help with solar post light build, please

[rich]

We have a standard incandescent post light. We like the shape, height etc.
of it as it stands now. It was wired to 110 v a/c and the power line was
cut between the house and the post.
Rather than replacing it...( it was constantly blowing bulbs and not working
well anyhow)...

I'd like to convert post light to a solar powered one. I can buy some
ready-made units ranging from $30.00 up to $170.00 or so. In most cases, we
really don't like the shape and appearance of the new lights. I wonder if
anyone here could point me to what items I would have to buy ...i.e. some
small solar panels, and a light; batteries and a daylight on-off switch. I
went to my local Radio shack store ( ha ha ha .. what a total waste of time
that was).

I am comfortable soldering. I have some NiCad 4.8 and 7.2 volts; NiMh 7.2
and 8.4 bolts. and even Lipo batteries ( 7.2 volts ) around that I use for
some r/c planes.

Is there a site or a schematic that I could follow to get this done? I don't
need an overly bright light, nor do I need it to last all night long. I
live in Hot and sunny Houston, TX so daylight probably isn't a problem.

Any and all help or direction/sites etc. appreciated.

thanks very much RichG

 

[rich]

We have a standard incandescent post light. We like the shape, height etc.
of it as it stands now. It was wired to 110 v a/c and the power line was
cut between the house and the post.
Rather than replacing it...( it was constantly blowing bulbs and not working
well anyhow)...
I'd like to convert post light to a solar powered one.

What wattage is the bulb? I HAVE THREE 40 WATT BULBS IN THERE NOW, BUT ONE
40 WATT WOULD BE ENOUGH, I BELIEVE
Will the fitting take a low energy CFL bulb? I WILL CHANGE OUT THE FITTING
TO ACCOMODATE ANY REASONABLE SOLUTION
How many hours a night must it run? FOUR TO SIX WOULD BE IDEAL, FEWER HOURS
WOULD BE OK
What's the climate like in winter? SUNNY ALL YEAR LONG. THIS IS
SEMI-TROPICAL COUNTRY. WE WILL, OF COURSE, HAVE A WEEK OR TWO OF "GREY" BUT
...IT WOULD NOT BE A NOT A PROBLEM IF THE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK 52 WEEKS OUT
OF THE YEAR.

I can buy some
ready-made units ranging from $30.00 up to $170.00 or so. In most cases,

we really don't like the shape and appearance of the new lights.

and mostly they aren't very bright. NO DOUBT YOU ARE CORRECT..THAT IS WHY I
AM ASKING HERE.

I am comfortable soldering. I have some NiCad 4.8 and 7.2 volts; NiMh 7.2
and 8.4 bolts. and even Lipo batteries ( 7.2 volts ) around that I use for
some r/c planes.

Likewise, but they probably won't be big enough. I DON'T KNOW THE FORMULAS
TO MEASURE "ENOUGH"...BUT...IF I KNEW THE OUT PUT; PRICE AND SOURCE OF A
SMALL 4 X 4 INCH READILY AVAILABLE SOLAR PANEL, THEN I BELIEVE I WOULD BE
STARTED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.


Thanks for any further help...Rich

 

[Jerry G.]

You would be best off to buy a complete solar lamp. These use LED
technolgy with low power solar panels and chargeable batteries that
can work under severe temperature and weather conditions. With these
solar lamps, you can get a very cheap one, or a very good quality high
cost one. You are mainly paying for reliability, lifespan, and
lumination strength when going for an expensive unit.

If you want to run a regular mains light bulb with solar power, this
would be a very expensive and much more complicated project.


Jerry G.
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