DIY Garden - Solar Lighting

Rob Collyer · Aug 31, 2015

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum but hoping to gain a little help.

I want to purchase a solar panel that will power around 15 led's in a homemade garden lighting project.

I don't really know where to start in terms of what components to buy - there are tons of solar panels out there and led's and not sure how many batteries I would need in an array for storage.

I'm not after the really dim led's, nor the really bright ones - something mid range.

Does anyone know if there is a hard and fast rule to choosing all these components - maybe an online wizard or calculator to help me adjust the variables?

I'm new to electrics at the component level but am handy with a soldering iron haha!

Thanks for any direction!

amlu · Aug 31, 2015

get something like 40 watts panel, 24ah sla alarm battery, charge controller, hook it up to the leds that take 12v directly with no drivers,
60pcs LED Module Cool White 4 LEDS Module 12V DC Waterproof 5050 4 SMD LED Light | eBay
got a pack of those a year ago, used some for my kitchen, workshop and van, all still work fine, take little power.
if you see that the panel is struggling to charge the battery fully every day then add another one.

Rob Collyer · Sep 2, 2015

Hiya,

Thank you so much for your feedback. I need single LED's as I have little room to play with so those modules would not be easy to work with. Would these be ok with the setup you have mentioned? (20 PCS) 5mm Red pre wired LED light bulb 5V 9V 12V DC 20cm | eBay

Thanks again for your input

solarfred · Sep 2, 2015

As you don't know the wattage you cannot calculate the loads you need to cover with batteries.Check the actual watts per LED and total up the watts * hours of use. Divide by 12(v) and then * by 1.2. That gives you a rough idea of the amp hours you need PER DAY(@12v) . The solar panel needs to supply the daily recharge and also the latency period. Design for winter time when days are very short and rarely sunny.

Rob Collyer · Sep 3, 2015

Thanks for the reply fred. Is this any easier to work with:-
5pcs Super Bright Water Clear White 3mm LED 3V 6V9V 12V Resistor for Car Boat | eBay

solarfred · Sep 3, 2015

You can do some sums now using forward voltage/current. Volts*amps = watts. These lights are soooper bright which you did not want and will give pin ----- light I think.
Amazing how you can buy these from HK at that price when the minimum cost of small packet postage across the UK is around £1.00.