Every year I work on the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, I get a dubious technical gift from the crew-chief Vince - who routinely travels around the world as part of his normal work.
This year the gift is a solar and mains (100V to 250V) rechargeable work light complete with integrated flashlight, area light and cooling fan.
It turns out that the circuitry was quite hard to reverse engineer because of its weirdness. But it turns out to be quite interesting and relatively efficient.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
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16 thoughts on “Inside a solar/mains rechargeable fan / work light. with schematic”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Anthony Shiels says:

    I have just ordered 2 of these from Fruugo. The colour is brown which will be more suitable for my decor than the blue one shown here.
    I REALLY believe in a harmonious colour scheme.
    35.95 European Currency Units each.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Chris England says:

    Hmm, not very many comments from folk who are keen to rush out and buy one. It's a sort of torch (but too big), a fan (but too weak) and a work light (but too fragile) – the sort of thing my granny might have bought me for Christmas.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sulev-Madis Silber says:

    i think i suddenly realized why the similar light, i found being thrown away, did blow up!

    the sla just dried out and went open circuit. that removed the only voltage stabilizer from the circuit and led got ~300vdc. explains black spots in that package and, iirc, red charging led being split half with force of the mains

    i guess that was only reason it failed…

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kurt Magnus says:

    I have one but I hardly see them around anymore. I only see one on eBay. I would like to fine out where to get more

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Daddy Bear says:

    In the United States “cash converters” is a chain of pawnshops lol

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Michael Cox says:

    Ah, good ol' Cashies; a garage sale with dedicated business hours. DankPods would be proud.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars wtmayhew says:

    This device reminds me of device I have: a nice little USB power bank with a bright LED array on one side, USB in and out, and solar panel on the other side. As long as I charge the device via USB it is great. If I put it in room light, the charge status LED bar graph comes on, but it appears the bar graph uses more energy than the panel generates, thus discharging the battery! In very bright sun it might work, but in room light I have to remember to keep the solar panel side covered.

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars wtmayhew says:

    China, Inc. is usually pretty good at minimizing to the bare minimum. I am a bit surprised the LED selector switch uses two 4.7 Ohm resistors, where one resistor would be sufficient (both LEDs can’t be on simultaneously, or can they?). I suppose that gives some flexibility for a future design change where the two LEDs require different current limiting resistors. The fan disable is actually kind of clever, I like that. The other missed opportunity is they could have used a two chip LED and saved the need to have a blocking diode on the solar panel; hard to say if a fancier LED or the extra diode would cost more.

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Leatherkid🇨🇦 says:

    Is that a shaver adaptoror a 13A one 🤔? Love your vids

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Richardo Milos says:

    Hi clive, can you make video about fan with water mist, i really want to see how the mist maker works. Thanks in advance

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Michael-John L. Mushill says:

    At first I thought it was one of those car ventilators that blow the heat out of your car on a hot day, but then it’s. What? Who was the target consumer for this product? lol.

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sheldon Latimer says:

    Clive you’ve got to talk a little louder

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars evanleebodies says:

    Clive, you mention capacitive droppers quite a lot. Could you do a vid explaining how they work in your inimitable style…please?

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars FSM Reviews says:

    This man's voice has been rumbling my subwoofer for the past 16 minutes.

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Adam Isaac Apetroaie says:

    “12.90 Singaporean dollars, I presume”
    Yes Clive, we use dollars here.

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Natalie Silsbury says:

    Cash converters is an Australian company. This looks like it's in AUD. Not Singapore

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