Drylot Lighting

[NaturalSelection]

Has anyone used outdoor post lamps to illuminate their drylot? I work full time and in the winter I am feeding and picking the pen in the dark wearing a headlamp. I’m finally running electrical to the barn and will have some high exterior flood lights on the barn pointing at the drylot, but based on drylot configuration, distance from the barn and 3-sided shed position, I know it won’t be enough to see as well as I’d like. We’ll be trenching along the fence line partway to get power to the barn. This is my chance to add scope without starting a whole new project.

Post lamps at the fence line? Other ideas?

[ElementFarm]

We have a run-in shed in our dry lot and mounted LEDs on the outside, as well as inside. The outdoor floodlights illuminate the gate areas and most of the dry lot.

We have another floodlight mounted on the barn, pointed down the hill to that gate. So it’s bright enough between the two to find your way safely.

Our outdoor ring lights are crazy bright, and light up the pastures fairly well, so we’ve been known to turn those on if we really need more light out there for some reason.

LEDs don’t cost much to run, and don’t require any warm-up time. I recommend putting them everywhere

[NaturalSelection]

I would love to mount lights on run in sheds, but the sheds are portable… and I have moved them so I’m reluctant to hardwire lighting.

Maybe this concept is more similar to lighting an outdoor arena. Any recommendations or examples on that style of light?

[horsepoor]

We put lights under the eave of our barn facing the dry lots and that usually provides enough light to see. But if I had the opportunity to add some lights out further, I would be tempted. I can’t always see the further reaches of the pens, and will bring a flashlight along for out there (or leave til morning). Mine are halogens (installed ~15 years ago, before LED really took off for such things) but now I’d do LED as they don’t run as hot and use less energy. If we used ours more, I’d probably switch them out but it just hasn’t been a priority yet.

[NaturalSelection]

@ElementFarm I looked up your old post with updated photos from arena lighting project and cost breakdown. Thank you!!!

[Guilherme]

If you are not going to “hard wire” the lights then I suspect you’re looking at solar LEDs. For paths, small areas, and the like they are OK. You’re not looking to light the area up for work, just safety in transit as you walk. Having lived in WI for seven years I know you also need a light that will be above the “snow line” for your area (for both Sun charging and night time illumination).

If you Google industrial solar led lights you will find dozens, if not hundreds of alternatives. These are more expensive that what you’ll buy from Home Depot or Lowes but are also much higher quality and with more capability (in lumens and hours of service). For some of your walking paths the consumer grade light might work; for real capacity you’ll need to go to commercial quality.

Good luck in your search!

G.

[candyappy]

I use heat lamps with a regular light bulb. Not beautiful, but easily moved, give off good light and economical. I can also use an extension cord safely if I need to.

[clanter]

if your fencing has a top board that is flat you could mount under that rail LED strip lights… the lower mounting level would reduce glare which is why I rarely use the overhead lights in the paddocks

I do not have lights mounted this way but would do so if I needed… this photo show sort of what I am saying about the top rail… the cross rail has another top that provides a lip where a strip light could be mounted is such a way that the horses could not reach
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[gahorseygal]

We’ve got these in/on our barn and they’ve been great. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-180-Degree-White-Solar-Powered-Motion-Activated-Outdoor-Integrated-LED-Flood-Light-DFI-0452-WH/302034965

Might be an option since you have the portable shelters.

[SonnysMom]

Harbor Freight has some solar motion sensor lights that might work for the portable sheds. I bought one and it is sitting on my back deck charging but I have not installed it yet. I seems pretty bright. I am thinking since it will be on a motion sensor it won’t discharge as quickly so should be good through the night. I am planning on installing it so it lights up the manure pile since I sometimes do pm barn chores for my trainer after dark. Nothing like dumping the wheel barrow in the dark.

[NaturalSelection]

@Unfforgettable that light pole is exactly what I’m considering…with switch and outlets too! Love it.

I like the farm to be dark when I don’t need light. Sure wish there was a way to incorporate a switch for the dusk-to-dawn motion sensor solar lights so it isn’t on or turning off and on all night long.

[Unfforgettable]

@NaturalSelection

@Unfforgettable that light pole is exactly what I’m considering…with switch and outlets too! Love it.

I like the farm to be dark when I don’t need light. Sure wish there was a way to incorporate a switch for the dusk-to-dawn motion sensor solar lights so it isn’t on or turning off and on all night long.

Just put a piece of electrical tape over the sensor. Then use a switch to turn the light on and off when you need it.

[SLW]

@NaturalSelection

@Unfforgettable that light pole is exactly what I’m considering…with switch and outlets too! Love it.

I like the farm to be dark when I don’t need light. Sure wish there was a way to incorporate a switch for the dusk-to-dawn motion sensor solar lights so it isn’t on or turning off and on all night long.

We have our dawn to dusk light on a switch. If we turn the switch off then there is no light but it is hard wired, not solar powered.

[Bluey]

Our trash bin pickup service went from around 8-9 am to 5-7 am, in the dark right now.
They have new drivers and they could not find the trash bins in the dark in the larger parking lot in front of the barns.
Our electrician added an LED yard light that is really wonderful.
I would guess it easily illuminates a good 150’ around there.
We had an empty electrical service line ready on that side of the well house.
We added that 16’ tall, 2 78" metal post and the electrician did the rest.
We also had 4’ 1/2" pipe for the post but the electrician said the smaller one was fine.
That light is so wonderful and cheap to run, we may be adding some like that directly on the front of the barn and by the outdoor pens.

The drivers have thanked us, is great for them also: