This is by far the simplest and the cheapest solar garden light I encountered courtesy of 99Cents Store nearby. Components are cheaply made. The amorphous solar cell measures only 1 3/16in X 1 3/16in. Even the 1.2 volt metal hydride battery is tiny button cell type 40mA.
I was able to cracked and redraw the schematic diagram. The circuit is simple enough which composed of the main ic chip, inductor, battery, solar cell, LED and on off switch. It seemed like it uses one of those ASIC chip, not familiar with the number etched on it. This chip is acting like a pulser multiplier. I measured that the LED is giving off approximately 3mA at frequency of 460 khz. Adding another battery equal ~2.6 volts, the LED went on its brightest and current jumped to 36mA.
Below is another cheap solar LED light selling in a decorative Halloween look. New item from 99 Cents Store. The ic chip type is different and the white LED consumes 1.3 mA. A little larger solar cell at 1 7/16in X 17/16in.
