Lighting up my mailbox

Figured getting the address lit up at night wouldn't be a bad idea considering I am a huge buyer / seller on craigslist. That, and my mailbox will be custom painted so why not? Anyways, any suggestions? My mailbox is about 100 feet from the front of my house, so getting power there will be the biggest hurdle.

My first thought is to look into a solar power method. You know those solar garden lanterns, or walkway lights? They usually use a rechargeable AA or two. You could dissect one of them and run your lighting off of that, depending on what lighting you're wanting exactly.

alkatmsu wrote:

My first thought is to look into a solar power method. You know those solar garden lanterns, or walkway lights? They usually use a rechargeable AA or two. You could dissect one of them and run your lighting off of that, depending on what lighting you're wanting exactly.

That was my first thought as well.

Excellent idea! I bet I could get one of those for free off craigslist too. Hrm...

If I find something like that to use, I can just wire up a few leds. I'm pretty sure those things are sunlight activated too, so they would only be on at night. Think it would work? I wonder if I could find a wiring diagram online for one of them

Yeah, they only come on once it gets dark. This could be really cool once complete. Make sure to keep us updated.

http://www.ecvv.com/product/1992712.html

Use a Harbor Freight Solar battery charger and a small 12 volt battery (power wheels)built into the post bottom ... And a dusk/dawn sensor

^^Excellent idea Sir.

I like the idea...but I could see kids putting fireworks in it to blow it up

You meet people from craigslist at your own house?

There is no one in milwaukee that would do anything against the law, he's ok.

Kyle, thats what insurance is for. In Wauwatosa you need to have your address lit up, and I'm not putting it on my house.

As for craigslist I'm sure not going to drive all over town 30 times a day, and I am completely honest about things so I don't have problems with buyers or sellers ever. I have plenty of firepower at the house if push comes to shove

I can't wait to see this

pOrk wrote:

I have plenty of firepower at the house if push comes to shove

my hero

I just bought a 12 volt battery for a UPS (exide ep-1229w) 7.2 amp/hours. It is small (6inch x 4 x 2.5) and they also had smaller ones about the 1/3 of the size.

pOrk wrote:

Kyle, thats what insurance is for. In Wauwatosa you need to have your address lit up, and I'm not putting it on my house. As for craigslist I'm sure not going to drive all over town 30 times a day, and I am completely honest about things so I don't have problems with buyers or sellers ever. I have plenty of firepower at the house if push comes to shove

I know the homeowners would cover it...but such a pain in the ass to do and that feeling of someone violating your personal space and property would get old. I would put aside money for an outdoor surveilance camera if you have issues with people messing with it. I think it would look awesome though and def set your house apart from the rest of the block

No skin off my back if someone knocks it down, I'll just buy another one and get a new paint job. I'd be so happy to have a new mailbox every 6 months, beats paying for new paint that often thats for sure!

Have a closet full of mailboxes that are already painted haha.

corvettecrazy wrote:

You meet people from craigslist at your own house?

I dont like meeting people at gas stations and such, If im buying something for more then 30-40bucks and they dont want me to meet at there house I get the feeling there may be something up with the item... and I wont meet them. Same for when im selling, I prefer to do it out of my house so incase there is some issue with the product they know where to find me and get the situation taken care of.

The people I typically meet on Craigslist are wearing masks and we are in a hotel room.

Moss wrote:

The people I typically meet on Craigslist are wearing masks and we are in a hotel room.

Yea, I've heard man on man is pretty discreet