Power Your Bug Zapper with Solar: 12V DC to 12V AC Conversion Guide

[jim hardy]

Sounds like it's not drawing very much current at all.

Does voltage change when you press the button to turn on UV/Zapper ? Do they come on ?

Can't quite make out part numbers on your picture.

What happens if you press and hold the pushbutton ?
Do UV and zapper come on ? If so you can probably just short the switch, or remove it and twist the wires together. Try a piece of tape to hold it pressed, see if it starts okay.

 

[Manolis]

A couple of points:

I agree that that black device is a bridge rectifier. Sometimes these are specified right on the limit. Running with AC input means that all 4 diodes are sharing the heat dissipation. Running with a DC input means that 2 diodes are dissipating ALL the power resulting from the voltage drop x current so they are dissipating double what they would be with AC. (This matters only if you can feel the device getting hot.)

12 volts RMS will produce 12 x 1.4 = 16.8 volts DC, minus about 2 volts lost through the rectifiers. So 14.8 volts.
12 volts DC will produce 12 minus about 2 volts lost through the rectifiers. So 10 volts. Consequently, I wouldn't recommend adding a resistor or bulb to lose even more voltage. In fact, had it not worked I would have been suggesting linking out the bridge rectifier.

 

[jim hardy]

Consequently, I wouldn't recommend adding a resistor or bulb to lose even more voltage. In fact, had it not worked I would have been suggesting linking out the bridge rectifier.

The purpose of the bulb/resistor is to limit current flow into the device should something inside it latch "on". There's a SMPS on that board to make high voltage for the zapper , i wanted to limit current into the device just to rule out pyrotechnics. Don't know for sure yet whether it uses AC ripple to trigger something .

When he gets ready to button this one up the current limiters can go away.
Their 25 amp limit is probably for fire protection.

I did notice also that the zapper box flap says - "Use ONLY with low voltage outdoor landscape lighting products with power packs that have a maximum output rating of 12 volts, 300 watts per circuit."

The light bulb current limiter is an old technician's trick. Being an old technician i just wanted to not destroy the circuit board.

old jim

 

[Phil12]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to give a quick update on this "experiment". I think I'm going to leave it As Is, without the photocell. The zapper works great, almost too well, as I have to disconnect it and clean it off every day or two. I've put it on the front porch and just leave it on 24/7.

Many mosquitoes have gone to the Happy Hunting grounds, though! :-D

Thanks so much for your time and patience with this 'babe in the woods'!

Phil