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Best Solar Path Lights

Solar path lights are a great way to illuminate driveways, walkways, yards, or gardens in the house. They increase visibility and safety at night without consuming electricity. It makes them a suitable option if you are planning to buy pathway lights.

You will not need to lift an extra electricity bill burden due to these lights as they work on sunlight. You will also save the cost of electrical wiring from your house's main panel to each light pole.

They also elevate and highlight the different features of outdoor space and landscape. A solar panel charges the batteries during the daytime, and the battery lights up LED in the night. This way, you reduce the electricity bill, getting the same benefits as a standard path light.

Standard path lights can have a giant or a smaller top head. In contrast, solar path lights have a spacious structure to fit a small solar panel at the top.

If you plan to install path lights in your garden or backyard, solar path lights are the best option to invest. There are plenty of options available in the market. Here, I will help you to choose the best one, which suits your needs.

Selecting the Best Solar Path Lights

It is necessary to find your needs for selecting the solar path light of a particular brand. Every solar path light has its features depending on the price and components used in the light. You should take these points in mind while selecting a solar path light.

Purpose of Use

There may be one or many reasons you are going to use the solar path lights. You need to take these points in mind while selecting the solar path lights.

  • If you want to reduce the electricity bill, they are the best option to opt for garden and yards lighting.
  • If the main concern is security, ensure that they have enough brightness to cover the area of interest.
  • For a wet and rainy climate, they should be IP65 waterproof. Even if you are going to install in a warm and dry environment, select a water-resistant path light.
  • Battery life is a crucial factor if you are using these lights for both decorations and safety. For decorative lights, you can compromise on it if the price is the prime concern.
Ground vs. Landscape Solar Lights

We install the ground solar path lights on the ground level. They are waterproof to avoid any damage to the light. They directly come into your eyes while walking on the pathway or near these lights. Due to this reason, many people do not like them.  In contrast, landscape solar path lights are installed at height. They through light on the sides or below them based on the design and features.

Unidirectional vs. Omnidirectional Solar Path Lights

Unidirectional solar path lights are suitable for the light at an angle on one side of the pathway. They highlight the features while concentrating the light on the walkway or the specific object. This way, a smaller power rating light is enough for some applications. Omnidirectional solar path lights are suitable to lit the area in all directions. They highlight the space around the path light.

Simple vs. Textured Lights

When the light comes out of a simple path light, there is no particular pattern or texture on the ground. Simple lights are suitable when we need only a highlight to an area with no specific pattern. Textured path lights have a pattern designed on their glass lens. It produces a pattern of light on the ground or nearby objects.

Now, I will give you in-depth details of some of the best solar path lights in the market. I will review their features while keeping in mind all the factors discussed earlier.

Best Solar Path Light Reviews

There are many famous brands in the market as well as online stores. Selecting the best solar path light of their choice is a difficult task for many people. Here, a review of some selected products is presented, covering the solar path lights' technical and aesthetic features.

BEAU JARDIN Solar Path Light (Best Budget) Key Features
  • Water-resistant at IP65 standards
  • Auto on/off to save battery life
  • Stainless steel and rugged ABS plastic body
Key Specifications
  • NiMH battery making it a long-life battery
  • Charging time of 6-8 hours
  • Backup time of 8-12 hours

BEAU JARDIN Solar Path Light is the real glass stainless steel solar path light with waterproof housing. Due to the actual glass, they give off a bright light. The stakes are made of stainless steel and ABS plastic. A bonus point is that they create a beautiful snowflake on the ground due to a glass lens pattern. The solar path light comes in a pack of 8 with light sensors. These sensors turn on or off the light based on day and night, thus saving energy and battery life.

All you need is to install it once, and the controller will do the job. The light is easy to assemble and all-weather-resistant. The steel body and rugged ABS plastic give the light a long-lasting life.

This 6 lumens light needs 6 to 8 hours to charge and gives a  backup of around 8 to 12 hours at night. The battery life depends on the daytime duration, as it needs a bright sun for 6 to 8 hours to get it charged. They are available in white light and colorful light, having seven auto-color changing feature.

Pros
  • Available in black, brown, stainless steel, and white body colors.
  • Hexagonal Lattice glass diamond-pattern effects, which make the light attractive.
  • IP 65 waterproof, which makes it tolerant of the rainy season.
Cons
  • The lights tend to dim after about four hours if not fully charged during the day.
  • Water fills in the top solar cell receptacle and results in the corrosion.
  • Many people claim its battery light to be limited to the claimed life.
GardenBliss Solar Path Light (Best Overall) Key Features
  • Water-resistant at IP65 standards
  • Large Lights for Extra Brightness
  • Claimed to last longer than 30,000+ hours
  • Comes in a pack of 10 lights
Key Specifications
  • NiMH batteries
  • About 6 hours of battery life
  • Auto turn on/off to save battery life

GardenBliss manufactured this elegant, reliable, and long-lasting path light. The light comes in sizes of 8 inches and 12 inches. The pack includes ten lights, each of them has a double waterproof seal to avoid any damage from a raining.

The light gives a remarkable enhancement to the landscape or the garden. You will get a more considerable LED light in this solar path light, making it brighter than other brands. These LED lights do not have a long life due to the same battery size used in other smaller solar path lights.

The manufacturer claims that the light will last longer than 30,000 hours, which is quite a long time for this price point.

For installation, remove the protective sheet from the solar panel. Assemble the solar light by connecting the post and head, and nail it down in the ground with a soft hand. If the soil is hard, dig a hole in the ground. Otherwise, it may damage the lamp post.

Pros
  • A US-based company believing in product quality and constant improvement
  • Speedy customer support with the replacement warranty
  • A bright light which makes the walkway more visible
Cons
  • Battery life is not so good as expected
  • Batteries of some units stop working after six months
InnoGear Garden Lights Key Features
  • Glass lens with beautiful light patterns
  • White and color rotating options
  • Waterproof housing for solar panel and the light
Key Specifications
  • Manufactured with high impact ABS material
  • 8 hours of battery charging time under direct sunlight
  • 8 to 12 hours of battery backup at night
  • NiMH battery technology

InnoGear is one of the best brands selling the best solar path lights in the market. This solar pathway light has a body of high impact ABS plastic material, which makes it rust-free. The glass lens makes an eye-catching pattern on the ground.

It has an auto on/off feature in day and night to save battery life and energy. The light has a monocrystalline solar panel. It has a higher efficiency than a polycrystalline solar panel, used in many solar path lights.

If you want to have some fascinating features, this path light is a suitable option. It has two operational modes, the white light mode and the color-rotating mode. The color-rotating mode gives you a spectacular and striking look for a function at your house.

It has a 1200 mAh battery, which gives you a longer backup time during the night. One box includes 6 InnoGear solar lights and a user manual to guide you about the installation. The installation is effortless and can be done by yourself.

