solarlampv4

Solarlamp version 4

This version is made with two small hand cut PCBs.

There's a circuit diagram and board for Eagle 7.6.0.  You can use the Freeware version for free.

li-ion2.sch is in the zip at https://steve54798.wixsite.com/filecab/solar

li-ion2.brd is in the zip at https://steve54798.wixsite.com/filecab/solar

In this version 4 solar lamp I made two small PCBs to reduce the number of wires and make it tidier.

In Eagle 7.6.0 it is possible to print a reverse image of the board on to paper.  That can then be ironed with a cloths iron on to a piece of copper clad board.  Be careful not to over heat the board or the copper clad will blister. I cut the circuit using a PCB cutter.  They are cheap to buy and are sharp and wear well.  As an alternative an engraving bit can be used instead.  They give a better cut but soon wear out.

Mind your fingers when cutting the PCBs.  I use metal guides and wear leather gloves to protect my fingers in case I slip.

The print is fuzzy here because I printed twice on the page to increase the toner depth.

I could have taken more care here, it's pretty rough but it will work OK.

The components are soldered on.  I used a 680 + 100 Ohm resistors to make the 780 Ohm required.

Here it is before being painted.  Although there are four LEDs I've only attached two because it's now September and using only two LEDs will give a longer on time.  The other two can be attached next summer. 

The tips of the screws are cut off and filed flat.

The white foam sheet goes under the solar cell.  It came from a scanner cover.

The components are painted with red oxide primer to reduce corrosion.

The finished solar lamp.  I just need to remove the protective plastic sheet.