$100 DIY portable solar hog light

[sticksnstones]

I'm sure this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it might be helpful to someone here.

I have used these lights a few times with 4x C cell batteries, but I didn't like how expensive it was or how frequently I needed to lay a scent path to the light to replace batteries.

I caught an LED light on sale for $49 a few weeks ago. I added a 6 volt rechargeable battery to my cart for $9, and a cheap solar panel for $19. I picked up a "cracker storage container" at the grocery store for $6 in the tupperware section. I had the scrap 2x6 and extra bungie cords so I finished out with tax and shipping under $100 for this project.
     

I figure I can strap it to the South side of any tree or fencepost with those bungie cords just higher than the pigs can reach. I'm guessing it'll run for months at a time, but it will take a field trial to know for sure. I'll start that two weeks from today.
Thom

[ChuckC]

awesome idea !  

ChuckC

[Paul Cousineau]

What do you use this for?

[tracker12]

I'd like to know also what he application is.

[PowDuck]

I'll wait for sns to reply but I think you put these at a feeder for hog hunting at night..

[sticksnstones]

Exactly Bruce.

I wanted something I could pack in fast/easy on foot and leave behind undisturbed for weeks at a time. My next project is to setup a rolling PVC hog feeding tube for bait to go with it.

Lots of guys hang these lights off the bottom of feeders, but I find pointing them downwards puts all the vitals into shadow. The reason behind coming up with a way to hang the light pointing out horizontally is to eliminate the shadows and provide a good longbow setup at close range.

Just hoping my experimenting and efforts might help out the next guy thinking about the same sorts of projects.
Thom

[katman]

Great idea.
If this is at a bait site critters may get to the bungees and exposed wires. Maybe hang it from a screw in tree step and put wires in flexible conduit.

[Crittergetter]

I've hooked mine up to a car battery before and it'll run for about 2 weeks. Haven't added a solar charger yet. Be sure and seal up around the hole where the charger connects and the seam all the way around with silicone to keep moisture out.

[sticksnstones]

Good ideas guys, much appreciated! I had originally planned on doing conduit, probably should have.

I have 3 extra cheap sticks I won't ever put my weight on again, maybe I'll mount this board to one of them and just use the tree strap to hold it up.

Thanks for keeping my wheels turning on this!
Thom

[cmh]

Need a way for the cracker box to breath or it will fill with condensation..... Just think when some lazy person throws their 20oz pop or water bottle on the ground and it collects condensate.

[sticksnstones]

Originally posted by cmh:
Need a way for the cracker box to breath or it will fill with condensation..... Just think when some lazy person throws their 20oz pop or water bottle on the ground and it collects condensate.

There is a little gap around where the wires go in, I created a little shelf inside there to hold the battery up and out of the way. Thinking about adding a second hole as a drain hole closer to where the lid attaches too.
Thom

[Bladepeek]

Ought to work great, Thom. I'm watching to see how many pigs you get coming in. I would love to take a wild pig (and the DNR would love that too). I just have never seen one in the wild here. They must be here, or the DNR wouldn't have posted all those "shoot on sight" signs.

The solar chargers really do well. We have them on all the car batteries for our 5-Stand and Sporting clays traps and it keeps them fully charged and ready to go.

Let us know how it works out.

Good thinkin' Thom...
I am also looking to see how it works out.

I see that you have "hogitis"...is there an effective recovery program for this disease?

Hoping to pick your brain some day - perhaps at a Michigan event??

[sticksnstones]

After spending all day yesterday deburring my wool and sharpening broadheads, I spent a little time this morning doing that climbing stick modification. I thought some folks might be interested in the results:
   

Oh and when the sun hit the solar panel it did fire up the light even with the battery disconnected. This thing should run for a nice long time without intervention.

Tony there is no cure for hogitis, you just have to keep going hog hunting to try to keep the symptoms at a manageable level      
Thom

[ChuckC]

Wow. . . . you should add a couple other things, even as dummies, to REALLY make that look impressive.

It IS, very nice though.
ChuckC

[sticksnstones]

Now that you mention it Chuck, it does like pretty horrible doesn't it. Yikes!

I guess "field expedient and low maintenance" really took a toll on aesthetics on this project.

Next two are almost done, gonna start on PVC feeder next.
Thom

"PVC Feeder"
   

[Wudstix]

Great project.  The feeder I use is a PVC tube with 1" holes drilled and a open top to allow rain in and refilling.  The tree step idea has me thinking.  I strap mine to a tree and let what ever I pour in the top ouze out the holes. pigs lick it off.

[Mike Vines]

Always neat to see what kind of stuff you come up with Thom.  Nicely done.

[sticksnstones]

Originally posted by Wudstix:
Great project.  The feeder I use is a PVC tube with 1" holes drilled and a open top to allow rain in and refilling.  The tree step idea has me thinking.  I strap mine to a tree and let what ever I pour in the top ouze out the holes. pigs lick it off.

I was going to go with the roller method using a chain and a stake. Have you tried it? Originally I was thinking of using the method you described, but then stumbled into this other idea. Input appreciated if you've got any.
Thom