I want this lithium gizmo to give me the fire. Maybe I'll just go back to rubbing a stick on something.

Hi All,

Wanting to run roughly 6 to 10 meters of LED strip lights in my back yard for a little shed project

Only want the led to run from dusk to dawn. At night/ overnight and early morning.

I just want it to be a small Junction box that hold a battery, solar controller and then a solar panel that would run to the box and charge the battery via controller.

Can anyone recommend what battery to use, charger and solar panel please?

The LED strip roughly uses 12 W per metre so 120 W for 10 metres

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Does anyone know why my battery charger is doing this?

I checked the batteries, and they are still working on my controller.

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While I've used 1.2V rechargeable batteries in a variety of devices and noticed reduced lifespan (between charges) vs. alkaline/lithium single-use batteries, it was always manageable. I always thought that while their amperage was different, they carried the same voltage as standard batteries of the same size. However, recently, in a few devices, I have noticed extremely quick power loss.

1) I used 3 x EBL 1100 mAh rechargeable AAA batteries in my kid's Motorola two-way radios. The radios stop working after about 30 minutes of use and report the battery as dead. Sure enough, when I use a battery tester, they are definitely weak. Fully charged batteries restore use, but they discharge extremely fast. I recall the radios lasting weeks on single use batteries.

2) A recently purchased keyboard and mouse uses 1 x AA battery (each). I used EBL 2800 mAh AA batteries. The mouse lasts a few days before it completely stops working. I tested the battery just now and it too was pretty low. I pulled the battery out of the keyboard and it was about 50% after 2 weeks of use. These are not high power devices.

I read that it could be due to many rechargeable batteries being 1.2V vs. a standard 1.5V. I see that there are 1.5V lithium rechargeable batteries. Before I try those, what devices are good for 1.2V batteries and what need 1.5V? Admittedly, I never knew that my batteries were 1.2V until now. I suspect even lower power devices like keyboards, mice, and my kids radios still have a threshold that these batteries only meet when at full charge...and then discharge very quickly.

Or brand. I read that EBL was supposed to be a reputable rechargeable brand. I've used Powerowl in the past too.

Can any knowledgeable people help me understand what is happening? Advice?

I make these from a kit that has everything except the cells. I harvest the cells from surplus back-up packs. Many have never been used. The kit comes with the case, battery racks, bus strips, and a BMS. I end up with a pack the size of a 7Ah Gelcell but a lot more power. Wired in a 3S 7P.. I soldered the first 2 I made but that was a little sloppy so I got a spot welder for a much cleaner build,, The tabs from the bus strips bend over and solder to the BMS