Open Coil Found In Solar Gate Lamps
These two solar gate lamps were brought to me by one of my childhood friends, who is a professional electrician-cum-plumber. The complaint was that both were not lighting up. When I opened it, I saw a lot of rust formation in battery contacts. I cleaned the inside and outside as thoroughly as possible.
Cleaned the battery contacts with IPA. When I powered one of the lamps up, it did not work. So checked the coil that looked like a resistor and found it to be opened. Replaced it with a similar one from my junk collections. That lamp worked very well. In the other only the wire was broken due to corrosion, which I cleaned and resoldered. It worked well too.
My friend was more than happy that he could get the lamps in working condition, as these were lying in his attic for many years and when he wanted to install it, he found it to be defective! Anyhow smile is infectious and it got transferred to me too! Here are a few pictures for curious minds:
From the above picture you would have noticed a button IC (glued to the PCB), which is the only other main semiconductor in this circuit handling the charging and switching on the light when the sun light goes off. No number and identity!
Mission accomplished and the double satisfaction jumped into its collection bag as usual.
This article was prepared for you by Parasuraman Subramanian from India. He is 70 years old and has more than 30 years’ experience in handling antique equipment like Valve Radio, Amps, Reel Tape Recorders and currently studying latest tech-classes conducted by Kerala State Electronics Technicians’ Association. He has done graduation in BBA degree, private diploma in Radio Engineering and retired as MD of a USA company. Presently working as Consultant to Hospital and other institutions.
Please give a support by clicking on the social buttons below. Your feedback on the post is welcome. Please leave it in the comments.
P.S-If you enjoyed reading this, click here to subscribe to my blog (free subscription). That way, you’ll never miss a post. You can also forward this website link to your friends and colleagues-thanks!
You may check on his previous repair article below:
https://jestineyong.com/shorted-transistors-and-blown-fuses-found-in-akai-tuner-receiver/
(61)Dislikes
(0)
9 Comments
Leave a Reply
Waleed Rishmawi
June 23, 2020 at 8:37 pm
that is what you get for keeping electronic devices in the storage room with dust and humidity. good job on the repair my friend.have a blessed day
Parasuraman S
June 24, 2020 at 6:03 am
You are right! But they do 'feed' us! (LOL) Many thanks!
Albert van Bemmelen
June 23, 2020 at 10:21 pm
In the first Solar lamps on the market they used an extra LDR light depending resistor to make the led switch on in the dark, and charge the cells in the day.
Now they just use the solar cell as light indicator and if it gets dark (0V over the cell) the led automatically lights up.
Sadly all cheap solar lights go 'kaput' in time. By corrosion or because the solar cell quits or after the battery corrodes. I have had to throw too many of those away already. Also after the plastic housing deteriorates after too many hours of UV light.
Lynn Blakely
June 24, 2020 at 1:10 am
Good job as usual, and an explanation to match.
Parasuraman S
June 24, 2020 at 2:25 pm
Many thanks !
Parasuraman S
June 24, 2020 at 6:06 am
You are correct! These are very short-lived devices! Many do not visit a workshop like this one did! Many thanks for your input!
Humberto
June 24, 2020 at 12:34 pm
What a good repair, Parasuraman!
Parasuraman S
June 24, 2020 at 2:26 pm
Many thanks !
Francisco Rica
June 28, 2020 at 6:48 pm
Good job Parasuraman Subramanian!
How about the coil with resistor shaped. This is the first time I see one of this coils. How did you know that it was a coil? It is indicated in the PCB as "L + number"?