How to Fix Outdoor Solar Lights That Stop Working
- Check the Landscape. Sometimes, the light stops working simply because plants in the area have grown so much they block much of the daylight the solar panel needs to charge ...
- Inspect the Light. Check the switch on the solar light to ensure it's fully in the "on" position. ...
- Refresh the Panel. In many cases, solar lights stop working because the plastic covering the solar panel gets cloudy. This is especially true for inexpensive landscaping lights.
- Check the Battery. If you've cleaned and cleared up every obvious issue and the solar light still doesn't work, it may need new batteries.
How to fix outdoor solar lights that stop working?
Steps On How To Fix Outdoor Solar Lights That Stop Working
- Check if your outdoor solar lighting device is off. ...
- Check the battery if it still has a plastic pull tab. ...
- Assess the solar light. ...
- Check the electronics. ...
- Clean the solar panel. ...
- Reposition the solar panel. ...
- Test your solar batteries. ...
- Rest your outdoor solar lights for 72 hours. ...
- Get in touch with your seller.
Why are my solar lights not working?
Troubleshooting Common Solar Light Problems
- New Solar Lights Not Working. Many people experience issues with their solar lights before their first use. ...
- Faulty Solar Cells. Many issues that arise with solar lights can be traced back to the panel. ...
- Solar Lights Not Working After Rain. ...
- Solar Light Sensor Not Working. ...
- Blinking Solar Garden Lights. ...
How to store outdoor solar lights for the winter?
- Store lights at room temperature in a dry location.
- Store the solar light where it can receive some sunlight or artificial light each day. ...
- During prolonged storage, units must be fully discharged and charged once every month. ...
- Do not store solar lights in a box or a dark room without a source of light on the solar panel. ...
How to fix broken wire on solar lights?
Step 3 – How To Fix A Broken Wire On Solar Lights
- Fix The Solar Light Wiring At The Circuit Board. If there is an issue at the circuit board, you should be able to visually inspect where the connection is broken.
- Soldering Frayed Solar Light Wires. So you have identified the issue, but now you need to fix it. ...
- Removing Faulty Light String. ...
How do you fix outdoor solar lights that stop working?
8 things to do if your solar powered lights aren't workingCheck that there's not a pull tab on the battery. ... Cover the panel to test the light. ... Ensure the solar panel is clean. ... Make sure the solar panel is positioned correctly. ... Test with regular batteries if possible. ... Switch off and leave to charge for 72 hours.More items...•
Why did my solar lights stop working?
As solar lights depend on sunlight for their power, they will not work if they are not getting enough sunlight required for operation. Hence, make sure to check that your solar light is installed or placed in a location where it is getting enough sunlight for charging its battery so that it can work properly.
How do you restore a solar light?
0:252:48How To Restore Solar Pathway Lights In About A Minute! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first thing you want to do is wipe off the solar panel. And get it free and clear of dust. AndMoreThe first thing you want to do is wipe off the solar panel. And get it free and clear of dust. And dirt. Next. You want to pick up some of this mother's mag and aluminum polish.
Can solar lights be repaired?
For extensive corrosion, you might not be able to fix outdoor solar lights that stop working. Instead, you'll need to replace them. If your solar lights are on a strand, much like fairy lights, check the wire to ensure it's still in good shape.
How long do outdoor solar lights last?
Generally speaking, the batteries in outdoor solar lights can be expected to last about 3-4 years before they will need to be replaced. The LEDs themselves can last ten years or more. You will know that it is time to change parts when the lights are unable to maintain charge to illuminate the area during the night.
Does clear nail polish work on solar lights?
Yes, you can put clear nail polish on solar lights. This is a quick and easy method to fix solar lights. You just need to apply only a small amount of clear nail polish evenly over the solar cells. Allow the nail polish to dry completely before using the light.
How do you remove film from solar lights?
0:001:37How to clean the top of solar path lights - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I got some nail polish remover put a little bit on a rag. And then I proceeded to clean thisMoreSo I got some nail polish remover put a little bit on a rag. And then I proceeded to clean this cover you can see for my rag that there's dirt coming off. So if you keep working at.
