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There's a couple of areas in our kitchen (and other areas) that could do with a bit more light occasionally, but getting actual electrics to them will be a PITA. So, I've been thinking about those touch-activated LED lights that pop up in FB and other places pretty regularly. Now, my guess is that most of them are pretty crap, so has anyone got one that is half-decent?
Something A5-sized-ish would be perfect.
can't help you specifically except to say, in terms of LED lights A5 is absolutely enormous, an outdoor floodlight basically!
I'd look on here, prices are generally cheaper than eBay and everything is of a known quality. Pro-Elec is their own brand I believe.
https://cpc.farnell.com/c/electrical-lighting/lighting/battery-operated-lights
this design has been around forever, works but not mega bright
https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-elec/pel00012/3-led-push-light/dp/LP09307
I'd imagine this is a LOT brighter
https://cpc.farnell.com/uni-com/63841/utility-light-led-cob/dp/LA08984
I'm not a fan of those lights you've just linked to - tried one in a cupboard and swapping out the AAAs and charging them was a faff.
A friend had some strip style usb rechargeable lights (about 30cm long x 2cm square) that you just attached to the underside of a cupboard with a magnetic strip (and had a movement sensor so auto on and more importantly off). Came from amazon, no idea how you work out which ones are good and which are shit.
Ikea's undercupboard LED lighting is really good quality. They sell it with their own transformers and smart home stuff but it's actually just running on 24V so you can cut off their plug and use your own cable and power supply. Because you're not running 240v its a lot easier to run small, neat cabling (and 24v will run over thinner cable for longer distances without issue compared to 12v)
Can you get camping style lights that are rechargeable and have solar panels. Might be enough ambient light from outside and the normal ceiling units to keep them topped up.
yeah, that's exactly what I would do myself (no faff with changing batteries, etc) but OP did say wiring would be a pain - like you say though, low voltage DC is a lot easier to do, more discreet & safer to DIY!it’s actually just running on 24V so you can cut off their plug and use your own cable and power supply. Because you’re not running 240v its a lot easier to run small, neat cabling
OP did say wiring would be a pain
Yeah, it will be, it needs to battery operated (or rechargeable)
I have a couple of motion detector lights in an understairs cupboard and in my (8x6) shed. About 15cm long by 2 cm wide. They are rechargeable on usb and give off plenty of light for the cupboard and shed in general. I say plenty but be aware that whilst i can go in my shed and see everything, i probably would struggle to if i was asked to read a book in there. I had to stick a magnet to the ceiling and then the light just attached to the magnet. Very simple.
I worried they would need charged every 5 mins but i think i have charged them a couple of times in 6 months. Very happy with them and would not condsider running electrics in when i dont need to
In true "recommend what you've got" i have about half a dozen of the IKEA Molgan lights around the house, not touch to start, but they are motion sensing. Use them inside cupboards, under the stairs and in the shed. Come on as soon as they spot you, go off after about 2-3 minutes. Ideal for little hidey holes etc.
Should be less than a tenner.