Battery powered led project - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: vgamesx2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2017, 01:18:05 am
content: I figured I'd share my little led project, the main couple uses I came up with is using it as a slightly better solar garden light or as a light that you can place somewhere that might be a bit of a hassle to hardwire.Parts list:TP4056 charging/cell protection -https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1pcs-5V-Micro-USB-1A-18650-Lithium-Battery-Charging-Board-With-Protection-Charger-Module/32477066539.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.xYnQmY- $0.31MT3608 boost converter -https://www.aliexpress.com/item/MT3608-2A-Max-DC-DC-Step-Up-Power-Module-Booster-Power-Module-For-Arduino-3-5V/32717135070.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.xYnQmY- $0.44RF LED controller -https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1set-Mini-Wireless-Single-Color-Remote-Control-Dimmer-DC-12V-11keys-RF-LED-Controller-for-led/32648399134.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.xYnQmY- $1.536V 0.6W solar panel -https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Portable-Mini-6V-0-6W-S-olar-Panel-Power-Poly-Module-DIY-Small-Cell-Charger-Solar/32738823484.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.xYnQmY- $0.84720mah Lipo -https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3-7V-720mAh-25C-Lipo-Battery-Spare-Part-for-Syma-X5-X5C-H5C-X5SC-X5A-RC/32513708248.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.xYnQmY$25PCS box -https://www.aliexpress.com/item/5pcs-Waterproof-Plastic-Electric-Project-Junction-Box-55x35x15mm/32697139571.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.gPPHRs$1.2 (currently cost more)10Pairs JST DS connectors -http://www.ebay.com/itm/222438275386?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT- $1.5LED strip - I already had some but 5M of non-waterproof should cost about $5 and waterproof about $8.Total cost per light is roughly just $5 each, a bit more if you decide to grab a larger box which can also house the battery inside it and you'll probably want some sort of sealant in order to keep moisture out of these boxes.

author: ZeTeX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2017, 11:30:56 am
content: With this solar panel and battery, it will take a few days to charge the battery.. is it acceptable for you?

author: vgamesx2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2017, 03:14:58 pm
content: Yes, the idea was to only run it when needed, which one of the reasons I added a remote, with those leds it should have a runtime of almost an hour at max brightness and I only planned on using it at maybe half brightness for at most 10 minutes at a time or have fewer leds and instead of it being solar powered putting it say in a hallway and just manually charging it once a week or so.

author: Audioguru
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2017, 09:42:53 pm
content: Is the cheap Chinese Aliexpress solar panel made with a plastic cover or a glass cover? The plastic covers on my cheap Chinese solar garden lights get sunburned and fail soon. The newer ones have a glass cover and they stay working well for a long time.The Li-Po battery has a very low price. Is it any good? The batteries that came with my Syma drones are good but cheap "replacement" batteries might be bad.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2017, 10:01:30 pm
content: Quote from: Audioguru on May 29, 2017, 09:42:53 pmGoing by the photograph, the solar cells appear to be potted, which should be very reliable, as long as the resin is UV resistant.

author: vgamesx2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2017, 08:13:56 pm
content: Quote from: Audioguru on May 29, 2017, 09:42:53 pmHero is correct it's potted in epoxy, the bigger failure point on this cell would probably be if you left the solder joint exposed and it becomes corroded, but you can get similar 1W solar cells for about $1, only reason I went with a 0.6W cell is because I was on a tight $20 budget, with a bunch of other junk in my cart, so I actually needed the extra 15 cents I saved going for a smaller cell in order to cram as many things as possible into my cart.As for the battery, I haven't really tested yet, I mean since it was only $2 I didn't really care too much, I'll give you an update hopefully in a few hours.

author: Audioguru
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2017, 09:03:40 pm
content: Maybe my cheap Chinese solar panels on solar garden lights got destroyed by acid rain, not by sunburn. The ones that I coated on an exterior UV-resistant wood finish last for a long time.

author: vgamesx2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2017, 11:33:38 pm
content: The results are in, I fully discharged the battery to the point it wouldn't give 100ma at 3v and then charged it up at 300ma and it's actually 650mah not quite the claimed 720mah but I'd say that's still great for $2.Yeah it's not the most accurate or scientific way of getting the capacity but close enough for me.