I made my own Dollar Store Solar Panel

I tested dollar store solar panels and then combined them into a larger solar panel that outputs 7.2 volts and 85 mA of current. This project is currently charging 18650 cells one at a time!
Thingiverse Files: www.thingivers...
share.glowforg...
Ender 3: amzn.to/3kVAyfE
Multimeter: amzn.to/3utSUrf
TP4056 Modules: amzn.to/3kVOJBF
18650 Battery: (Best to Salvage but heres some from amazon) amzn.to/2WpXIkW
Hookup Wire: amzn.to/3D3u5FF
Donate some sats: bc1qy90czk37qsjexz368jtkjhuqschf83pj69vv43

[@AlansInventions]

Yes, I now know isopropyl alcohol helps remove hot glue! Lol Thanks everyone for the tip. Here is the new version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3nIm2WoaJeqjc0

[@billhennen978]

Just started hacking dollar store lights. Now I have another project to work on!

[@MrAllan9]

Lol, save some for the rest of us.

[@mechanicalmonster2115]

I proposed this project to the King of Random, like 7 years ago. Never had the know how to do it myself, I absolutely love this! Great Vid!!

[@AlansInventions]

Hey thanks! I appreciate it. :) Any other ideas you proposed? lol

[@newphone9515]

Make aa and c and AAA D 9v batteries PAck with re chahngebles you need about 6 1.2v batteries to get 8.4 then buy a booster to put 5v so you can change your phone with it I get about 50%

[@DarkLinkAD]

King of stealing peoples video ideas, without refering to the creator. Never trust a man that waxes hos eyebrows..

[@AlansInventions]

Lol who are you?

[@DarkLinkAD]

@@AlansInventions A man that wouldn't watch 10 seconds of King of Randoms videos

[@michaelbrinks8089]

My local cemetery threw a bunch of solar lights away so I grabbed them out of the trash. I think the batteries are only dead in most of them.

[@josephcontreras8930]

I love dumpster diving!!! Some people just throw away good s##t without a care in the world.

[@claytonjackson1809]

Honestly you can get some good flower racks from a cemetery dumpster as well. (I have strawberries and succulents hanging on mine.) But heck, if you get enough of the small ones and get some batteries you could make a large solar charger block.

[@justryingmybest]

This is actually a genius move because I could get 10 of these at a dollar store plus the leds plus the charge modules

[@2JobsStillPoorUSA]

I purposely looked this up. Glad someone actually did it. My biggest problem i have no clue how to use one of those testers. Lol. Yeah been shown a few times but...it doesnt stick.

[@aaronb483]

Thanks for not dragging out the video.

[@stricklins]

Great work, I have a bunch of these and needed some motivation.

[@FargothPL]

About 3 years ago I recycled my old solar lamps exactly in this way. To easily remove the solar panel, you need to heat it with a hairdryer. When the glue dissolves, it is very easy to push the panel out. If possible, it is better to leave the original cables. Just like in the movie, it's very hard to solder them. In several-year-old panels, during soldering, the cable often fell off along with the silicon layer

[@AlansInventions]

I learned isopropyl alcohol dissolves the glue as well.

[@jasonwhite8722]

A plus 1 tool is a decent heat gun . its basically a high power blow-dryer. That will get hot enough to solider video processors to motherboards . and heat up 1" PVC pipe to name custom bends

[@suchy.chomik]

I've broken three of them because I desoldered the wires...

[@blackops84321]

You should ad the extra batteries for the extra run time for whatever you want to power. This is a good idea to do what you did. Great job. I get the 18650 batteries in battery packs from 5below. Also they have the flat lipo battery packs for 5.00.

[@AlansInventions]

Thanks for the tips! 🙂

[@DoctorBill]

The transistor is of the switch variety. The circuit board is a Comparitor board that compairs the battery voltage with what's coming out of the solar cell. When the solar cell voltage is high the battery charges and the LED is off. When the solar cell voltage drops the battery powers the LED. It's the compairator board that decides this.

[@AlansInventions]

Thank you!

[@grapevineproductions242]

The mini solar panels were enough for me. But you killed it with the 3D printer. That was awesome. I wonder if you keep adding more batteries, will you get more volts?

[@toddsimpson8690]

Dollar tree just announced a recall on all the pink hot glue guns. Just go back to store with it.. today is 4/30/22. This was 4/27 i believe.