Pros
  • ABS impact resistant ABS material to last longer
  • Easy to assemble
  • Switch between white light or color-rotating mode
Cons
  • There are coming some quality control issues in the recent pieces
  • Battery life is almost half of the claimed.
  • Sometimes, they are not very bright as expected.
Solpex Solar Path Light (Editor's Choice) Key Features
  • Unique antique style
  • Four small solar panels for more light capture
  • Waterproof at IP44 standards
Key Specifications
  • 10 lumens output
  • Up to 8 hours of backup

The Solpex solar path light is one of my favorite path lights due to its traditional and classic style. The unique design of the lantern helps it fit neatly in any environment and mood. The light comes with four small solar panels held at the top, keeping the battery charged to use it at night.

If you are looking for a high brightness solar path light, this one is the best option as it has two LED lights in one lamp. This antique light has a real glass lens, which helps in reflecting more light. The four small solar panels compensate for the amount of power required for this high brightness solar path light.

The material used in it is a glass lens with a plastic body. The seller offers these lanterns in a pack of 6 lights. Like other good solar path lights, it also has an automatic turn on/off feature based on day and night. As explained, this one is high brightness light, a backup time more than five hours is not expected.

Pros
  • Unique and antique style
  • One of the high brightness lights
  • You can enhance the battery life by replacing the original battery with a higher capacity
Cons
  • Heavyweight fixtures require a more substantial body to withstand the load
  • Due to high brightness, backup is not as long as expected.
Voona Solar Path Lights Key Features
  • Warm White LED lights
  • Stainless steel body to avoid rusting
  • Sun pattern effect
Key Specifications
  • 500 mAh NiMH battery
  • 6 lumens light intensity
  • Up to 8 hours of backup time

Voona solar path light is a well designed outdoor light. The light has a plastic lens instead of a glass lens, which produces a sun pattern effect. It makes a beautiful pattern on the ground and nearby objects when turned on in the night. Rays coming from properly spaced lights make this pattern more eye-catching.

They are available in a pack of 8 lights. As the manufacturer claims, they are 6 lumens but seem to be lower than the claimed value. Due to their elegant design, I will suggest using them to decorate your garden. This light did not fulfill my expectation in terms of brightness. You will not get enough light to make your pathway or walkway visible.

They have a plastic lens instead of glass, used in other big brands. The body is stainless steel, which gives a longer lifespan. The type of light is a warm white light through the patterned plastic glass lens. The manufacturer provides only one choice of silver and white. The battery life after a full day charge is around 8 hours. It includes 30 days of a full refund if you find any issue in the light.

Pros
  • Stainless steel body
  • Concise and elegant design
Cons
  • The quality of plastic used is not much good
  • Plastic lens instead of glass
  • Less bright light due to plastic lens and pattern effect
Geloo Solar Path Light Key Features
  • Continuous color changing sequence in 7 colors
  • Sun pattern effect with continuously changing colors
  • Suitable for outdoor garden decoration
Key Specifications
  • 6 to 8 hours of solar charging
  • About 8 hours of backup at night

For party decorations and particular functions at your house, these solar path lights are the best option. ABS plastic in the mainframe of the Geloo solar pathway light gives it durability and long life. You will get a solar panel of 0.88 W with a battery of 1000 mAh capacity, which provides a good backup.

It is a perfect match for outdoor decorations with changing colors. It enhances the landscape view. The sun effect looks stunning with these continually changing colors.

The lights come with an auto on/off feature to enhance battery life and energy-saving. It will give you about 8 hours of illumination on a charge of 6 to 8 hours in full-day sunlight. The manufacturer provides a 12-month warranty with 30 days money-back guarantee as well.

Pros
  • Easy to put together
  • Much easy to put into the ground
  • Casts a classy pattern on the ground
  • Work a long time in the dark
Cons
  • Battery expires very soon
Frequently Asked Questions

Some questions may come into your mind while selecting the best solar path lights for your walkway. Here, you can find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

How does outdoor solar lighting work?

Solar path lights get energy from solar panels situated on the top. The solar panel charges the battery, which lights up the LED fitted inside the glass lens.

What are the available type of materials in solar path lights?

Solar path lights are available in three types of materials. These are high-density plastic, metal bronze, and stainless steel.

How many lights do I need to buy for my pathway and their size?

Specifications of solar path lights give you an idea of the area they can cover. It is up to you how much light you need. Hence, you can increase or decrease the distance between two lights based on your requirement.

How to install solar path lights on your pathway?

Most solar path lights have a plastic or metal ground stake. You will push the stake into the ground to secure it.

Do solar path lights work in winter?

Yes, solar path lights work in winter. Due to lower sunlight intensity and shorter days, the backup time at night decreases significantly.

How bright are the solar pathway lights?

The brightness of most solar path lights is between 3 and 6 lumens.

My solar light is not giving a good backup. What can I do?

If the backup time decreases day by day, you need to change your solar path lights' battery.

How long does outdoor solar lighting last?

A rechargeable battery used in solar path light will last two to three years.

Are these solar path lights waterproof?

Yes, most of the solar path lights are IP65 waterproof. Some cheaper lights offer IP44 water-resistant features.

Will the lights still work if it’s cloudy?

These small solar path lights do not give you a backup of three to four days like other big solar lights. If there is a cloudy day, the lights will provide you a dim output the next night.

Conclusion

The output of solar path lights decreases after raining or snowing due to water splashes. It will need you to clean their solar panels after raining or snowing to get enough light to charge the battery. You should clean the lights once in a week or two, depending on the air's dust content. If not cleaned, the solar panel's efficiency will be affected, and you will not get enough battery backup. To clean the solar panel, take a soft cloth lightly soaked in water and clean the solar panel's top.

The solar panel needs direct sunlight to charge the battery. It would be best to consider the building’s shades in the pathway before installing the solar lights. Otherwise, you have to compromise on the efficiency and productivity of solar lights.

There are plenty of solar lights in the market with different storage rating of the battery. A smaller battery may find it difficult to completely charge in the winter to give you the expected backup.

Good solar path lights are maintenance-free and do not have any upfront cost. Many solar lights have damaged batteries due to more extended storage in the warehouse. You may need to change the batteries of some lights for first use. It is one of the expected costs for many units after two years of usage.

