24-7 Xenon light Self running solar panel test

[powercat]

Thanks Stefan its working great now

[powercat]

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[ibpointless2]

Hi I'm glad you started this thread. I've been working on the same idea since 2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnC9YTXXAjs


This is a hard thing to do since the solar panels are only 20% efficient at the most. Since then i moved to using smaller light that need less power. I use a LED flash light that runs on a AAA battery and I put that on top of a 5 watt solar panel. The most I ever got from doing this was 8 volts at 45uA, but thats not enough to charge the AAA battery that powers the LED light. I have found ways to make the solar panel more efficient, you can add water to the top of the panel and it will increase the panel's output. I also Heard that the solar panel respond more to the infrared spectrum so maybe a red LED will work better? I'm thinking that making my own Solar panel will be better to use.


How much power does your light consume?

[powercat]

Hi ibointless2,
One of my lights consumes 35 W, I am aware of solar panel effectiveness I am hoping by using big ones I can generate more power, most people only use small ones like in this new video from Lidmotor  Solar cell working off  GLOW STICK light
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iVL2MxR25o&list=UU9jbwyyAum79LXTNCgHeuFg&index=1&feature=plcp
I will not be surprised if I can make my setup self-run But in time with new technology on solar panels and more efficient lighting this must be possible.
Didn't get much time today in the workshop but did manage to assemble the solar light box,I have put Aluminum foil in the top and bottom to reflect the light better, Hopefully well get more time later in the week.

[conradelektro]

In this type of experiment one should try to concentrate all the light from the light source (bulb, LED) onto the solar cell.

In the attached drawing I try to depict this idea of "light concentration".

The light cone emitted from many LEDs spreads at about 15°. The light is then re-concentrated onto a small solar cell by help of a lens.

Of course, the LED has only a limited efficiency (converting electricity to light), the lens is not completely transparent and then the solar cell has a limited efficiency of at most 20%. The losses are great, but one can always try.

Greetings, Conrad