Solar

JAN 2012
Ikea Sunnan Solar Lamp Hack
I purchased The solar powered Lamp from Ikea called "Sunnan" it was only $20 which I think for the quailuty of the product is good value.

The best thing is the potenial to hack this to power other small appliances and devices, so I have made a video of taking it apart.

I also found a similar Solar Powered lamp on EBAY for $9.96 free shipping from Hong Kong

Ikea Sunnan Solar Lamp

Solar Cell and Power pack pops out

4 x screws to remove cover

3 x AA 1200 mAh  1.2v battries

small circuit with Diode and fuse

base comes apart with removal of 4 screws

SEPT 2011
Solar Charger / Solar Lamp
So I found these small garden Solar lamps in my local store for $2.
I immediately grabbed a few to play with, and was very surprised and happy to see a rechargeable AAA battery inside. I cant even get rechargeable batteries at that price so for $2 battery and a solar charger is awesome.
I will add them to my BOB bug out bag for recharging my small FM radio or my small torch.
I then started thinking what else I can do with them so I tried to turn my Lounge lamp into a solar lamp from ambient room light.
It has worked well they do charge but the 9 LEDs but are not bright enough for a reading lamp but do make a nice night lamp with soft glow.
I also am going to use the steak part of the garden solar lamp as ammo for a catapult (which are illegal in Australia) so I only have the elastic not the handle.
I looked on ebay and they are available from several sources, Click for  Solar Lamps on ebay

My Lounge Solar Lamp

9 LED solar lights

Inside a rechargeable AAA battery 

The solar garden Lamp

Top pulls off

Staeak pops back in to make a nice spear

Solar Steak, Solar Lamp, and light cover, and 1 opened by removing 2x small screws

AUG 2010
Slowly working away on my solar can heater, just got to add a solar powered electric fan and exhaust pipe .
will put together a video once its complete and working.

all the cans mounted and ready to paint

A nice black Matt paint finish

JUL 2010

This project I was originally going to start a while back, so I finally got it under way. I have seen these made with huge boxes placed outside homes, but i want mine in an apartment so I decided to mount it on one of the window panels in my conservatory.
by building it inside i dont have to supply the glass and can custom size it to the area i have.

Collect a whole bunch of soda cans and give them a good rinse out!

I have seen most people like to drill these cans with a big opening on top and small holes on bottom! why complicate it when a simple Tin opener can do the trick?

Tilt at angle and slice off top.

This actually gives a very smooth Finnish

Pull off ring tab from top

why drill holes? just use some tin snips or a very strong pair of scissors

cut from pull tab hole in a circular fan shape

finished cut will be fan shape across, this helps slow heat and cause a rotation as it transfers threw soda can

Use a clear silicon to seal the soda cans around neck collar

use something to keep cans aligned in a straight line while they set

I have got a window section that can fit 10 x rows of 6 cans.

This is as far as I got will post more as i continue