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  • Best Deep Cycle Batteries

    17:35
    Whether you are looking to install a solar panel in your home to go off-grid or stepping up your fishing game by getting yourself a boat, sooner rather than later, you are going to require a deep cycle battery. And unlike car batteries, many people have no understanding of deep cell batteries because they are not needed that often so if you are also one of those many people who have zero confidence while choosing a deep cycle battery for themselves. There is no need to fret. I have cherry-picked 5 best deep cycle batteries with help from my prior experiences and reviewed them in detail. You can read through each of the battery's reviews and figure out the one that will be the most ideal for you. How To Pick The Best Deep Cycle Batteries For Your Needs Before you dive deeper into the batteries' descriptive reviews, it is essential to know what features and attributes you should keep in mind when searching for a deep cycle battery in the first place. I have also inserted some questions here that people often ask while purchasing a deep cycle battery. You can check them out too. What to look for when choosing the best deep cycle batteries? When buying a deep cycle battery, check the battery's capacity and always inspect whether its battery capacity will be enough to run whatever you want it to run smoothly or not. Also, see that if you are going to harness small output from the battery, there is no need to buy a large capacity battery. The high capacity batteries cost more, plus the extra energy would be of no use to you. What brand should you go for when buying a deep cycle battery? Some people skip this part because, to them, a low price is an utmost priority. But, I would never advise you to go for a shi*ty two-star brand to save a few extra bucks because the deep cell batteries manufactured with low build quality are not at all rugged and will hit you in the long run. All the deep cycle batteries I have recommended in this article are from reputable manufacturers. Even if you don't find any of these batteries suitable for whatever reason, you can buy some other battery but never cut corners and go for one without researching the brand's past reputation. What are the benefits of using a deep cycle battery? These are the advantages of using deep cycle batteries. They are lighter and less bulky than traditional lead batteries.There are no liquids required in deep cycle batteries.Low maintenance cost.Deep cycle batteries have less energy loss.These batteries charge at a fast rate.The batteries are durable and also have a long life span. How long does a deep cycle battery last? Deep cycle batteries are usually pretty long-lasting. You can use a deep cycle battery for up to six years provided that you take proper care of the battery and make sure that it is not getting damaged during the charging process. You can learn more about the maintenance structure of deep cycle batteries here. Can you use a deep cycle battery in your car? The clear answer to this bizarre but frequently asked question is a big NO. A deep cycle battery can not produce enough power to start up your car in the first place, and even if you manage to run your car somehow because of a small engine. You will not be able to make it far, and the battery will lose its life in a very short time, so it is not practical at all to use a deep cycle battery in your car. At what amperage rate should I charge my deep cycle battery? Usually, these batteries are charged at more than 6 amps. However, there is a different rating recommended for every battery, depending on its size. I would recommend you check the label on your battery to get hold of the precise ampere rating you should charge your battery and if you can not find the rating on the label, then look for it on the battery's manual. Can you overcharge a deep cycle battery? No matter what type of battery you are using, overcharging is never a good idea. In fact, overcharging a battery can reduce the battery's life, so a good idea would be to disconnect the battery from the source once fully charged. What is the difference between a car battery and a deep cycle battery? The significant difference between a traditional car battery and a deep cycle battery is that the deep cycle battery discharges very quickly. On the other hand, a car battery takes some time to discharge. What is an AGM deep cycle battery? Put merely, AGM batteries can handle high temperatures, and also do not discharge faster like other deep cycle batteries. You can read more about AGM batteries here. How to identify a bad deep cycle battery? The best and easiest way to identify if a battery is bad or damaged is by charging it thoroughly and then using it. If the battery gives the output that is guaranteed by the manufacturer, then it means that the battery is probably fine. Otherwise, it would be best if you reconsidered buying it. To learn more about how you can identify a bad deep cycle battery, you can check out this article in which this subject is discussed in-depth. Best Deep Cycle Battery Reviews WindyNation AGM Deep Cycle Battery See Battery What purpose does it serve best? This affordable battery is best for the people living on an off-grid system. If you also have one for the eco-friendly movement, you should definitely consider this battery. People with RVs or other kinds of remote living houses can also go for this battery because of its ruggedness and reliability. Design I would surely not call WindyNation's design sleek. It is, in fact, a little similar to the design of a standard car battery. You can fit this battery even in a not too small but small place because of its reasonably minimal size. A carrying handle on the battery is, however, missing. What is the best attribute? The best attribute about this battery is the ruggedness and its consistency to charge despite the weather conditions. The batteries that I test are mostly fragile when it comes to harsh cold weather conditions and face problems in recharging. But, WindyNation has undoubtedly stood out from the charging and recharging standpoint. If you are all for fast charging, you should most definitely look into this battery. It has excellent capabilities in the charging department. However, I would not call this an attribute, but, as I mentioned, the significance of the brand earlier in the article. It is excellent that WindyNation's brand has some good past reputation. Final verdict I think that this battery is a marvelous addition to solar homes, RVs, motorhomes, and other remote uses, even though the battery is in no way practical for being carried around due to its hefty weight and lack of a carrying handle. But, it is still small in size and can be placed in tight spots inside remote places. The battery's charging capabilities are incredible, and It also comes at a bargain price, so I think it should be a go-to buy for anyone willing to use it in a remote home or for an off-grid system. Pros It can withstand harsh weather conditions.Capable of recharging fast.Excellent for being used in remote homes and RVs.It has an affordable price tag.Good brand reputation.It does not take much space. Cons Not suitable for being carried around due to its heavyweight and missing carrying handle. Universal 100Ah & 12V Deep Cycle Battery See Battery What purpose does it serve best? Like our previous contender, Universal 100Ah 12V is also great for hooking up with solar panels. Apart from using it with solar panels, this battery is even better for part-time roadies. Its extra ruggedness gives it a bonus for being used in RVs and motor homes. Just Install this bad boy, and it will power your crib through all the rough and tough terrains and conditions. Design The battery is rectangular. Its body is made up of rugged material with the intention of preserving the inner matt glass. The closings of the battery seem to be very strong and will not be cracked easily. The entire battery's entire structure weighs a hefty 60 pounds, but the small size indeed complements the use of the deep cycle battery for traveling purposes. There is also a carrying handle present at the top for anyone who wants to carry it. What is the best attribute? The best thing about this battery is that it is robust. You can use it without any obstructions - its maintenance cost is almost next to none because it is an AGM, and in case you do not know, AGMs do not require any special liquid or gas to run. You can take advantage of the 100Ah of this battery. It will consistently provide you with power without causing any discomfort, no matter how bad the weather situation is. The product is not even that expensive if you consider the quality of the materials used in making it. Final verdict For what this battery is worth, it is a bargain. I know many people will contradict my above statement and rant about the fact that you can buy 100Ah batteries at cheaper price points. But, the point is that the material used in Universal AGM is top-notch. Its sturdy body can hold against unfavorable conditions. The thing is a rock and will prove to be beneficial in the long run. Apart from it being sturdy and robust, the battery's recharging potential is impressive too. You can charge it very fast. Suppose you are looking for a rock-solid battery that can consistently supply DC power to your RV, motorhome, any other remote area without any interruption. In that case, Universal 