#LIGHT BULB POWERED BY COPPER SOLARCELL HOW TO#
#LIGHT BULB POWERED BY COPPER SOLARCELL FULL#
#LIGHT BULB POWERED BY COPPER SOLARCELL PORTABLE#
#LIGHT BULB POWERED BY COPPER SOLARCELL SERIES#

#LIGHT BULB POWERED BY COPPER SOLARCELL SERIES#

Series resistors connected to each of the LED will restrict the current and light them up safely.Ĭonnecting the resistors to the LED leads themself would interfere with the flexibility of the LEDs and hamper the string effect therefore, fixing the resistors over the circuit board and connecting just the wires to the LED string from the PCB would be much cleaner and more reliable.Īs shown in the figure alongside (click to enlarge), begin by interconnecting the LEDs together using small lengths of good quality flexible wires as illustrated. Since the forward voltage drop of colored LEDs is around 2 volts, the supply voltage of 4.5 volts can be a bit too much for them to tolerate. If you desire to use the present circuit for decoration purpose, you will need to connect the LEDs together through flexible wires so that they may be hung or attached or oriented anywhere as one wishes. They also look pretty attractive and catchy.

#LIGHT BULB POWERED BY COPPER SOLARCELL HOW TO#

Strip of general PCB (recommended) How to String the LEDs?Ĭolored String lights commonly used during festive occasions or parties greatly help to enhance the mood and the ambiance.

(1.2V each, Ni-Cd cells, connected in series), (If colored LEDs are used)īattery 4.8V = 4nos. (If intended for decorative purpose, colored LEDs may be used), You will require the following parts to make your own solar lights: Once built and integrated, the above unit should go on forever, lighting up any area you wish, every night, with absolutely no energy bills. The transistor ensures that the LEDs illuminate only when the panel stops producing any electricity, i.e. We don’t want to keep the LEDs lit unnecessarily even during broad daylight, consuming power from the solar cell and slowing down the charging process. The introduction of the transistor is also crucial.

#LIGHT BULB POWERED BY COPPER SOLARCELL FULL#

Because, as the maximum voltage of the solar panel is 14 volts (under full sunlight), means during shady hours it will still produce voltage at least above 5 volts, enough to operate the present circuit comfortably. The present parameters also ensure that the circuit works smoothly even during overcast conditions or if the solar panel is not receiving incident sunlight. Here, the addition of the voltage regulator makes it sure that its output voltage (6V) is perfectly matched to the battery voltage (4.8V - The charging voltage is always kept a little higher than the voltage of the battery under charge). The idea of lighting a few LEDs using a solar panel may appear quite straightforward, but it is not.Īs we already know, charging a battery requires proper dimensioning of the source power and it should match with the battery specifications. But, in that case the above solar panel will not be able to power them up during overcast conditions and it can be used specifically only if the sunlight is perfectly optimized. Maximum Power: 5 Watts (Multiplying the above parameters).Īlthough the above specifications of the solar panel allows it to be just enough for the present circuit, you may go ahead and experiment a bit by increasing the number of batteries or LEDs to increase the lighting capacity. Maximum Current: 350mA perpendicular sunlight), Maximum Voltage: 14 V perpendicular sunlight), The specifications of a sample solar panel (see figure and click to enlarge) suitable for charging four Ni-CD cells (1.2V each, total 4.8) and powering a few LEDs is provided as follows: But don’t bother much about direct sunlight as even under shade (during day time) the power delivered by it will be sufficient to charge the battery utilized for the present string lights. This solar cell is to be installed outdoors (where plenty of sunlight is accessible), maybe in the garden premise or over a lawn area or the gazebo or a RV awning. One similar to the panel pictured at right can be purchased at.

#LIGHT BULB POWERED BY COPPER SOLARCELL PORTABLE#

Solar Panel SpecificationsĪ small portable solar panel specified for the present circuit is quite economical and will serve to provide a long life converting light into pure electricity.

The proposed circuit will charge few a Ni-Cd cells during daytime through a portable solar panel and will automatically switch ON a set of LEDs as soon as night falls. This article deals only with the technical part of the above subject. Did you know you can even build your own lights powered by solar cells? Here I’ve produced some directions to making your own solar powered string lights. It’s not surprising at all why solar cells are getting so popular. I find it miraculous that scientists could conceive of such an idea, and now ordinary folk like us can take advantage of their discoveries. Solar cells: expose them to sunlight or in fact any light and they start producing electricity almost from nowhere.

Light bulb powered by copper solarcell