SOL-MATE
aquatic light

THE SUBTLE GLAMOUR OF THE LIGHT
Produced by the american company P3 ( http://www.p3international.com/ ) this floating lamp is a source of light that shines in the night without ruining the glamour of the half-light. It lends to light up swimming pools, drinking-fountains, artificial lakes, but also paths or flowerbeds where is possible to create luminous ways of big effect. It can live together with the slender light of the candles and creating particular atmospheres outside and indoors of the habitations.
HOW WORKS
The sunshine strikes the solar cell and produces electric energy. This energy is directed into a rechargeable Ni-Mh (Nickel Metal Hydride) that feeds a very bright white LED. The transparent reflecting structure, spreads a uniform and pleasant light fully supplemented with the environment.

A lighting sensor commands the activation of the lamp at the twilight. The same sensor turns the lamp off when the sun goes back to light up the environment.
The top side contains the high efficiency solar cell, that is able to supply current even with cloudy sky. The floating base has a round form to support floating; in it find place the power switch (in waterproof rubber) and a buttonhole to anchor the lamp in wind case (as a little floating boa). The result is a system of lighting sealed and autonomous, that does not need external interventions.

To know more on the solar cells you can look at widening concerning the "Rainbow Maker"
(prove_nicoshop_06_e.htm).

Further informations about LED light and his huge potentialities in my "LED Torches to the maximum power" review!  (prove_01_e.htm).


 
FOCUS ON RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
The battery used by Sol Mate is a "secondary" cell, that is a rechargeable energy accumulator. It differentiates from the common batteries (the "primary cells") because it can be reused after a recharge process. To charge this kind of batteries, is necessary supplying a constant current (that is an electric flow that does not change in the time) for a certain number of hours. There are numerous kinds of rechargeable batteries. The more used are: Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) and Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH). Even though the Cadmium Nickel is still much used in a few household appliances (drills and battery nut runners) and in apparatuses exposed to the cold, this technology presents a few problems related to the weight, the low charge capacity and the so-called "memory effect" that forces the user to discharge completely before a new use. The Nickel Metal Hydride kind solves almost all the problems, it can store a remarkable charge (modern stylus batteries store up to 2500 mAh) and can be recharged without memory effect. Principal faults are a propensity to the autodischarge (that is gradual reduction of the charge if you leave them unused) and a decay of the performances cold climate. The voltage (that is the difference of electric potential to the heads) of a Ni-Cd or Ni-MH battery is typically 1,2 V unlike the traditional not rechargeable battery that has a voltage of 1,5 V.

ASSEMBLY AND USAGE
The first time you use the Sol Mate, is necessary to charge the battery completely. After verifying the general switch is in OFF position, leave the lamp to the direct light of the sun for a whole day.
This period guarantees a complete charge of the battery and a about 10 hours of continuous light.
Toward evening, turn on the power switch and leave it on. Since this moment charging/lighting will be completely automatic and we will not have to act on the switch anymore. If you decide for a domestic use, remember to put the lamp into direct sunlight every morning to have always the right energy reserve.
 
BATTERY SUBSTITUTION
In case of breakdown, the battery can be replaced with an identical model (900 mAh). This, beside the many lasting years of white LED, makes the product reliable in the time.
Unscrew the lower lid (three screws) and remove it carefully pulling with delicacy to avoid breaking the threads of the switch.

Extract the old battery and replace it with the new battery, by respecting the polarities. Now close the cover making sure to arrange the base screws correctly with delicacy giving a stronger final lock.


 

  
CONCLUSION
Solar energy lamps are always more diffuse and often they replaces the garden lights and even the street lamps! To know more an excellent starting point is Enel.si web site.si situated web is (http://www.enel.it/enelsi/famiglia/f_illuminazione.asp) where you can see some of these sources of autonomous lighting.

Leave Sol Mate in your water mirror... you'll see how is pleasant to see it floating while shows its zero-cost light.

I thank Nicoshop for have lit my bathtub up and give you the link for this product: http://www.nicoshop.com/cat069.html

 
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