A very important part of the grave decoration is, in addition to the gravestone or a grave cross, the plants and wreaths, a grave candle. It is placed on the grave on very special occasions to commemorate the deceased. The latest trend is electric grave lights with LED and solar.
For several years now, in addition to the tried and tested natural candles and battery-operated lights, more and more grave lights with LED and solar technology have been used on graves. Solar lights are lamps that are powered by a solar cell. They usually require very little maintenance and glow not just for a few days (like real candles) but for years. You can find out here exactly how a solar light works, what options are available and what you should pay attention to when buying.
What is a solar light?
Basically, a solar lamp is characterized by the fact that it generates the energy it needs to light the lamp using solar energy. Since a solar cell only provides small amounts of usable electricity, it is crucial that the light does not require high amounts of energy to provide enough light. That's why the luminous efficacy of solar lights only became truly effective when energy-saving bulbs such as LEDs came onto the market. Even solar lights don't work without a battery. However, conventional batteries are not used here, but accumulators that serve as a storage medium for the energy from the solar cell.
How do solar lamps work?
During the day, the lamp converts sunlight into electrical energy, which is stored in a rechargeable battery. In addition to this battery, most grave lights with solar technology also have a special electronic component, a light sensor. This sensor detects when darkness sets in. The lamp stores electricity during the day and the battery powers the LED light at night.
What you should pay attention to when buying
The advantages of a grave lamp with solar and LED cannot be denied, even if they are usually significantly more expensive than the wax (paraffin) alternatives or battery-operated models.
- are powered by green electricity
- do not produce harmful CO2 (carbon dioxide)
- are very durable
- environmentally friendly
In order to see whether it is really a good, long-lasting and therefore permanently usable grave light with LED and solar, you should take a closer look at the individual components. Quality in workmanship and the parts used usually pays off.
Housing
The housing is usually made of plastic and the lid is made of metal. In principle: A screwed housing is preferable to one that is glued or cast in one piece. Screwed housings are always an advantage when something needs to be checked or repaired. If the electric grave light no longer works, closed versions do not allow you to check whether a cable has come loose without destroying the entire lamp. Transitions and seams should also be barely visible and precisely processed so that no moisture can penetrate the electronics. There are also a few important factors when it comes to the plastic of the housing so that the lamp lasts a long time:
- UV-resistant
- temperature resistant
- shockproof
- waterproof
An important factor for grave lamps that are left outdoors in summer and winter is protection from water. Electronic components as well as the lamp itself must be additionally protected from moisture:
- LED lamp with additional water protection (encapsulated)
- Battery installed waterproof
Solar cell
Even a layperson can tell at first glance whether the solar cell is installed well and safely. Many inexpensive models simply have the solar cell glued to the top of the lid or embedded in a recess in the lid. Good grave lights with solar technology are equipped with an additional, thin glass or plastic pane over the solar cell. Since a solar cell can only break due to mechanical influences (shock, impact), the service life is enormously increased by a cover. Solar cells are available in two different versions:
- monocrystalline solar cells
- polycrystalline solar cells
The future location of the grave lamp is important for the choice. The two different compositions of the solar cells determine the electricity yield (efficiency). This is better with monocrystalline solar cells. If the grave light is in a shady place or if the sky is often overcast in winter, this technique should be used. Monocrystalline solar cells produce more electricity in the same time than polycrystalline cells, so the LED lasts longer. When purchasing, make sure that the grave light has a solar cell that charges the battery sufficiently even in diffuse lighting conditions.
Electronics
The electronic components are of fundamental importance in the lifespan of a grave lamp with LED and solar. The structure of the circuit and the components used determine the quality of the lamp. However, this is usually difficult for the layperson to recognize. The parts are often installed in such a way that they cannot be viewed more closely. The LED light and the battery are particularly vulnerable. If detailed instructions are available or the lamp is purchased from a specialist retailer, you can check or ask.
- LED with series resistor
- Charge the battery as constantly as possible
If you design a solar lamp to be particularly durable, you usually can't avoid a very complex circuit.
Battery
Rechargeable batteries serve as a storage medium for the energy generated during the day. If this battery is no longer functional, it is an advantage if it can be easily accessed and replaced. For this reason, good LED and solar grave lights have the battery in a compartment that can be easily pulled out. When choosing batteries, preference should be given to environmentally friendly versions. Nickel-cadmium-lead batteries are less susceptible to self-discharge and therefore last longer, but environmentally friendly solar lamps should be equipped with nickel-metal hydride batteries. They are commercially available under the name Ni-Mh battery. The battery in the solar light should also have as high a capacity as possible so that it can absorb a lot of energy and deliver electricity over a long period of time.
Other
When purchasing electric grave lights with LED and solar, you should also make sure that the light source has high luminosity. Otherwise, the lamp may only be visible at close range because it only emits a small amount of light. LEDs usually have high luminosity. They are also available in different colors. Warm white light is recommended for a good atmosphere.
Prices
High-quality components and good workmanship are reflected in the price. Although electric grave lights with LED and solar are available in stores for around 3 to 4 euros, if you want to buy a long-lasting light, you will have to dig a little deeper into your pockets. Depending on the design, high-quality solar lamps for the grave cost between 25 and 40 euros. An investment that is still worth it, as the grave light will last for many years.
Care and maintenance of solar lights
Solar lights are generally very easy to care for and work without any problems in summer and winter as long as the temperature does not fall significantly below -15 degrees Celsius. If it gets colder, the components are below the normal operating temperature and the electronics (especially the battery) no longer work at full power. Solar lights break more often due to impacts than due to defects in their components. Especially in winter, care should be taken to ensure that the lamp is not accidentally stepped on or hit, for example in snow, as the materials become brittle in the cold and therefore break easily.
In order for the battery to provide sufficient performance for a long time, it must be constantly charged and discharged. Longer periods of decommissioning have an unfavorable effect on the battery and its lifespan is reduced rapidly. In practice this means: light must fall on the solar cell. You should therefore check frequently in autumn and winter to ensure that leaves or snow are not covering the solar cell. If a solar light no longer works, in most cases it is simply the battery that is no longer working properly. With a good grave lamp with solar, it can usually be replaced very easily.
Tip:
Do not store a solar lamp for a long time. Periods in which the battery is not charged and discharged again shorten its life expectancy enormously.
Conclusion
When buying an electric grave light with solar and LED technology, pay particular attention to a powerful battery. Visible components that even a layperson can recognize good workmanship and high quality include, on the one hand, a cover for the solar cell, which protects it from impacts, and additional protection for the LED lamp and the battery from water. The battery should also be easy to replace.
