This is a simple but fun little project.

The core is a four-pin solar control chip that uses the voltage from the sun to control both light and charging. During the day, the LED automatically turns off, entering charging mode. At night, the solar panel voltage drops, automatically entering discharge mode, and the LED lights up.

An 800mAh NiMH battery stores the solar power. The LED discharge current is about 20mA, so theoretically, a full charge should last all night.

Place it near a window where it receives sunlight, and it becomes a perfect night light.

If you’re going to place it outdoors, please apply a waterproof coat of paint to the wood surface to prevent mold.

The circuit is very simple and highly integrated, requiring only one chip and one inductor. Pay attention to the direction of the chip with the words on it.

800mah NiMH rechargeable battery

LED

Note that there are positive and negative poles. If you connect them in reverse, the light will not turn on (if there is a dot inside the battery).

This is a 2v solar panels

Pay attention to the positive and negative poles

(The picture is just a demonstration of the correct connection. When actually making it, you need to pass the two wires through the holes on the wooden cover.)

Finished night light