Durasol 12v Solar Lighting System with Remote Control – Outdoor & Garden Lights
From: £350.00£245.00
Power-up your VERSA 12v garden lights with the Durasol – a free-to-run alternative to a 12v transformer supply. This 12v solar lighting system is an all-in-one unit that includes the solar panel, battery and remote control.
Please note: the Durasol is not compatible with AC bulbs. 12v DC bulbs must be used in fittings (sold separately).
Durasol 12v Solar Lighting System
The Durasol 12v solar lighting system is an all-year-round, rechargeable power source for 12v outdoor lights. This low voltage kit includes a solar panel, battery and remote controller, as an all-in-one unit. A VERSA 2 pin connector makes the Durasol highly versatile. Simply plug the connector into VERSA connectors, splitters and lights for a hassle-free installation, without the need for hard wiring. Either secure the Durasol to walls and fences using the wall mount bracket, or leave free standing on lawns and planters using the A-frame mount.
The Durasol powers up to 30W of garden lights for up to 12 hours with as little as 4 hours charging time. Position the monocrystalline solar panel in a sunny, south facing spot for the best charging performance. Being solar-powered, the Durasol is totally off-grid, ideal for areas where mains power isn’t an option. The 12v solar system is both durable and highly weatherproof with an IP65 rating. 3m of 2 core cable is supplied with a 2 pin VERSA connector at the end.
The multi-function remote control offers 4 timer modes: 4hr, 6hr, 8hr & 10hr. Each mode automatically begins at dusk unless manually overridden.
12V VERSA Plug & Play Lighting Range – garden lighting made easy
Installing garden lighting has never been easier with the VERSA Plug & Play Garden Lighting Range. Follow these easy steps to install your 12v garden lighting today:
- Select your VERSA Plug & Play Light Fittings
- Select Your Bulbs
- Map out where plug & play cables can be installed safely between the Durasol and fittings and measure potential lengths of cable required
- Select the relevant cable lengths and any connectors / splitters for your plan
- Plug in and go!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The output of the Durasol is DC, therefore may not be suitable for some 12v LED systems. All Fostering 12v DC LED lamps and fittings will work with this system. We recommend not using more than 20m total cable (including fittings) with this low voltage solar system. For more information on cable length, see our voltage drop table.
| Max Wattage | 30w |
|---|---|
| Materials | 304 Stainless Steel (Body), 6053 Aluminium, Tempered Glass |
| Solar Panel | 5v 50w Monocrystalline Solar Panel – Grade A |
| Solar Panel Size | 540mm x 510mm x 25mm |
| Battery | 3.2v 42Ah LiFePO4 lithium battery |
| Cable Length | EITHER 3m Plug & Play cable |
| Remote Control Time Modes | 4hr, 6hr, 8hr, 10hr |
| IP Rating | IP65 |
| Output | 12v DC |
| Working Temp | -25C – 60C |
| Guarantee | 5 Years |
| Additional Information | Tubecon Cable Connector Included |
Light Pollution & Colour Temperature
Reducing light pollution is crucial for protecting wildlife, preserving natural ecosystems, and maintaining our ability to stargaze. Always try to use the minimal light output required for your application, rather than unnecessarily excessive outputs. Excessive artificial light disrupts the behavior of nocturnal animals, including bats, which rely on darkness for feeding and navigation. Our “bat-friendly” lights are specifically designed to minimise light spill and reduce disturbances to bat habitats. By using these lights, we can provide safer environments for wildlife while ensuring outdoor spaces remain well-lit and functional.
Warmer colour temperatures have a less disruptive impact on wildlife and help reduce star-warping. For instance, bats are less affected by red-toned lights, which produce orange or yellow hues, compared to cooler, daylight white or blue lights higher in the spectrum. Blue light, being the most harmful for light pollution, should be minimised. The best solution is to use colour temperatures of 3000K or lower, with 2700K often referred to as “bat-friendly” lighting.
Light Intensity – Wattage VS Lumens
Battery Retention & Charging
Battery retention in solar products is crucial for ensuring reliable performance over time. High-quality batteries, such as LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) and Lithium-ion, maintain their charge capacity for longer, even with repeated charging cycles. While Ni-MH batteries are suitable for certain applications, they generally do not match the longevity and efficiency of LiFePO4 or Lithium-ion in solar setups. This is often reflected in the price. Proper battery management, like avoiding overcharging, deep discharging, or storing for long periods, will extend battery life. In addition, high-quality solar panels, such as monocrystalline or polycrystalline, perform well in the UK. The larger the panel surface area, the faster the battery will charge. Fostering have incorporated UK-specific dimming sequences into many solar bollard designs to reduce light output throughout the night when less light is required. As a result, this helps to retain battery charge for longer, as do motion sensors. Regular maintenance and choosing products with quality solar technology are key to maximising retention and longevity.
Remote Controls
Remotes are beneficial for solar lights for several reasons:
- Customisable Settings: With a remote, users can adjust settings such as brightness, lighting modes, or activation times to suit specific needs. This includes dimming the lights, timers or turning them off manually.
- Energy Efficiency: By adjusting settings via remote control, battery usage is reduced, thus retaining charge for longer. Dimming, time control and manual override all help to extend the life of the rechargeable battery.
- Enhanced Control: For installations with multiple solar luminaires, a remote allows users to adjust settings for each individual unit based on install location and requirements, rather than all functioning in exactly the same way.
Overall, remotes add practicality, energy savings, and ease of operation to solar lighting systems.