Can you replace solar light batteries?
It's a good idea to replace the batteries in your solar lights regularly; perhaps every year or two. Almost all garden solar lights use low capacity rechargeable batteries. More recently, solar lights will use 1.2V NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries. These newer NiMH batteries replace the old style NiCd version.
What to do if solar light doesn't work?
If you've cleaned and cleared up every obvious issue and the solar light still doesn't work, it may need new batteries. The batteries are usually tucked under the solar panel assemblage. Use a tiny screwdriver to open the compartment to check the workings inside. In some cases, there may be a single AA battery inside. Replace the battery with a fresh one of the same type.
How to clean solar panels after wiping them down?
If the plastic looks cloudy after wiping it down with a damp soft cloth, apply a coat of clear nail polish once the panel dries completely. This will help the panel receive light again, which should charge the solar light so it functions properly.
Why does my solar panel sit at an angle?
Animals or even freezing and thawing soil can also cause the light or its panel to sit at an angle instead of directly facing the sun. Reposition the light as needed to receive maximum light. While you're at it, use a soft cloth to wipe any dust and debris off the solar panel.
Where is the switch on a solar light?
The switch may be on the bottom of the light capsule or under the cap of a solar landscaping light. Turn the cap counterclockwise to loosen it from the clear plastic portion of the light to access the switch on some models.
Do solar lights have batteries?
These simple-to-install light s incorporate solar cells that turn sunlight into electricity to power the lights with batteries to store the energy. Unfortunately, solar lights have a few quirks that may make them less reliable as time goes on. The biggest issue is a dirty solar panel, but that's also fairly easy to fix. Advertisement.
Can Hunker fix solar lights?
Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story . You can fix your outdoor solar lights. Solar lights seem like a great idea when they're brand new, but sometimes you find yourself trying to fix outdoor solar lights that stop working.
Things You Will Need To For This Tutorial
Fixing basic or advanced solar lights is a matter of eliminating the most likely culprit. Once identified, you can repair solar lights like the pros. You should prepare the following tools to help you assess, diagnose, and troubleshoot the problems in your garden lighting system.
Steps On How To Fix Outdoor Solar Lights That Stop Working
Sometimes the only reason why an outdoor solar light stopped working is that its switch is not in the ON position.
Conclusion
I hope this tutorial on how to fix outdoor solar lights that stop working made you feel more confident about addressing such issues. The secret here is to explore and eliminate plausible explanations for the problem until you get to the root cause.
Why is my solar panel not working?
Sometimes, you might find the performance of your solar panel declining over time. One of the reasons is a buildup of dirt and dust. Simply give it a quick clean using a damp cloth once in a while and enjoy the bright light again.
What is a passive solar light?
Some of the more advanced solar lights have finely tuned sensitive motion detectors which can be programmed so that small animals don’t set it off. These are called passive (PIR or infra-red) solar lights.
Does every solar light have a power switch?
Too obvious to even mention? Believe it or not – no! It’s not every solar light that has a power switch but if it does then just make sure it’s on.
What is wrong with solar light?
There are some visual results that you can use to know exactly what’s wrong with the light, things like: The light is placed in a spot where there isn’t enough sunlight. This will happen after changes in the seasons as the earth revolves.
How to tell if solar light is bad?
Now that we know what’s in a solar light, we can get to fixing it. There are some visual results that you can use to know exactly what’s wrong with the light, things like: 1 The light is placed in a spot where there isn’t enough sunlight. This will happen after changes in the seasons as the earth revolves. 2 The light turning ON after a few hours of sunlight, during the day. This means that the sensor doesn’t work properly and the light basically runs out of battery after, like an hour into the evening. This means your need to fix/replace the sensor, depending on how bad a state it’s in. 3 If the light is not ON during the day and still doesn’t come on in the night, there can be a problem with the sensor, the battery or the LED itself. 4 If the light flickers, there’s a problem with the wires or the LED.
Why is my solar light sensor not working?
There is one fix that you can do with the sensor that may help you decide. One reason for the sensor to not work is because there is dirt on it. Clean it up and see if it works. If there is no dirt, then check the coating on the sensor. Most solar lights come cheap and are made of cheap stuff.
