solar light batteries

solar light batteries

« Previous12345Next »

How do Garden Solar Lights Work?

Solar lights are made from a few basic components. The five major parts are:

• solar cell
• central control board
• photocell sensor
• LED light bulb
• Ni-Cad (nickel-cadmium) rechargeable battery

LED (or light emitting diode) lights in the solar lights are rather small light bulbs that are fitted into electronic circuitry. Halogen lights used to be common in solar lights but they are not as efficient as LEDs. Light emitting diodes differ from regular light bulbs. They do not produce heat as regular lights do so they use energy efficiently. Light emitting diodes in solar lights have a life span of about 25 years. The electrons in the LED's semi-conducting material causes illumination. The glow from the LED bulb is what provides overnight lighting. LED bulbs in solar lights cannot be replaced.

The solar cell is what captures the light from the sun during the day. The solar cell transports the captured energy into the rechargeable AA Ni-Cad battery which then stores the electricity. The energy stored in the battery powers the solar lights overnight until they are recharged by the following day's sunlight.

The control board and photocell sensor in solar lights are small devices which tell the solar lights when to switch on or off based on the available light. The control board tells the Ni-Cad batteries when to send electricity into the LED bulb. The photocell sensor sends a signal to the control board, the control board sends another signal to the batteries, and the batteries sends electricity to the LED. The solar lights then switch on providing overnight illumination.

These components are held in a plastic or stainless steel cover which protects the components from the weather elements. Solar lights charge by sunlight so it is important to place them in full sun to get the maximum overnight lighting.

About the Author

PremierSolarLights.com offer a wide varity of solar lights, landscape lights and solar garden ornaments. View the full range or find out more about solar lights by visiting www.premiersolarlights.com

Project Batteries (42AHr Solar Charged) 004