Solar Lighting for camping are important items that you will require in your adventure. Indeed, if you are going to find yourself in the middle of the night, in your tent, it is critical that you have access to a source of light. From simply improving your vision, to letting you practice your favorite activities such as reading and more.
After all, just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you have to put up with complete darkness every night. Quite the contrary, also keep in mind that the solar camping lamps are useful if you need to move around at night.
The best part of these solar power lights is that they auto-recharge, which means you won’t have to worry about changing batteries or even searching for an electrical outlet! During the day, the charge will be generated solely by the rays of the Sun on the lamp solar panel. So, today in this article I will go through the topic of solar rechargeable lights for camping or any outdoor activities in general, then at the end, I will provide you with my suggestion on the best solar powered lights according to my experience and research! Let’s get started.!
Solar Lighting for Camping
Opt for a Quality Solar Powered Light!
Because there is such a wide variety of solar lights available on the market, it can be difficult to assess their performance and quality: this information is not always provided, and the visuals of the solar lamp are not necessarily reflective of the true strength and quality of the lamp itself. Examine the technical qualities of the products, which include:
- Materials – Number and power of led – lumens of solar lighting power
- Battery capacity and type – Solar panel size – Recharging capacity and autonomy
- The mode of functioning, and the electric regulation.
- Certifications for outdoor use
- A few affordable Solar Lights might illuminate less than a single High Performance one.
- Cheaper solar camping lights have a shorter life cause by premature aging due to the oxidation of the components and their low quality.
The Intensity of the Light (In lumens and Watts)
The lumen is a unit of measurement that is used to indicate the intensity of a light. The luminous flux of a bulb is measured in lumens, it is easy to compare the amount of light that is diffused immediately after the measurement. It is pointless to talk about power in watts in this context, as this can be deceptive. The simplest approach of getting a basic estimate is to divide the lumens by 10 to compare the lighting in lumens of a solar led light with the illumination in watts of an incandescent lamp. For example: 100 lumens = Approx. 10W Incandescent.
The light intensity of the Solar Lights can be expressed in terms of Watts led, number of led, or lumens depending on the model. When it comes to LED lighting, lumens are the most reliable measurement because Watts are not indicative of the actual light power, but rather of energy consumption, and the intensity in lumens per Watt varies according to the quality of the led, beam angle, the diffuser, and the power supply.
Some General FAQs about Solar Camping Lights
Before you proceed to buy your favorite solar camping light, here are some common questions that people have in their mind regarding these.
1. How Long do they Last on a Single Charge?
So, generally this factor depends on the rated wattage of the solar light. However, even if you opt for an inferior quality product, be rest assured that it will easily last for a good 6-8 hours on a full charge. Moreover, it always advisable to check the rating before buying one.
2. How Long does it Take to Charge?
Again, this factor depends heavily on the wattage of the system. The higher the wattage of the solar light, the more time it will take to charge. However, we can say that the average solar light takes about 6-8 hours for a full charge on a bright sunny day. But this time can increase up to 10-12 hours on cloudy days.
3. Do Solar Camping Lights Hold Charge?
Absolutely! Solar Camping lights are required to hold charge to function in the way they are designed to. They contain rechargeable batteries that are designed to hold charge and then dissipating it while in use. Moreover, it’s nothing to worry of since you can compare it with your phone battery and there’s nothing dangerous about it!
4. Do All Solar Camping Lights have Alternative Power Source?
Well, all don’t, however, it’s an extremely important feature to have. Suppose you are on a camping or caravanning trip and the weather suddenly becomes cloudy. In such a case if your solar light has only one power source, it would be rendered completely useless.
To counter that, some companies include additional rechargeable batteries that can be charged separately. Some other companies also include an electrical outlet (via car battery) or even a USB option, so that you literally never run out of juice! So, before buying a solar light you must check for these power alternatives.
Look for Autonomy and Other Options
Autonomy (in this aspect) is basically the stability of the solar light. If your light can be used extensively for long periods without an actual deterioration in its brightness (or even charge holding capacity), then it can be called autonomous. Looking for these features is extremely important as some lights tend to flicker or even automatically reduce brightness at even 30% charge. This shouldn’t be the case.
Apart from its autonomy, your solar light should also be capable of doing other things. When you camp, it extremely important to carry utility and multi-tasking objects which can reduce the overall space. So, while purchasing a solar light look for some extra functions such as its ability to kill mosquitoes or even charge your other electrical gadgets.
Some solar lights are even capable a 360 degree illumination which helps to illuminate all objects in a near vicinity. Also, there are other lights which illuminate in a straight beam, thus focusing on a smaller and concentrated area.
Although all these functions and utility might seem normal, they prove to be extremely beneficial in camping and caravanning trips. So, it’s generally advised that you opt for a multi-tasking solar light!
Weight and Price
I was immediately struck by how lightweight the mosquito repellent camping lights were, weighing only 500 grams each. Solar camping lights are also rather lightweight, weighing in at roughly 700 g. Some models, on the other hand, can weigh as much as 1200 g or even more. However, these have a higher level of stability and capability.
The difference in pricing is not significant. It is usually between $100-150 on average. A product’s pricing is influenced by the features and options that determine its overall performance, as well as all the other factors described above.
Conclusion
So, now that you are a pro at buying solar power lights for camping, head on to the market and look for the one most suitable for your purpose. However, if you want to save all that extra hassle, Here are my suggestions on the best solar rechargeable lights “The Best Solar Camping Lights” Simply choose the model that will suit your needs! Happy Camping!