Years ago when I poured the slab for my shed I didn’t run electric to it. If you wanted to keep some sort of lantern/lights in it year round what would you choose? I’m in northern Illinois so it has to deal with the cold. I’m not sure if anything solar powered would handle the winter. I don’t need anything crazy, maybe the equivalent of a 75 watt shop light. Just enough find something at night if I need to without needing to hold a flashlight.

How far is the shed from your house service panel?

How much light/power do you require, amount of time to use the lighting (momentary, while retrieving/returning items. vs working or prolonged activities?)

So you need or desire power requirements any other time/use?

That will dictate if you need to make a run/sub panel, or if you can use solar/battery storage or other means as needed.

Example. Short term occasional use can be met with a portable battery inverters, ether stand alone, or solar powered to maintain them.

Or, greater power needs with running power to a sub panel to the shed.


Carrying a portable battery inverter, and plugging it in when you need it, seems to answer your OP. Under $300.

I don’t need outlets in there. Just enough light to find a box or tool past sunset. 5 min max. Any longer and I’ll grab a headlamp or run an extension cord and a clamp on shop light.

Get a cheap "LED camp lamp".

Like the old Coleman style gas mantle lamps, but using batteries and LEDs.

I use two of these, hanging from a hook overhead...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hu...pod-K40437/325210051

There are so many options. I also use these and as motion detected lights, they are perfect for shed use.

https://www.amazon.com/Recharg...rid_rp_0_1_ec_t&th=1

I use one of these in my shed an a couple in the basement storage Plenty of light


https://www.amazon.com/WhitePo...OutParam=true&sr=8-5

quote:

Get a cheap "LED camp lamp".

Walmart's "Ozark Trail" brand.

A few years ago at a closeout/discount store I found an Ozark Trail "Camping Light Combo".

1 x 4AAA small lantern
2 x 2AAA penlights
2 x 3AAA pocket-sized flashlights
1 x 3AAA headlamp
All needed batteries

They got divvied up between home, car and on-person carry. $7.50.

I think solar would do just fine for you.
https://cleanview.co/solar-farms/illinois

Solar powered security light, you put the panel outside, light inside, it's motion activated so you don't have to fumble with finding a switch/button in the dark.

$15 at Harbor Freight, buy two, one outside, one inside.

https://www.harborfreight.com/...ght-white-64732.html

quote:

Get a cheap "LED camp lamp".

Something simple like this is the answer. Ideally motion activated and you don't even have to futz around in the dark to turn on.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Solar powered security light, you put the panel outside, light inside, it's motion activated so you don't have to fumble with finding a switch/button in the dark.

$15 at Harbor Freight, buy two, one outside, one inside.

https://www.harborfreight.com/...ght-white-64732.html

That’s exactly what I did for my shed except the light was from Home Depot I think. Works well enough. I mounted the light low enough inside that I could turn it on manually so it would stay on without relying on movement while I’m in the shed.

quote:

Originally posted by Tn226:
I use one of these in my shed an a couple in the basement storage Plenty of light


https://www.amazon.com/WhitePo...OutParam=true&sr=8-5

I installed two of these in my kids garage that activate as soon as the door opens. The battery lasts about a year being used every day.

I have a small solar panel setup for my workshop in my pole barn. Based on my experience I would think a solar pane placed on the side of your shed (vertical, not slanted) and a storage battery today's low voltage LED lights would serve you well.
Of course you would need the panel to be open to sunlight most of the daylight hours (not trees blocking).
I mentioned putting panel vertical to minimize snow covering it.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:

quote:

Originally posted by Tn226:
I use one of these in my shed an a couple in the basement storage Plenty of light


https://www.amazon.com/WhitePo...OutParam=true&sr=8-5

I installed two of these in my kids garage that activate as soon as the door opens. The battery lasts about a year being used every day.

we use something similar in a dark coat closet,
lights up when we open the door and batteries go about a year



another option, depeding on distance, sink a drop cord in the yard, plug it in at the house and have it connected to a LED in the shed,



friend's dad did that only he used some outside rated wire, strung it thru the trees into his shed, just to run lights

I think solar is the way to go. It’s got a window above the doors so I might not even need to mount the solar panel outside.

Batteries don't work well when very cold. I'd suggest if you go battery-driven, that you keep the lighting equipment (or at least the battery) in the house and bring it with you when you go to work out there.

Cold? What cold? It’s a beautiful 11° out right now.
I had the same worry.
Okay so for anyone that uses a solar powered light for an unheated shed or outdoors does it work well enough in the winter? Please keep in mind this isn’t for working in the shed, I just want to be able to go outside at night and locate a box or tool without tripping over something or banging my head. I’d just like to keep my hands free if I need to use both to grab a storage tote or use the ladder to grab something up high. I realize a second headlamp would accomplish this easily, I’m just looking for convenience.

I bought a solar powered light off the internet jungle. It’s motion activated and it’s perfect for what I needed. Thanks for all the ideas guys.