| Rosewill RSL-113 Solar Infrared Dual-LED Lights |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Accessories | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Written by Olin Coles | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sunday, 03 March 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rosewill RSL-113 Dual-Head PIR Solar Lights
Manufacturer: Rosewill, Inc. Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Rosewill. Benchmark Reviews tests a lot of computer-related hardware, so this item might seem out of place. Performance enthusiasts invest in their gear, so it makes sense to ensure it's safe and protected. The Rosewill RSL-113 Dual-Head PIR Solar Light is a (passive) pyroelectric infra-red activated lighting system that draws power from three AA solar-charged batteries located inside the unit. In this article, Benchmark Reviews investigates the Rosewill RSL-113 Solar-Charged Infrared Dual-LED Lights. Features
Specifications
Features and Specifications Courtesy of Rosewill Closer Look: Rosewill RSL-113Rosewill RSL-113 Solar-Charged Infrared Dual-LED Lighting System is available online for $24.99 (NewEgg / Amazon). The kit includes a dual-head LED unit with integrated PIR sensor, a solar-charging panel, three AA 1300mAh Ni-MH rechargeable batteries, mounting hardware, and an installation guide.
Produced in soft white colored plastic, the Rosewill RSL-113 comes with two adjustable 1-Watt LED lights and a (passive) pyroelectric infra-red sensor located at the base of the unit. Documentation is limited, but based on appearance and design I suspect that this product uses Cree LED components.
The lighting system's three AA rechargeable batteries are accessed from back of the RSL-113, hidden behind a sealed mounting plate. Similarly, the dual-head LED lamp heads swivel and turn atop the sealed housing.
The PIR sensor located at the bottom of the Rosewill RSL-113 unit turns approximately 200-degrees (until the 'eye' bumps against the housing) for a full "field of view". Likewise, the dual-LED lamp unit swivels roughly 180-degrees, with each lamp turning out away from center or up/down another 80-degrees.
Each round LED lamp 'dome' is approximately 3.25" diameter, atop the 4.00" tall by 2.6" wide Rosewill RSL-113 body, with the PIR sensor requiring an additional inch of clearance. Overall, the unit measures nearly 8.5" when lights are facing front center (9.5" if they're pointing upward). The solar panel and charging functions are explained in the next section... Rosewill RSL-113 Detailed FeaturesThe Rosewill RSL-113 lighting kit comes complete with a solar-cell charging unit. The solar panel unit measures 5.75" wide by 4.15" tall, and produces up to 7-Watts of peak charging power... more than enough to charge three AA 1300mAh Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (included). Solar power output averaged 6.85-6.95 Volts at 85-95 mAh during mid-day testing. Maximum output on bright, clear, days will yield closer to 7.0V at 100 mAh.
The backside of the solar panel reveals a bulb-pivot that enables angled adjustment up to 35-degrees tilt in every direction, and unlimited turn rotation. The solar panel connects into the underside of the Rosewill RSL-113 lighting unit. Alternatively, the solar panel offers a 16-foot cord, perfect for custom placement for either portion of the unit.
The Rosewill RSL-113 is easy to install, and comes with plenty of mounting hardware so that the solar panel can be attached directly to the lighting unit housing if desired. The unit is designed so that when charging (in the presence of sunlight) the lamps will not shine, and thereby only activated (and drawing power) at night.
For my installation, I choose to illuminate the side of my home that receives sun during the day but has no light source available at night. Notice that the lamps hang down from the roof's eave from an attached length of 2x4 lumber, and point out towards the side while the solar panel has been mounted with direct exposure to sunlight at the eave a few feet away. Rosewill RSL-113 ConclusionIMPORTANT: Although the rating and final score mentioned in this conclusion are made to be as objective as possible, please be advised that every author perceives these factors differently at various points in time. While we each do our best to ensure that all aspects of the product are considered, there are often times unforeseen market conditions and manufacturer changes which occur after publication that could render our rating obsolete. Please do not base any purchase solely on our conclusion, as it represents our product rating specifically for the product tested which may differ from future versions. Benchmark Reviews begins our conclusion with a short summary for each of the areas that we rate.
The Rosewill RSL-113 dual-LED solar-charged lighting system is meant to illuminate small areas out-of-reach for installed light fixtures. The LED lamps on this system are not spotlights, meant to replace broad-distance halogen bulbs or flood lamps. While the dual-LED lamps may offer sufficient light for small driveways, they're better off being focused on localized areas such as: gates, walkways, sidewalks, or an alleyway. Each 1W LED lamp will create a very bright focused area at the center of its beam approximately 3-feet diameter, with an illuminated dispersion area approximately 15' in diameter (dependent upon elevation from ground). The LED's beam is similar to a single-bulb flashlight, with uneven diffusion. On my installation, the Rosewill RSL-113 was placed on the dark side of my home where no other light sources reach, and when something with a heat signature comes within 30-feet of the PIR sensor then both lamps shine to illuminate an area nearly 30-feet wide with positioned beams. Appearance is subjective, especially for a product that will likely be installed onto a home, so I'll cover the fine points. The Rosewill RSL-113 comes in soft-white colored plastic, and with careful masking it can be painted to match the exterior of any area where it's mounted. I choose not to paint the unit since white contrasts against the dark brown color of my roof eaves, allowing the lighting unit to act as a visible deterrent. In comparison to glass-bulb flood lamps, the Rosewill RSL-113 kit is far more durable than traditional lighting solutions. The dual-LED system is constructed of high-impact plastic, but it's not indestructible. If positioned low enough, the unit could be struck destroyed by vandalism. However, under most circumstances the dual-LED lighting system will survive the harshest weather conditions. As of March 2013, the Rosewill RSL-113 Dual-Head PIR Solar Light Kit sells for $24.99 (NewEgg / Amazon). It comes with three AA 1300mAh Ni-MH rechargeable batteries, which have a lifetime of ten years or longer depending on usage and depletion, and does not require replacement bulbs. Rosewill offers a one-year warranty for the kit, just in case one of the LED lamps has problems or something goes wrong with internal electronics. The Rosewill RSL-113 solar-charged infrared dual-LED lighting system is ideal for several practical applications, especially where no power source is available. Rubber weather seals keep moisture out, allowing the lights to be positioned in exterior location exposed to wet conditions. The lights are bright enough to shine out beyond 30-feet, but work best for confined areas light walkways or gates. The LED lamps met my expectations, and will likely serve my needs for many years before maintenance is required. I recommend the Rosewill RSL-113 solar-charged lighting kit, as it offers excellent value for the money and delivers good overall performance. Pros:
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