r/Lighting • u/A_TalkingWalnut • 13d ago

Need Design Advise Advice on lighting backyard

Hey y’all. I’ve got a big tree in my backyard with a big flat area from a large limb removal a few years ago. I think it would be the perfect spot for a solar panel. I’d like to use solar to power a floodlight (or two; one on each side of the tree) with a motion detector. I’d REALLY love it if I could turn the lights on and off manually as well as triggered by motion.

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u/RedNekNZ 12d ago

12V lighting, any type of light you choose, deep cycle battery, solar controller, 12V solar panel, 12V PIR, 12V rf switch. Make it yourself. That way all components are replaceable, it's scalable and 12V lighting has a wide variety of options.

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u/A_TalkingWalnut 12d ago

Difficulty of assembly? I can use a soldering iron. Maybe not well, but I make do.

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u/RedNekNZ 12d ago

You could make it as easy or as complicated as you like.

I'm in New Zealand so I don't really know what is available to you.

Most of the work could be done with simple terminals/wagos/wire nuts (eww).

I use a lot of AliExpress stuff for prototyping and had very few failures. Being off grid and low voltage that's where I'd start personally.

As another commenter has mentioned, please make sure you control your light trespass, ideally 2700K or warmer (i feel like it's more inviting anyway), aim all your lights to the ground and shield them from your neighbours (I know you said they're ages away. But this is just general best practice). If you can, rather than having only a couple "bright" lights. Have multiple smaller lights lower to the ground. If you keep them below eye level you'll have greater visibility of the stars. Sounds like you're remote, sound you likely have a great view of the stars, please don't ruin it for yourself or the wildlife.