One Item for BMan 2013 a Day

[Ratty]

The box says, "Includes 2 spotlights for the price of 1". There was a pile of them for $5 each. Runs 8-10 hours on a full charge.There is a swiveling solar panel on top and 3 BIG LED bulbs inside. So it looks like I'll get to try solar out there. At least on a small scale. I only bought one box because my pile-o-crap is crowding me out of house and home.

That little solar panel is about 3inches by 4 inches OD.

[tattoogoddess]

DAMN! Wish we could have bought some of these.

[lucky420]

I have several of those lights. They work really well and when our lanterns crapped out last burn they came in really handy

[illy dilly]

The box says, "Includes 2 spotlights for the price of 1". There was a pile of them for $5 each. Runs 8-10 hours on a full charge.There is a swiveling solar panel on top and 3 BIG LED bulbs inside. So it looks like I'll get to try solar out there. At least on a small scale. I only bought one box because my pile-o-crap is crowding me out of house and home.

That little solar panel is about 3inches by 4 inches OD.

We bought a pair of very similar solar spot lights (I can't say they are exactly the same for sure, but the price seems about right) in 2011 and they were super duper kick ass! We put them out side the dome to light it at night, so people could find us. WORKED GREAT!!!

Where we screwed up though- we put them away in a box, in the basement with all the Burn stuff... come 2012 we learned that putting solar things away for 11 months ruins the battery--- DUH!!!
I'd suggest leave them out so the batteries can get worked daily. We looked at replacing the batteries, and its almost cheaper to just replace the spot lights. Some of the other more unique solar gadgets we are going to replace the batteries because its cheaper or we can't find the exact same thing.

[Rice]

The box says, "Includes 2 spotlights for the price of 1". There was a pile of them for $5 each. Runs 8-10 hours on a full charge.There is a swiveling solar panel on top and 3 BIG LED bulbs inside. So it looks like I'll get to try solar out there. At least on a small scale. I only bought one box because my pile-o-crap is crowding me out of house and home.

That little solar panel is about 3inches by 4 inches OD.

We bought a pair of very similar solar spot lights (I can't say they are exactly the same for sure, but the price seems about right) in 2011 and they were super duper kick ass! We put them out side the dome to light it at night, so people could find us. WORKED GREAT!!!

Where we screwed up though- we put them away in a box, in the basement with all the Burn stuff... come 2012 we learned that putting solar things away for 11 months ruins the battery--- DUH!!!
I'd suggest leave them out so the batteries can get worked daily. We looked at replacing the batteries, and its almost cheaper to just replace the spot lights. Some of the other more unique solar gadgets we are going to replace the batteries because its cheaper or we can't find the exact same thing.

Or, open the battery compartment up and take the batteries out (store them in a plastic bag, tape to each light). Most of the solar stuff has an easy way of changing the batteries. I usually put the batteries back in a week or so before my final trip pack - set the solar panels out to get some sun. Then I verify they are still working as expected... (Gives me time to replace the totally dead ones)

I was able to get my solar light batteries to last 5 years this way.

[trilobyte]

Visited the local warehousapocalypticoutfitter joint today, and they had the 12 gallon flip-top bins we use to store everything on sale. Grabbed a half dozen more, which will come in handy as we continue the storage/loft/project juggling. Then I headed back over to our new storage place and got to work building the new triple-wide storage rack.



Got home to find I had a message about the tophat I'd ordered back on the 31st. They've finished making it, and it's on its way. Should be here in plenty of time for the Edwardian Ball next weekend. Excellent!

[tattoogoddess]

what about if they have an on off switch?

[trilobyte]

For maximizing battery life you need to physically remove them.

[Rice]

what about if they have an on off switch?

Rechargeable batteries seem to work better when taken completely out.

I have two sets of solar lights that I use to mark my camp site. I left the battery in one set and took it out with the other set. I found that the lights which I had left the battery in and just "shut off" are buggered, but the lights I removed the battery from are still working.

[illy dilly]

what about if they have an on off switch?

Rechargeable batteries seem to work better when taken completely out.

I have two sets of solar lights that I use to mark my camp site. I left the battery in one set and took it out with the other set. I found that the lights which I had left the battery in and just "shut off" are buggered, but the lights I removed the battery from are still working.

I thought, it was best to 'exercise' all rechargeable batteries, and not just let them sit?

Though, I'm sure at least completely removing them from a gadget is better than doing nothing at all.

