Outdoor Garden Solar Lights Circuit

LED Solar Lights Circuit Schematic

This Outdoor LED Solar Garden Lights project is a hobby circuit of an automatic 

garden light using a LDR and 6V/5W solar panel. During day time, the internal 

rechargeable 6 Volt SLA battery receives charging current from the connected

 solar panel through polariy protection diode D9 and current limiting resistor 

R10. If ambient light is normal, transistor T1 is reverse biased by IC1 (LM555).

Here IC1 is wired as a medium current inverting line driver, switched by an encapsulated 

light detector (10mm LDR). Multi-turn trimpot P1 sets the detection sensitivity. 

When ambient light dims,transistor T1 turns on to drive the white LED string (D1-D8). 

Now this lamp load at the output of T1 energises. Resistors R1-R8 limits the operating 

current of the LEDs. When the ambient light level restores, circuit returns to its idle state

 and light(s) switched off by the circuit.

Assemble the Outdoor Solar Lights circuit on a general purpose PCB and enclose the 

whole assembly in a transparent plastic box. Drill suitable holes on the top of the 

encloure to mount the mini solar panel (SP1) and the light sensor (LDR), and in front 

for fitting power switch (S1) and the sensitivity controller (P1).

Fix the battery inside the cabinet using a double-sided glue tape/pad. Finally, the LDR 

should not be mounted to receive direct sunlight. It must be mounted at the top of the 

enclosure, pointing to the sky say southwards. This circuit is very simple. So interested 

and experienced hobbyists can alter/modify the whole circuit as per their own ideas 

without any difficulty (Just try a 6V relay with T1 to drive more number of LED strings)