100Ah is undoubtedly the one for you. However, if your requirements are slightly different, you can take a step back because it might not be the perfect fit for you. Pros Great for use in RVs and other remote homes.The battery capacity is fantastic.It recharges at a fast rate.The build is rugged.The maintenance cost is almost none.It has a carrying handle.It comes at a reasonable price.Good brand value. Cost The body is too heavy to be carried around. Optima BlueTop 8016-103 D34M RV & Marine Deep Cycle battery See Battery What purpose does it serve best? The BlueTop is made for not just one, but in fact, dual purposes. Not only does it store energy like a traditional deep cycle battery, but it can also be used to start up the engine. This latest technology provides optimal performance technology in both areas. For this reason, it can be an ideal pick for marine vessel owners. Design BlueTop's design is a bit unique because of the use of Spiralcell technology in it. The battery from the front looks like it has three cylindrical shaped pieces meshed into one to give structure to the battery. The top is sealed with a fixed cap. BlueTop's closings are tightly packed, and you can easily carry it around without the stress of spilling. Its sleek design is also ideal for mounting the battery on marine vessels (boats, etc.) and RVs. What is the best attribute? The best attribute of BlueTop is that it can perform dual functionalities. You will not need to carry the weight of two separate batteries, one for start-up and the other for running. One less battery would take a lot of work off your hands - no need to stress about the maintenance of two batteries. I think the ability to perform two tasks from a single battery is excellent and very practical. Aside from the fact that it can multitask, the spiral design of BlueTop gives it the advantage of bearing harsh weather - cold conditions. The life span of these batteries is also excellent compared to traditional deep cycle batteries. Final verdict In my opinion, if you are a person who has some marine vessel or RV, and you do not want to go through the hassle of maintaining and carrying two different batteries, then BlueTop is the jackpot for you. It will both start up your engine and provide uninterrupted power to your crib. However, BlueTop is not cheap. There is a price you will have to pay for the comfort you will get from it. But, if you are that person who wants to get the weight of two batteries off their chest, then I am sure you would be willing to pay the price for it. Plus, BlueTop will also last longer than traditional deep cycle batteries, so it definitely will be an excellent investment. Pros It can be used for dual purposes.The maintenance cost is almost none.It works fine in harsh weather conditions.Solid build quality.Mountable on marine vessels. Cons A little expensive Weize 12V & 100Ah Deep Cycle Battery See Battery What purpose does it serve best? Weize 12V 100Ah is a pretty decent battery for hooking up with a solar panel. You can hook Weize 12V 100Ah with your solar panels, and it will keep powering your home appliances for years to come. If you want to use it for backup, then you can do that too because of its extra-long lifespan. Whenever you need it in case of an emergency, it will be there for you to supply power to your appliances. Design There is nothing fancy about the design, just a box-shaped body with a carrying handle on the top. All the seals of the battery are tightly closed, and there is no chance of any leakage. What is the best attribute? Weize 12V 100Ah is although a pretty ordinary deep cycle battery, it has no special tricks up its sleeves. The thing that makes Weize 12V 100Ah unique is that it nails all the essential features of a primary deep cycle battery. For starters, many batteries are not properly optimized and do not give enough power for their capacities, and supplying power is the prime feature of a battery. Weize 12V 100Ah is very well optimized and gives great power according to its capacity. The same case is with the recharging, many deep cycle batteries struggle during the recharging cycle, but Weize 12V 100Ah is brilliant when it comes to recharging and is quickly recharged. And the last trait of a great battery is its ability to last for a long time. Weize shines in that department too. It has an outstanding lifespan for a deep cycle battery. Final verdict As I mentioned before, Weize 12V 100Ah is fantastic when it comes to performing all the necessary tasks of a deep cycle battery. You can install and forget this thing because it is bulletproof - no maintenance cost, interruption in power supply, and, most importantly, it will last for a long time. You can hook it up to your solar panels or just set it as your backup. It also comes at an affordable price. So if you are looking for a battery that can do basic stuff and power up your home appliances when needed, then Weize 12V 100Ah is your best bet. Pros Fast recharging.Long lifespan.Good build quality.Great value for money.It can be used for backup. Cons Hefty weight VMAX TANKS 12V 35Ah Deep Cycle Battery See Battery What purpose does it serve best? VMAX TANKS 12V 35Ah is excellent for a change. It weighs a lot less than the other deep cycle batteries that I have listed above. You can use this dry cycle battery in small boats or in trolling motors. It can also be used as a backup considering you can carry it around easily due to its weight. Design It has a boxy-looking 6.6 inches high and 7.7-inch wide design. The body is solid as a rock. All openings of the battery are entirely sealed, and there is no room for spillage of the liquids. One the top, there is a carrying handle that many people who will be buying this deep cycle battery will use because the battery is easy to carry What is the best attribute? Up till now, we were only reviewing heavy, bulky batteries and powerful batteries. But, VMAX TANKS 12V 35Ah is nothing like those batteries. It is a small, lightweight, and less powerful battery. And that is what makes it so unique. You can easily carry it around or mount it on small boats, which require less power to run. You will never have to worry about carrying giant bulky batteries again. In fact, powerful batteries are not needed in small boats, so all that extra power from those heavy batteries will never be of any use to you anyway. Apart from just small boats, you can use this lightweight battery in tons of other things, too, that require less power to run. Final verdict If you are looking for an affordable lightweight deep cycle battery that can run small boats, trolling motors, backup, or something else which can run on less power, then VMAX TANKS 12V 35Ah should be the first contender in your priority list. This thing weighs less than 30 pounds and is staggering when it comes to being carried around. There is a carrying handle placed on the top of the battery that makes it easier to carry. You can also mount it around on anything, so if your line of work does not require insane power, get a VMAX TANKS 12v 35Ah. Otherwise, you can look into more powerful options. Pros It comes at an affordable price.Fast recharging.Extremely lightweight.Easier to carry around.Powers small boats. Cons Less powerful.Short life span. FAQs Now, I am going to answer some questions that get asked frequently. So, if you have any questions, you can find the answers here. In case your concern is not addressed here. You can add it in the comments, and I will surely try to respond there. Can deep cycle batteries be used as starting batteries?Yes, as long as the vehicle requires less power to start. How much can you discharge a deep cycle battery?A deep cycle battery is designed to discharge by 80%. How long can you sit on a discharged deep cycle battery?Probably, less than a year. At what amperage should I charge my deep cycle battery?Somewhere from 10-15 amps. How much Ah deep cycle battery will I need to power my RV?I would recommend you to go for a 100Ah deep cycle battery. Can you overcharge a deep cycle battery?No, it will damage the battery health. Can you use a deep cycle battery in your car?No, it is underpowered for a car. How long does a deep cycle battery last?6 years or sometimes even more than that. What is an AGM deep cycle battery?It can resist higher temperatures. Is a deep cycle battery dangerous?No, the seals stop any type of spillage. Conclusion Now that I have reviewed all the 5 deep cycle batteries that are best in the business right now. It would be best if you have made a clear picture of the battery that is suitable for your needs in your head by now. However, if you are still confused about what decision you should make and which battery you should go for, then this conclusion should clear that fog for you. If you ask me which deep cycle battery, I will pick from this lot. I will surely choose Universal 100Ah & 12V Deep Cycle Battery simply because it is the one with the most potential. You can take ultimate power from this deep cycle battery and get your RV, motorhome, or any other place up and running smoothly without any interruption in the power supply. This thing is also almost bulletproof. You can use it for years without ever caring about the maintenance cost. And to top it all off, Universal 100Ah & 12V Deep Cycle Battery also comes at a bargain price considering its longevity, ruggedness, and power. It is a fantastic long term investment.
  • How to Wire Solar Panels in Parallel

