We thought it would be fun to have a light showing at night from our "Lookout Rock"
Prow house in background
 

Note the dot of light at dusk.
The home depot yard light functioned for a few months and then needed batteries.
The next one failed after a few weeks.
 

Lookout Rock is an outcrop visible from most of the Valhalla property.
It rises vertically about 500 ft.
 

We've maintained a trail to the rock since the early days of exploring the place.
 

Here's a sketch on a napkin.
We had the idea to make something that would really last a few years.
And also experiment with a solar panel, a couple of light assemblies  and an inexpensive solar controller.
 

Cannibalize the old yard light and mount it on a piece of 1" PVC Pipe.
Mount it to a tote with a car battery and a solar panel.

 

Junk box had this high quality LED flashlight with a spun aluminum reflector

Here's a schematic diagram
Switches allow selection of different light configurations for evaluation.
 

Here's a temporary wire-up of the circuit for testing
Surplus stores sell multitudes of inexpensive modules that will do almost anything.
One of our favorite stores
 

Assembling the circuit and switches using a Valhalla Fir base

Solar controller and dusk/regulator control circuit mounted in a plastic tote container.
 

Close up of spun reflector LED mounting scheme
 

Using RTV to weatherproof the splices
 

Solar Panel mounting system
 

 Valhalla Fir base.
Setup angle was estimated for Latitude= 47
It may need a couple of rocks to protect from winds!
 

Red LED array from a trailer brake light

Another angle taken during assembly in the wood shop.
 Note the the Norwegian "hytte flag" in background
 

Drip loops prevent water ingress
 

Completed tote with battery

Shannon setting final placement of the solar panel

Final check before closing up the cover

Red brake light  with house in background

Flashlight head providing plenty of light as dusk settles in.
 

After two weeks the light went out.

 

Telephoto lens shows the tote tipped over by the wind.
Went up and added some rocks to the bottom of the tote.

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