Introduction: Solar and AC Rechargeable Touch Light
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About: I'm a techie and a DIYer , I'v been know to take junk and make it useful again , not to much I can't make or fix , I'v been taking things apart since I was 5 and started making and fixing things at 8 , I re…
Hi There , here's my latest project that I thought I would share ,
the solar and ac rechargeable touch light ,
in my last project I showed you how to make a touch switch out of a 555 timer ,
this project your going to need to look at how I made the touch switch first in the last project before we get started ,
to do that go here https://www.instructables.com/id/The-simplest-touch-switch/
ok if you have already done that great then lets get started ,
p.s I did upload a schematic on step one if you don't want to check out my last project ,
first somethings that I must say ,
I'am NOT in anyway responsible for any injuries that may happen ,
you must be careful when using Tools both Manuel and powered ,
you are responsible for your own actions ,
ok then enough of that ,
lets get to work
the solar and ac rechargeable touch light ,
in my last project I showed you how to make a touch switch out of a 555 timer ,
this project your going to need to look at how I made the touch switch first in the last project before we get started ,
to do that go here https://www.instructables.com/id/The-simplest-touch-switch/
ok if you have already done that great then lets get started ,
p.s I did upload a schematic on step one if you don't want to check out my last project ,
first somethings that I must say ,
I'am NOT in anyway responsible for any injuries that may happen ,
you must be careful when using Tools both Manuel and powered ,
you are responsible for your own actions ,
ok then enough of that ,
lets get to work
Step 1: What You Need
ok your going to need a few things I used what I had laying around ,
so go to your junk / parts box and dig out the fallowing below ,
the top of a solar lite and solar cell
bridge rectifier diode
led 1.5 volt any color will do ,
rechargeable battery 4.5 volt ,
5.1volt dc charger and socket that fits the charger ,
the touch switch from my last project https://www.instructables.com/id/The-simplest-touch-switch/
small gauge wire ,
piece of plastic any kind I used a lid from a container ,
a couple of paper clips
next the tools you will need
soldering gun ,
lead free solder ,
glue gun ,
cutters or small bolt cutter ,
here's the schematic you need and 555 timer pinout you need :)
also heres the touch switch schematic from my last project ,
your going to need to make the touch switch first .
once you did move on to the next step
so go to your junk / parts box and dig out the fallowing below ,
the top of a solar lite and solar cell
bridge rectifier diode
led 1.5 volt any color will do ,
rechargeable battery 4.5 volt ,
5.1volt dc charger and socket that fits the charger ,
the touch switch from my last project https://www.instructables.com/id/The-simplest-touch-switch/
small gauge wire ,
piece of plastic any kind I used a lid from a container ,
a couple of paper clips
next the tools you will need
soldering gun ,
lead free solder ,
glue gun ,
cutters or small bolt cutter ,
here's the schematic you need and 555 timer pinout you need :)
also heres the touch switch schematic from my last project ,
your going to need to make the touch switch first .
once you did move on to the next step
Step 2: OK Getting It Together
ok take apart your old solar light and gut everything but the solar cell keep it in the frame , ok next ,
take the battery and insert it into the frame ,
after that solder the dc socket to the battery leads ,
next solder the diode to the solar cell lead ,
once that is done solder the solar cell the the battery leads ,
and then wire up your touch switch ,
now moving on to the next step
take the battery and insert it into the frame ,
after that solder the dc socket to the battery leads ,
next solder the diode to the solar cell lead ,
once that is done solder the solar cell the the battery leads ,
and then wire up your touch switch ,
now moving on to the next step
Step 3: Connecting and Testing
ok now time to test what we made ,
touch the on paper and the led should turn on ,
and then touch the off paper clip and the led should turn off ,
if the led does not turn off don't worry take the reset wire and tap it to the off paper clip and it will turn off ,
note your going to need the reset wire handy so solder a small piece of solder or foil to the end of the reset wire ,
i'll tell were to put the reset wire in the next step ,
reason why the led stays on and will not go off when touch the off paper clip is the solar cell ,
the solar acts like a photo censor and will keep it on in the light / day time ,
so that is where the reset wire comes in ,
in the dark it works great it turns on and off without resetting it but not so well in the light ,
ok on to the next step
touch the on paper and the led should turn on ,
and then touch the off paper clip and the led should turn off ,
if the led does not turn off don't worry take the reset wire and tap it to the off paper clip and it will turn off ,
note your going to need the reset wire handy so solder a small piece of solder or foil to the end of the reset wire ,
i'll tell were to put the reset wire in the next step ,
reason why the led stays on and will not go off when touch the off paper clip is the solar cell ,
the solar acts like a photo censor and will keep it on in the light / day time ,
so that is where the reset wire comes in ,
in the dark it works great it turns on and off without resetting it but not so well in the light ,
ok on to the next step
Step 4: Almost There
ok almost done the just couple of things left ,
take all but the touch clips and reset wire and place carefully in the frame and use the glue gun and glue it in place ,
next take a bolt cutter and cut a small hole on the side ,
now run all three wires out the reset wire and the two touch paper clip wires trough the hole ,
next glue the two touch paper clips to the side one on the right and one on the left the reset wire should go in the middle ,
note leave enough lenght on the reset wire so it can touch the off paper clip ,
once done take your plastic and size it to fit the top of your frame ,
next put a small hole in the middle of your plastic and run the led trough it ,
and then make another hole for your dc socket ,
now glue your plastic to the top of your frame ,
take all but the touch clips and reset wire and place carefully in the frame and use the glue gun and glue it in place ,
next take a bolt cutter and cut a small hole on the side ,
now run all three wires out the reset wire and the two touch paper clip wires trough the hole ,
next glue the two touch paper clips to the side one on the right and one on the left the reset wire should go in the middle ,
note leave enough lenght on the reset wire so it can touch the off paper clip ,
once done take your plastic and size it to fit the top of your frame ,
next put a small hole in the middle of your plastic and run the led trough it ,
and then make another hole for your dc socket ,
now glue your plastic to the top of your frame ,
Step 5: The Fun Part
Ok now that were finished time to try it out ,
you can see in the picture its working like it should ,
now I"ll try using the wall charger and it works to yes ,
but wait why stop there right it is after all a solar lite hmm ok you talked me into outside we go ,
how about that the solar works to ,
well I hoped you enjoyed reading and viewing this as much as I liked posting it for you ,
thanks for viewing everyone :)
you can see in the picture its working like it should ,
now I"ll try using the wall charger and it works to yes ,
but wait why stop there right it is after all a solar lite hmm ok you talked me into outside we go ,
how about that the solar works to ,
well I hoped you enjoyed reading and viewing this as much as I liked posting it for you ,
thanks for viewing everyone :)