[Rice]

what about if they have an on off switch?

Rechargeable batteries seem to work better when taken completely out.

I have two sets of solar lights that I use to mark my camp site. I left the battery in one set and took it out with the other set. I found that the lights which I had left the battery in and just "shut off" are buggered, but the lights I removed the battery from are still working.

I thought, it was best to 'exercise' all rechargeable batteries, and not just let them sit?

Though, I'm sure at least completely removing them from a gadget is better than doing nothing at all.

Rechargeable batteries are a picky in the best situations... So many factors can increase or decrease the life of the battery.

Unfortunately I do not have the space or available daytime light in the winter to properly charge solar devices. (at least with the cheap lawn lights I use) So taking out the batteries for the winter is my solution. So far, I have been lucky. One entire set of lights has lasted 6 years and still keep working all night.

as with many things YMMV. ..

[Ratty]

Thanks for the advice. I'll remove em. And oh well, I'll stop at the store tonight and make sure there aren't any more. So much for being sensible.

[illy dilly]

Unfortunately I do not have the space or available daytime light in the winter to properly charge solar devices. (at least with the cheap lawn lights I use) So taking out the batteries for the winter is my solution. So far, I have been lucky. One entire set of lights has lasted 6 years and still keep working all night.

as with many things YMMV. ..

I'm totally with ya! Our back patio is surrounded on 3 sides and gets about 2 minutes of direct sun during the winter. I wonder what our neighbors would say when we have 10-20 different lights and solar 'lawn art' all in a little jumble on our front patio!

O man! The old folks next door would be soooo agitated! I'm sure they'd end up filling a complaint with the HOA!

Pulling the batteries out is a great idea, I was just wondering what the 'recommended' protocol was.

[winebuff]

Wow, yu learn something every day! I never thought about taking the batteries out during the winter. I also live in darkness during the winter, Oregon where mushrooms grow rampant in the winter and no sunshine, just liquid rain. Will even see where they hide those dam batteries for all my solar lights that are kicked around in the yard from the dog

[AntiM]

Some years we pull the batteries, some years the chore gets forgotten. Some of my yard lights keep going and going... I have some crappy dollar store lights, we didn't pull them in and take out the batteries. Somehow they got enough light to be glowing under the snowfall last night. Weird and beautiful.

[Ratty]

Our local KMart is in it's last gasp of closing up. Today I got flouriesent sun screen creams for a buck a piece. It's bright pink, blue and yellow zink. With a small make-up brush it will sub for make up.

[trilobyte]

Check the dates, sunscreen's only good for about a year. If it's been sitting on the shelves of a failing store for a few seasons, it may not be any more effective at UV blocking than skin lotion.

[AntiM]

The zinc stuff will be effective simply because it is opaque.

[winebuff]

You guys are so smart! Didnt even think to check the date or time frame on the sunscreen. Mine might be from the 80's when I was a hippie chick living by the beach

[Ratty]

Just came from the flea. I got a box of acrylic glitter fabric paints and tubes of bright eye-popping colors for my circus tent. (Can't have too many paints).

[winebuff]

Wont the glitter blow off and cause moop?

Just came from the flea. I got a box of acrylic glitter fabric paints and tubes of bright eye-popping colors for my circus tent. (Can't have too many paints).

[Ratty]

Glitter moops. Glitter paint, (if it's the right kind on the correct surface), doesn't. Think metal-flake car paint. I don't moop.

[Oldguy]

Low income ticket application filled out online with 3 documents showing income and expenses. Award letters start going out in 4 to 6 weeks. Last year, my confirmation letter did not arrive until just 2 weeks before gate opening. sigh...

[lucky420]

Good luck Oldguy. Hope you make it out to the playa

[TT120]

Was out at the flea market today and this hat was calling to me. It was only 4 bux and I had to have it!

[winebuff]

Love your hat! I got my shade structure figured out, got my bins marked and packed and lost one travel companion but gained one that was more appropiate.

Was out at the flea market today and this hat was calling to me. It was only 4 bux and I had to have it!

[tattoogoddess]

went to my moms house today to do color on her hair and looked threw the garage. got an idea of things im going to barrow. that counts right?

[Sham]

Yes, that counts---but spelling doesn't!

[SquirrelHead]

My vacation request has been approved! Now none of my co-workers can block my time off for that week.

[MacGlenver]

Scored a ~3 year old lightly used Honda eu2000i for $600. Now to find something to power with it .