Battery Operated Outdoor Lights
Battery operated outdoor lights allow for flexible, simple lighting solutions around the exterior of your house and in your yards.
The most common and popular fixed outdoor light in this category is the motion sensor or motion activated light. Since the bulb only turns on when people or objects activate the sensor, battery life can be extended much longer than if the light were on steadily. And not having to deal with electrical wire makes it very practical and easy to install in any number of areas for both safety and security.
The battery-powered motion sensor LED light can be used almost anywhere — attached to the house, a gate, a post… on the porch, patio or deck… under the eaves, over a mailbox, over the stairs by the side door, in the breezeway, over the garage door, in the dog run… you get the idea. Anywhere you need light for safety and security or just to see your house or car keys on the way to and from your front door. Most outdoor battery operated lights come with a mounting bracket and screws. Some have a magnetic attachment, and some may have sticky tape. It is probably wise to get some kind of screw/bolt/nail attachment for durability.
A few things to consider before purchasing an outdoor battery light: first, keep your expectations a bit low, especially if you are paying a cheap price (less than $30). The light may be a bit dim, but you can always add more of them if they are reasonable in price. Some people find that one light is not enough, but two or three fits the bill very nicely. Others only want a small light to do what they need to do in a particular area.
Most motion activated lights function quite well considering the low amount of power they use. It is best to test the area you want to light up using a flashlight or portable lantern to learn what wattage will give you the brightness you need. Also consider the area of lighting necessary to fulfill the purpose you have in mind. Most outdoor battery lights do not give you the wide perimeter of a wired light, so again, consider buying more than one if you need a wider diameter of illumination.
The greatest advantage of battery powered outdoor lights is that they still work in a power outage. So whether you use indoor or outdoor lighting, consider the investment part of emergency preparedness along with the convenience and flexibility they provide throughout your house.
Portable Outdoor Battery Lights
The most popular portable outdoor battery light is the lantern that you can use indoor or outdoors, for camping, outdoor events or indoor power outages. These lights are usually sturdy and practical and can last for hours if necessary.
Other outdoor lights in this category are quite useful to have around your house as well. These include battery operated string lights, party lights, umbrella lights and some novelty-type or special occasion lamps that you don’t expect to be lit for hours and hours at a time. Battery powered candle lights are great for outdoor dinners and parties and add a festive touch to any occasion. And of course, battery operated Christmas lights can make seasonal decorating a breeze.
Both the type of battery used in the lights and the type of bulb have a great deal to do with how useful the fixture turns out to be. For example, an LED motion activated light that uses 4 D batteries or a rechargeable battery pack is quite sufficient to light up a wide area for security and safety purposes with a battery life of one year or longer. Lights used at close range, such as umbrella lights, grill lights, barbecue lights or camping lanterns can also last long depending on the construction and type of battery and of course, hours of use.
If using disposable alkaline batteries is a concern to you or the community you live in, you can usually substitute with rechargeable batteries. Keep in mind that rechargeables need to be changed much more often, like once a month instead of once a year. That is the nature of these batteries, but it may be worth it to you. Solar battery chargers come in handy in such cases. If you make it a habit to maintain a continuous cycle of charging and replacement, this is far less inconvenient than if you use them sporadically and then forget to charge them and have to run to the store for some alkalines.