So I’m grinning from ear to ear as I finally have my outdoor arena finished. My next project is lighting. I don’t have power down to it so I was thinking of battery/solar options. Any suggestions? Photos of what you have done? Thanks for any input.
Our outdoor ring is very close to the barn – the long side runs parallel to the length of the barn, and is maybe 20ft away from it. For lighting we have two floodlights rigged up on the barn itself, one each corresponding to where the arena starts and stops on the barn wall. The lights are part of the barn’s wiring, so we just flip the lights on as we exit the barn and turn them off again when we come in (or, as is often the case, ride for 20 minutes, realize it’s dark, swear, dismount, turn on lights, resume ride).
It’s nothing fancy, solar panels sound really cool!
[QUOTE=kashmere;5872606]
Our outdoor ring is very close to the barn – the long side runs parallel to the length of the barn, and is maybe 20ft away from it. For lighting we have two floodlights rigged up on the barn itself, one each corresponding to where the arena starts and stops on the barn wall. The lights are part of the barn’s wiring, so we just flip the lights on as we exit the barn and turn them off again when we come in (or, as is often the case, ride for 20 minutes, realize it’s dark, swear, dismount, turn on lights, resume ride).
It’s nothing fancy, solar panels sound really cool![/QUOTE]
Ah, I wish wiring into the barn was an option!!! It sounds perfect, but, alas, we have an arena that is a ways from the barn. It thing is that it’s on the other side of the creek from the house and barn so we ride over a bridge to get to it. Solar panels would be perfect, if anyone has examples I’m all ears. Of course, it’s been raining here for pretty much a month straight, so I wonder how much sun solar panels need. 
I have the same problem! No electric to the arena. Just finished the outdoor and now its getting dark early. I am planning on using a small generator and 3 lights. Arena is 100 x 200. I am setting it up tonight. I’ll let you know how it goes.
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NCH - Please let me know how it works out! If it is to your liking please send info. I’ve been Googling solar lighting as the generator noise might be a bit distracting (but I’m willing to try anything)…I’m hoping for a lighting option that will be bright enough for my smaller arena - it’s only 100x160.
I did the generator thing last year and plan on doing it agian. Some of the generators made today are not that noisy. In fact, the ones I looked at Tractor Supply all had a db rating right on the box which made it easy to compare.
We have a couple of large trees next to where we ride so I got a extension ladder and using bungie cords placed two sets of these http://tiny.cc/dph4h in two different spots and angled the lights appropriately. Worked great, except it was kind of a pain to change a blown light (happened twice).
I have been doing the same research also and came across these that are specifically for riding arena. Haven’t tried them, but thought it might be worth looking into more.
http://www.ycasolarlightstore.com/Solar-Goes-Green-Solar-Flood-Light-108-LED-p/sgg-f108-2.htm
[QUOTE=springplainsfarm;5873807]
I have been doing the same research also and came across these that are specifically for riding arena. Haven’t tried them, but thought it might be worth looking into more.
Ahhhhhh! Thanks! I’m considering these! I’m also looking into some low-noise generators. Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming!
Please keep me posted!!! We have been debating several options - have two rings, and the bigger one that I really want to light is 1/10 mile from the barn. Power company will run dusk til dawn lights, but then I get stuck paying year-round for lights that I only need for half the year. We have the option of lighting the smaller arena pretty cheaply, but drainage on the big arena is far better for the winter, so I am all ears on suggestions for something farther away from barn power!
These look interesting but at only 150 watts they are not putting out much light for an outdoor space.
Based on the published specs. you would need 12 of these for a typical 100’ x 200’ outdoor arena. At $350 apiece that is $4,200!
I don’t think you will be satisfied with any lights less than 250 watts. Something like this, http://www.lightstoreusa.com/product/area-light-250-watt-sodium-414.cfm and only $215.
I plan to go with 4 of the 400 watt versions on 16’ posts for our permant arena when we build it next year.
Well my report is that I need more lights! The generator is very quiet so thats is working out well and it has plenty of power now I am taking another trip to the store and repositioning them. Its not a perfect solution but it will work I think. The solar flood lights look really interesting but really expensive. I had the generator so as of right now I have less than $200.00 invested. This will be temporary for me this year as I hope to have electric to this area next year.
Well, if anyone tried the solar ones let us know how they work. I am curious!
[QUOTE/] Based on the published specs. you would need 12 of these for a typical 100’ x 200’ outdoor arena. At $350 apiece that is $4,200!
I don’t think you will be satisfied with any lights less than 250 watts. Something like this, http://www.lightstoreusa.com/product/area-light-250-watt-sodium-414.cfm and only $215.
I plan to go with 4 of the 400 watt versions on 16’ posts for our permant arena when we build it next year.[/QUOTE]
You are very right…I’m still holding out hope for a solar lighting option, but a generator is looking more and more appealing.
Anybody have a great solar light solution…at a little less than $4K? 
[QUOTE=pds;5874632]
These look interesting but at only 150 watts they are not putting out much light for an outdoor space.
Based on the published specs. you would need 12 of these for a typical 100’ x 200’ outdoor arena. At $350 apiece that is $4,200!
I don’t think you will be satisfied with any lights less than 250 watts. Something like this, http://www.lightstoreusa.com/product/area-light-250-watt-sodium-414.cfm and only $215.
I plan to go with 4 of the 400 watt versions on 16’ posts for our permant arena when we build it next year.[/QUOTE]
You are very right…I’m still holding out hope for a solar lighting option, but a generator is looking more and more appealing.
Anybody have a great solar light solution…at a little less than $4K?
Has anyone tried anything like these?
http://www.amazon.com/Concept-SL-200-Solar-Flood-Light/dp/B002L0C3J8
[QUOTE=Trixie;5876538]
Has anyone tried anything like these?
http://www.amazon.com/Concept-SL-200-Solar-Flood-Light/dp/B002L0C3J8[/QUOTE]
It looks great, but the Amazon reviewers really didn’t like it. That said I continued through Amazon and nobody is having good luck with solar lights purchased through Amazon. Many thanks for looking! Ugh. 
Perhaps I should be looking for solar/battery (like deep cycle battery) powered lights. ???
There seem to be a few different options for solar floods. I’m looking for the same thing for my ring and so I’m looking forward to hearing what you wind up with.
Ok my fellow COTH readers who are also looking for a solar/battery lighting solution…What do we think of these?
http://www.shopoutdoorlighting.com/OLT4485.htm?cm_mmc=NXTG-SH--Landscape%20Lighting--Landscape%20Lighting-_-OLT4485
Thoughts?
I have done a lot of googling and searching lately about this…probably too much
this is definately “thinking out of the box” but I find it interesting the amount of area it can light. pricey, but cheaper than 4k worth of solar lights
Below, can be run by a battery jump pack/cigarette lighter or regular plug (thinking long extension cord) …again, the amount of area it covers is pretty large, but it is also pricey. I keep meaning to call them and ask for more information.
Timely thread have been discussing light for my outdoor too.
They look like they’d give sufficient light. I’m only wondering if 9ft high is high enough. I remember riding in an arena in the past where people had portable floodlights, and whilst they were definitely bright enough, they were too low so they kept shining in riders & horses eyes, to the point by the time I finished my ride I saw yellow dots everywhere.