[@qwertykeyboard5901]

So, Harbor Freight sells their "Chinese Special" car battery solar panel battery maintainer for ~$15 USD (SKUs: 64251, 44768, 68692, 62449). It's rated 24V at 1.5W. While 24v is a _bit_ of a pain (I like my sealed lead acid batteries), 60mA is NOT a whole lot, it would probably still manage to charge a small 12v sealed lead acid battery somewhat slowly. You'll also need a dropping resistor of ~160 ohms. Alright, so what about DIYing this with solar garden lights? If the rough math I did is correct, you'll need 36 of them (12 in series, 3 in parallel). Each one does ~2V at 20mA and they're about $1.25 USD a pop where I live, which means about _$50 USD._ Yeah. Although, if you config them as 6 in series and 6 in parallel you won't need the dropping resistor. Granted, 2V 20mA panels off AliExpress are probably much cheaper, but then you have shipping, and 12V panels at ~1W are probably cheaper too. So, not cost effective! Though if you already have these things, why not?

[@sonofeloah]

I do a lot of recycling in my area and offer electronics recycling. So, I get a lot of damaged solar light where the photovoltaic cells are still good. I have been collecting them up for a while and plan on next winter (got too many projects for this winter, sigh) to build as large a panel as I can and see what I can do with it. But, thanks for posting your ecperiment.

[@doge.inDaBay]

Liked for the pink hot glue gun and sarcasm lol

[@qwertykeyboard5901]

I don't recommend taking the panels out as you essentially CAN'T solder to the bare panels.

[@thorium9190]

I tried something like this with hot glue and my own structure (not rich enough for 3D printer) the hot glue got soft enough with heat from the sun and the ting fell apart. I later used silicon which worked well. I have larger polycrystalline cells from larger garden bright spot lights. (They were thrown out and thus got them for free!) There were 2 2000mah 18650 cells already in there and the solar panel gave 6W (5V x 1.2A) output in full sunlight. Easily charges my phone.

[@sbunny8]

That works out to $19 per Watt. Interesting project, informative video. For a second there, I got excited thinking about solar cells for $1 each but then I did the math 7.2V x 85mA = 0.612 Watts for $12 (plus frame and charge controller). The dollar store isn't a great bargain after all. Oh well. OTOH, I found a 2 Watt solar panel online for $7 with free shipping, about 4 inches by 5 inches.

[@tonyromano6220]

Lol reality

[@Televisionary]

Can I have a link to those

[@EliOfMilkyWay]

Just fun project. If your that concerned id just pay electric bill thats 12 cents per 1000W

These panels found in solar lights perform better in low light/overcast conditions and generally are more expensive, so it‘s not a bad deal.

[@revemb4653]

This project would make sense for someone like me who thought these would be great for lighting up my yard at night but have about a good amount of them that stopped working after a few months. Rather than throw them out I can Jerry rig them to light up a higher quality LED for the yard.

[@MyWillyboi]

That isn't a transistor as far as I know, it's a charge controller IC 4 PIN! NOW IF IT ESSENTIALLY A TRANSISTOR AT ITS ROOT, POSSIBLY BUT IDK!

[@rpbajb]

At 1:20 it's not a resistor and a transistor. It's an inductor and an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit, e.g. YX-8018 or QX-5252); transistors have three leads, not four. The inductor increases the 1.5 volts from the NiMh or NiCad cell to the 3 volts required to light the LED, so it's a voltage increasing circuit, not a voltage drop one. At 8:16 the TP4056 module requires an input of 4.5-5.5 volts, usually a USB input. Data sheets are your friend.

[@Legend813a]

I have ran a tp-4056 board with 10 volts under test with no ill effects so he should be okay

[@mikejones-vd3fg]

Cool, wondered what those were as someone new to electronics it kind of threw me off. I like the simple design how it charges the battery when theres light, otherwise turns on the light when its dark. I wondered if they could be repurposed for other applications, I salvaged some panels from the same type of lights, albeit even smaller then in this video. I managed to get 6v 50ma out of my 3 in series and another 3 in parrallel, which seems about as bad as whats being shown here, it would take like 20 hours to charge a aa battery or something , which at 10x the size wouldnt be an issue but then size does and you see the ratio of solar panel needed to battery is still pretty inconvenient. You really need a foldable solution to charge 18650 type batteries or like a phone or powerbank. Id imagine newer solar cells perform better and these have to be the most budget cells they use in these dollar store things.

