Posted 2006-04-11 5:32 PM (#40277) Subject: Picket Line Nightlights
Veteran
Posts: 233 Location: Tennessee
We were at Natchez Trace State Park this past weekend and noticed several picket lines with what looked like lights made from 5 gallon buckets. It gave off a diffused light that was perfect for keeping an eye on your horses. Does anyone know how these are made or where I can get one?
Posted 2006-04-11 9:58 PM (#40289 - in reply to #40277) Subject: RE: Picket Line Nightlights
Regular
Posts: 64 Location: West TN
Five gallon bucket, plastic, cut a hole in bottom of bucket, big enough to get your cord through. You will need a porcelan light fixture, attach this to the top of your bucket, ours attached with screws. attach cord to it. That's it. Now if your like me and really don't know anything about the wiring part of this. You will just have to ask how to, where you buy you. You can keep your cord in your bucket and when you get ready to use it, grab plug at bottom of bucket and pull cord out. My husband did ours, so I hope I'm explaining this simple enough. If you need more detail, I'll get him to answer your questions... Good luck.
Posted 2006-04-11 11:30 PM (#40294 - in reply to #40277) Subject: RE: Picket Line Nightlights
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Now I'm curious. Why go to the trouble to put the lights in a bucket? Why not just hang a light in the tree or focus a flood off your trailer?
I never have power where I am Highlining my horses. So I tie a light stick to my horses. Usually to their blanket, if no blanket to their halter. Snap the stick when I tie it on. Most are good for 8-12 hours. I can look out of my trailer or more often my tent and if I see all 4 lights, I know all four horse are still there.
If I look out and the lights are all hanging peacefully, then the horses are calm. If one or two lights are bouncing around, I know I've got a problem.
Posted 2006-04-12 10:18 AM (#40316 - in reply to #40277) Subject: RE: Picket Line Nightlights
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Newton, NJ
My kids bought me a great Coleman remote control lantern. I hang it on a tree and if I hear anything strange going on during the night, I just hit the remote and I can see what's going on. Much better than a flashlight!
Posted 2006-04-12 10:31 AM (#40319 - in reply to #40277) Subject: RE: Picket Line Nightlights
Veteran
Posts: 233 Location: Tennessee
What I liked about these lights was the fact that the light was not too bright to be intrusive to animals or people but enough to see what you need to.
Posted 2006-04-13 9:29 PM (#40403 - in reply to #40277) Subject: RE: Picket Line Nightlights
Veteran
Posts: 143 Location: southeast U.S.A.
Sheryl,
Seems that everyone at the Natchez Trace State Park has one of these lights, at least it seemed like everyone but us. Talked to some people about the construction and it was like a previous post stated. The only thing is they recomended a really translucent bucket for the best effect. We looked around for one but haven't found just the right bucket to make ours with yet. Someone suggested the frosting buckets at Wal-mart bakery but we tried there and they were saving them for the garden center if I remember correctly. We think the ones that you can buy to put paint,Ect. in are just to thick and wouldn't let the light out right. Also they recommended no larger than a 60 watt bulb.Good luck on your bucket-light project, Ardly
Oh, many of the ones that we seen had a rope tied to them so they could throw the rope over a tree limb and hoist it up to give you that cool moon effect.
Posted 2006-04-14 1:32 PM (#40430 - in reply to #40277) Subject: RE: Picket Line Nightlights
Member
Posts: 20
Location: Michigan
We have a Coleman Lantern on a 3' rod that screws into a regular size propane tank we keep in a milkcrate for light at night. We place it so the horses are between the light and the camper. It can be a little intrusive in some situations. This year we are also going to try light/glow sticks on the horses halters. I'm looking forward to seeing how they work.
Posted 2006-04-29 4:52 PM (#41072 - in reply to #40455) Subject: RE: Night Lights
Regular
Posts: 50 Location: Delta Junction, Alaska
Brisco
I have these both on my land and horse area and use them on trail rides. They work great! I would recommend that you spend the extra few $'s and get the better ones. They have a huge difference compared to the cheap ones. Learned that the hard way! Also take into consideration how much light you have for them to charge. I have 24hrs of light just about so its no problem here.
Picket Line Nightlights
