REVIEW: IC Iclover LED motion security lights

Kyle from IC Iclover lights sent me their solar motion sensor 100-LED 2-pack lights to test & review.

Links: >> https://www.icloverlights.com

IC Iclover on Amazon: **COPY & PASTE LINK, for some reason the link formatting on this post is not hot-linking directly) >> Amazon.com

Even though these are not a flashlight or lantern, they do fall into a category i do use around the house, and especially on my RV travel trailer. Also adding a lanyard attached to the two screw holes these can be used while camping as tree hanging lights or security lights around camp.

- These type of lights are great for cottages, cabins, remote off-grid living, farms, sheds, garages, and anywhere you need more security lighting where you don’t have electricity. I have three other solar charged, motion lights i installed on my RV trailer now from a couple years ago, they cost around 38 to 50 bucks each at the time, and i have a couple others i bought locally i have near my patio i paid 35 bucks a piece for.

  • After some testing of these, I was quite impressed of the performance. These lights have a 18650 Li-Ion cell, that i tested to an actual rating of just under 1900 mAh, ( thy were stamped for a rating of 2200 mAh) The cells both lights tested close to the same at around 1850 ~ 1900 mAh. * Image below show the inside workings of these lights, and the 18650 cell test results:

Below is the 15 minute video review & thoughts on these lights, (please bear with my overly fast talking & Irish accent! I need to learn to slow down and speak better in videos. :person_facepalming: :smiley:

- The quality & design seems to be quite good, i do like the design of the angled SMD LED boards on these, as they do illuminate a very wide angle, almost the full 180 degrees on a wall mounted position very evenly. From my testing,m the motion sensor works best when mounded between 4 feet to 7 feet off the ground.
The sensors begin to pick up motion from an average of 10 to 12 feet away. Average for these types of lights. I do like the mode options on these, and also can be turned off completely (for when traveling with the RV or trailer) One of the good places for these is over the side door of a camper trailer, RV, or even a utility trailer, as they can be switched off when traveling, and turned on for extra security at night and when opening the door at nights. The same would apply to mounting over a garage door, house door, shed door, cottage door, cabin door, and many other places where good, bright, motion lights are needed.

The modes are accessed with the small electronic switch located just under the sensor.

- Mode #1 sets the light into bright motion only, after detecting motion it turns on High-output for 15 seconds, then turns off, if no motion is detected.

- Mode #2 sets the light into garden “low” light mode after the sun sets, but when motion is detected it turns on the high mode for 15 seconds, then after no motion is detected it goes back into the low “ambient light” mode.

- Mode #3, sets the light into dawn/dusk mode only as a low output fro most of the night. (roughly 7 to 8 hours.) no motion light or detection. Now, in this mode its a night “garden solar light” mode, but while is dimmer than the motion setting, its still much brighter in output than most small solar garden lights.

While clicking the switch from off, it will flash once for the first mode, twice for the 2nd mode, and three times for the third mode. clicking it again turns off the light completely. (but while its turned off, the solar panel seems to still keep the 18650 cell “topped up” on charge.

Most all of the solar-charged motion lights i have used & tested all used either Ni-Cad batteries or Ni-MH batteries, this is the first solar motion lights i seen or tested that use-Lithium Ion 18650 cells. The circuit seems to be well regulated, as after an 8 hour sunny day of solar charging the cells are topped up to an average of 4.17 volts. I am curious though how these will do in the cold winter months of Canada, as Lithium Ion does not like to be charged when extremely cold, but in this case with the small panel its more of a slow low-amp “trickle” charge, so they may be ok.

One issue with these type of solar charged lights with the built in panels, is that you need to mount them where the tiny panel can get as much sunlight as possible. mounting them under a eave, or on a wall facing north will result in partial charging, where the cell will only partially charge during the day, (especially on cloudy days)
The larger lights with the remote wired panels are better suited for those locations, as the panels can be mounted on the roof or facing south for more sun, while the light itself can be mounted under a shaded eave or on a north facing wall.)

As mentioned in the video the tint seems to be around an average 6000K to 6500K as typical standard “white” LEDs. I would prefer if they were around 5000K for this type of light, but that would likely drive costs up considering there are so many SMDs used on the angular panels in these lights.

The internals seem to be well put together. (soldered joints are clean, single 18650 cell wrapped with its wires attached using a small computer-fan type olug to the circuit PCB, and the solid aluminum SMD LED panels. one thing i noticed though there is no seal or gasket between the back cover and the light. meaning over time moisture & water can leak in. The first thing i would do with these is spray the circuit boards with a corrosion inhibitor or oil to prevent corrosion from moisture, and seal the back cover with silicone sealant to keep water out. these tips will help them last much longer against corrosion. I do this with every solar or motion light i buy & use, and they always last years longer.

Here are my pros & cons of these lights.

PROS:

  • good cost value for the pack of two lights.
  • bright, good usable 3 modes
  • wide angle light coverage
  • will run all night per day of charge.
  • good sensor sensitivity for the type of motion light
  • very versatile for use on many locations with integrated trickle solar panel. (no separate wired panel)
  • 18650 cell has good capacity for a low cost solar light, (while not at the 2200 mAH rating, they still are not to bad at tested 1800+ mAH

CONS:

  • need better water & moisture sealing for the back cover.
  • Need an extra mounting hole for screws on the bottom of the light. ( the two top screw holes are not secure enough to use on moving trailers or RVs if you don’t use adhesive along with the screws to secure the light. (Use the included adhesive and use stainless steel screws helps.
  • built in panel means the light has to be mounted in a area where it can receive the most sun, ( facing south (east/west) and not under a shaded eave or awning.

- Overall, for the cost of these lights for the 2 pack, i give them a thumbs up for a good, low cost, bright, solar motion or security light for many uses where you have no electricity.

Factory Specs)
Factory Specs:

  • Intelligent Modes of Solar light:

1. Medium Light Mode:

  • The solar light will charge in the day, Auto turn on to continuous bright light in darkness or at night.

2. Dim Light Sensor Mode:
-The product charges in the day, auto turn on dim light in darkness or at night when no motion is detected;
it will turn to bright light when motion is detected and last about 20 seconds; it will turn to dim light again when there is no motion.

3. Sensor Mode
-the product charges in the day, auto turn on bright light in darkness or at night when motion is detected
and last about 20 seconds; the light will go off when there is no motion.

4.Finally, Light-off Mode

  • It will be turned off after press the button again.

Specifications:
Lithium-ion battery: 3.7 V, 1800 mAh
Output:5.5V, 1.2W
LED light: 100 PCS,
Motion angle and distance : 180 degrees, 20 feet

Note:

- Before the first use, please make sure the solar light are be charged with sufficient sunlight for 12 hours.

  • The solar light should be installed in places where sufficient sunshine is available.
    -The solar panel can charge quicker under strong sunlight. It can not charge or charge slowly under weak sunlight.
    The charging time depends on the intensity of sunlight.
    -The light time depends on the power it saved in the day.

*Part Number - HWBD001
Item Weight - 12.8 ounces
Product Dimensions - 5.1 x 3.7 x 2 inches
Color - Black
Material - ABS
Power Source - battery-powered, solar-powered/Charged
Voltage - 3.7 volts
Wattage - 2 watts
Type of Bulb-SMD LEDs (100)
Special Features - Rechargeable Battery
Batteries Included-Yes
Battery Cell Type-Lithium Ion
Description Pile-1800MAH*