UV LED Solar Light Modification

Change a yellow or white light solar path light to an Ultra Violet Path Light.

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Step 1: Take a solar path light and remove the top from the clear globe

--DO NOT look directly into a UV led when it is on...EVER. UV light is dangerous to unprotected eyes so throw on a pair of UV blocking sunglasses for this project--

Take the top off the solar light and place it on your workbench solar cell side down. This should cause the led to light up and shine into your face. If it is not on figure out where the photo cell is and tape over it to trick it into thinking it is night. You will need to have the light ON. When you have the light on use your wire cutters and snip off the LED.

swaite2 says: Jun 11, 2013. 8:19 AM

wHERE CAN i GET THE uv BULB FROM?

sunspirit says: Feb 28, 2012. 7:19 PM

I'm wondering what the uv led rating was. Most small solar landscape lights run on 1.2v to 1.4 volts from the battery. Is a 1.2v to 1.4v uv led available anywhere for purchase? I'm interested in trying this but that is one piece of information that was left out of the directions. Most of the uv led's that I can find are powered by 4volts.

The ideal uv led is 365 nm. I found a 405-365nm but again, it's forward voltage was 3.5 volts.

Can anyone assist? Thanks,.

johndean2 says: Sep 7, 2011. 12:25 PM

The UV glow will be much brighter than the traditional outdoor lighting and will prove to be much better. I am not sure if it will be good on the eyes though at night, but as long as you don't look into it you should be fine.

thekanester says: May 2, 2009. 10:40 AM

Great idea. And I say that because I bought a bunch of bits for making a UV sunjar, with orange UV paint (because my wee boy's fave colour is orange). I'm also scooping the bits from a £1 garden light and so far it's going well. I'll post an instructable on here when it's done...Good job! I thought I was the first person to do this on this site, however.

spacehead (author) in reply to thekanesterMay 25, 2009. 11:26 AM

If you want a really interesting effect try mixing some daylight white fluorescent pigment into a clear paint and painting the insides of the jar. Daylight white is just that, it looks white until you shine UV on it and then it turns fluorescent. This is a truly stunning effect. I have only ever found this pigment powder at a company called
GlowNation
http://www.glonation.com/uv-powder.html
I would recommend the sample pack to get you started and believe it or not this stuff looks white under normal light. Do not confuse this with glow in the dark. This UV powder needs the uv light to display it's color where glow in the dark gets charged up and will glow with no light. For awesome Glow In The Dark Paint water based and solvent based in a huge a variety of colors Please consider using
Glow Inc.
http://www.GLOWINC.com

Also check out the only glow in the dark forum at
GLOW FORUM
http://www.GLOWFORUM.com

yyyoshiii in reply to spaceheadJan 24, 2010. 7:42 PM

im confused about the 'paint something white' part of your instructions. so, could you put a pic of how u painted the inside of a jar with this stuff (if you did it at all)

spacehead (author) in reply to yyyoshiiiMar 7, 2010. 8:28 AM

YYYoshii,
I did not paint the jar, I painted a small whiteplastic tab with the glow paint. You can paint the inside of the jar if you want but the white/glow object in the direct path of the uv light will maximize the lighting effect.

polonium9 says: May 24, 2009. 6:37 AM

would i be able to use this as a rechargeable battery for my digital camera? or would something go wrong. please write back because i am very curious and want free battery power from solar!!

spacehead (author) in reply to polonium9May 26, 2009. 10:52 AM

I do not know for sure because i have not done it myself. Check the instructions for your camera to see what they say. I do not think it would be a problem but you should be certain and check with your manual first. If you do not have your manual any more check the cameras manufacturer website. Please let us know how it works out for you.

spacehead (author) in reply to polonium9May 25, 2009. 11:04 AM

This is a GREAT Idea ! YES, You would be able to use these solar lights as battery chargers but only for NiCad rechargeable batteries(AKA Nickel Cadimum). These type of rechargeable batteries(NiCad) do not last as long per charge as the NiMh type that are popular now but on the up side they come free with the solar lights! Otherwise you can buy them as "replacement" batteries for solar lights and they are a bit cheaper than the NiMH type. If you are going to use them(solar lights) as battery chargers I would recommend removing the LED entirely so your batteries will never discharge when the sun goes down. Maybe do an instructable on it!

polonium9 in reply to spaceheadMay 25, 2009. 3:13 PM

i will hopefully buy 2 of these, that way i could get free energy for my camera. but do the NiCd batteries heat up and may explode if used in a digital camera?

Evilthingamabober in reply to polonium9Nov 26, 2009. 2:36 PM

Not unless they are the wrong voltage or are shorted out.

FullyInvolvedScientist says: Dec 28, 2008. 6:44 PM

Really cool idea! Great instructable and I am going to check out that paint.

LinuxH4x0r says: Oct 19, 2008. 6:28 AM

I should do this, but leave in the normal light. Scorpions glow under UV and this would make it safer to walk at night

FullyInvolvedScientist in reply to LinuxH4x0rDec 28, 2008. 6:42 PM

The normal light would work good for the glow but, this week I worked with some glow paint and UV LEDS and that combination seemed to make the "glow" brighter and last much longer. At least that it was it seemed to me. That is a great idea about the scorpions too by the way.