Introduction: Solar Panel Lighting

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About: Hey! My name is Roey Leon, from Tel Aviv, Israel. On my free time, as a hobby of mine, I love building stuff from scratch. It always starts with a crazy idea, and then I realize that it`s too Dangerous / Unach…

Hello Everyone

I`m in the middle of redecorating my Home , and decided to enhance the appearance of my plants with LED lighting.

I went and bought a few planters , added some strong plants that love sun and placed them outside my kitchen.

Now , when the evening comes, without the LED i will not enjoy their looks.

So , for that the next cool ( and easy ) project comes.

eNjoy and let me know what you think

Cheers !

:)

Step 1: Materials List

You need to buy the next :

Solar panel: http://www.ebay.com/itm/10w-solar-panel-for-12V-sy...

Solar panel charger : http://www.ebay.com/itm/20A-PWM-Solar-Panel-Charge...

12v 5AH lead acid battery: http://www.ebay.com/itm/PowerStar-2YR-WARRANTY-Bat...

6 Meter of wiring

Wire terminal ends: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-175pc-Solderless-Crimp...

Led strip ( Waterproof ) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Waterproof-5M-DC-12V-SMD-5...

Crimp stripper

Soldering iron + tin foil

Time + Coffee + Music

Step 2: Construction Time #1

I needed to place the Solar Panel at agood location facing the sun , so i built this mount so i can place it against the wall

Used two aluminum angles ,attached them to the Solar Panel back cover , attached to it the wood board, and from it two additional wooden boards

Step 3: Construction Time #2

Continuing with the build

Step 4: Attaching the Solar Panel to the Wall

I drilled two holes in the wall facing the sun ( east ) -and slided the solar panel inside it

Step 5: Drill Holes in Wall for Solar Panel Controller

I need to place it in somewhere where it`s dry , and wont be in the sun , i i will need to build it some cover.

I decided the best place would be on some internal wall - outside of the building - where it`s quite dry

I will run the wired inside a small wiring canal so they wont " fry " in the heat of the sun

Step 6: Wiring Time

Now we need to start wiring all the cables from the Solar Panel to the controller

Since the original cable that came with the Solar Panel is short, i had to cut it and extend it using a different cable

I solder end caps for each wire, and made sure it is sitting tight.

Step 7: Battery Placement

Sooooo , the lead acid battery would need to be placed in a good location without direct sun or water.

I`m placing it near the solar panel controller - good place

Step 8: Continue Wiring the Cables

Make sure all the wires are properly attached . and if you can , make sure that even if it will rain , the wires wont be exposed to water

Step 9: Prepare LED Strips

I chose the regular SMD 5050 LED strips.

Cut two pieces of 60cm each , connected them together . and taped them to a 60cm plastic bracket

This bracket than we will stick in the palnter ( using two clippers for each bracket ) -it would be like an anchor

Step 10: Have a Beer Brake

A must !

:)

Step 11: Connecting the Light Sensor

I bought a small electrical part that feels when there is not light , and then , close a switch and transfers all the power gathered from the solar panel to the battery .- and from the battery to the LED.

Once the morning comes , the sensor will "feel " there is light and will turn off the switch --> and the battery will be recharged from the solar panel once again

Step 12: Add External Wooden Shell

to make sure the rain won`t touch my creation :)

Step 13: Done!

Looks good

Sometimes when i wake up during the night to drink something, it`s nice to see it

Hope you like!
:)