On this page
A garden path stays dark after sunset, a hanging lantern on the patio has gone dim, and the old solar top no longer holds a charge through the night. A DIY solar light kit is a set of parts that turns a lantern body into a working solar light: a solar panel top, a rechargeable battery and a light that switches on at dusk. The sections below explain how to measure the fit, match the battery and charge time, and pick a top with the right weather code.
SolarKitHQ earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.
DIY solar light kit: the quick answer
A DIY solar light kit builds a solar light from parts instead of buying a sealed lantern. The core part is a solar replacement top with a built-in panel, a rechargeable Ni-MH battery and an LED bulb, and it fits a lantern body with a matching opening. The Khaornix top (on Amazon) is a 2-pack replacement kit with a 1.2V 400mAh Ni-MH battery, a top size of 3.35 inch and a bottom size of 2.95 inch, and it turns on at dusk and off at dawn after 6-8 hours of direct sunlight charging. Measure the opening first, then match the battery and the charge time to the nights the light must cover.
Step 1: Measure the lantern opening
Fit starts with the opening. The Khaornix top lists a top size of 3.35 inch, a bottom size of 2.95 inch and key fitting dimensions of 4.5 inches in length and 3.35 inches in width, and the listing asks the buyer to measure the opening size of the original lantern before purchase. The Jeyiour top (on Amazon) lists an outer ring diameter of 3.15 inches, an inner ring diameter of 2.76 inches and a height of 1 inch, and any lantern that suits this size can take it as a light source. A top that is wider than the opening will not seat, and a top that is narrower will not stay put, so measure the opening with the lantern in hand before ordering. See the solar light replacement parts guide for the parts a kit can use.
Step 2: Match the battery and the charge time
The battery sets how long the light runs after dark. The Khaornix top carries a built-in rechargeable Ni-MH battery listed at 1.2V 400mAh, and it can provide up to 8-12 hours of warm lighting after 6-8 hours of direct sunlight charging. The HOMEIMPRO top carries a pre-installed 2.0V 600mAh AA Ni-MH rechargeable battery, and it needs 6-8 hours of full sunlight charging to support continuous lighting for 8 hours. The Jeyiour top needs nearly 6-8 hours of charging during the day and can work for about 8 hours at night. Match the battery capacity and the charge time to the length of the night the light must cover, and charge the top in direct sunlight.
Step 3: Check the weather code and the switch
Outdoor tops face rain, dew and fog, so check the weather code the listing states. The Khaornix top states an IPX4 code with a sealed design and an enhanced coating, and the HOMEIMPRO top states an IP65 code with water-resistant construction that works on rainy, snowy or foggy days. The Jeyiour top states a design for rainy days and for lawns and gardens that need watering, and the listing warns not to soak it in water for a long time. Turn on the switch for the first use, as the HOMEIMPRO listing directs, and let the panel charge during the day so the light starts at dusk without manual operation. See do solar lights work in winter for cold-weather behavior.
What the replacement tops show
The replacement tops below show the range of sizes, batteries and weather codes a DIY solar light kit can use. Each top states its own figures, and the table keeps those figures with the top that states them.
| Top | Size | Battery | Charge and light time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khaornix 2-pack solar light top | 3.35 inch top, 2.95 inch bottom | 1.2V 400mAh Ni-MH | 6-8 hours charge, up to 8-12 hours light |
| Jeyiour 12-pack solar light top | 3.15 inch outer ring | Not stated | 6-8 hours charge, about 8 hours light |
| HOMEIMPRO 2-pack solar light top | 3.0 x 1.0 x 19.0 inches | 2.0V 600mAh AA Ni-MH | 6-8 hours charge, 8 hours light |
The HOMEIMPRO top also states an IP65 code and a 180 days warranty, while the Khaornix top states an IPX4 code. Match the size to the lantern opening and the battery to the night the light must cover.
Ways to make the build work
- Measure the lantern opening before ordering, and match the top size to that opening.
- Pick a top with a battery that covers the night, and charge it in direct sunlight for 6-8 hours.
- Turn on the switch for the first use, then let the light start at dusk without manual operation.
- Check the weather code before placing the light where rain can reach it, and keep the top out of standing water. See how to clean solar lights for keeping the panel clear.
FAQ: power away from the grid
What parts make up a DIY solar light kit?
A solar replacement top with a built-in panel, a rechargeable Ni-MH battery and an LED bulb, plus a lantern body with an opening that fits the top. The Khaornix top is a 2-pack replacement kit with a 1.2V 400mAh Ni-MH battery, and the HOMEIMPRO top carries a 2.0V 600mAh AA Ni-MH battery. Measure the opening first, then match the top to it.
How long does a DIY solar light need to charge?
The listings state 6-8 hours of direct sunlight charging. The Khaornix top needs 6-8 hours of direct sunlight charging for up to 8-12 hours of light, and the HOMEIMPRO top needs 6-8 hours of full sunlight charging for 8 hours of continuous lighting. Charge the top in direct sunlight during the day.
How do I know if a replacement top fits my lantern?
Measure the opening of the lantern and compare it with the size the top lists. The Khaornix top lists a top size of 3.35 inch and a bottom size of 2.95 inch, and the Jeyiour top lists an outer ring diameter of 3.15 inches and an inner ring diameter of 2.76 inches. A top that matches the opening seats in the lantern body.
Can a DIY solar light stay outside in the rain?
Check the weather code the top states. The Khaornix top states an IPX4 code with a sealed design, and the HOMEIMPRO top states an IP65 code with water-resistant construction for rainy, snowy or foggy days. The Jeyiour listing warns not to soak the top in water for a long time.
Related solar guides
See the solar outdoor guides, parts of solar lights, how to fix a solar light and solar light replacement parts.