Automation – Light & Motion Sensors
Light sensors are devices that detect and respond to changes in light levels in their environment. These sensors are useful in automating various systems, helping to optimise energy use and improve safety. Dusk-to-dawn sensors, for example, automatically turn lights on at sunset and off at sunrise, ensuring lights are only used when necessary. Motion sensors detect movement, triggering lights to turn on when activity is detected, providing convenience and enhancing security. Both types of sensors are commonly used in outdoor lighting systems to save energy and increase efficiency.
TIMERS – Time controls are useful for automating the operation of luminaires, ensuring they run only when needed, which boosts energy efficiency. They also offer convenience by removing the need for manual intervention, while enhancing security by simulating activity, deterring potential intruders. Overall, they help optimise energy use and preserve equipment.
PHOTOCELL / DUSK TO DAWN – A PC (Photo Control) or Dusk-to-Dawn sensor automatically turns lights on at dusk and off at dawn, using natural light levels to detect the time of day. This sensor is ideal for outdoor lighting, as it ensures lights are only activated when needed, improving energy efficiency and convenience. Dusk-to-Dawn solar light often incorporate dimming sequences to help prolong battery life and reduce light output at times of reduced footfall.
PHOTO-RECEPTOR – A photo-receptor in lighting is a more general term for any light-sensitive element that detects light levels and converts them into an electrical signal. It can be used in various lighting control systems, particularly in solar lighting.
PIR MOTION SENSOR – A PIR (Passive Infrared) sensor detects motion by sensing changes in infrared radiation, typically emitted by human bodies or animals. It is a cost-effective and energy-efficient way to automatically activate lighting when motion is detected, ensuring lights are only on when needed. PIR sensors help save energy, reduce unnecessary lighting, and improve security by providing illumination when movement is sensed in a given area.
MICROWAVE MOTION SENSOR – A microwave sensor uses high-frequency electromagnetic waves to detect motion, even through walls or obstructions, by measuring changes in the reflected waves caused by movement. It is highly sensitive and can detect smaller movements, making it ideal for areas where precise motion detection is needed. Microwave sensors are great for enhancing security and energy efficiency, as they activate lights or alarms only when movement is detected, reducing energy waste.
Garden Lighting Made Easy!
Fostering offer a large range of high end 12v Plug and Play lighting and accessories making it very simple and easy for quick DIY installation. Low voltage lighting is particularly suited to outdoor environments because it tolerates the damp conditions without performance being affected. Anything required underwater should also be low voltage as it is much safer.
When it comes to connections, there are multiple cables and adaptors which are suitable for various 12v plug and play lighting systems. Fostering’s Versa plug & play system is compatible with a number of brands such as Techmar. Cables are available in various length in various combinations of plug & play and open end. In addition, 3 way and 6 way connectors make it very simple for connecting components and fittings to just one transformer.
12v lightings requires a transformer in order for these to be powered. A transformer converts 240v mains down to 12v low voltage. We stock various wattage transformers (10w, 20w, 50w and 100w). Calculate which size transformer is required for a circuit following this simple formula:
Lamp Wattage x Lamp Quantity = Total Wattage Required (minimum)
Example: 5W MR16 x 3 fittings = 15W (20W transformer required)
You must never exceed the wattage of a transformer, and avoid underloading. The ideal capacity is 75-90% load.
12v Lighting Set-up Example
12v lighting circuits can use a combination of plug and play and hard wired components. Versa Plug & play is simple with various compatible adaptors, cables and transformers available. Easily convert plug and play to hard wired with our plug & play to open ended cable. Standard junction boxes and in-line connectors can then be used to connect the two systems together.
What is voltage drop?
The term ‘Voltage Drop’ relates to the amount of voltage loss that occurs through all or part of a circuit. This is a result of increased resistance which is a measure of the opposition to current flow in a circuit, measured in ohms (Ω). Electrical cables of any size and length carrying current always present resistance. Although it can affect the entire circuit, it is first apparent at the end of a cable run. A simple comparison would be a garden hose, where the pressure of water running through it reduces the further away it is from its source.
What causes voltage drop?
The 4 main factors which contribute to voltage drop are cable length, wire temperature, wire material and the cross sectional area. Generally, 12V lighting systems can withstand a maximum voltage drop of up to 8% (1V) with no noticeable effects, on the basis that the correct cable / power source is used and it is within range of the LED lamp voltage. If significant voltage drop does occur, it can cause dim lighting, strobing or no power at all.
How to reduce voltage drop
To reduce the risk of voltage drop, consider the following:
- Reduce cable runs – keep length to a minimum with no more than 12 fittings per circuit
- Highly conductive wire, e.g. copper. A tinned end can improve performance and longevity
- Use high quality, heat resistant rubber cable. Minimum H05RN-F
- Use thicker cable where possible (1.5mm² / 2.5mm²) with a secure, watertight connection
For a larger garden where this is not possible, consider laying a mains power feed to various points / areas where additional 12V transformers can be installed to create separate, smaller circuits. 240V fittings can also be connected to the mains feed if required.
Voltage drop cable run guides
Suggested maximum cable run includes cable supplied with each fitting, adaptors and connector cables. Where longer cable runs are required, use thicker cable such as 1.5mm² / 2.5mm² which have a lower resistance and reduce voltage drop. Cable runs can be increased by up to 50% (approx.) when thicker cable is used.
For longer cable runs, thicker cable is recommended. The below table is for 1.5mm and 2.5mm 2 core cable.
The above tables are a guide only. We strongly recommend that the voltage is checked with a volt meter at each fitting prior to final placement. Some external factors can affect performance, such as placement of cable etc.
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