- Totally get where you’re coming from—those solar caps can be hit or miss.
- I’ve noticed the newer ones claim better waterproofing, but honestly, I still see some fogging after a heavy rain.
- Edison bulbs do bring a nice vibe, but cap lights are just so clean-looking.
- If you’re leaning toward longevity, wired low-voltage still seems to outlast solar in my backyard.
- Either way, your fence is gonna look great—can’t really go wrong with either option.
Wired low-voltage really does hold up better over time, especially if you’re thinking about long-term value or minimizing maintenance. I’ve replaced a few solar caps after just a couple seasons—battery issues, water intrusion, you name it. That said, solar’s gotten a bit better lately, but I still see inconsistent performance if there’s shade or bad weather. If you’re flipping or renting out, wired lighting can be a subtle selling point too... just something to consider. The up-front install is more work, but you won’t be swapping out fixtures every couple years.
Had a similar experience last year—put in some solar post caps on a rental, thinking it’d be an easy win. Half of them were dead by spring, and the tenants kept texting about dark spots. Ended up running low-voltage wire anyway. Bit more hassle upfront, but way less headache down the road.
I get the hassle with solar post caps, but I’m not totally convinced wired is always the better call, especially for a first project. Here’s where I’m coming from:
- Solar’s hit or miss, true, but I’ve noticed a lot depends on brand and placement. Some of the cheaper ones barely last a season, but the pricier models on my parents’ fence are still going after two years.
- Wiring is solid, but it’s a bigger upfront job—digging trenches, dealing with connectors, and if you’re not careful, you can end up with voltage drop issues on longer runs. Not exactly plug-and-play.
- For rentals, I kinda like the idea of being able to swap out a dead solar cap in five minutes instead of troubleshooting wiring or transformers. Less risk if tenants get “creative” with landscaping, too.
Maybe it’s just me, but I’d rather swap out a few duds every spring than deal with electrical headaches. Guess it depends how much you want to tinker vs. set-it-and-forget-it.
I hear you—solar’s definitely come a long way, but I still see a lot of folks frustrated when those batteries start fading out mid-winter. You’re right about wiring being more work upfront, though. If you’re not up for trenching and waterproofing connections, solar is way less hassle. One thing I’ve seen: hybrid setups. A few key wired lights for reliability, then fill in with solar caps where it’s tougher to run wire. Kind of splits the difference, especially if you want some “always on” spots without overcomplicating the whole fence.
