The Smell of Molten Projects in the Morning

Ed Nisley's Blog: Shop notes, electronics, firmware, machinery, 3D printing, laser cuttery, and curiosities. Contents: 100% human thinking, 0% AI slop.

Solar Yard Light Debris

A solar yard / walkway light appeared in the far back reaches of the yard while mowing:

Solar yard light - bubble
Solar yard light – bubble

Yes, that’s an air bubble in the middle, so you know the light hasn’t been staying in its Happy Place™.

As the djinn in the bottle put it, “Pop the top and let’s get started”:

Solar yard light - cover off
Solar yard light – cover off

Those light emitting diodes around the photovoltaic cell in the middle can’t light up any more.

A little more effort with the Designated Prydriver reveals the guts:

Solar yard light - components
Solar yard light – components

That’s an NiMH cell, so the light has been abandoned out there for quite a few years.

The photovoltaic element still worked, but the LEDs were defunct. The corpse will be a guest of honor at the next electronics recycling event down the road from here.

Someday, our great-to-the-nth grandchildren will curse our ways …

Comments

3 responses to “Solar Yard Light Debris”

  1. captnmike Avatar

    What!!! Are you really not going to rebuild it? Shame Shame

    Interesting little light

    Take care!!

    1. Ed Avatar

      So many projects, so little time …

      1. captnmike Avatar

        Always interesting to see your posts