How to Use a Diode to Stop Battery Drainage
Diodes are used in electronic circuits to prevent electrical current from flowing in more than one direction. They are also used to push electrical current from one point in the circuit to another, such as is the case in a solar cell charging circuit. When a diode is used as a means to control the direction of current flow, it is referred to as a "blocking" diode. When solar panels are exposed to light, these panels generate electricity and can charge a battery. If a blocking diode is not present, the solar panels can also drain the battery when the solar panels are not exposed to light.
Things You'll Need
Protective eyewear
Electrical pliers
Soldering iron
Secondary cell (rechargeable) battery
Photovoltaic (solar) cell (equal voltage to the battery)
1N4001 diode
Electrical wire
Electronic (rosin core) solder
Instructions
Put on the protective eyewear. Cut three pieces of wire, and strip each wire of 1/2 inch of insulation at each end. Using the electrical pliers, attach one end of the first wire to the negative terminal on the battery. Attach the other end of the first wire to the negative terminal on the solar cell assembly.
Connect one end of the second wire to the positive battery terminal. Connect the other end of this wire to the cathode lead (which is marked with a line) on the diode, and solder this connection.
Connect one end of the third wire to the anode lead on the diode. Solder this connection. Connect the other end of the third wire to the positive terminal on the solar cell assembly.
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