solar lighting converted to low voltage

solar outdoor lighting is a LIE. I converted it to low voltage dc. The solar panels CANNOT provide a proper charge to the battery after it has been put away for the season. That battery will be drained to 0 volts. A solar panel will not re-charge the battery after a winter in storage. The idea is to have people toss them and buy new in the spring. You may get a 2nd yr out of them, but they wont last as long as they should

[@kilimar948]

Change the title, "I talk about carbon footprint with regards to solar lights". There's no instructions on how to convert solar lighting to low voltage.

[@themockingmechanic8345]

My apologies. The actual wiring is second nature to me. I did not consider showing that part. I simply soldered wire to the positive and negative battery tab (battery removed and recycled) of each light. In my case, I wired 2 strings of 10 lights in series and then put both strings in parallel to the transformer. Hope that helps.

[@vp15x]

@@themockingmechanic8345 NO!!! IT DOESN'T ,DOM VIDEO!!! DUHHH!!!

[@philkingmke]

@@themockingmechanic8345 I know the wiring is second nature to you but how do you determine which wire from the transformer is + or -?

[@billiebobbienorton2556]

Calling BS on your video. You're not telling me HOW to convert to electric. Just a dissertation on solar powered batteries...blah, blah, blah.

[@themockingmechanic8345]

I honestly did not know this would draw so much attention. I will do a proper how to at some point

[@jhenwhit]

I thought you were going to show us how you did it..

[@HungNguyen-sb1yu]

This guy wasted my time

[@boom2478]

Some of these comments 😂 Clowns, put some effort in at least. A quick read, educate yourselves. This guy has presented a good idea/ solution and explained the reasons behind doing it. Which are good reasons tstl! This is human wastefulness at its best. I would also include the environmental damage mining materials to make these crappy batteries, and the cost of shipping them around the world. Same arguments are valid regarding electric cars too. Dont believe everything the powers that be want us to believe. I at least appreciate this video and gave a like 👍 Nice one

[@alfonsopintojr9932]

did you use a diode? does the size of transformer matter, depending on how lights you string together? too many questions, not enough answers.

[@Neil8543]

10 mins of blah blah blah, no instructions. Wasted my time.

[@themockingmechanic8345]

My apologies for wasting your time. In my mind, at the time, it was directed for people that already had some knowledge with electronics. I did not think that anyone else would be interested. I will do another video now that I know there is interest.

[@davidjett]

Thanks for the video. I had been wanting to install a great bit of rope lights around my gardens however price was an issue. I came across an insane deal on a bunch of solar powered rope lights that I decided to gobble up and convert to low voltage. I have spent the past few months doing some electrical work around the back yard, ie installing a second main box, new lines etc. so I have "some" knowledge on what to do but wasn't sure where to start. Your video helped!! The only point I am left a little fuzzy on is when you stated that you ran two sets of lights in series (which I get) but you ran the two strands in parralel at the power supply (this is what I am having a little trouble visualizing.) Would you mind drawing a very very simplistic picture of what your did at the power supply? Nothing detailed, seriously just a 1 min. rough sketch to help my brain. Lol. Again, appreciate the video.

[@themockingmechanic8345]

Consider each strand of lights ( wired in series) as a single light. You now have 2 lights, the positive from each light goes the the positive of the power source, same with the negative.

[@MexicodeNocheToronto]

You talk to much and nothing happens!

[@themockingmechanic8345]

I am Sorry, you talk too little, and nothing happens. I Joke. Seriously, this video is getting more attention that it ever should have. I was just going to delete it, but the comments keep coming. Please look at my other replies.I explain everything.

[@saundralopez2030]

I did the same to my solar powered lights but it only stayed on for about 10 seconds. What do you think I did wrong?

[@chanelvuitton256]

Hi. Curious. Let’s say you have solar lights and the port the solar part attaches to light can also take an electric charger. Is it safe to use an electric charger to charge batteries in solar light? Would it always have to be charged if not charging by solar? Or charge every so often? Please help me out with how can an electric charger be used.

[@themockingmechanic8345]

My apologies to everyone that had a comment or question. I did not expect this kind of response and I have been down for the last year. I am finally recovering though.

