Need Help With 12v Darkness Detector

[RehanIqbal]

Hey guys,
I have been attempting to recreate a solar light (Those little outdoor garden lights) but on a much larger scale. I have attached a photo of the diagram that I was basing this off of. I have also attempted to use an LDR, but that would force me to use a relay, which I would prefer not to use. I am primarily attempting to use the solar panel as a darkness detector so that the light strip will turn on when it turns dark.
The Led Light Strip is 12v
and the Battery is 9v
The reason being is that I don't need the LED at full brightness.
Please tell me what I should change, or if I should use a different diagram.
Regards,
Rehan Iqbal
Edit:
Current problem is that the LEDs wont turn off

 

[Bluejets]

Maybe try a diode between d1 and the solar panel....??

Did a Google and this came up ......

 

[Nanren888]

Maybe you have done this already, but a few checks might be worthwhile.
Some strips for 12v may not run at all on 9volts. Check.
Depending on your battery and your LED strip, some may run a battery flat rather quickly. Worth checking.

 

[kellys_eye]

What's the gain of the transistor?

 

[RehanIqbal]

Maybe you have done this already, but a few checks might be worthwhile.
Some strips for 12v may not run at all on 9volts. Check.
Depending on your battery and your LED strip, some may run a battery flat rather quickly. Worth checking.

The LED works fine on the current voltage, its just a little dimmed

 

[RehanIqbal]

Maybe try a diode between d1 and the solar panel....??

Did a Google and this came up ......

I used a diode that comes in those tiny garden lights, should i go out and purchase a bigger one?

 

[RehanIqbal]

What's the gain of the transistor?

the one i was attempting to use in the failed circuit was 400

 

[Audioguru]

Like I said on the other forum, of course the LEDs will not turn off because the 2V from the solar panel is not enough to turn off the PNP transistor. The voltage from the solar panel must be about the same as the emitter of the transistor, 12V or 9V depending on the battery voltage.