Science will never cease to be amazing. There is always a new way to do things. For instance, who would have thought it possible to convert solar string lights into batteries?
Use 30 LEDs on a string. A power bank plus the cable that comes with it. Some heat shrink or some insulating tape. You will also need a soldering iron. A pair of snaps and a resistor of 100 ohms.
Once you convert the string lights to USB, it is no longer waterproof. You will have to use the string lights indoors. Maybe in a gazebo. Or a shaded outdoor living space.
Use a pair of snaps to cut one end of the USB cable. Then strip the cable off. Keep in mind that LEDs only pass voltage in one direction.
Then connect the positive of the cable with that of the string lights. Followed by the earth. Ensure you seal the cables properly afterward.
Once you connect the USB to the power bank. The string lights should light up.
Another way is by converting Solar garden lights to 5v power.
Test the solar panel output in direct sunlight. To confirm the voltage and current output.
Disassemble the lights. Don’t forget to remove the battery first. You will find a PCB with a few wires in it. And the power management IC.
Fortunately, it’s very simple. The grey and green lines are connected to the ambient light sensor. Which triggers the light to come on when it gets dark.
The yellow and black wires are the supplies of the solar panel. These are the ones we are interested in.
Beginning by desoldering the wires from the cable. Take note of the positive and negative if it’s not marked on the board.
Replace them with two picked-out wire connectors. Feed the wire through the hole next to the battery. Then solder the wires to the board.
Positive to positive and negative to negative. Next, throw tape onto the solar panel wires. So they don’t short on anything. Leave them tucked inside.
Screw the case back together. So now you focus on the other half of the pigtail connector. Which you will connect to the battery power supply that sources electric power.
With the solar rope light. You will need at least 3 volts of electricity. To power it all up.
When converting battery-powered lights to plug-in lights. You will need to find a power transformer. Of which you will cut the end off. So you can join the positives and negatives together.
You will always need to draw three times the current from the battery. As the LED will need.
Most likes aren’t run in series. It may look that way because the lights are lined in a row. But the wiring is different.
The reason being in series, the voltage drops across each bulb. It must be added together. To figure the total amount of voltage needed.
On the other hand, when wired in parallel. The voltage that is delivered to each bulb is the same.
If the bulb is incandescent, it should be fairly straightforward to rewire. Each fixture accepts an external power source.
The voltage and wattage of each bulb will determine the size of the transformer. As well as the amount of wire needed.
Most of the time, the voltage and wattage are marked. Or stamped at the base of the bulb.
If you have a meter, you should be able to measure the voltage. As well as the resistance of the bulb. Which can be converted into wattage.
Remove the battery, circuit board, and bulb. Purchase outdoor-rated bi-pin sockets and bulbs.
Assemble them where the removed item resided. Wire all the landscape path lights. Then hook them to a watt transformer.
The holiday season means festive lights display. Using a battery pack for Christmas is an option if you don’t have an outlet.
You can power string lights in one of two ways. With a power inverter or by rewiring the lights to run off batteries.
Most holiday lights are wired for standard household alternating current. (AC) hence can’t run on direct current.
A power inverter is the simplest option. You don’t have to rewire the string lights. When you combine it with a 12-volt battery to power your lights.
Once connected, the inverter draws the power. Then converts it into a current the holiday lights can process.
Have at least two battery sources. Leaving one to recharge while the other powers. This way, you can maintain a steady supply.
Just plug your Christmas light strands into the AC/DC inverter. In most cases, it is powered by a 12-volt battery.
When you have no outdoor outlet for Christmas lights. You can use the existing indoor ones.
These could be the outlets inside your house or basement. The most important thing is to choose the right outlet.
Once you finalize the outlet, you must pick an extension cord. It has to be the required length.
It would be best to select an outlet close to an outward-facing window. it will be easier to access the cables. As well as cut down the extension cord length.
Another way would be to make hanging Christmas lights by using solar power. It is a fantastic option. Since there are plenty of solar-powered Christmas lights available in the market.
These solar-powered LED Christmas lights are also available in many styles. Some of them are traditional gumdrop styles, stars, snowflakes, water drops, and rope lights.
Moreover, these lights can connect to Bluetooth. Thus, shine when you want them to.
Alternatively, you can use a portable power system. Some of these power systems include solar panels and generators.
If the above options are not suitable. You can find many flames flickering Led candles.
Surprisingly they look very much like real wax candles. These are simple and safe options that you can comfortably use.
Though they may not offer the same Christmas vibes as string lights, they can still light up your house.
Moreover, you can find some LED candles that are battery-powered. These LED candles can make your house look unique and cheerful.
How can you convert plug-in lights to batteries? Turn the lamp upside down to locate its wire. Trace it to the point where it reaches the electric lamp unit.
Gently disconnect the wire from the lamp’s electrical unit. Beforehand you should have purchased a rechargeable lantern battery. With an AC/DC wire attached.
Using a screwdriver, gently pry open the lamp’s electrical unit. Locate the point where the original wire is connected. There should be two copper wires.
Strip about half an inch of rubber off the tip of the two battery wires. Connect the positive of the lamp. With the positive of the battery.
Do the same with the negatives. Then wrap the electric wire up with electric tape. If possible, fit the battery inside the hollowed-out region of the lamp’s frame.
When it doesn’t fit. It will still function.
Cloudy days can get in the way of your solar lights charging to the maximum.
There are solar lights that come with cords. That can be plugged in so you can charge. Using standard electricity.
It’s very easy to convert string lights to solar lights. Moreover, they are very versatile. It can be used both outdoors and indoors too.
