Article reviewed by Jesús Andrade, an electronics engineer with an MBA from ESIC. He combines 20 years’ experience developing emergency lighting and risk-prevention devices with a strong background in business management. Andrade is currently CTO at SVE Worldwide, a company specialising in industrial risk-prevention solutions.
Although most lamps used at home are connected directly to the mains and controlled with a switch, there are also lamps with rechargeable batteries that can be used without staying plugged into a socket.
These lamps give you more freedom to move them around and can be particularly useful as additional lighting or emergency lighting for the home. But how do you charge a battery-powered lamp?
Mains electricity is the most common option, although some models can also be charged using solar power or a manual mechanism such as a dynamo.
Contents
How to charge a battery-powered lamp from the mains
How to charge a lamp using solar power
How to charge a lamp using movement
Frequently asked questions about battery-powered lamps
How to charge a battery-powered lamp from the mains
Electricity generated from different sources reaches our homes through transmission and distribution networks. Thanks to it, we can charge our mobile phones, run the washing machine and switch on the lights at night.
The most common way to charge a battery-powered lamp is to connect it to a compatible power source. Many lamps today use a USB or USB-C port, although some models come with charging bases, dedicated adapters or other types of connection.
The usual process is:
- Check the manual or product specifications to find out which cable and power source the lamp requires.
- Connect the cable to the charging port and to a compatible power source.
- Check that the charging indicator has come on, if the model has one.
- Wait until the indicator shows that charging is complete or until the charging time specified by the manufacturer has passed.
Once the battery has enough charge, you can unplug the lamp and take it wherever you need it without relying on a nearby socket. You can now take the light with you wherever you need it.
Be careful! Don’t use just any adapter simply because the connector fits. Use the adapter recommended by the manufacturer or one that meets the lamp’s stated input requirements.
How to charge a lamp using solar power
Solar lamps contain small photovoltaic cells that convert solar radiation into electricity. A charging circuit then stores this electricity in the lamp’s battery.
You’ve probably used a solar-powered calculator at some point. These devices use small photovoltaic cells to generate the electricity they need to work.
The main limitation of this system is that charging speed and charging time depend on factors such as the amount of available sunlight, the angle of the panel, its size and the weather conditions.
If you have a garden or terrace, or regularly go camping, this type of rechargeable lamp can be particularly useful when there isn’t a plug socket nearby.
How to charge a lamp using movement
Another way to recharge a lamp is to make use of mechanical energy generated through movement.
This requires a small generator that converts movement into electricity. There are different ways of doing this, but one of the best known is a dynamo.
Dynamo
One of the best-known systems is a hand-cranked dynamo. If you cycle, the idea may already be familiar: some bicycles use a dynamo to power their lights while you pedal.
Turning the crank drives a generator that produces electricity. Depending on the product’s design, this electricity can either be stored in the battery or used to power the lighting circuit directly.
This type of mechanism is particularly common in torches, radios and lamps designed for outdoor trips, emergencies or places without access to mains electricity.
LILAK: mains power and dynamo
At LILAK, we want to reduce dependence on mains electricity and provide a useful source of light during a power cut at home.
For this reason, LILAK’s battery-powered lamp combines a rechargeable battery with an integrated dynamo.
Frequently asked questions about battery-powered lamps
How long does it take to charge a rechargeable lamp?
There is no single charging time that applies to every lamp.
It depends on factors such as the battery capacity and its initial state of charge, the charging power or current supported, the adapter being used, the product’s electronics, the temperature and the condition of the battery.
To find the correct charging time, check the manufacturer’s manual or product specifications.
How can you tell when a rechargeable lamp is fully charged?
Many rechargeable lamps have one or more LED indicators which, depending on the model, can show whether the battery is charging, whether charging is complete or whether there is a problem.
Colours and flashing patterns can mean different things, so it is worth checking the lamp’s manual.
Can you use a rechargeable lamp while it is charging?
It depends on the lamp’s electronic design and the manufacturer’s instructions.
Some models can be used while charging or left connected to the mains continuously. Others need to remain switched off while charging or should be unplugged once the battery is fully charged.
Before using a lamp while it is charging, always check that the manufacturer allows it.
Conclusions
A battery-powered lamp can be charged in several ways. The most common option is to connect it to a compatible power source using USB, USB-C, a charging base or a dedicated adapter.
Some models can also use solar power or make use of mechanical energy through systems such as a dynamo.
Before charging any lamp, it is important to check the manufacturer’s instructions, use a compatible power source and understand what its charging indicators mean.