In this DIY guide, we are going to show you step by step how to build a solar light bulb bottle at home. It’s so easy and low cost that anyone can do as a science experiment project or last resort survival illumination kit.
Let’s get started:
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1 – Get These Materials & Tools
Materials
- a small 5V solar panel
- an empty water bottle
- a 330 Ohm resistor
- a 10 Ohm resistor
- a small LED diode for charger indictor
- a small LED light bulb
- a small AA battery holder
Tools
- Solder Iron
- Solder wire
- Piler
- Wirecutter
- Glue gun
Step 2 – Build Connection Between Battery LED Indicator & The Solar Panel
Solder charger indicator LED diode on the negative terminal on the back of the 5V solar panel
Next, solder a 330 Ohm resistor on the positive terminal of the solar panel.
Next, solder the resistor and the LED diode together after bending them together to your best ability. I highly recommend you measure how much length you need before applying the solder.
Step 3 – Build Battery Connection
Solder diode anode on the positive tab of the solar panel.
Next, solder ared wire on the cathode of diode to the battery’s positive terminal.
Next, solder a black wire to the negative tab of the solar panel
Next, solder the other end of the black wire to the battery holder
Step 4 – Build LED Light Bulb Into The Bottle Cap
Use the solder iron tip to burn a hole through the cap.
Then, glue the LED pointing down on the cap like shown below:
Step 5 – Build A Switch
Solder the switch on the battery’s positive terminal wire.
Next, solder a 10 ohm resistor on the second switch terminal.
Step 6 – Assemble The Water Bottle Light Bulb
Just twist the cap back on the water bottle filled with water, and turn on the switch!
Bam! now you have a solar panel light bulb that acts like a flood light when illuminating the water.
The solar panel will always collect sunlight to charge the battery, and the battery powers the LED.
Wrap Up
I hope you find this little project educational and useful. If you want to buy a field grade solar panel flood light for emergency or outdoor use, please click here.