Solar watches are designed to convert the UV rays coming from direct sunlight into electricity. Tiny solar cells are mounted on the watch under the dialer. When you keep the solar watch under the sunlight, it produces the energy stored in the rechargeable batteries.
Quick Answer
Place the Solar watch outside or by a window > Make sure the dial facing up > Keep it for 30 to 45 minutes > That’s all
How do you charge a solar watch?
Charging the solar watch is quite a simple procedure. You have to put the watch under direct sunlight, and it starts generating electricity automatically. The solar cells assembled on the watch under the dial mechanism gives it require power to store the energy in the rechargeable batteries.
The solar panel requires sufficient exposure to the lights. The amount of light it receives determines how much energy will be generated in the process.
Direct sunlight is an efficient way to produce solar energy. If these possibilities are not met, the energy generated from the solar water will be insufficient to power the watch’s mechanism.
The solar watch can be charged under light energy. (can solar battery charge with electricity). You can put the watch under the home base light to charge the batteries.
However, this method is not efficient and may take several hours to charge. Compared to UV rays, the light energy is less powerful and may not excite the electrons in the solar panel.
As a result, you will not have sufficient power to run the device.
The energy generated through the solar watch is stored in the inbuilt rechargeable batteries. The stored power is used to run the functions of the watch.
The use of rechargeable batteries increases the life span of the solar watch.
Unlike disposable batteries, these batteries are great for storing energy.
You can recharge them multiple times over without needing to replace them. Also, rechargeable batteries are eco-friendly batteries. You can use them for a long period.
How long does a solar watch take to charge?
The charging time of the solar watch fully depends on the type of watch, its battery capacity, and its brand. Some top brands use high-quality rechargeable batteries and solar cells to power the batteries using solar rays.
These batteries generally take about three hours to charge under direct sunlight.
The full charge battery would sustain for 6 months to 12 months, depending on the use of the watch.
Even if you put the watch into full darkness and do not wear it regularly, the watch will still sustain longer without charging the battery.
Can you charge a solar watch with a lamp/light bulb?
Yes. Solar-powered watches can be charged using indoor lighting such as lamps and light bulbs. The solar panel requires direct light that excites the electrons in the material and flows freely.
When a sufficient amount of the electrons are disengaged, they start moving from the positive charge to the negative charge and complete the circuit.
This circuit is what creates the flow of energy. When the batteries are connected to the circuit, the batteries will start storing energy.
The stored energy is later used to power the watch and offers the electricity supply.
However, charging the solar watch with the use of indoor lights is not advisable. It is an inefficient way to charge solar batteries.
The lights produce a very less amount of UV rays. It would not have sufficient energy to excite the electron in the solar panel cells.
As a result, most of the time, the light coming from the bulb or lamp will not be strong enough to free the electron.
Therefore, charging the watch using indoor lights will take lots of time compared to charging the solar watch under direct sunlight.
Use of the Fluorescent lights to charge the watch
You can use fluorescent lights to speed up the charging process. If you have solar-powered wall clocks or alarm clocks, use the fluorescent lamp to charge the watch.
Some household solar watches are sensitive the UV rays, so you should avoid charging them under direct sunlight.
They may damage the core functions of the watch, which leads to the failure of the clock.
How long does a solar watch battery last?
The modern solar watch is designed to last for a decade. The batteries used in the solar watch are made of chemical devices that store the energy generated from the solar cells.
Generally, the battery comes with a finite life and may last longer even if it is regularly.
However, the solar-powered rechargeable batteries should be replaced every 10 years to avoid chemical leaking from the batteries and damaging the core functions of the watch.
Solar watches are designed to last longer (seiko solar watch life) if it is kept in a dry clean environment.
Assume you could put the watch into a dry, cool, and oxygen-free environment, and then the watch may last for thousands of years.
The only mechanism that needs replacement is the capacitor before you use the watch again.
Can you overcharge a solar watch?
The modern solar watch is equipped with mechanisms to protect the batteries from overcharging. The charging function automatically gets disabled when it reaches its maximum storage capacity. The auto mechanism prevents damage to the lithium-ion battery.
The solar-powered watch is always exposed to light. Sometimes it is under direct sunlight.
On the other hand, the illumination of the indoor light also activates the charging process when the light hits the solar panel cells.
The battery must have an efficient system to moderate the flow of electricity in the solar watch.
When the battery doesn’t require more charging, it gets disconnected from the main system and protects the watch from the overflow of electrons in the battery.
It is not possible to overcharge the solar power watches due to limitations set in the watch system.
The charging is done to its maximum capacity. As soon as the battery reaches 100% capacity, it will stop the flow, and your batteries in the watch will be safe.
Will a solar watch charge on a cloudy day?
During a cloudy day, most of the sunlight will be diffused and may not reach the ground. The Cloud blocks the UV rays and reduces the strength of the sunlight.
However, even if the solar rays are diffused by the clouds, there will be solar irradiance that still penetrates the cloud and reaches the earth.
You can put the solar watch on the window facing the sunlight. The solar cell will start producing the charge, and it will be stored in rechargeable batteries.
So on cloudy days as well, you can comfortably charge your solar watch during the day.
Can you use the UV light to charge the solar watch?
Yes. It is possible to charge the solar watch using UV rays. Direct sunlight is an efficient source to charge solar-powered devices. However, there are situations when you cannot get sufficient sunlight during the rainy season and cloudy days.
In that case, you can easily charge the solar watch with indoor UV lights. Use LED lights that produce a sufficient amount of UV rays.
Even the battery-operated LED flashlights will generate the required amount of energy to power your solar watch.
Conclusion:
The solar watch is very efficient in generating solar energy to charge the batteries. Use the given suggestions and produce the required energy using direct sunlight or UV LED lights.
Once the battery is fully charged, it will sustain for a very long period. Proper care is needed if you want to keep your watch running for several years.
Eng. Matthew Joseph Nandirio is the Founder of walkingsolar.
After graduating from the University of Houston in 2002, matt started working as a Solar Electrical Engineer for several multi-national solar energy companies.
He has a wide range of experiences including solar system requirement analysis, planning, maintaining, debugging and even solar device development through research.
He now shares his 20 years of expertise through his articles on the walkingsolar website.
Further, he is also the author of two books on Solar Technology, “Solar Power for Villages” and “DIY Solar System for Dummies”.