Turn a solar light into... a solar light!

In this, my first (successful) instructable, I will repurpose a solar walkway light to replace a lamp post fixture that was previously gas burning. So in effect, I am repurposing the light to make a different light.

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Step 1: Dismantle the Light

Shown here are the parts in the kit, consisting of the light, a hort section of pole, and a plastic spike. Throw all these items in your spare parts bin except the main housing. Oh, and you can trash the instrcutions, too... we won't be following any of those today.

The next image shows the main housing after dismantling. We're only interested in the white plastic piece with the lamp, the solar panel, and the circuit board/battery pack. Carefully detach the solar panel from the main housing and discard all of the housing.

sandybrown097 says: Dec 8, 2012. 5:34 AM

if you want to turn a solar into a light then you have to learn it own
Because Commercial Solar Panels are Expensive!
And It will take you more than 10 years to pay back
Solution: Using Surplus Solar Cells You can get pay back in 1-2 years
There is an Engineer from Chicago his name is John Sommer
He explain it All in his Solar Panels Blog

asujath2000 says: Oct 20, 2011. 10:50 AM

NICE JOB STREET WALKER'S TELLS THANX TO YOU IN INDIA .MOST OF THE TIME STREET IS DARK .GOOD INNOVATION

ddavis662 says: Jun 7, 2011. 1:24 PM

Great project!
I guess mine wasn't so original

DanteDante (author) says: Jun 7, 2011. 10:59 AM

April 1, 2007 through June 7, 2011... light is still shining... no new battery or anything! Total savings update for 4 years and 2 months of NOT burning natural gas for this fixture has reached a total of $691.

shaferlite says: Apr 24, 2008. 11:43 AM

Awesome. Thanks for structions. Been thinking of doing this project. How the light given off by the LED ? Anything more than ornamental?

DanteDante (author) in reply to shaferliteApr 27, 2008. 4:24 AM

I must admit... the light is pretty weak. Strictly ornamental. But for me, it's a light at the end of a very short driveway, and we have streetlights and such. In extreme dark situations, I don't think this would provide enough light to make one feel truly illuminated.

awkrin says: Apr 12, 2008. 2:20 PM

I don't get it. unless u'r like "natural sunlight! get it off me!", why would u need artificial light that's only available when natural light is?

DanteDante (author) in reply to awkrinApr 19, 2008. 3:39 PM

Just thought I would add that the gas company wanted $14 a month to have a gas light burning in this fixture.

1 year at $14/month = $168
Cost of light = $9
Net savings = $159

DanteDante (author) in reply to awkrinApr 19, 2008. 3:34 PM

"natural sunlight! get it off me!" - LOL! But, you have a confusedness... The light is not on during the day. The battery charges during the day via the solar cell. The unit comes with a light sensor, so it knows when it's night, and then the light comes on. But only at night. By the way, one year and seventeen days later, and it's still going. Pretty sweet.

HamO says: Apr 1, 2007. 9:23 PM

Well done, but the 4 faces on the gas light cry out for 4 cells, batteries and leds for a brighter light. good job, great pics. Thanks for sharing.

DanteDante (author) in reply to HamOApr 2, 2007. 8:11 AM

Indeed. But that also has the prerequisite of the wife's permission, since that makes the $9 light into a $36 light. So, I figured I'd see how just one light performed since it has an ultra-bright LED. (Says so right on the box, so it MUST be true!) Thanks for the compliments!