How to Convert Mini Lights into Solar Christmas Lights

Decorating for Christmas is difficult because you need to wire up strings of lights, but solar Christmas lights can make decorating much easier. You don't need to worry about getting the wires through window frames or doors because they are powered by tiny solar panels.

Solar Christmas lights are still quite new and can be pretty expensive. It is possible, however, to convert regular Christmas lights into solar Christmas lights. Solar powered lights are also a very easy way to decorate the outside of your home and save money at the same time.

Step 1 - Choose the Christmas Lights

The first thing that you need to do is choose Christmas lights. It's important to carefully choose the lights so that it's easy to convert them into solar solar-powered lights. The easiest types of light will be LED lights because these are much less sensitive to voltage requirements. Most Christmas lights use a transformer to step down the voltage and convert it into DC, or Direct Current.

There are plenty of different types of Christmas lights available. You will need to choose the type of Christmas lights which complement your home's decor and design. It's possible to convert any lights to run on solar power, although lights which work on DC electricity will be easier.

Step 2 - Choose Solar Chargers

Now you will need to choose solar panel chargers. It's easier to purchase them with batteries included. The solar charger needs to be able to generate enough electricity to power the lights. If you have purchased LED Christmas lights, a 12 V panel should be enough.

If you're using separate solar panels, you will need to purchase batteries. Batteries are required because they allow the solar lights to operate in the darkness.

Step 3 - Cut the Solar Lights

Now you will need to cut the cord on the Christmas lights. Allow enough cable to connect these lights to your solar panels. You will need to make sure that the solar panels can be connected easily to the lights.

Make sure you don't make a mistake and cut the lights too short. If the lights are cut too short it will be impossible to correctly wire them up.

Step 4 - Wire the Lights

Now you will need to wire the lights in to the solar panels. This is fairly easy, but the technique used will depend on the types of fixings the solar panels have. Some of these have screw terminals which are very easy to use: simply use screwdrivers to clamp the connection.

Other solar panels are connected using soldered connectors. If you are soldering the connections, you will need to ensure that all of the connections are tight and secure. This will ensure that the solar panels can charge the batteries which will power the lights.