[@AlansInventions]

Nailed it!!

The TP4056 works with a voltage of 4.4-8V as far as I know. Because it‘s linear, if the voltage is higher it won‘t be as efficient.

[@TheCrystalGlow]

With the power of flux, you too can solder anything. 🤭

[@lol-mc3be]

“and i do like my pink hot glue gun” i love this guy 😂😂

[@AlansInventions]

Haha I love you too! Lol thanks for watching my stuff 🙃

[@mussim2919]

Great video! Please do more small solar project. I enjoyed watching this video very much!

[@AlansInventions]

Thank you! Make sure to subscribe. I actually have a big solar project in the works :)

[@BrainSlugs83]

Pro-tip -- if you use Isopropyl alcohol, you can remove hot glue really easily -- just soak a small paper towel and hold it on the glue spot for about 15 to 30 seconds -- if the glue doesn't just peel right off, add more IPA and another 15 to 30 seconds -- it should just lift right off, all as one piece, without much hassle. Also -- PSA is fine for outdoors -- even in wet or humid environments. It's fine.

[@AlansInventions]

Haha 😂 thank you. I have received that tip so many times lol

[@krystlemosleyrose6547]

You’re very smart your KZbin channel is going to be super successful in your near future

[@AlansInventions]

Thank you

[@krystlemosleyrose6547]

@@AlansInventions your welcome don’t ever stop at this because it’s going to be big if you keep pushing

[@MarkusWITH_a_k]

Cool I did that exact thing before. I never thought about a 3d printer. Lol I used Styrofoam. The only difference was I used more parallel circuits for more amps. Great Job

[@AlansInventions]

How much power did you end up getting out of it?

[@doctorzego]

Hey bub, great video! If you need to remove hot glue in the future, put isopropyl alcohol on it and it will release the bond.

[@JasonDrennen]

I did this little experiment and I realized it's actually cheaper to buy a small solar panel that puts out more power then all the lights. What I didn't try is if it's possible to remove the silicon used to make the solar panels to make a homemade panel.

[@upgradeamericapodcast8187]

Brilliant bro!

[@AlansInventions]

Thank you! Check out my solar shed if you have a chance. Thanks again!

[@JHCIII]

Dollar tree solar lights are good for AAA rechargeable batteries

[@Eeveehhhyeep]

Nice stuff.

[@JohnSmith-ft2tw]

You act like 7v is nothing, but when I was young cars and trucks operated on 6v for years. Not great, mind you, but it did suffice.

[@AlansInventions]

Yes but not with 80 mA :)

[@JohnSmith-ft2tw]

@@AlansInventions True enough.

[@frankstetka7206]

Here is a hot tip- If it is just the usual “hot glue” you can put alcohol on it and it will release from what it is stuck to.

[@AlansInventions]

Thank you!

[@carlcalhoun9960]

I recently tried this very thing but me being not as knowledgeable as yourself it failed. Considering the common interests I subscribed and look forward to you teaching me a thing or two.

[@AlansInventions]

How did it fail? Thanks for liking subscribing!

[@Legend813a]

You need a diode between the solar cells and the TP-4056 board.

[@AlansInventions]

You're right. Thanks!

[@RedfishInc]

I've been scavenging dollar store solar lights for a few years. I've made several small,panels using dollar store pictures frames as a framework. Add a 12 volt gelcell and a cheap Chinese controller and I have lights for a couple of garden sheds.

[@meganmaher-karahalios2634]

I liked the pink glue gun

[@xan5174]

you got my sub "ill mail you a solar pael " *silence* "gotchya bitch" love it

[@AlansInventions]

Haha 😂 😂 you said it not me. Lol

[@Kaylanisprofessorcygnus]

You can turn those light into security camreas , the solar panel idea was very creative, the 3d printer definitely made things better for the structure that holds it together. Good SOURCEFUL thinking! Your life opinions, and accomplishments matters! I acknowledge the Good things of life ! I would like to know how to make a solar panel out of scrap in the woods , a survival tactic for anyone to do. No 3d printer or things that have already been made, just strait forward the nautral earth.

