Got Wind

This is a good use for the solar panel used on the huge amounts of garden LED lights around, coupled to a portable radio that runs off 2 or 3 AA cells.

Most of us have an old radio lying around, so I based the $5 price on the cost of purchasing/ acquiring a solar powered garden L.E.D light.
I suspect there are plenty of scrap ones lying around, not working because of slightly corroded battery terminals in damp environments – the solar panel will probably be perfect….  

With this Instructable I have left my radio on now for 4 weeks, (12 hours a day) while I work and it has never let me down, even at a reasonable high volume level.

You could either leave the solar radio out on a sunny wind sill as I do or leave it in the sun outdoors – every so often to recharge the battery’s.

What you will require:

1. A portable radio, AM/FM or DAB, (2AA or 3AA battery type).
2. One 4 or 4.5v 80 mA solar panel, prised off from a Solar Light.
3. ideally a BAT43 Schottky diode or Silicone IN4001 (more voltage loss)
4. soldering iron, solder and red and black cable 6″ lengths.
5. 2 or 3 NiMh rechargeable batteries (NiCd are ok but not as good) minimum capacity 800 mAh per battery.

Optional – heat shrink sleeving, Adhesive foam strip

This is a very quick project, that can be made in about 2 hours, and helps save the planet :)

Removing solar panel from Garden light

Please choose a solar panel that has 8 solar strips that run the entire width of the panel – some cheaper panels only have 4 strips or are cut down, you will need the full 8 strips to provide the 4.5v 80 mA output.
Remove the clear plastic lens and metal rim from the garden light, it’s usually a push fit and easy to get off.
Using a screwdriver, carefully prise the panel away from the lights body, it is adhered on with some type of glue – BE CAREFUL.
Cut the connector wire and remove the panel completely.

Connecting up the radio

Some radios have a power input socket for mains adapters, mine did but it was an odd size (Sony).
This option makes connecting the panel more easy, just connect a suitable jack plug to the solar panel (using a blocking diode) and that’s it, check polarity is correct!

I decided to hard wire my solar panel, here is how I approached it.

1. Remove the rear panel of radio, and with the battery’s in situ, using a multimeter identify the positive and negative connections (where the battery’s would connect to). Make sure the multimeter doesn’t indicate a negative value, you have the positive and negative probes the wrong way around if so.

2. Solder the 6″ lengths of red (to positive) and black (to neutral).

3. drill a small hole in the plastic to allow the two wires to exit the back of the radios panel when reassembled.

Solar Panel and blocking diode

You will have to solder a BAT43 or IN4100 blocking diode to the positive terminal on the solar panel.
The BAT43 Schottky type diode is better because it has a lower voltage loss, (about 0.3v) particularly important if you are charging 3 battery’s like me.

The diode prevents any reverse current from the battery’s happening when there is low light.

Please make sure the white or black ‘band’ faces away from the solar panel, you can check if you have connected the diode the correct way around by using a multimeter set to mA’s or volts and see if there is any output in bright light from the panel, if not the diode needs connecting the other way around.

Final assembly

Using a piece of double sided foam adhesive tape you can position the solar panel centrally onto the radio.
Fortunately my Sony radio had a positionable stand that was ideal to mount the panel on, however if your radio doesn’t you could position it on the top of the radio.

Solder up the positive and negative wires from the radio to the solar panel, and use heat shrink tubing or insulation tape to cover any bare joints.

it works well. I used to work at my computer all day listening to my stand-alone stereo system that used over 40 watts of mains power just to listen to the radio…
This lasts forever and uses no energy……..

http://gotwind.org/diy/DIY_Solar_Powered_Radio.htm#.UVRgk4X5hXo.blo...

http://www.fromthetrenchesworldreport.com/diy-solar-powered-radio-f...

Views: 697

"Destroying the New World Order"

TOP CONTENT THIS WEEK

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE SITE!

mobile page

12160.info/m

12160 Administrators

 

Latest Activity

Doc Vega posted a blog post

The Cancel Culture Vulture

  Better to shut them down than hear their point of viewCancel culture coming after youHelping to…See More
9 hours ago
Doc Vega posted a photo
yesterday
Doc Vega posted a blog post

The Fingerprint

The Fingerprint On a dance with the unpredictability of the signals you sendA solemn pact with my…See More
yesterday
Sandy posted a video
yesterday
tjdavis posted a video
Thursday
Burbia replied to Burbia's discussion Trump Receives Marching Orders
Wednesday
Less Prone favorited Burbia's video
Wednesday
Less Prone replied to Burbia's discussion Trump Receives Marching Orders
"Bullets can be effective in reinforcing ownership."
Wednesday
Burbia posted a discussion

Trump Receives Marching Orders

Netanyahu has made 3 visits to the White house since Trump's second term as President of the United…See More
Wednesday
Burbia commented on Burbia's video
Thumbnail

Ben Shapiro Just LOST HIS MIND — There's No Coming Back From This

"Omg. The Ben Shapiro voice that Luke is imitating here couldn't be any more comedic to…"
Tuesday
Burbia posted a video

Ben Shapiro Just LOST HIS MIND — There's No Coming Back From This

Get the magnesium your body needs - https://wearechange.shop/product/magnesium-glycinate/Ben Shapiro Just LOST HIS MIND — There's No Coming Back From ThisHig...
Tuesday
cheeki kea posted photos
Tuesday
Doc Vega posted blog posts
Monday
Burbia posted a video

A few reasons I don’t like jews. It’s not complicated.

These are the reasons I became antisemitic. It’s not complicated. Sure, I could go on for days, weeks, months outlining everything, but I don’t need to. This...
Jul 6
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post Unusual Discoveries and Headlines
"Less Prone, Thanks Buddy! I'd like to volunteer as a historical reconstructionist! "
Jul 6
Less Prone left a comment for t.me/TheIntelligenceLibrary
"Welcome to a revolutionary concept in public communication, the truth."
Jul 6
pohonemas33 team is now a member of 12160 Social Network
Jul 6
Less Prone favorited cheeki kea's discussion Tartaria
Jul 6
tjdavis's 2 blog posts were featured
Jul 6
Doc Vega's 7 blog posts were featured
Jul 6

© 2025   Created by truth.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

content and site copyright 12160.info 2007-2019 - all rights reserved. unless otherwise noted