Simplest solar light?

Big Clive is like the Bob Ross of electronics.

During panel manufacturer they check for defects using electroluminescence... when current is driven through the PV cells they emit in the near infrared ( which should I think be detectable with an infrared webcam), e.g. <a href="https://youtu.be/-qdyxIybmoc" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/-qdyxIybmoc</a>

It adds that extra layer of protection against transistor damage. You can also accurately measure the current through the LED by measuring the voltage drop across the resistor. Just divide the voltage measured by the resistor value.

Big Clive

After fiddling, I now have a similar construction, apart from the use of a single 5730 led with a forward current of 150mA. The transistor limits the current to around 100mA so maybe there is no need for the 10ohm limiting resistor. another component off the list, is this right?

This is perfect! I'm pretty sure I have the makings for at least one of these.

Michael Thompson

If it had really been like Blue Peter, you would have had one you made earlier.. And where's the fun in that??

Gordo

Ahhh. Good old Elektor mag. I built a few things from it.

Malcolm J Bannister

This is what I Patreonize you for. These neat little circuits.

That was out of habit. Some cans have a little metal "V" in them that does snag moustache hairs.

Big Clive

Will also check the shittiness of the panels. And RIP Maplins

Demolished Man

Some time back I bought a couple of "nightlight" kits from maplins which use a single rechargeable AA battery and a small solar panel but they run out of juice in a couple of weeks. This is so much better and simpler, even I can probably have a go at it. A few phone batteries are going to get a new life - RIP Nokia.

Demolished Man

Why the quarter turn on the can tab? Helps against beard tangling?

Jon Weston

Who needs microcontrollers 😀?

i should have an old smartphone batery of several hundreds or a couple thousand mah to sacrifice.. and a couple old solarpanels from random cheap power´banks, one such has two panels and they can open. Man you are inspiring me!

Orkekum