Are you planning to put dock lights on a dock that sits on your property? It’s very important for you to do this regardless of whether or not you have a boat that you keep at your dock.
In fact, many cities and states have laws in place that require those who own docks to put lights on them. These lights are designed to let boaters know that your dock is there so that they don’t accidentally run into it when it’s dark outside.
If you’re in the market for dock lights at the moment, you should strongly consider going with ones that are solar-powered. They’ll be much easier to hook up than other dock lights, and they’ll also eliminate a lot of the stress that so often comes along with strategically positioning lights on a dock.
Here is a guide that will help you choose the right solar-powered lights for your dock.
Start by Searching for Companies That Specialize in Selling Solar-Powered Dock Lights
When you first find yourself on the hunt for solar-powered dock lights, you might not know where to look for them. Not all companies that sell dock lights are going to have solar-powered options in stock.
For this reason, you should compile a list of the various companies that specialize in selling solar dock lights. In this day and age, most companies that sell dock lights will have at least one solar option in their inventory. But that’s not always a guarantee.
By putting together a list of the companies that do sell them, you’ll be able to narrow down your search for solar-powered dock lights a lot easier than you would be able to otherwise. You’ll also be able to talk to companies about the options that they sell and learn how to add solar panels to a boat dock for lights through them.
Check to See Whether or Not Solar-Powered Dock Lights Will Be Bright Enough
Once you have a running list of the companies that sell solar-powered dock lights, you can take a closer look at some of the lights that they have available. You should try to check them out in person, if possible. But you can also get away with looking at photos of them online if you have to.
In the past, some people have criticized solar-powered dock lights for not being bright enough. So one of the things that you want to look for when scoping them out is whether or not they’re going to provide the light that you need.
The good news is that most modern-day solar dock lights are plenty bright enough and will light up your dock for all to see. But the last thing you want to do is find out too late in the game that you’ve bought lights that aren’t going to provide the brightness you need.
Look for Solar-Powered Dock Lights That Will Be Easy to Install
One of the reasons why solar-powered dock lights have become so popular in recent years is because they’re super easy to install compared to the alternative. There isn’t any dangerous electrical wiring that you’ll need to do to put them into place.
But—and this is a big but—there are some solar-powered dock lights that can be more challenging to install than others. You want to track down lights that are going to go up without a problem in just minutes.
You’re going to have enough stuff to worry about when installing new dock lights. You’ll have to figure out the answer to questions like, “How high should dock lights be mounted?”
By going with dock lights that are simple to install, you’ll make the installation process so much easier on yourself.
Avoid Solar-Powered Dock Lights That Will Require Too Much Maintenance
In addition to being easy to install, most solar-powered dock lights are also easy to maintain. As long as you’re willing to wipe your solar panels off so that they can absorb sunlight, you won’t have to worry about a thing.
There are, however, some dock lights that are going to call for more maintenance than others. If, for example, you buy lights that have low-quality batteries in them, it might not be long before you have to replace them.
Ideally, you should be able to get at least 7 years of life out of the batteries in your solar-powered dock lights. If that’s not a possibility, you should look for other lights that will do a better job of cutting down on your maintenance.
Make Sure Solar-Powered Dock Lights Are Built to Stand the Test of Time
Solar-powered dock lights usually get put through the wringer throughout the course of their life. Since they’re set up next to the water, they have to be very durable to put up with everything that will get thrown at them.
Unfortunately, not all solar dock lights are up for the challenge. Many will start to fall apart after getting inundated by rain, wind, and more over the years.
Your new dock lights aren’t going to last forever. But they should stick around for at least as long as the batteries inside of them. If the ones you’re thinking about buying don’t have a reputation for being durable, they won’t be the best fit for you.
Try to Find Solar-Powered Dock Lights That Will Fit Into Your Budget
At the end of the day, you want to install great solar-powered lights on your dock. But you don’t want to break the bank to do it.
It’s why you should spend a few weeks shopping around for dock lights so that you can be sure you land on ones that are the right price. Set a budget for yourself from the beginning and vow to stick to it.
Go Shop for New Lights for Your Dock Now
Your goal when shopping for solar-powered dock lights should be to find ones that are going to shine bright for many years to come. You want them to do their job without creating too much work for you.
By using the tips listed here, you can locate the right lights for your dock in no time. You can also do it without spending more money than you originally planned.