    08:55
    If you are going solar for your home or business, it is important you know why and how to wire solar panels in parallel. Mark just switched to solar energy as an alternative energy option. With all the talk about renewable energy and climate change, he decided to ‘go clean and green’ with his home energy supply. He is finding it quite confusing to understand how to install the system in his home. Mark isn’t sure he needs to learn how to wire solar panels in any specific way: parallel or series. This is because to him, once the connection provides electricity, it’s all good. But is it? Well, I‘m so not sorry to burst Mark’s bubbles, and yours too if you think the same way. How you wire your solar panels matters. It is one of the most important variables in your solar energy system. It determines the overall efficiency of your system and also affects the kind of equipment you would have to buy alongside it. For one, your choice of inverter is based on its current and voltage rating depends on how your solar panels are connected: series, parallel or both. I’m sure you want the best option for your home, right? This is why you have to take note of this. For those who are still in the dark as to what solar energy, solar panels, inverters and all the jargons we have just discussed, no worries. I got you. Let’s take a run down through the basic concepts. Shall we? What is Solar Energy? Solar energy is the most available energy source on earth. It is clean, renewable and cannot be used up. Solar energy is increasingly being integrated as an off-grid energy option in homes and offices. This is well in line with the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, which targets a substantial increase in the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix as well as an improvement in energy efficiency globally. Functions of a Solar Panel and Solar Energy System A Solar panel is a very important component of the solar energy system. It is responsible for trapping sunlight and converting it into electrical energy. The panels are made of Photovoltaic cells or PV cells. They are spread about on the surface of the panel boards. When sun rays fall on these cells, they are converted to electricity. So, the more the panels, the more PV cells are available to generate electricity. This electricity is Direct Current (DC). However, most of our commonly used electrical equipment make use of Alternating Current (AC). An inverter is then connected to the solar panels. Inverters are electronic devices that convert DC to the required AC needed to power electrical devices. So, we have our needed current and so our system is set up, or is it? There is still one more thing. We also need batteries in our system. Since we do not have the sun in full intensity at every time of the day (of course night comes and the sun retires to bed), we cannot guarantee that we would always be able to constantly produce a certain amount of electricity. Also, during cloudy days and also in the winter, the many clouds that form in the sky reduce the intensity of the sun reaching us. This means that much electricity can be generated from our solar energy option. This is where batteries come in. Batteries help us store the energy generated for future use. During the day when the sun is at its peak, you can use electricity in your home and be rest assured that by night, you’d still have electricity running so you can continue from where you left off the Game of Thrones episode before work. I see it like a kind of savings account or piggy bank, where you save energy for the rainy day (pun intended). How Do You Increase Efficiency and Power of Your Solar Energy System? To increase the efficiency and power output of your solar energy system, it is advised that you buy more solar panels. When you have more solar panels, the ideal thing to do is to connect them. This is pretty much obvious. Now here’s the catch. Well, panels are not connected in just any way. All the types of connection are aimed at achieving one main purpose: to increase power output. However, each method employs a different strategy in doing this. We will see this as we proceed. Ways in Which Solar Panels Can be Connected There are three ways solar panels can be connected: In Series CircuitIn Parallel CircuitCompound circuit (Series-Parallel circuit) Series Wiring of Solar Panels What does a series connection mean? Well, whenever electrical components are connected in series, the aim is usually to increase the voltage of the circuit. Solar panels connected in series produce a combined total voltage of the sum of individual panel ratings. What this simply means is that if you have six 12 volts 5 Amperes panels connected in series, your total output would be 72 volts 5 Amperes (Amperes is the unit used to measure current). Series connection creates a single pathway for current to travel, which means that all the current must flow through all the loads (in this case the solar panels) in the circuit. This is why the current remains the same up to the output. One other characteristic of series connection is that when the circuit is cut at any point, the entire system stops operating. This is pretty much expected since the same current goes through all as we have seen, so cutting off one is stopping current flow in the circuit. Solar panels have negative and positive terminals. To connect panels in series, you connect the negative terminal of one to the positive terminal of the next. This way you can increase power without altering the value of current being fed into the inverter. A very common example of series connection is your TV remote control. Also, a string of Christmas lights too is connected in series. The lights would not come on if one of the bulbs is burnt or not in place. Current path, remember? Parallel Wiring of Solar Panels Parallel connection, on the other hand, provides multiple pathways for current to travel within the circuit. This is the most common of all types of electrical wiring. I’m very sure your house is wired the same. Want to know how? Your home has a primary point where electricity enters into the house. It is from this point that electricity is fed to different sockets, bulbs, heaters in your home. When your friend comes visiting and you turn off the microwave after heating your lunch, it does not also turn off the TV in the living room. Like we saw in series connection, one point in the circuit going off means the entire circuit goes off too. This is not the case in parallel wiring. Since we have multiple current paths, one path going off does not affect the other(s). This means that parallel connection allows for redundancy, that is the system is more reliable as a fault in one path does not affect the whole. What Are The Advantages of Connecting Solar Panels in Parallel? Aside from improving the reliability of systems, parallel connections also aim to increase the amperage at the solar panel output. This means more current is being fed to the inverter. So, taking our example of six 12 volts 5 Amperes solar panels, parallel wiring would produce an output of 12 volts 30 Amperes. If a consumer has an inverter with a DC input rating of 12 volts, then such consumer only needs to supply 12 volts from the solar panel for the inverter to function. In this case, the consumer can connect in parallel to increase the amount of current, since the panels are wired to feed in 12 volts. This way, power can be increased without going past the voltage limit of the inverter. How Do You Wire Solar Panels in Parallel? Mike and Tim live together and have decided to get a solar panel. They split the bill and both agree to buy two panels each when they return from work. Later that evening, they discover that they have bought dissimilar solar panels. There has been an argument all evening, and it looks like work was tough on both of them. Well, I can help. Connecting Similar Panels If you are wiring similar solar panels in parallel, it is pretty much straight forward. You connect all the positive terminals together into one terminal and all the negative terminals together too. So, I could convince Tim to go back with his and get one that matches Mike’s and then, case dismissed. Connecting Dissimilar Panels If Tim is hell-bent on keeping his, and Mike is not bending, they have science to thank that they can reach a compromise. When solar panels have different wattage but the same voltage, they can be connected in parallel. Wattage just means how much power is measured. If the voltage is constant, we can connect them just as we did the first instance. What that simply means is that current is the variable factor in the different panels. For parallel connection, once the voltage is the same, we are good to go. Had they each bought panels with different voltage ratings, well one person would surely have to give in because there is no way we can connect them in parallel. Solar Panels Connected in Compound Well, Tim and Mike’s case didn’t fall into any of my predicted events. Tim bought two 6 volts solar panels while Mike got two 12 volts panels. Well, science to the rescue! We can connect the two 6 volts panels in series to get a 12 volts output. We can then connect this result to Mike’s 12 volts panels and everybody is happy. This is called compound wiring of solar panels. Conclusion - How to Wire Solar Panels in Parallel It is important that you as a home or business owner are able to connect your solar panels yourself and understand what each type of connection entails. Parallel connection is the most commonly used type of connection and we have seen why. You can now make informed choices based on what is available to you and enjoy your solar energy option with maximum Returns On Investments (ROI).
  • How to Bring a Deep Cycle Battery Back to Life

