Security / Motion Exterior Lights

[pconroy]

I have no idea on their longevity, I've had them only a couple of weeks, but so far I really like these solar power, motion detecting exterior LED lights.


I wanted to be able to move them around, to experiment with placement. So I made a bracket on the 3D printer. Glued a magnet to the back and now I can easily stick 'em up and take 'em down as needed.

 

[norty1]

Great idea but there is no metal on the outside of my rig that is magnetic other than the kingpin or steps.
Would work nicely in either place.

 

[pconroy]

Great idea but there is no metal on the outside of my rig that is magnetic other than the kingpin or steps.
Would work nicely in either place.

Oh - sorry forgot about that part. Me neither! No metal.

Grabbed some fender washers, painted them to match the exterior and they're 3M double sided adhesive-ized to the outside.

I knew it would be something - command strips, velcro. Something. The magnets and fender washers was the least invasive and least visible to me.


My son also enjoys a local state park with wonderful small shelters that are metal. We'll be sticking them on those things too. So a magnet just worked the best for us

 

[GHen-JAY]

We bring 3 similar solar motion lights with us on all trips.

One by the door and on each end of the rv bumper.
I like the idea of a command strip style Velcro attachment.


They light up for us after a late walk and nothing is more irritating that trying to find the door lock when it’s completely dark out.

 

[pconroy]

Gave them a trial run yesterday. They are bright enough to illuminate the area but not so much as to light up a neighbor.


One thing I noticed is that the motion sensor's area of detection needs some adjusting. When the lights are mounted up high, you can *almost* sneak underneath them. The PIR sensor seems to look "out" more than down.


I may fix this with a couple of new 3D printed brackets that just aim the lights down a bit more.

 

[Big1]

Nice, I was thinking something like these putting them up over my front door did you get them off of Amazon and maybe if I don't want to put them on with screws I might can seal them up.

 

[pconroy]

Yep off Amazon. The fender washers and 3M double sided tape is working well. Easy up when we arrive and easy down when we depart.

 

[Jagiven]

Nice!

We were out this past weekend. SOB TT, had what appeared to be an integrated outside motion light. As we walked up the road the light was dim, as we approached their site it turned bright.

One night I walked past around 11ish, and the outside light was not on at all, and the motion light did not turn on.

I think I like the idea that it will turn on even at 2am, would really shock a person snooping around.

 

[pconroy]

Yes I think these lights support that mode. On at dusk - but dim. Bright on motion, then off at dawn.


I haven't checked battery life yet. I'll try the dusk to dawn mode a bit later and see how long the battery lasts.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088LW4S7L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Bugzilla46310]

Our last trip of the season, the camper next to our site had them. I liked that as you would walk by, you had light. Talked to the owner and he said the previous owner installed them. Considering adding them to our camper.

 

[pconroy]

Thanks for the bump. I'm quite happy with them. They seem to hold a charge for a very long time.

 

[CAG-JAY]

Gave them a trial run yesterday. They are bright enough to illuminate the area but not so much as to light up a neighbor.

Thank you! That is the part that many forget. If you are dry camping, all by yourself, in the middle of nowhere and want to have the coyotes light up your yard lights that is fine but if you are in a RV park, parked 15' from your neighbor, your neighbor does not want your motion light going off, shining in his bedroom window when a skunk walks by.



There was another thread where someone had motion lights as a "have to have" item for the RV. If you are coming back late, like we do sometimes from fishing, hiking, hunting or a late dinner out, leave the awning lights on low or the door light on so you can find your way, and then shut them off when you are inside.



Ok, done with my light lesson for today

 

[wolfnwillow]

We bring 3 similar solar motion lights with us on all trips.

One by the door and on each end of the rv bumper.
I like the idea of a command strip style Velcro attachment.


They light up for us after a late walk and nothing is more irritating that trying to find the door lock when it’s completely dark out.

GHen, how are you attaching them temporarily now?

 

[Mjliss]

That was my ignorant question - why not just leave your porch light on??

 

[pconroy]

That was my ignorant question - why not just leave your porch light on??

In my case, one security light goes on the rear of the vehicle. Lights up as someone approaches the back.

I put the second one on the side opposite the porch light. It's also handy if I need to futz with the water, power, or sewer at night.

Longevity seems good, so far.

 

[SloPoke-TC]

We did something similar... We bought ours from Home Depot and they worked great.

Now the lessons learned... They don't survive more than a year in direct sunlight. Dogs easily set them off, and they don't stay on very long after the motion triggers them.

The hardest lesson... not taking them down the next day and driving with them on the side of the Seneca through the next day and evening. I would not have really noticed unless it wasn't for getting a written warning from the state trooper.

We still have them... GREAT for boondocking or camping at music festivals where lots of people that seem to wander in your campsite that really shouldn't be there.