[@AlansInventions]

Thanks! This is my best video and end product in my opinion. I am coming close to 1k subs and want to do something but not sure what yet.

[@Kaylanisprofessorcygnus]

Life needs many things,as an inventor, you always want to be SOURCEFUL. Create a self generating system . This is my recommendation.

[@OGMann]

Doing the same thing brought me here. Great sense of humor. I enjoyed your video. Excellent data points for my project, as well.

[@crawfish069]

Shine a laser pointer at a solar panel and your voltage should go up.

[@leightonwestbury92]

That's not a transistor its a 4 pin IC and the thing that you think is a resistor is actually an inductor responsible for the amount of current the LED gets to alter the brightness of the LED

[@Jeff-eu4ov]

Appreciate it, Alan. You wouldn't believe how hard it can be sometimes to find the right search results! Great video! I sure needed the help!

[@BainesMkII]

From my experience, the solar panels in these cheap lights have very short life spans. My mother liked to buy them. Long ago, you could get solar lights that would last 5-10 years, where you could just replace the batteries when they failed. But it seemed each year the construction got cheaper, with the panels failing faster and faster. Eventually it reached a point where the lights wouldn't even last a full year, you could look at the panels and see that they'd cracked and become cloudy just from several months of outdoor exposure.

[@dopiaza2006]

Standard chinese landfill garbage

[@ClayManJay]

Same conclusion. What doesn't break doesn't sell... More than once. Wicked ones

[@iuliancretu1688]

Awesome job man! I’m going to do something similar. I’m gonna use 8-10 solar panels to get about 14DC V then i will limit the voltage using a tension module to limit the voltage to 9V. And then i’m gonna connect the 9V to a charging jack for my digital piano and play it anywhere with solar energy. That is my project idea. Any advice?✌🏻🔌

[@AlansInventions]

Thanks 😊 Honestly though I think it would be more efficient to buy one off ebay for like 15 - 20 bucks and you would get more power per dollar :)

[@iuliancretu1688]

@@AlansInventions I know, and thank you for your response! But this project is about the building and learning process more than the results or money😊 I’m sure you can understand what i mean, because you are a really talented technical person, with a lot of awesome projects!❤️

[@AlansInventions]

I understand completely :) Good luck! 👍

[@cameronwilliams9342]

I love this project!!! Idk how u dont have more subs man. Keep up the good work! 👍😊

[@AlansInventions]

Hey thanks! I appreciate the support. Gotta keep going right?

[@roqinrobinbaker]

I guess he needs to get his videos out there more. I just subbed myself, after finding his videos by accident (I mistyped the url of another less interesting video)

[@p0tr3bit3l]

Well done, wish good health to you and your family :)

[@Kekker1944]

I have made one and it puts out 14.3 WATTS. I recharged my ATV Battery and used it to maintain my Truck Battery.

[@AlansInventions]

Nice! How many panels did you use and how big did it end up being?

[@toddday1835]

I had a similar idea cuz one day I found a bunch of those in the dumpster behind the dollar store I wanted to try to make a phone charger with them but I really don't know how to do it but it's nice to see somebody else was thinking the way I did

[@MarkRuslinzski]

I'm a new subscriber, Thank you

[@AlansInventions]

Thank you for subscribing 😊

[@sanperez313]

Very nice project!!! Ive already watched it a couple times because it is so interesting!!! I just purchased a 3d printer and am going to break her in with this project. However, I have one quick question... what dollar store did you go to? lol Because I am looking online at Home Depot and amazon but cannot find the solar leds that that you used. I might just purchase some different ones if I can't find them but I would like to use yours to start off with just to make sure everything goes smooth. Thanks in advanced!

[@AlansInventions]

Hey! Well thank you for the views :) I went to Dollar Tree, they have them in like the end caps. Every time I go I see them, I also noticed that some of the ceramic frogs/figurines they have utilize the same solar panel. Good luck! Let me know what 3D printer you got and how it goes for you. Check out TinkerCAD as well. Super easy to learn and completely free.

[@ericblenner-hassett3945]

Look up " jewel thief " and as pointed out by another comment, the boards have an inductor. It would be one way to use smaller than required voltage/current to light LEDs. There are ways with an inductor, not a hand wound transformer to make the circuit. As long as they are all in paralell and roughly the same voltage drop on the LEDs, they will all light up to the same brightness until you reach where there isn't enough power to make them bright. At that point, remove only one at a time until they work again.

