Solar Charger for Dusk/Dawn LED

[jayflash]

I have some nice old glass & copper cattail garden lights that use a single LED. After many years, the single AA NiMH cell chargers are finally weathered beyond any more repairs. I swiped a solar charger unit from a new winter light string, but I'll have to replace it come next Christmas season.

I'd appreciate any info about outdoor dusk-to-dawn units suitable for a few mA of low lumen LED lighting.

 

[gilesa]

I think your best option might be to buy a cheap solar garden light and extract the parts. Alternatively, these controller chips are available as retail: Zetex ZXLD383. Unfortunately they come in a tiny SOT-23 package that is tricky to solder. I think there is no retail source for the more user-friendly Chinese-made chips in a four-lead plastic transistor package.

 

[jayflash]

Yes, gilesa, that's probably the route I'll take. Thanks for posting.