[@nel6211]

Came here to learn how to convert to low voltage and all I got was rant how solar isn't cost effective. Wasted 10 mins of my life.

[@brandonhorn6218]

That was ten minutes wasted I thought I was going to shown how to wire the the lights

[@GG-ec5eg]

settle down people. take a second and think just a tiny bit..... negative goes to negative positive to positive and for any transformer the two lines out of that the positive is almost 99%%%%%%%%%%% of the time marked with a white dashed or solid line on the wire or its got a raised line of the outer jacket negative one is normal nothing on it. and for the battery the flat end is negative the end with the bump on it is positive i sure hope that last part you all knew but if you didn't may i suggest not doing this and go back to looking at your phone but instead of staring at it watching stuff that decreases your brain activity live a little and learn something new "like what is a battery" or maybe a topic such as the "demise of society is self induced" or just go back to spending time typing remarks on videos that don't spoon feed you exactly what you want???? !!!! idk its just a thought , i liked the video i was just seeing if anyone has done this and this showed up so cool video man keep them coming

[@themockingmechanic8345]

Thanks for that. I think you were a little hard on the kids though. I only do this stuff to help out. I make no money on this. You tube vids help me out as a mechanic and electronics tech. A global sharing of information is a blessing and a curse. We need to decide for our selves what is useful and what is junk. God bless you.

[@throughthelookingglass9393]

Can you tell me what type of wire and transformer I need to purchase. And does the wire need to be soldered to the tabs where the battery was. This may seem like a crazy question as to type of wire...kinda new at trying to convert all my solar and battery lighting to electric.

[@themockingmechanic8345]

I used a 12 volt dc transformer good for 1 amp

[@johncritchley1046]

Just a tirade against these solar lights. Does not tell how to convert. Waste of time video

[@themockingmechanic8345]

That is a bit harsh bud. Look at my previous posts. If you really need a step by step instruction, I will be happy to help. Also no, not a tirade. I simply do not wish for people to spend money on "throw away " products

[@mikeraposo7243]

So...10 minutes and you don't actually explain how to convert anything, except how much you hate charging batteries

[@jasonhernandez6291]

Lol so this was more bout solar power sucks but where's the wirin I get in series to parallel bu thats all u get folks.

[@themockingmechanic8345]

Solar power is a good thing. the problem is the method of energy storage. I am sorry that I did not do a step by step instruction . It is not possible at this point. my lights have been installed. Honestly I did not think any one would want to do this.

[@philkingmke]

@@themockingmechanic8345 You're so wrong. Solar indeed sucks so we ALL want to do this. In my case, I actually want to convert some of these to my own RGB 12v pixels but it's the exact same principle.

[@lisajw345]

I take mine appart

[@mdkhan11]

BS Video. no instructions

[@themockingmechanic8345]

My apologies. step 1: count the number of lights you want to use. step 2: calculate the voltage drop for each light and choose the appropriate transformer (voltage and current rating). Step 3: wire your lights in series (negative to positive) to best match the transformers voltage rating. You may want to look up tutorials on basic electronics first. There are plenty on youtube. It was never my intention to teach a course. This was done simply to encourage others to repurpose and/or reuse what would otherwise go to the dump.

[@russellborrego1689]

I think this was actually a good video. Yes, anyone looking to have their hand held through the whole process might be disappointed... But if they literally take one of these lights into their hands and disassemble it? They'll understand completely just how simple and un-intimidating the whole thing is. A transformer can easily be had from eBay or Amazon, so can speaker wire to do the wiring for a test run. Hell, nearly everyone has an old non-usb cell phone wall plug charger stuffed in a drawer somewhere they can use. They could even use scissors instead of wire strippers if they're careful. Great video, good contribution!

[@themockingmechanic8345]

Thanks for the reply. As an update, I got 2 extra seasons before the led started to burn out. I tried to make cheap out door lighting last more than a year. The lesson here- dont waste time on cheap products

[@russellborrego1689]

@@themockingmechanic8345, two extra seasons isn't bad tho. Not for a throw away product. Plus, it's a good exercise for anyone to learn and benefit from... Certainly from a proof of concept standpoint to anyone who thought it was possible. I bet you've performed a greater service with this video than you think.