LightingYou will see this often
Solar garden light
Also called path light, solar stake.
A tiny solar cell, a dead NiMH cell, a white LED, and a one-chip boost converter that also detects night. The best small teaching circuit in the trash.
A donor is the dead machine. The parts below are what is still worth removing from it. “Leave it” is a part that is physically in there and should stay in there: too dangerous, too worn, or only useful as part of a repair you are not doing.
A scrapped machine is a box of parts that failed at different times. The reason it was thrown out is often one bad piece. The motor, the cord, the supply, and the screws are frequently still good. This index says which is which.
Why it is in the trash while the parts are not
The NiMH cell died from being left flat. The LED and the cell (solar) are usually fine.
Before you open it
Do this while it is still unplugged, cool, and not leaking. The cell is 1.2 V. Nothing dangerous except broken plastic.
Where the dead machine usually is
- Garage and shed — In the house
- Bulk trash day — Curb
- Remodel and construction dumpster — Curb
After the first winter.
How it comes apart
The top unscrews or pries. The board is under the cell.
Tools: Phillips, Meter.
What to take
The table is the short version. The notes under it describe that part inside this machine, not only the general description.
| Part | Call | How many | How often | Where to look |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small solar cell | Prize | 1 | always | The top. |
| Indicator LED | Prize | 1 | always | The head. |
| NiMH cell | Bonus | 1 | always | The body. |
| Power inductor | Bonus | 1 | usually | On the board. |
| Enclosure | Bonus | 1 | always | The stake. |
Prize
About 2 V open circuit in sun, low current.
The top.
Desolder gently. The tabs break.
Crazed epoxy is a weak cell.
A white LED.
The head.
Note the polarity.
Good.
Bonus
AAA or a custom cylinder. Usually the failure.
The body.
Replace it if you want the light back.
Dead.
The boost inductor.
On the board.
Leave it on the board. The board is the circuit.
Good.
A diffuser and a spike.
The stake.
The plastic is UV-brittle.
Cracked.