Garage lighting ideas?

[toey]

Hi all, I am looking for some garage lighting ideas. The problem is, there is no source of power or electricity in my garage. So I am looking for some sort of portable light/lamp which I can hang off the ceiling/wall, which is strong enough to light up my garage (my garage can fit just a Commodore with room to get out, so that gives you an idea of the size) and which it can be charged within the home.

Any ideas?

[Jonno]

A flood light

[Rusty]

I have been looking into Solar a lot recently, it seems to be getting a fair bit cheaper and more efficient. Not a bad option if you don't plan to run the light 24/7.

[nemesis_adrasteia]

extension lead from house and a power board not an option?

[TrikkBen]

A long lead and board will cost you about as much as any decent portable/18v lighting.

[CapriciousWL]

From hardware places you can get small solar jobs for $25 that will give enough light to get out of the car or find something. If you want to work in there, extension cord is probably the best option.

Another possibility is to get camping lights (fluoro or LED) and a decent battery. Recharge the battery as required. Lights range from $10 - $30 and can cast enough light to work by. Will not be as bright as a 240v globe, but ok.

[toey]

Extension cord is not an option as I live in a flat and so the garage is quite far from my unit.

Thanks for all the answers, I will look into them now.

[Drawnnite]

as above has said if your planning on working in there:

if the garage/shed is seperate your best best will probably be running an extension lead ($25 approx) from house into garage and then having a floodlight connected.
we have used the arlec lights form bunnings to light up areas. only problem was the 500w globes that came in them get extremely hot (and we were working right next door to them so put 300w globes in)
if you want big coverage get a 2000w floody =P

you could always get a sparky in and wire up some fluros. (only recommend if the garage is connected to the house)
2 36w double fluros should light that area up well. even only 1 should be able to light it up well.
but wouldnt exactly be the cheapest option.

if you want portable lamps/lights/torches get something with alot of lumens.



now that you have said flat thus lead isnt an option probably go with a camping light.
however im not 100% sure on how well they would light up the area.

[woteva]

Check this out ---> Solar Shed Light With Remote Control - Bunnings Warehouse

or even something like this Twin Head Solar Security Sensor Light - Bunnings Warehouse

[vkberlina]

I have a farm shed which is 450m from the nearest source of power
I run a couple of Powertech Monocrystalline Solar Panel - 65W pruduct # ZM9096 from jaycar
With 2 solar charge regulator 12V 5A Battery Charging Regulator for Solar Panels # AA0348 from jaycar
Connected using a double insulated 12v power cable to a bank of 6 old 12v car batteries.

Using 12v Fluro cabin lights High Quality 16 Watt 12VDC Twin Fluoro with Courtesy Lamp # ST3016

I have about 6 wired up in the shed on an old 3gang 240v light switch.

For brighter light for short term gains I have a couple of 12v portable flood lights from bunnings, you could even use an old headlight or automotive spot/fog light.

I buy this gear wholesale a fair bit cheaper than jaycar, I have a Honda 240/12v 5.5kva generator as a top up which outputs 16.3amps 12dc also.

The biggest problem I have had was an old battery died and flattened the rest, I have installed diodes on the leads from the the solar regs to the batteries so this wont happen again, and using some old 240v switch mechs in a bank of 6 to activate each battery.

cheers
Scott