Ok, so as the title describes, I'm looking to build some outdoor lights. Now for some elaboration, I want to make some deck lights using LED's and some rechargeable batteries.
So far my project is in the R&D state.
What I'm thinking is using 4 rechargeable batteries in a parallel circuit to keep the voltage at about 1.5V
Now I know basics of electronics, and this project shouldn't be too complex with a little help and the internet. But what I'm thinking is putting a 1 Watt solar panel at the beginning of the circuit to constantly, or charge the batteries under control with the help of a switch.
Basically I want to know if there's an easy way to trickle charge, or automatically turn off the charge when the batteries are full? That's my first problem.
Now my second problem is that the solar panel I have fluctuates from 0 (nigh time) to about 20 Volts. So I'm wondering if I need to make a small voltage regulator circuit to lower it to 5V when I'm charging the batteries? Or maybe even regulate it, then lower it to 2V or 1.5V to make sure the batteries don't over heat.
Basically what I have right now (I don't have a schematic program, so please excuse the written version) I have the Solar panel as the main power source going to a 200 microfarad electrolytic capacitor in parallel, then to a 7805, followed by a second electrolytic capacitor in parallel, then after that I can throw in a diode or a resistor to lower the voltage in series, then put the batteries next in the circuit in parallel so they keep their voltage. After that I have my lights and that's all easy after that.
Sorry for the long message, but if you're still reading, then great, I'll sum up. What I need to know, is will that circuit work properly? Also is there a transistor, or a chip I can add in to see when the batteries are fully charged, and make the solar panel stop charging?
Any help would be very appreciated, thank you
So far my project is in the R&D state.
What I'm thinking is using 4 rechargeable batteries in a parallel circuit to keep the voltage at about 1.5V
Now I know basics of electronics, and this project shouldn't be too complex with a little help and the internet. But what I'm thinking is putting a 1 Watt solar panel at the beginning of the circuit to constantly, or charge the batteries under control with the help of a switch.
Basically I want to know if there's an easy way to trickle charge, or automatically turn off the charge when the batteries are full? That's my first problem.
Now my second problem is that the solar panel I have fluctuates from 0 (nigh time) to about 20 Volts. So I'm wondering if I need to make a small voltage regulator circuit to lower it to 5V when I'm charging the batteries? Or maybe even regulate it, then lower it to 2V or 1.5V to make sure the batteries don't over heat.
Basically what I have right now (I don't have a schematic program, so please excuse the written version) I have the Solar panel as the main power source going to a 200 microfarad electrolytic capacitor in parallel, then to a 7805, followed by a second electrolytic capacitor in parallel, then after that I can throw in a diode or a resistor to lower the voltage in series, then put the batteries next in the circuit in parallel so they keep their voltage. After that I have my lights and that's all easy after that.
Sorry for the long message, but if you're still reading, then great, I'll sum up. What I need to know, is will that circuit work properly? Also is there a transistor, or a chip I can add in to see when the batteries are fully charged, and make the solar panel stop charging?
Any help would be very appreciated, thank you