    08:27
    If you are stumbling around to know, how to bring a deep cycle battery back to life, you are at the right place. I will explain to you in detail, how you can repair an old battery so that you can use it for some more couple of years instead of buying a new one. Deep cycle batteries are specially designed lead-acid batteries, known for maintenance-free and longer life span.  A normal car lead-acid battery gives a quick burst of current for ignition or other purposes. In contrast, deep cycle batteries are capable to provide steady current for a longer duration. Hence, deep cycle batteries are preferred in off-grid or hybrid solar power systems. If a battery is left unused for a longer duration, it produces sulphate crystals on the plates of battery cells. The sulphate crystal minimizes acid contact with the cell plates, resulting in rapid charging and short discharging time. This makes the battery ineffective or sometimes useless. Going straight away to buy a new battery is not a good option all the time. It will need an investment in new battery which is an expensive solution. In many conditions, you can recover the battery or enhance battery life for some more years. In a battery, there may be a sign of not holding a charge, or even not taking a charge, you can try to repair it to get more out of it. A series of steps are given here which you can follow to get your battery back to life. Precautionary Measures Before starting off with the repairing procedure, you must take these points in mind, Strictly follow the precautionary measures where discussed in the procedure.Use proper or appropriate tools for every job done with the battery.Battery inspection is very important procedure, do not overlook it in any case.While caps of the battery cells are open, try to avoid contact with electrolyte (water) inside the battery as it is acidic in nature.While charging the battery for the first time, pay attention to it regularly for first couple of hours. If body of the battery is too hot to touch, disconnect the charger immediately. Tools and Materials needed for the Repairing Process These tools will be used in repairing process while performing different steps. Battery chargerBattery DesulfatorBattery Load TesterFlathead or Phillips head screwdriverDry rag or a piece of cloth for cleaningBaking sodaDistilled WaterWrench or spanner for battery clamps Preliminary Inspection and Cleaning You will need to thoroughly inspect the condition of the battery. Check for any leakage in the battery because water level may go down due to leakage. Remove the battery terminals if they are connected. You should have two wrenches or spanners of correct size to loosen the battery clamps. In some designs of the battery clamps, you may need to use a flat head or Philips head screwdriver to remove the clamps. Battery terminals get corroded as the battery ages or due to environmental conditions. A white or greenish-blue powder forms at the terminals. You should use gloves and safety goggles while doing the cleaning as the powder is toxic. First, clean the battery using a dry rag or any piece of cloth. Add 3-4 tablespoons of baking soda in a glass of water. Then, use the solution to clean the battery surface with a piece of cloth. Inspect for the battery cell condition Open the cover or caps from the cells of the battery and check for the water level in each cell. If there is no or little water, then inspect for the condition of the cells as well. They should be at least moist, otherwise, there are chances of the battery destroyed. Look into each cell for the accumulated debris at the bottom. When the battery is dried off too much, the stuff from the plates is shed off and accumulated at the bottom. This stuff shorts the bottom of the cell plates and charging this battery is dangerous. Pour water in each cell of the battery Now, the time is to add distilled water in the battery. If the condition of cells is good, pour distilled water in the cells up to the given mark. If there is no mark given, try not to overfill the battery and leave some space at the top. Do not use tap water or water from any other source, no matter how clean it is. The reason is that tap water has different salts dissolved in it depending on the source of water. These salts enhance the process of corrosion in the cells. Put the Battery to Charging For first charging after the above treatment, use a slow charger of 1-2 Ampere to avoid any damage to the battery. If you do not have a slow charger, you can use a regular charger with precautions. Some intelligent chargers have a safety feature not to charge a deep-discharged battery as they consider a battery below 10.5 V as defective. Use a good battery in parallel if needed To deal with such intelligent chargers, you will need a good battery with voltages above 12 V and battery jumpers. Using jumper cables, connect the repaired battery in parallel with the good one i.e. positive with positive and negative with the negative terminal. Now, connect the batteries to the charger. The charger will sense the voltage of the good battery and will start the charging process. Keep an eye on the battery while charging Let the battery charging continue for about an hour. During that time, keep an eye on the battery if you hear any kind of hissing sound (gassing) from the battery. DISCONNECT IMMEDIATELY if you hear any hissing sound. After an hour, check whether it is slightly warm or hot to touch. If you feel that the body of the battery is hard to touch or hot, DISCONNECT THE CHARGER IMMEDIATELY. If it is slightly warm, then let the charging process continue. Batteries become a bit warm while charging. Remove the good battery if voltage improved If you applied the method of paralleling the good battery with the repaired one, remove the second battery (the good one) after 3 to 4 hours if your main battery’s voltages go above 12 V. To check the voltage, disconnect both batteries from the charger and disconnect them from each other as well. Now, using a voltmeter, measure the voltage on the repaired battery. If voltages are above 12 V, reconnect only the repaired battery to the charger. Let the battery charge for 24 hours. After that, disconnect the battery from the battery charger and measure its voltage again if they are satisfactory or not. Use Battery Desulfator to Remove Sulphate Crystals While performing the above charging procedure, if you find that the charging process is very slow or no charging at all, you will need a battery desulfator. Alternative names of battery desulfator are battery resuscitator, battery rejuvenator, or battery reconditioner. As it is explained earlier, if the battery is dried up too much or deep-discharged, sulphate crystals are formed on the surface of the plates of battery cells. We need to remove this sulphate from the battery cell’s plates. A battery desulfator is a device that enhances the capacity of an old lead-acid battery and extends the life of the battery. It provides pulses of high voltages or high frequency (depending on the technology used in the device) to the battery causing a current flow that reverses the crystallization process of lead sulphate. The desulfation process takes one day to three weeks depending upon the duration of the battery remain unused or damage caused to the battery due to the deep discharging. Perform Charge and Recharge Cycle It is a practice of experienced people to do the desulfation or charging/discharging repeatedly. Let me explain it to you. If you are doing the desulfation process, keep the battery on desulfator for two days, give it a rest for one day, and repeat the process. Measure the voltage at the end of each cycle and note if there is an improvement in the voltage. Repeat the desulfation process until you see no further improvement in battery voltage. Remember that disconnect the battery from the battery charger before measuring the voltage to get an accurate reading. In the same way, if you are charging the battery, charge it completely up to the limit possible and discharge with a load. This charging and discharging process help the battery to recover. Perform the Load Test In battery load testing, current produced by a charged battery is measured. We use this method to measure the health of a battery. First, you need to charge the battery until you get output voltage equal to the labelled voltage indicated on the battery. The voltmeter reading should be in the range of 10 percent of the labelled voltage. Connect the battery to the load tester and press the button to test the battery health. If the needle remains in the healthy (green) zone, the battery is in good condition. If you do not have a load tester, you can connect the battery to a random load like 12 V street light or headlamp of a car. The brightness of the light should not go down too early. Conclusion - How to Bring a Deep Cycle Battery Back to Life The recovery chances of a battery are 60 to 80 percent. The recovered battery can give an extended life of 6 months to 2 years depending on the amount of sulphation or damage to the battery due to overcharging, deep-discharging or battery heat up. A deep cycle battery does not need regular watering, a regular inspection is still recommended. It is recommended to use modern and efficient chargers, charge controllers or solar inverters which have options to care about the health of the battery.
  • How to Stop LED Lights Glowing When Off

