Whether you’re out camping under the stars or the street lights of a campground, you may want some extra lighting outside your RV door, or to refresh the décor of your site.
Many travelers use Christmas tree lights or tube lights or LED strips to brighten the parking pad. However, there’s a newer technology available that may give you a more upscale, backyard feel that’s comparable in cost and lifespan to LED.
The Ambience Pro Solar string lights from Brightech, a Los Angeles-based lighting manufacturer, give you a greener, non-grid option for outdoor lighting.
Similar to the lights you may see on design television show yard rehabs or backyard weddings, these lights are great for making campsites more like your patio or deck at home.
With an eye for design and value, “Brightech has a mission to offer unique no-dust lighting products that fit right into your home [or RV],” says Becky Shalmoni, growth manager for Brightech.
The company, which began in 2012, has a focus on offering designer lighting products at an affordable price. While they focus on home lighting situations, these solar-powered lights give campers an upscale option for porch or picnic-area use while setting up at seasonal RV parks.
Equipped with a photocell light sensor, the lights will come on automatically at dusk, which is a plus for full-timers who may be off working or adventuring.
For instance, if the sun sets around 6 p.m., you’ll have light until around midnight. Traditional outdoor lighting requires at least a battery connection and remembering to set the timer.
String up the Ambience Pro solar lights and transform your backyard or campsite into a pleasant retreat. [Photo/Brightech]
Having tested out the lights myself, I’ve come to the conclusion that there is not anything out there like the Ambience Pro Solar 1W globe string lights from Brightech, after having looked around at some of the big box retailers. Brightech lights are so pleasing to the eye. More of a setting light versus a utility type of light, it definitely enhances the outdoor ambiance. They are durable, and I like the fact that I can either clip the solar panel to an awning or use the stake included.
The Ambience string lights give off 3,000 Kelvins of warm white light. Typical daylight is between 5,000 and 6,200 K, so these lights are bright, but not glaring like some LEDs, and they last a long time – 20,000 hours in full life span.
The 2,000-milliampere per hour (mAH) battery charges up in just 6 hours of sunlight. The LED Edison-style bulbs with the exposed filament stay cool to the touch even after several hours.
At 27 feet long and priced at $35, these solar-powered lights are a good length for most patio and canopy setups.
Brightech’s technology makes them weather-durable too. They stand up to the elements including rain, wind and extreme temperatures. According to customer reviews, the lights can withstand 50-mile-per-hour winds.
Made with weatherproof and waterproof 2-inch plastic shells, the LED string lights won’t break. The generous 5-year warranty covers malfunction and defects not related to natural disasters or damage from animals or other outside forces.
You can choose from four different designs in the Ambience line – Edison bulbs, round globes, corn-shaped globes, and corn-hanging bulbs. Each design gives a different look to your patio setup, or wherever you are adding them.
Hanging string lights is fairly simple. You’ll need a few supplies including plastic clips and electrical tape (if you’re stringing multiple strands together). You’ll also need two anchor locations if you want to suspend the lights across your patio or canopy.
You’ll need to make sure your solar panel is out in full sun if you use the canopy for hanging the lights. Check your camper orientation for best results. If you’re in a shaded lot, you may need to see which side of the RV gets the most sun each day. Remember, you’ll need at least 6 hours of full sun for fully charged lights.
Since the string lights may be stored for frequent travel, you may need to use clips for hanging the lights. If you’re hanging them under a protected overhang, small binder clips may be a good option for securement. If they’ll be more exposed, try plastic clothespins.
Shalmoni recommends that travelers wrap the lights in bubble wrap or cloth before stowing the lights for travel. A large paint bucket with a lid will keep your lights safe during travel and save space in your van or in your storage compartment.
Another travel hack is to make sure you wrap the lights around something to keep them from tangling. One flap from the top of a cardboard box works well for keeping lights organized and ready for quick retrieval.
Slip the lights into a reusable grocery bag to add even more protection inside the bucket or box. Use a gallon-sized plastic freezer bag or a small reusable grocery bag to hold your binder clips or clothespins.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective, long-lasting, stylish lighting system, learn more about Brightech’s Ambience Solar Pro lights here. They offer free shipping on orders over $50 to the contiguous 48 states.