I'm revisiting this thread because it seems like a good place to post additional solar light circuits. But I can't post there because the thread is old.
Here's a solar light circuit that came from a "nice" one with 5 white LEDs that pulse back and forth from a set of 2 (in parallel) to a set of 3 (also in parallel), simulating fireflies. That pulsing function is provided by another PCB black glob that's not shown. I believe this posted circuit just handles the boost and the auto-shutoff.
Unfortunately I cannot read the codes on the diodes and the caps C1 and C2 have no markings. They're both small orange discs, and not the same physical size. Any advice on replacing them appreciated. One of them appears split on the edge, and the board isn't working. The transistors are marked S8050 D331, but apparently this is a rare part number that actually refers to two different transistors, one NPN and one PNP. I've guessed NPN but would appreciate comments - I don't fully grasp this circuit. One transistor turns on the other to oscillate, I get that. But I don't have a mind for oscillators.
I tried replacing this board with a similar one pulled from a simple amber light (will post soon). It almost works with the firefly effect, but switches between the sets of white LEDs much too quickly. I suppose the voltage for a single amber LED isn't enough to drive the circuit designed for 2 or 3 white ones (in parallel)?
Here's a solar light circuit that came from a "nice" one with 5 white LEDs that pulse back and forth from a set of 2 (in parallel) to a set of 3 (also in parallel), simulating fireflies. That pulsing function is provided by another PCB black glob that's not shown. I believe this posted circuit just handles the boost and the auto-shutoff.
Unfortunately I cannot read the codes on the diodes and the caps C1 and C2 have no markings. They're both small orange discs, and not the same physical size. Any advice on replacing them appreciated. One of them appears split on the edge, and the board isn't working. The transistors are marked S8050 D331, but apparently this is a rare part number that actually refers to two different transistors, one NPN and one PNP. I've guessed NPN but would appreciate comments - I don't fully grasp this circuit. One transistor turns on the other to oscillate, I get that. But I don't have a mind for oscillators.
I tried replacing this board with a similar one pulled from a simple amber light (will post soon). It almost works with the firefly effect, but switches between the sets of white LEDs much too quickly. I suppose the voltage for a single amber LED isn't enough to drive the circuit designed for 2 or 3 white ones (in parallel)?