    07:49
    If you are stomping your head off trying to figure out how to stop LED lights glowing when off, then stomp no more because in this article all the solutions to fix the problem have been explained. Shoddily manufactured LED lights, when turned off, often produce an afterglow. I have experienced this unusual behavior with the LED lights in my home too. At first, I did not heed much. Soon the rather abnormal phenomenon started annoying me, especially during my sleep hours. Hence I was forced to find a solution to fix this soul-sucking problem. With some help from a few professionals of the field and some internet research about LED lights, I was able to identify and resolve the issue. If you're also going through the same mind-boggling nuisance I was going through and also wondering how the heck are you supposed to stop already switched off LED lights from glowing, then you might want to keep reading because further in the article, I have explained all the fixes you can use to make the problem go away in as minimal technical terms as possible. What causes already switched off LED lights to glow? You must be left scratching your head while experiencing this weird occurrence of dimly lit LED lights for the first time, some are even left terrified, but before you draw any jigsaw conclusion, I am here to assure you that this is definitely not some devil's work. In fact, this behavior is triggered in LED lights by not only one but many reasons. Reason 1 LED lights are said to consume 25-80% less energy than incandescent bulbs. Usually, this high-efficiency factor of LED lights causes them to flicker because there is always some amount of energy left in the circuit after you switch off the light. That little energy is enough to light up the LED for some time dimly. Reason 2 Poorly done or old electrical wiring also causes the LED lights to produce an afterglow effect. The obsolete wiring does not affect incandescent bulbs. Suppose you have recently switched to LED lights on old electrical wiring. In that case, it could be a possible reason for the afterglow in the LED lights. Reason 3 If you are facing the afterglow problem in LED lights near a staircase or a hallway, then there is a high chance that two conductors connected in parallel might be causing the lights to flicker. Reason 4 Sometimes the light switch that you toggle to turn off the LED lights switches off the neutral conductor instead of the phase. This causes a low voltage drop in the phase, which is enough to pull the afterglow in LED lights. Reason 5 White LED light can produce an afterglow for several minutes due to phosphor. Phosphor is used in bulbs to convert the original blue light emitted from LEDs into white light because phosphor is of yellow color and the combination of blue and yellow creates white color. Things You Will Need To Stop LED Lights Glowing When Off Here is a list of things you will need to follow the fixes given below in order to stop LED lights glowing when off: LED lights from a reputable manufacturerNeon indicator lightZener diodeCompact fluorescent lamp (CFL)Screwdriver Keep trying the next fix until you achieve success in removing the afterglow. Replace The Flickering LED Lights A lot of the time, the LED light itself triggers the afterglow effect due to its low build quality or incompatibility with the electrical wiring of your house. So the first and the easiest solution I will recommend you to try to stop the flickering of the light is to replace that old light with a new LED light from a reputable manufacturer. If the flickering goes away after replacing the previous LED light with a new one, consider replacing all the flickering lights of your home to get rid of the problem completely. Install A Neon Indicator Light You can easily get a pre-wired neon indicator light from any electronics store or online through Amazon or eBay for a couple of bucks. But if you are on a penny-pinching streak or just feeling too lazy to even shop online, then you can also take out a neon indicator light from your old or knocked down kitchen appliances like fridge, blender, and kettle. You can carve the neon indicator light out of the appliance just by using a small screwdriver. Neon indicators usually last years till they burn out, so you should be well and good with the neon indicator light that you just took out from your junk. Once you have acquired the neon indicator light, install it between the neutral and line. What this placement of indicator will do is that the neutral indicator will act as a voltage soaker and will now glow instead of the LED. The light produced by a neon indicator is far less interrupting compared to that of an LED bulb. It is essential to check the voltage range of the neon indicator you are placing to avoid any burnout. Use A Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) We have already established that LED lights often illuminate an afterglow due to some voltage present in the circuit. This residual voltage can be soaked by putting a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) in the circuit. In this way, LED light will not glow because of no extra voltage in the circuit. It is best to consult an electrician when dealing with electrical wiring and circuits because of safety concerns. However, please make sure to turn off the mainline powering your operation site if you are performing it yourself. Place A Zener Diode Zener diode is a diode created mainly to help the current flow in the reverse direction. This diode can help you in overcoming poorly grounded wiring. You can easily get a zener diode from an electronics store or online at a relatively cheap price. Installing a zener diode is rather easy too, and does not require any special technical skills. Once installed, the zener diode blocks all the charge by regulating the voltage when the LED switch is turned off. Thus, there is no afterglow produced in the LED lights. Install A Different Dimmer Sometimes, the electronic dimmer you are using for your LED Lights is not compatible with them. This usually occurs when you replace your old lights with new ones but keep using the old dimmers with the new lights creating a compatibility gap, which leads to this afterglow. In this case, the best solution is that you should install new dimmers that are compatible with your new lights. Do a little internet research about your current lights, and you will find the dimmer compatible with them. You can also opt for an electrician to do this job for you if you want it to be done professionally. Connect Extra Capacitors Typically, in long hallways and stairwells, two conductors are connected in parallel. Sometimes, the voltage carrying conductor induces some voltage in the other conductor. This little voltage drop in the conductor is enough to trigger the afterglow effect in a switched off LED light. To get rid of this phenomenon, you can simply install extra capacitors in your lights. The extra capacitors will seep all the unnecessary voltage drop, eliminating the flickering or afterglow in the light bulbs. You can easily purchase capacitors from a traditional electronics store or an online one. In Case Of Automated or WiFi Controlled Lights In recent years, technologies like smart home automation, IoT, and more have taken off. Now people do not use their hands to switch off stuff, but instead, they ask Alexa to do it for them. So if you are also living with modern tech and use some fancy smart system to switch on and switch off your lights in your home, then the flickering LED lights problem in your home might be a little more complicated. The problem can be anywhere from your automated system to some deep electrical wiring connected to it. In this case, I would suggest you contact the company which installed the automated system in the first place. They would be able to diagnose and repair the problem in the best way possible because interrupting the deep electrical wiring yourself is dangerous and could also lead to electrocution. Summary - How To Stop LED Lights Glowing When Off People all around the world are switching from old bulbs to LED lights. The main cause of this switch is to take advantage of the low consumption and longevity factor of the LED bulbs. So if you are also one of those people who have switched from incandescent bulbs to LED lights, then your investment will definitely pay off. And in case you were regretful of your decision due to the flickering of the lights. No matter the situation, there is no need to fret anymore as this article contains all the solutions you can use to fix the afterglow effect. Now that you have all the solutions to solve the flickering problem, it is now time to get in action and do some work.
  • What Are The Drawbacks to Solar Tube Lighting