[@tncb53]

pretty cool!! thanks

[@Amanda-cv7vn]

What's the likelihood of powering a tiny house with this idea 🤔 Just commented for boost to this guy

[@AlansInventions]

Thanks... These panels are very inefficient and the cost to make something useful would be higher than actually just buying a small solar panel.

[@Amanda-cv7vn]

@@AlansInventions yea I figured on the cheaper end of full size panels it would take 3 at least at $150 thanks for your reply though you are inspirational

[@toml.8210]

If the little wires on the solar cell fall off, you are stuck! There isn't a visible terminal to solder to, so you have to guess where to apply the solder. I got lucky by adding a BIG blob of solder. BTW- I'm putting together a few cells to power a watch winder, so you can use it in the winter without the A.C. adapter, or you can take it when you travel. It needs 3CDC(2 AA cells.)

[@SolarizeYourLife]

$15 for 1/2 a watt solar panel.... Nice try, but I don't think I try it.... Maybe for a bigger garden light....

[@TheCameraWall]

Man, this is cool! Thanks for linking the 3d file too!

[@AlansInventions]

No problem! Glad you liked it..You can probably build this for less than 20 bucks. You will also have abunch of 150 maH batteries left from the lamps. Thanks for watching!

[@dualxsurvival155]

loved the vid

[@chiragparmar26000]

It is costly. Height of Stupidity Why did you purchased instead buying straight small solar 0anels from the store. Though the project was good 👍

[@AlansInventions]

Haha 😂 thanks

[@K0REYY]

I did this 2 Series 2 parallel I need more solar panels

[@David-bs6bv]

Isopropyl Alcohol will remove hot glue quickly and easily.

[@frosty8578]

*walks into dollar store* Do you sell any wires and circuits here?

[@AlansInventions]

Walks in to dollar store. how many solar lamps do you want? Me: yes.

[@debscreepy]

Interesting video. I live and travel full time in my 25 foot 1994 Winnebago warrior class A motorhome with my little dog Tinkerbell and I loved seeing you make the solar panels.

[@AlansInventions]

Sounds like you're living the dream man! Glad you enjoyed the video

[@ChadLawson3]

I haven’t read all the comments, so forgive me if someone has already given you this tip. But a couple drops of isopropyl alcohol will cause the hot glue to dry and can be easily cracked off. I use hot glue for temporary mounting because I know I can get it off later. Thanks for the idea. I’ll be doing this soon!

[@AlansInventions]

Yup!! Thank you

[@imlon2]

I’m looking to add some 5volt LEDs to our landscaping. 300 LEDs About 18 watts. What if you ran those batteries in a series would that give you enough power, for 6-8 hours? I’ve done the LEDs inside but clueless to Solar and how that works.

[@AlansInventions]

Hello, your better off buying a small solar panel 20-25 watts, a charge controller and a battery and running it off that. My panel is inefficient.

[@lihtan]

I built something like this many years ago. I had a friend give me 14 old yard lights they were getting rid of. I made a frame out of bamboo chopsticks. It put out enough power that I could trickle charge a car battery with it. Keep in mind that hot glue is a terrible choice if this is going to be exposed to high temperatures (like sitting behind the windshield of a car sitting out in the sun).

[@ClayManJay]

How long did it take to get a full charge

[@AlansInventions]

Honestly I don't remember anymore. But the charging rate was very slow.

[@KryptaKnight]

How many small DG Solar path lights do I need, MINIMUM, to be capable of charging a 12v battery?

[@greenspiraldragon]

Can I get enough dollar store solar panels to power an off grid house?

[@AlansInventions]

You can, however it would be very expensive and the cost per watt would be very high. Check out my solar shed, that one uses panels that are more efficient and cost effective.

[@lonnymoore2622]

its not a transistor or resistor . though still usefull stuff there . its a rather specialized circuit and the resistor looking circuit is a coil or atleast its a circuit that is used like a coil to boost the voltage . i looked the parts up at one point .

[@donjet5371]

At 9:22 go woke, go broke. "Woke" means idiot in normal circles. Other than that, nice video.