To connect the battery and solar charge controller. You will need appropriately sized wire, wire connectors, and fuses. To make this part easier, use a 12V plug adapter.
Cut the 12v plug socket off. Strip the cut wires so you can connect them to the charge controller. Locate the terminals on the charge controller.
Then insert the positive and negative stripped wire ends into their respective battery terminals. Use a precision screwdriver to tighten them.
When all wires are connected, the charger controller should come on. To indicate that it was properly connected to the battery.
Next, insert the solar panel wires into the screw terminals. On the solar charge controller. Then insert the negatives and positives, respectively.
Now connect LED string lights to the solar charge controller. Usually, there is a USB port. Test the lights to see if they will come on.
If you want to take advantage of the sun’s energy to power the outdoors. You can either hook the light up to a solar-powered battery system.
Or remove the light altogether. Then replace it with a stand-alone solar fixture.
The first option costs more, but it’s the way to go. Especially if you like your current fixtures.
Solar light fixtures are inexpensive and easy to install. They draw energy from a photovoltaic panel.
Photovoltaic cells are based on converting light directly into electricity. It is made of silicon which has a bonding mechanism. That prevents the free-flowing of electrons around.
They provide enough light to illuminate a walkway or garden. While saving you some coins on the electric bill.
It is possible to convert your favorite fixture to solar without replacing it. Begin by replacing the incandescent bulb with an LED bulb. They provide the same amount of illumination.
You will need at least one deep cell battery. It should be rated at least 150 amp hours. To allow the system to compensate for cloudy days.
The more charge the battery can hold. The longer it will power your lights. Virtually any solar panel with an output of 5 watts. Will charge the battery.
The size of the battery will determine the size of the panel.
A charge controller isn’t a requirement. But can come in handy when placed between the panels and the battery. It prevents the battery from overcharging.
The purpose of the inverter is to convert 12 volt DC power. To 120 volt AC. You can wire your existing light directly.
The battery needs to be protected from the elements. So it should be in an enclosure like a shed.
On the other hand, the panels should be located in a place that maximizes sunlight.
After you install the panels, connect them to the charge controller. Which should be close to the battery. Using low-voltage wire.
Next, connect the charge controller to the battery using battery cables. Finally, connect the inverter. Which should also be located close to the battery with batteries.
Since most inverters have receptacles. The easiest way to do this is to disconnect the light fixture from the electric panel.
Run a length of 12- or 14-gauge outdoor cable. From the light to the inverter. Connect one end to the light. Install a plug on the other end and plug it into the inverter.
After a full day of sunshine, your light should continue to shine brightly at night.
If you want to be able to operate the light manually, install a conventional wall switch. In a convenient location.
Run 12- or 14-gauge outdoor cable from the light to the switch. Then run a second length of outdoor cable from the switch to the inverter.
Don’t forget to install a plug on the wire between the switch and the inverter.
When you want the lights to come on automatically. Plug a timer or light sensor into the inverter. Then plug the lights into that.
Solar-powered lighting is great if you don’t have much experience working with the wiring. The reason is they don’t have any wires.
They are exceptionally energy efficient. This is because they run off the energy produced by the sun. As well as being virtually a no-cost lighting option.
When outdoor wiring lights to a plug. There are two wiring options. One is to hardwire the lights to the switch itself.
While the other is to wire it to an exterior outlet with a transformer. The switch would turn on the outlet. Which would then activate the transformer.
When you connect an outside light to a plug, you don’t want wires running everywhere.
Therefore, outdoor lights usually have underground wiring to keep the cables safe. This also hides them from view.
Wiring to the transformer. Each light fixture wires to it. The transformer, in turn, plugs into an exterior outlet.
Transformers operate your lights with either a timer or a photocell.
Timer-based transformers, turn the lights on or off at times you specify. So they’ll work at your pleasure.
Photocell transformers turn on and off with the sun! The photocell turns on the lights when it starts getting dark outside. Then turn them off when it brightens.
There’s no need to wire an outdoor light to a plug when it runs off of the sun! It is a renewable source of energy.
A solar yard light uses standard solar cells. Rather in a very straightforward application.
A single solar cell produces a maximum of 0.45 volts. Plus a varying amount of current. Which depends on the size of the cell. As well as the amount of light striking the surface.
Switching up your outdoor light fixtures is an easy way to revamp the look of a front porch. Having adequate outdoor lighting in your home is not only attractive. But also a safety precaution.
Outdoor lights typically have three wires: black or red (hot), white or gray (neutral), and ground (usually green or bare copper).
Once you identify these, it’s easy to connect the wiring to your new outdoor light fixture. Make sure to connect black to black, white to white, and ground to ground.
When working on any project using electricity, the most important thing to remember is to turn off the power from the main circuit breaker.
Do not reconnect until your project is finished. Make sure your work area is dry before beginning.
Remove the existing light from the wall. The screws may be located underneath a mounting plate, which can be lifted off
While holding the light fixture, untwist the plastic wire connectors, and wire ends to disconnect.
Replace the old hardware with the new mounting bracket. Using the bracket that came with the new light fixture is important.
Things like screw sizes and hole orientation vary with different manufacturers and models.
Connect the wires from the junction box to the wires on the new fixture. According to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Attach the new light fixture to the mounting bracket using the provided hardware.
In conclusion, solar lights are a versatile source of lighting. They save you the electric bill. They can light up even when there is no sun.
Converting them into batteries. You will need an inverter and a source battery. It is a simple DIY project.
The good thing about these solar string lights is their different aesthetics. It can be suitable for parties. As well as the bedroom.
Remember always to be cautious when dealing with electricity. Your body is a good conductor! You don’t want to end up electrocuted.