How to clean a battery case?
The batteries will probably have a casing for themselves that you will need to unscrew. Remove the glass casing on top and clean it with a cleaning fluid or a damp cloth. If there’s a lot of dirt on the inside, you can rinse it under a sink. Take out the battery from the battery case and clean out the case and battery.
Why is the glass on top of the photovoltaic cell?
The glass on top is designed to let in all the sunlight for the photovoltaic cell to soak it in and for the LED to glow effectively in the dark. The photovoltaic cells may be inside the glass or on top of the case, depending on what model you choose.
Why does my LED light sensor turn opaque?
Another problem with the sensor is that if the transparent coating on it is not top grade, it will slowly turn opaque due to direct exposure to sunlight.
Why does my light turn on after a few hours?
The light turning ON after a few hours of sunlight, during the day. This means that the sensor doesn’t work properly and the light basically runs out of battery after, like an hour into the evening . This means your need to fix/replace the sensor, depending on how bad a state it’s in.
Why isn't my solar light working?
There might also be a factory defect and the light doesn’t turning ON.
How long do you have to charge a solar light?
Charge the Batteries for one day. To get the best from your newly purchased solar light, let the batteries fully charge for the first time before switching them ON. Place the light at proper location, make sure you switch them OFF so that they get fully recharge, wait for 24 hours and start using them.
Do solar lights need batteries?
Most newly purchased solar lights come with rechargeable batteries. After their normal life span (typical couple of years) they tend to stop working or start performing poorly. If you see declined brightness in light, then it’s a time to change the batteries.
Do solar lights work during the day?
Solar lights don’t work during day time, in order to check them during day time you need to simulate darkness. Most solar lights have a little sensor to check darkness.
Can you use solar lights for the first time?
You just bought a solar powered light, you un-boxed it, installed at your preferred location and noticed that the solar light is not working! This is a very common scenario for most of the people using solar lights for the first time. One more common issue faced by many home owners that their solar lights are not as bright as when they were new.
Do outdoor lights get dirty?
After installing the light in your outdoor garden, later they tend to get dirty, you will notice reduced lighting time. Thus you need to make sure that panel is clean and don’t have dust or anything.
Do solar lights have a pull button?
There Is a Pull Button and You Ignored It. Some solar lights comes with a pull button on the battery and it need to be removed before you turned on the light. This one is for the newly purchased items only. So if you just bought a new solar light and if it’s not working, you definitely should check this out. 3.
Why do solar lights not work?
There are many cases why solar lights fail to work, and one of them is because of a broken part of the wire. Don’t throw them away just yet. How to repair wires on solar lights is really easy with these few simple tricks. https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/device-concept-torn-wire-repair-broken-1552811522.
Why are my fairy lights loose?
A. Loose Wire Connections From Excessive Wire Tensions. If you have solar fairy lights or solar string lights wrapped around trees or ornaments in your garden, they are usually subject to a lot of pulling by external conditions. The wind might also heave these lights and damage the wiring.
What is lead free solder?
Lead-free electrical solder – use lead-free solder as it’s environmentally friendly and is more durable. Rosin paste flux – for cleaning and preventing oxidation and corrosion on soldered areas. Silicone paste – to lubricate and protect wires from oxidation. Soldering gun -for connecting two wires or a wire to the PCB.
What is soldering wire?
Soldering is the process of melting two wire ends together to join them. Before you solder, ensure that you are using safety glasses. This is to protect your eyes if in case there will be accidental hot metal splashes while performing the procedures.
What are the most popular solar lights in 2020?
Some of the most popular solar lights this 2020 are solar string lights, solar LED garden lights and solar street lights . Aside from being an ornamental part of your garden, house or street, these lights are green lighting alternatives to your old incandescent bulbs. However, solar lights do cost a little more than conventional lights.
Can you break copper wire?
Be careful not to break the copper strands of the wire as removing some strands would increase the resistance. This will cause the wire to heat up. If the fuse doesn’t blow, the wire would melt and cause a fire. To make sure your wiring connection is safe, you can cut the wire again and re-strip it.