[@jelx1107]

How did you engineer the purple holder for the panels and base to 3D print? Would love to see an overview of that process. Thx

[@AlansInventions]

I used a program called tinkercad.

[@jelx1107]

@@AlansInventions Thanks so much

[@jelx1107]

@AlansInventions Just FYI that program is sweet. I don't have a 3D printer yet but it is easy enough to download and create CAD beforehand. Thanks again!

[@AlansInventions]

You're welcome. Once you get used to it like me you're going to want to look for a better one. 😂 But it's a great beginner tool

[@PraxZimmerman]

Alchohol breaks the hot glue bond

[@chaundasumara]

Great video!!! So glad KZbin lead me to you. I’m gonna have to try to do it.

[@lostsilvercoin6989]

So at the end did you connect all the column positives together then the board and the same for the negatives?

[@AlansInventions]

Yes that's correct.

[@typewriteraudio]

Just subscribed this is awesome

[@AlansInventions]

Thank you

[@Kekker1944]

If you lose the wire contact you can get Liquid Solder from off the Net.

[@BeeJay120]

I remember trying this as a kid using a CD case to house the array, though I never actually glued them in (heck, I still have the little panels in a bag somewhere). Looking back at it now the £ per watt is pretty bad, though they did come installed in lights after all.

[@KryptaKnight]

How many small DG Solar path lights do I need, MINIMUM, to be capable of charging a 12v battery?

[@AlansInventions]

Hello, you are better off buying a dedicated solar panel than trying to make one. You can get one on eBay for under 20 bucks

[@wherami]

i have done that with a large number of these solar lights as well. i found some really old ones and the cells all still worked great too. i ended up creating a 12v output panel

[@KryptaKnight]

How many small DG Solar path lights do I need, MINIMUM, to be capable of charging a 12v battery?

[@wherami]

@@KryptaKnight I have 12 of them hooked up in series parallel to get the proper V and amp. mine are all recycled so they werent running perfectly which is why I had to hook so many up. I would suggest you connect yours up and test to see what you get from yours. I saw output from one cell to be anywhere from 2v to 5v but the amps were under 100ma so had to put some in parallel to get the current going enough to charge a 12v

The explanation for the circuit is wrong: The 4-Pin chip is a switching chip because the LED requires a voltage of 3V and the NiMh cell puts out 1.2V, the resistor thing actually is a coil. Together, they work as a really simple boost converter circuit. The NiMh cell most likely charges directly through the solar panel because you don‘t need much circuity to charge a NiMh cell (a low current source or current limiting resistor).

[@AlansInventions]

Nice ! If I had the lights , I would test it out.

[@joshakers1]

Allen can you please help this plumber make a panel? I am curious. Since we know that those are step up circuits, and not a voltage drop circuit. Can you tell me if and of so how exactly to implement one or more of the step up circuits that came with the lights to increase the output of the panel? Also I thought about making a battery pack out of the AAA's and or wiring a couple to the panel. Im currently walking across America with my pooch and this would be a game changer. Please get back to me ASAP! Happy Trails

[@AlansInventions]

You have a lot going on in your life! Story time?

[@joshakers1]

@@AlansInventions sure if you can help me switch the solar from the stupid battery packs and keep my phone charged. I'd be glad to tell you a story or two oh, hell I'd even throw in some pictures and pop-ups

[@JesseL67]

You combined dollar store panels

[@maryjanestylist8314]

yeeeeesssssss plz make a disco ball cause I want to make one

[@AlansInventions]

Still might do it not Sure yet!

[@thecoininator2399]

I did the same thing you did I have already purchased the dollar store lights

[@garymucher4082]

The number of times I thought about doing this exact same thing. I told my neighbors that when their solar night walk lights stop working to give them to me instead of throwing them away... Another interesting idea is to use LEDs for solar power. Most any LED in the sunlight will produce voltage. The clear ones should produce more than the colored ones too. Just another idea to try...

[@josholin31]

I thought red LEDs produced the most voltage? LED = solar panel and vice versa. Same technology but manufactured more for one purpose versus another. It would be kind of interesting if someone manufactured a solar panel to both absorb light, and emit it. - I imagine it wouldn't absorb light efficiently, or emit it strongly, but I think the concept would be cool.

