Solar lighting kit for garage

Guys, I need to find a solar lighting kit for my new garage as there is no mains power. It needs to be really bright as I'm using it as a workshop but I an struggling to find anything suitable. I've found one called the SolarMate IV SM2804 ES and LED kit which is perhaps the one that seems to best suite my needs, but once I've bought the kit and battery its over £300! Does anyone have better / cheaper options or have any experience with them?

ps - there is no way of getting mains power to the garage before anyone says to do that!

Any help is appreciated

 

@sinewave is your man - but I know what that sarcastic mofo will suggest! I wont though

seriously, why cant you get mains power?

what about 110v stand lights.... run on an extension lead and transformer?

I just cant see solar lights being good enough, specially in winter when you want them most....

 

I feel your pain mate but there is another solution....

 

@Jimbo Vills - the garage I have is a standalone garage and isn't part of my property or anyone else's for that matter, in fact it's about 5 minutes away from my flat. I've heard some ok things about some of the solar lighting kits but I want to make sure I'm getting something decent but cost effective.

 

Ah ok... Get ya. Hopefully solar will sort it then mate, honestly don't know how good they are?

Sure you can get battery powered task lighting too - maybe an option?

 

Yeah I've thought about a genny but don't like the idea of constantly running petrol... plus I'll be inside and don't fancy the fumes!

I'm going to keep on hunting for advice / reviews etc. I'm even thinking about making one myself - I know squiddly dit about electronics, but if I get a strong enough solar panel, run it through a solar charge regulator I could charge a car battery to run some 20 watt fluorescent lights off it. If anyone thinks that sounds right / wrong let me know!

 

how about an http://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/321845810557 with http://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/371367885233 to keep it charged and a battery

 

How long do you spend in this garage when it's dark?

 

Well there's no windows! So let's say 5-6 hours a day at weekends...

 

No Cheap option I'm afraid.

Solar PV Instal with a Battery Bank would give U what U want, however it would be cheaper to find a new Garage to rent that has Power if U need that much and for long durations

 

What sort of money!? Would something like this work?: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00...=solarmate&dpPl=1&dpID=41NADDwTAqL&ref=plSrch

 

I was going to suggest about 6x 3 hour non maintained led bulk heads. They Would give you good amount of light and you could stock spare batteries and just charge them at home but you will destroy them within a month of fully discharging them regularly. A good unit comes in at about £20-£30 and spare battery's would vary for about £5 retail depending on manufacturer.

 

That's an option, but I'm not sure I want the faff of the constant charging batteries, and as you say they'd be knackered before too soon... would rather a solar panel constantly charging a unit. I've done some research and I think I could build / buy a unit which should give me 5-6 hours of light.

 

Or wire a leisure battery up in your car/van as they do in motor homes. That way it'll always be charged.

 

I was also gonna suggest a leisure battery as the amp hour ratings will be better for low loads like lamps. Not exactly going to sap huge power for a few lamps and being a leisure battery they are rated for it.

 

Is it painted white inside? Makes a big difference
As suggested already a car battery and some 12v led lights should last for ages, maybe a cheap solar panel will be enough to keep it topped up