I purchased this new at the flea market with the plan to use it on my front porch then changed my mind. After reading @Sandy Wood last post I added an extension cord to it and placed it in between the space of the windows closest to the gate of the backyard. The storm window will protect it from the elements. The extension cord reaches an outlet just below the window. The outcome shown in the photos dispersed the darkness and provides light at the base of the stairs. Now we don't have to leave lamps on to see where we are going. This being an old house lighting is limited to the ceilings and I have lamps everywhere. Oh I should say that the 2nd photo is of the space between our house and the one next door. It always concerned me how dark that space was.
I really have to have the porch light on here if I leave and come back when it is dark. It is extremely dark here at night...as I am in the woods. On the few ocassions when the light has not been turned on or left on, I have had to use the headlights to illuminate the door, other wise I will be fumbling around looking for the right key forever and a day. I don't like that at all. We do use some solar lighting but right now, most of them seem not be lighting, need a new battery or are not getting enough sunlight or something.
Solar lights have rechargeable batteries. If the batteries are more than 2 years old you probably do need new ones. I would invest in a battery charger. If you are going to buy new batteries make sure they have the same mAh or a little higher noted. My garden solar lights use 600 mAh but I purchased 800 and 1000 mAh solar batteries which last 3 maybe 4 days if there has been a good sunny day. When there is not much sunlight it comes in handy. After they are recharged you may want to see how long the charge last to be able to recharge them to keep the lighting continuous. Hope this helps.
Yes, that is helpful. Actually, I should have said about the door, it isn't so much that I am looking for the right key, but trying to insert it in the lock is a problem with no light! Fortunately, we usually remember to turn on the light if we are going to be gone, or I will call roomie and have him put on the light for me. Sometimes he actually remembers himself. Roomie can be sweet, he can also be a real pain. You are never quite sure what you are going to get.