This is an office project, for my new desk. Its basically a small terrarium that will be lit up by 10 LEDs running at 18ma.
I want to power this using a 10 watt (21.6v/0.58A) solar panel, and no batteries or external power. This is so the LEDs only light when the office is 'open' with lights on. So, the panel will sit a few feet under the light on top of a cabinet. Not the most efficient for a solar panel, but its what I got.
I originally was thinking about using a zener to limit the voltage of the solar panel, but my knowledge of zeners is not what I thought it was, and I cant get anything to work that way. Now I'm considering just a voltage regulator, but I need one that can support a 3vDC output and an input range from 1-20vDC.
I feel like this 'simple' project is running away from me.
So, I'm looking for guidance in designing this circuit. Seems like it should be a relatively simple circuit, but I guess I'm missing something. be it zener or voltage regulators or whatever. I dont necessarily need all the work done for me, advice or a direction to start would be cool.
Thanks
I want to power this using a 10 watt (21.6v/0.58A) solar panel, and no batteries or external power. This is so the LEDs only light when the office is 'open' with lights on. So, the panel will sit a few feet under the light on top of a cabinet. Not the most efficient for a solar panel, but its what I got.
I originally was thinking about using a zener to limit the voltage of the solar panel, but my knowledge of zeners is not what I thought it was, and I cant get anything to work that way. Now I'm considering just a voltage regulator, but I need one that can support a 3vDC output and an input range from 1-20vDC.
I feel like this 'simple' project is running away from me.
So, I'm looking for guidance in designing this circuit. Seems like it should be a relatively simple circuit, but I guess I'm missing something. be it zener or voltage regulators or whatever. I dont necessarily need all the work done for me, advice or a direction to start would be cool.
Thanks