I'm considering wiring up some LED lights in my shed and would love to hear from those with real experience. I have a small solar panel, around 10 watts, that's usually for trickle charging, and I'm thinking about combining it with a power wheels battery and a budget solar controller (about $20). My idea is to wire in a light switch, then either run a long LED strip along the roof or just a single LED bulb. I'm not planning on adding power outlets—just the lights. I live in Minnesota, where we get very cold winters, so I'm wondering if this setup can last through sub-zero temperatures as I'll probably use it weekly, maybe more in the winter due to longer nights. I'm trying to keep it budget-friendly since it's just for a shed. Any tips or advice would be great!
4 Answers
I had a 100W panel powering my shed lights for five years without issues. Used a couple of boat batteries, and it worked out well. If I could, I’d do it all over again!
A 10W panel can work fine with a controller. I’ve used that setup to charge batteries, and it helps to have a voltage display as well as USB charging outlets so you can keep things charged up.
I'd say give it a shot, but you might want to consider upgrading to at least a 20W panel for better reliability. For your 10W setup, a controller isn’t strictly necessary. Instead of LED strips for general lighting, consider using automotive or RV lights for better illumination.
For just lighting in your shed, I recommend a straightforward setup with a 50W solar panel, a 12V battery around 50Ah, and a small MPPT charge controller. It's a simple install since LEDs run directly off 12V, and you'll have plenty of light for a few nights after just one sunny day!
Thanks for the advice! I was thinking of using an RV light switch so that's a great tip. If I end up going bigger, I might also consider a motion security light!