Add a little light by combining a solar powered LED to your traditional Japanese Toro Stone Lantern. I found this lantern while clearing some overgrown shrubs in my back yard. I decided it would make a perfect day and night feature to the end of my deck.
Now it's set up by my bedroom window and it stays on all night providing a focal point at the end of my deck during the day, and a warm glow all night long. At least I think it stays on all night although it is off in the morning when the sun comes up... I've offered to set the alarm for 3:00 am so my girlfriend can confirm it doesn't go out, however she isn't inclined to do me this favor.
I had a good time doing this Instructable. I hope you do too!
Now it's set up by my bedroom window and it stays on all night providing a focal point at the end of my deck during the day, and a warm glow all night long. At least I think it stays on all night although it is off in the morning when the sun comes up... I've offered to set the alarm for 3:00 am so my girlfriend can confirm it doesn't go out, however she isn't inclined to do me this favor.
I had a good time doing this Instructable. I hope you do too!
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1: Gather Tools and Supplies
For this project, you will need the stone lantern, or any other garden ornament you want to light. You will also need:
A solar operated garden light. I chose this one because it had a real glass shade and fit the inside of my stone lantern well. This was on sale for $3.99 at my local hardware stores. I've seen others with a plastic shade for as little as $1.99
Low voltage stranded wire. A few feet. I had some speaker wire from some long gone speakers.
Heat Shrink tubing. Appropriately sized, about four inches. Electrical Tape may be substituted.
Lighter to shrink the heat shrink tubing
Wire cutter/stripper
Small Phillips head screwdriver
Soldering Pencil and electrical solder (optional, although a good idea)
Electrical tape (not shown)
Small nylon wire ties (not shown)
A solar operated garden light. I chose this one because it had a real glass shade and fit the inside of my stone lantern well. This was on sale for $3.99 at my local hardware stores. I've seen others with a plastic shade for as little as $1.99
Low voltage stranded wire. A few feet. I had some speaker wire from some long gone speakers.
Heat Shrink tubing. Appropriately sized, about four inches. Electrical Tape may be substituted.
Lighter to shrink the heat shrink tubing
Wire cutter/stripper
Small Phillips head screwdriver
Soldering Pencil and electrical solder (optional, although a good idea)
Electrical tape (not shown)
Small nylon wire ties (not shown)
Visit Our Store »
Go Pro Today »
I'm going to make one with two battery circuits for dual led brightness, using more solar cells as needed.