How to Convert a Kerosene Lantern to Solar
There has been an interest on converting kerosene or oil based lanterns to a solar lantern. Such a project would be very very beneficial specially for those people who live in places not yet accessible by the grid, or by people who live in poor countries and neighborhoods who don’t have money to pay for electricity.
It is possible to adapt oil (kerosene) lamps to contain rechargeable batteries and LEDs. The adaption below is shown without the glass globe (it reduces the amount of light) but it can probably be fitted if desired. Others might want to line the glass globe with a thin translucent paper (such as tracing paper) to act as a light diffuser just like those old chinese oil lanterns.
This main adaption is with the wick assembly which is replaced by a terminal strip (or two) containing both LEDs and connecting leads. The LEDs can be directed in any direction by bending their wires.
Oil LampConversion
The NiCd batteries can be fitted inside the tank, if small enough, or underneath the tank. In any case the bottom can be removed with tin opener/snips to make wiring easy. The globe (glass covering) is removed and then the wick assembly and as well as the tank filler cap. The terminal strip with LEDs will fit into the wick space B, a switch fits into the filler opening D from where the leads to he pv panel will leave.
Mounting LEDs is quite simple. Just use a vertical terminal strip to mount several LEDs and fix it in the wick holder surrounded by a PVC tube post. They can be put in parallel providing they are identical. Otherwise they each need their own resistor.
Here’s how it looks after the conversion.
[source: biodesign ]
Tags: diy solar lantern, kerosene lamp to solar, kerosene lantern, oil lantern, solar lanternRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Eco Gadgets, Solar
4 opinions for How to Convert a Kerosene Lantern to Solar
perkodanny
Jul 15, 2008 at 4:52 am
Wait a gosh-darn minute.. why would I need a lantern if the sun was out? Think, people… think.
Noel
Jul 19, 2008 at 5:47 pm
@perkodanny
You probably missed the fact that solar lanterns have a nicd/nimh batteries that gets charged during the day so you can definitely use this at night when there is no sun.
Cheers
RKRAO
Jul 27, 2008 at 6:59 am
thanks for the design to convert kerosene lantern to solar ;i have also attempted this conversion by dismantling a chinese flash light to get the components.i am sending the photo separately by picasa mail;can you give the specifications for the LEDs pv panel,diode ,terminal block in your design.
RKRAO.
Noel
Jul 27, 2008 at 6:31 pm
You might want to checkout my post of the DIY solar lantern I made.
I discussed there some detailed specs of the LEDs, diode, and how to compute for the right current limiting resistor.
http://noelbautista.com/blog/diy-solar-lantern-part-13/
http://noelbautista.com/blog/diy-solar-lantern-part-23/
http://noelbautista.com/blog/diy-solar-lantern-part-33/
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