it was overcast with smoke from the wildfires and our air quality index was upwards of 300 (basically it looks like a cloudy day, but you can’t breathe). I know you have more truly overcast days where you are, but the fifteen dollar investement would be worth a try.
Tamara
We’ve started stocking up on little bits of solar packs as well as 12v appliances that can be run off solar power. Those rechargable coleman lanterns are pretty cheap at walmart. Get a few of those and we have lots of light.
Plus energizer rechargables I believe can also be recharged by solar power, am I correct?
PerpetualLearner
I’ve been trying to collect lighting sources that have wind-up capability. It’s even better if it has both. I figured the more charging options the better. Some even let you charge other things like phones.
Stealth Spaniel
I love all of the solar products that I have purchased. I didn’t think about replacing the batteries in my solar lights but what a good idea! If I owned my current home, I would put up solar in a heart beat. Most people are able to go off grid completely, and it seems that you would be more prepared for a SHTF scenario !Now, do solar goodies need a Faraday Cage?
JL
Now is a great time to buy clearance! I have bought quite a few for almost nothing.
DisasterMOM.com
Really great idea and the idea of it being available should power goes out is a great idea. The backyard would be a good place to start too because it is really dark there at night and some extra lights would be great.Thanks for the ideas!!!
Mma800
Great idea! Solar light strings are on my list now as well as more solar torches.