Add Some Hidden Solar Lights to a Bench
by
Jim Cox
4 Materials
$5
30 Minutes
Easy
How to add some low cost light to a seating area with an out-of-sight light source
My go-to light for projects around the house
Again for this project, I start with my $.99 light from At Home (the store)
I added a 90° bracket to one side, note that the bracket should be 'square' with the solar cell. This will help maximize exposure after the light is mounted. See mounting instruction below.
I attached the bracket with high-heat hot glue. ( You can still see the orange battery tab inside. This will need to be removed before the light will operate)
Because I wasn't completely sure about the hot glue and the July sun, I added a zip tie. You should just grab a bundle of these and keep them around the house, they're too handy to be without.
Use a short screw that won't go through!
I attached the remaining side of the bracket to the underside of my park bench with a single no. 8x1/2" sheet metal screw. Any short self tapping screw will work. Make sure you line up the solar cell with the gap in your bench for maximum exposure to the sun. Don't forget to pull the battery tab out.
note the globe pattern.
Here's what three lights look like on my front porch at night. The light shines out past the bench on all sides. (These same lights on my back deck shine out about 20' into my back yard. See my other projects : )
You don't notice the lights from above at all.
Comments
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2 of 27 comments
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You are just the sweetest! Howdy again from MO :)
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This has inspired me. What a great idea for the picnic table!
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
How does the solar element get sun. It seems to be flat against the wood????
Can you use a solar light to keep squirrels off bird feeders if so how?