KronoReview: TomTop L0905W Solar Charged Outdoor Security Light

EDC Gear for Flashlight Carriers
1

I was in the mood to review something a little different than a flashlight or a watch, so here you have it…the KronoReview of the L0905 Solar Wireless Outdoor Security Light. This item was provided free by TomTop for review.

TomTop Regular price: $18.13. Get it here.

Description/Features/Specifications etc. (From TomTop product page):

High quality LED landscape spotlight with human motion sensor and light sensor, it adopts human infrared induction technology. Perfect lighting products for places such as patios, garage, balcony, gardens, yard etc.

Features:
Adopting human motion infrared technology, energy-saving and environmentally friendly.
Light sensor: the lamp will switch on automatically in a dark condition.
Easy to install by using a set of screws, no wires and technicians required.
Ideal for areas where conventional electricity supply is not available.
It can be used in a wide range of places such as patios, garage, balcony, gardens, yard etc.

Specifications:
Solar panel: Amorphous silicon
LED quantity: 14 LEDs
Material: ABS
Battery: 1 * 3.2V 400mAh lithium battery (included)
Sensor type: Human infrared induction & light sensor
Motion detect: 3-7 meters
Detect angle: 120 degree
Senor delay: 15 seconds
Hanging Distance: 1.8-2.5 meters
IP rating: IP44
Luminous flux: 150LM
Working time: 8-10 hours
Charging time: 4-6 hours
Item color: Black
Color temperature: White (6000-6500K)
Solar panel Size: 14.5 * 11.5cm / 5.7 * 4.5in (L * W)
Item weight: 390g / 13.8oz
Package size: 22.5 * 21.0 * 10.0cm / 8.9 * 8.3 * 3.9in (L * W * H)
Package weight: 520g / 18.3oz

Package list:
1 * Solar PIR Spotlight
1 * User Manual (English)
1 * Installation Kit

KRONOREVIEW:

The Solar charged L0905W security light has two clusters of LEDs, with 7 LEDs per can. It also comes with a quick-release mount/hardware, solar panel and internal Lithium-Polymer battery. It is shipped with ample protection in a box with form-fitting Styrofoam. The light is activated easily with an infrared motion sensor. The light stays on for approximately 30 seconds, and then slowly ramps down/fades to off.

PROS:

Inexpensive.
Solar-Charged, battery powered…requires no other electrical source.
Li-Po 3.7v 14500 battery.
2 separate, aimable beams.
Easy to mount (5-10 minutes) with two screws.
Quick connect/disconnect mounting plate.
Highly resembles a security camera.
Motion activated. This light activates easily when there is movement within about ~20 ft. or so.
Lots of adjustability.
30 second timer, so won’t run down the battery.
Has been through several frog-stranglers and still works great.
Mount it and forget it.

CONS:

Thin plastic housing.
Small battery.
Weak, spot-like beams with little flood.
Needs a rubber mount plate seal/gasket to prevent water ingress into mounting area.
More a spot light than flood.

PICTURES


Packaged in a white cardboard box.


Well protected on inside with ample form-fitting Styrofoam packing.


Out of the box with mounting bracket and mounting hardware.


Topside.


A look at the under-side.





Here’s lookin’ at you, kid. 7 LEDs per can, 14 LEDs total.


Solar panel.



Housing opened up and Li-Po (LiFePO4) exposed.


Mounting area selected.


Installed.


Activated at dusk.



Ground shots of spot-like beams.

SUMMARY

Build quality and thin plastic housing was very suspect when I opened the box. The housing seemed decently built, but the thinness of the plastic was a concern. However, it has been mounted on my house for 3 months now, and has never failed to activate. We have had some huge rain-storms recently, especially about 2 months ago, that caused tremendous flooding in the state of Texas. However, this little unit has held up well with no adjustments or maintenance at all. Cost, I believe, is a smidgeon high. It would be better at about $12-$15. Overall, a reasonably tough little light…with limits, but zero maintenance.

KRONOMETER RATING:
Cost: 3
Looks: 4
Durability: 3.5
Function: 3.5
Average: 3.5/5

Thanks!
krono

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Hi,

Thanks for this, but the battery looks like 14500, rather than 10440?

Also, do you think puttting some DC-fix on top of the LEDs would give a more spotty beam?

It looks like the battery (is there really only ONE 14500 for both cans?) is soldered in? How hoard is it to get to it to replace?

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Yes…thanks for noticing Ohara. Definitely 14500 and not 10440.

It is possible that DC-fix would help, but I don’t have any.

And yes…there is only one battery (soldered in)…but remember, the light is motion activated and only stays on for 30 secs at a time…so capacity shouldn’t be too much a problem…unless the neighborhood varmits are having an all night party in your garbage can. :smiley:

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Thanks krono. Its nearly $27.00 Aussie dollars. I’d be in for one or two at twenty.

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Maybe they can run a special…I will ask. :slight_smile:

6

Nice review

I got to ask…
What is it with that roof?
Did you remove a piece of gutter for this light?

7

Funny that. I did wonder the same thing. Maybe the guttering was 10% off when it was bought. :stuck_out_tongue:

8

I’m curious how it behaves when you get a windy night and the vegetation is blowing around.

(I have several motion sensor lights but they can be fooled by plants moving, when we get a hot nighttime wind)

9

is there a flood version for this type of light?

10

Nice review, Kronos. I have had lousy luck with premature failure of cheap outdoor solar lights. Might be willing to try one of these though.

11

I wish these types of lights would have slots for 18650 opposed to including tiny batteries like this 14500. I think reflectors would also be better than TIR optics for outdoor use.

12

Funny story.

I bought the gutter parts from Home Depot or Lowe’s…can’t remember which. Stored them next to my truck for a few months until I had a weekend to install them. Then promptly ran over a section with my truck before I could do the install. I blame the kids, the dog, aliens…or certainly feral cats for intentionally knocking that gutter section into my trucks path. Nevertheless, I was a bit short, too lazy to go buy more, and that small gutterless section with the light hangs over the yard anyway.

Or if you prefer, I installed the gutters that way to make room for the light. :stuck_out_tongue:

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:laughing:

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That’s kind of a cool little utility light. I think an 18650 would take forever to charge and not be practical plus, like you said, it’s only on for 30 seconds at a time so the 14500 is doable. At least I know why you aren’t on skype much these last few days. Catching up on reviews?

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:smiley: good planning, it is dark every night with 100% certainty…
:smiley:

16

I think this is a correct. It doesn’t need the extra capacity at 30 seconds a pop.

Yep…several more to catch up on :frowning:

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Not that I am aware of.