    06:38
    Solar energy enabled equipments have become a new trend in the market. Companies are discovering new methods of using solar energy and bringing them into use. One such technology is Solar Tube Lighting. These are also known as sun tunnel or light pipe. These light sources are perfect alternatives of skylights for getting the sunlight inside the room. These provide the natural way of brightening the dark areas of the house with natural or soft sunlight. Even during times when the sun is not visible, they are also accompanied by a photovoltaic technology which lightens the room anyways. The mechanism of solar tube lighting is relatively simple. These tubes are made of polished sheet metal or with highly reflective material. These materials channelize the sunlight into the house, amplifying the same as it passes through the tube. The solar tube lights come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 10 to 22 inches in diameter. They are also capped with a clear and weatherproof dome, thereby acting as small scale skylights. Solar tube lights gained popularity because of the benefits like free lighting and low to minimal rate of leaks. In comparison to skylights, solar tube lights have many additional benefits as well. These solar tube lights not only allow light but being narrow can be set up deeper into the rooms to bring more light inside the room. What Are The Drawbacks to Solar Tube Lighting? In spite of having so many benefits, solar tube lights are still not the best and the most efficient light sources to go for. Solar tube lights may be affordable and efficient in comparison to other alternatives. On comparing the pros and cons together, we concluded that cons outweigh pros. So, before buying solar tube lights, it is advisable to go through this list of cons as stated below. No view of the sky The ultimate purpose of solar tube lights varies and limits itself to small openings and then, amplifying the natural light to brighten the room. In this arrangement, the residents do not get any view of the sky which they would in the normal skylight. This arrangement can also bring a monotonous look in the house as well. On comparing this technology to skylights, it is observed that installing the latter not only allows ample natural sunlight to come inside the room, but also lets the residents enjoy the beautiful view of the sky. Not suited for every home Although solar tube lights take less roof space in comparison to the skylight, yet they take a lot of space in the house. This arrangement also reduces the chances of installing them using pipes in small homes as there is not enough space. So, it limits the usage of solar tube lighting in smaller houses. Therefore, the average family might not be able to afford that much space in their homes for the installation of the solar tube lights. Further, the design of the roof, i.e. the slope, the slant and such other factors also form a significant hindrance while installing  solar tube lights. In comparison to skylights, another major issue is air circulation. This type of lighting is best suitable only for one-floor depths as the deeper you go into the house, the lesser light you receive. The reason being the longer the pipe, the lesser will be the light. Also, this depends upon a person’s personal choice as well. If a person wants to give preference to the appearance of the house, solar tube lights are not the best option. On the contrary, skylight boosts the appearance of the house leaps and bounds. The only source of energy It is essential to understand that the solar tube light’s source of power or energy is sunlight only. Though, there are some alternative light sources available but the only source of light in case of solar tube lighting is sunlight. On the days when there is rain, weather conditions are not favourable, not enough sunlight coming to the house, solar tube lighting is not feasible at all. In such cases, the residents will always have to look for alternative sources of light or be ready to be seated in the dark. High Upfront costs The cost of solar tube lighting is affordable and costs cheaper than other sources in the long run.. But, the initial cost of installing and all costs related to it are relatively high. In case of big infrastructures where solar lights are to be installed, the initial cost of installing the solar tube lights is very high, raising overall price of the project. The average cost of installing one solar tube light technology in a house or building with a reasonable quality of the material is $500-$1000, which by no means is cheap. Also, the other contributory factors pitch against the cost and make it expensive in the initial stages. There are a few modals of this technology which use rechargeable batteries in case the weather is not favourable, or there is less sunlight exposure of the building. These not only increase the cost of regular maintenance but at the same time counts as a major source of pollution as well. Not very much dependable The technology related to solar tube lighting has undoubtedly come a long way when it comes to bringing natural sunlight into the houses. But still, there is too much left which is outside our control. We have to rely on outside conditions for this technology to work totally. Also, every situation is not fit for the usage of solar tube lighting. Therefore, for the majority of projects, where consistent and strong light is required, the use of solar tube lighting is not advisable. This is because it can delay or slow the work at times. The technology is also not advised where the houses are built with extreme weather conditions.. The conditions need to be just apt for the installation of lights into a certain house or building. Further, upon the installation of the solar tube lights, if  any problem or emergency creeps in rendering the technology, these lights cannot be opened and are even difficult to maintain. Also, there may be times when water condenses at the coverings, affecting the light coming through the tubes and also disrupting the same. Difficult to install The solar tube lights are not easy to install. If by chance a wrong type of light or tube is chosen for a house, it might not serve the purpose it is installed for. In other words, when installed improperly or with some flaws, these lights may act as a channel for continuous leakage from the rooftop. The professional also charges a hefty amount for setting up the lights, adding further to the costs. Does not prevent UV light One of the major drawbacks of installing solar tube light is that it does not prevent the harmful UV radiations from entering the house. Whereas, the skylights have a special feature where they are enabled to stop the UV radiations from entering the house or building. These radiations can be harmful to the people being in contact with such radiations. Conclusions In the end, after going through all these cons and weighing them in comparison to the pros, it becomes evident that the cons outweigh the pros. It is also important that investors remain aware of what they are investing in especially when it comes to the houses. Though, this technology has come a long way in making energy-efficient, cheaper and more sustainable options, yet there are many more strides that need to be taken care of in this field to make it as a part of every household and be more reliable and consumer-friendly.