[@DoctorBill]

This is why Transistors were put in small cans when they first came out in the 50's. Researchers found the transistors produced the unwanted voltage.

[@peterk.4266]

An absolutely beautiful project.

[@AlansInventions]

Thank you 😊

[@kochabking]

One may be more optimized if printed a frame in two different parts and bolting them together. Then you could adjust the angle for sun strength.

[@AlansInventions]

At the time my 3D design and print were tough enough to do as is. :) I am still trying to learn how to print hinges and other mechanical items.

[@BrandonDickenson35]

Thinking back on this now,,,,the adjustable/wing nut stand kind could be attached simpler I can't wait till I can get a printer I have a feeling I'll be learning a lot more about many more varied projects with it

[@crisstianpreston8813]

if i add more to this could i in theory charge a 12v battery??

[@thecoininator2399]

I thought you did you great I wanna replicate what you did Just for fun. I’m the proud owner of a cheap 3 d printer. Haven’t tried it yet. I wonder if i can get a copy of the plan for the holder you printed. It’s the first thing I have seen that I want to make. Thanks

[@AlansInventions]

Hi - I cannot guarantee the files still work, but I can send them to you. Send me an email and I will share them there. My email is in my profile.

[@briand.reynolds474]

Cool video, I would have commented for the free solar panel, lol

[@AlansInventions]

Lol, I dont think the cheap solar panels would handle the trip. ha

[@SnowingNapalm]

After the last video i watched claiming to be dollar store solar yard light hacks i simply must like this video because it actually does something unlike putting a already existing light into a jar to create a light that lets see already existed? She was only placing it on diffusers for "style" points. good job on your video you've restored some of my faith in humanity

[@AlansInventions]

Thanks!! I really appreciate that 😊

[@duwanmorrison2492]

That's exactly how I ended up on this video. Glad that I did.

[@coloradostrong]

Bus stop booths. They have _nice_ solar panels on them. A couple of bolts holding them on. And school crossing lamps too. You said scavenge, didn't you?

[@AlansInventions]

Haha 😂 😂 great thinking for when the world falls apart lol. Until then, ebay and renogy it is xD

[@METALMAN4Wii]

I call this guy and The Lock Picking Lawyer for my zombie survivor team oh and Project Farm Guy my skill is making sandwhiches.

[@AlansInventions]

haha! Thanks man. I appreciate the feedback

[@METALMAN4Wii]

@@AlansInventions The Lock Picking Lawyer will get us into the bunker under Denver airport with a paperclip.

[@minkorrh]

Prolly could have bought a 12v panel from Ali X for cheaper.

[@AlansInventions]

You are absolutely right.

[@-iIIiiiiiIiiiiIIIiiIi-]

GOT EM'!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@pulesjet]

My Mother in Law buys those lights all the time. Never attempts to referb them when they poop out. She gives them to me. Problem ? She never buys the same ones. Of the dozen I have panels from like two are the same size and shape. LOL When mine crap out because of the chity batteries they use, I just solder in a Alkaline AAA cell. YES they RECHARGE just fine. I recharge Alkaline cells for our flash lights about 10 times before the take the dive. In the Yard lamps they last a few years easy. Trick is to recharge with a really low current. 20-50mAh seems to agree with them. The yard lights produce less then that from the mini panels. Cool Video...

[@LathanM]

Use rubbing alcohol to remove hot glue without having to scrape it off.

[@AlansInventions]

Someone else also recommended that, thanks! I will keep that in mind for future projects

[@paulela123]

Nice video. I need to check out your site for other solar projects. I am looking for a suggestion for outdoor security lights with about 15 LED lights. Any suggestions?

[@AlansInventions]

Thanks! I have one dropping soon! In all honesty you can get some pretty good ones off ebay for around 15-20 bucks. What are you trying to illuminate with the lights? Is it like a strand of lights or a light panel?

[@mr.makeit4037]

Are you sure that's a resistor and not an inductor?

[@AlansInventions]

I can't, I do not have them anymore. I gave it away when I moved.

[@zeothorn]

That glue you used will melt under the summer sun i can tell you that,and the plastic frame you used will be brittle in no time.Good for indoor,but not for outdoor.

[@AlansInventions]

Correct. That was more for demonstration.

[@magnolia-gainesmiller5308]

How many watts are in the final product?