Lamp posts in many older homes and businesses no longer work.As you know, these lamp posts are generally far from being environmentally friendly.In addition, they may show unsightly, broken fixtures and peeling paint on the posts.
Instead of removing those light fixtures and paying for landscaping work, learn how to convert lamp posts to solar energy in six easy steps.
Since you are working with metal, light bulb sockets and old paint, please wear safety goggles and gloves before starting any work.This is also a wise step before you start investigating possible gas lines or wires in the lamp post.
If your existing lamp post installation has gas lights or electrical wiring, you will need to remove them.
It’s worth emphasizing that DIY is extremely dangerous if you’re not familiar with these connections.
Some homeowners have questions about trees near lamp posts.If there are large trees near the post, the new solar light will not be fully charged.To get around this, you can move the post or buy a battery pack to put in a sunny spot in your yard.
You’ll have to run wires to the lights, which means you’ll probably need to bury them in the yard.Burying the wires and using the solar array may be easier than moving the posts, which need to be held in place.
The first step is to remove the original light fixture.If it’s soldered in place, you may need to use a handsaw to remove it.Your new solar lights will be mounted on old posts, so think about the height you want before you start sawing off old fixtures.
You will need the top of the link after removing the fixture.You can do this with sandpaper designed for metal.Before starting sanding, wear a respirator to avoid inhaling shavings (1).
Before installing new solar lights, take a moment to clean the posts.You can use steel wool to wipe the old paint off the posts and prepare them for new paint.
Once cleaned and ready, you can apply a fresh coat of paint.Spray paint is a good option, but you can also brush in color.Buy paint for outdoor use on metal objects.You may need to apply two coats.
Repainting the post is easier because you can paint the entire post before installing a new solar light.Your new fixture should have a base at the highest point of the post.So, if you’re installing the solar lights first, you may need to tape the bottoms of the lights so you don’t get paint on them.
Once you’ve leveled the top of the post, the next step in our guide on how to convert a lamp post to solar power is to hook up your new solar light.This is where you reduce your home’s greenhouse gas emissions (2).Long live!
The average American household generates 6.8 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually from electricity.By using solar energy to power your home, the greenhouse gas emissions from electricity can be greatly reduced.
Now back to hooking up your solar lamp post lantern.If your light fixture does not have a base, you will need one.Unless your new light comes with a conversion kit, you may also need to purchase additional hardware to connect the light.
Some outdoor solar lamp post light kits come with everything you need to install them on old lamp posts.This makes them one of our top picks for DIY outdoor lighting without electricity.
Finally, you will need a clamp with a base that is mounted on the shaft and has set screws.In any case, follow the installation instructions in the package.To wrap up this guide on how to convert lamp posts to solar power, we recommend this great video from Gama Sonic to help get everything set up:
By choosing the right bulb and providing the proper care, you can make your solar light last longer.For bulb selection, look out for the ENERGY STAR rated option (3).
If you can’t find an Energy Star rated solar light, another way to extend the life of your solar light is to make sure it is turned off when not in use and maintain battery maintenance.
Solar cells can last up to 50 years, but some household batteries have an expected lifespan of about ten years (4).For example, solar lights should last 5-10 years, depending on the manufacturer.
You can make a solar light post from scratch by installing your own light post and choosing a compatible solar light post.
You can install a solar light post in a variety of ways, including in cement, or if it’s in grass or dirt, via stakes.Since no wires are required, you can get creative with their placement as long as they remain unobstructed and receive plenty of sunlight.
Post time: Mar-09-2022
