An extremely popular and widely beloved option for using solar lights is to use them as outdoor lights to light up gardens, pathways and other places where the evening will require some illumination. Also, they are eco friendly, easy to install and need little maintenance. According to all functionality devices, sometimes they can be troublesome. If your outdoor solar lights are not working and youre at a loss, dont worry, most of these problems are easily resolved by solving the problem itself.
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In this comprehensive guide by DEL, we will explore the most common reasons why your outdoor solar lights are not working, how to troubleshoot and fix them, and what you can do to prevent future problems.
Before we even begin testing for troubleshooting the things and find answer to why are my outdoor solar lights not working, its good to know how solar powered outdoor lights work. How solar lights work is they capture energy from the sun during the day using solar panels. The sun power is stored in a rechargeable battery which once the sun goes down powers an LED light. As the light decreases, so does the light levels, and a sensor turns on the LED.
Because they dont require electrical wiring or your energy bill to rise, youll see that these lights are an environmentally friendly and cost effective lighting solution. The bad news is that when your solar lights outdoors stop working, its usually due to one of these two things.know more about the working of solar light through this detailed article.
In the cases of outdoor solar lights not working, most of the time you can point to one of these problems. They will also help you understand what is happening and how to solve the problem.
Outstanding reason that causes outdoor solar lights not working is they arent getting enough light. Solar lights cannot fully charge their batteries under each category and you need to provide them direct sunlight for several hours a day. But if your lights are sitting in shaded areas (under trees), or behind structures, then the lights wont be able to acquire enough energy in the day to power the light through the night.
If your solar powered outdoor lights do not function correctly, move your solar powered outdoor lights to a location with more direct sunlight. The panels can perform at their best when it gets at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day.
The sunlight from the solar panel can be blocked by dirt, dust, pollen, and even bird droppings. It is because this reduces its ability to gather energy and charge the battery. If the solar LED lights outdoors arent cleaned regularly over time the efficiency of the panels can decrease.
Dampening a clean cloth, clean the solar panels to remove dirt or debris. Cleaning your outdoor solar lights regularly, especially during the seasons when you will find pollen or dust, and the charge will ensure that your lights continue to charge efficiently.
Solar powered outdoor lights need to store energy, and rechargeable batteries in solar powered outdoor lights are important for this. But over time, these batteries can begin to degrade, corrode, or stop charging at all. The batteries usually last 1 2 years, after which they may need to be changed.
Change the batteries with new rechargeable batteries that work with your solar lights. Make sure to get the proper type and size of battery for the job, noted the manufacturer.
Another reason outdoor solar lights not working is fault wiring. Wires may also become damaged over time because of being exposed to weather elements, or because they might be loose or disconnected. It breaks the electrical flow from the solar panel to the battery, and the light fixture.
Wiggle the wiring inside the light fixture. If the wiring doesnt look straight and neat, then you will have to fix or replace the wiring. In case of nonrepairable wiring issues, though, replacing the whole solar light might prove to be a cheaper option.
Outdoor solar lights have a sensor about ambient light levels and turn on at dusk. If that sensor is defective or grubby, you might not get lights as expected. Other causes of the lights staying off or not working include a malfunctioning sensor. Other than that it might be a PIR sensor that can be having problems and we insist you to learn about fixing PIR sensor in this detailed article.
Make sure to clean the sensor with dust and debris. If this cleaning does not repair of the sensor solar led lights outdoor not working it has most likely been damaged and will need to be replaced. In some models, you may be able to replace the sensor, but in others its easier to just sell the sensor and buy a new one.
Solar LED lights outdoors are made of outdoor equipment just like any other equipment and they degrade with time with exposure to the elements. Solar panels dont work as efficiently, batteries degrade and internal parts can corrode. These factors combined over some amount of time may fail.
If your outdoor solar lights not working and are old, it might be time to replace them. If theyve already lasted several years, getting a new set of solar-powered outdoor lights could be more cost-effective than trying to repair the worn-out components.
Now that youve read what some of the most common failure reasons are, its time to find out how to troubleshoot solar lights externally and find out why are my outdoor solar lights not working.
To ensure that solar panels get direct sunlight for most of the day. Keeping your solar lights under a tree, close to a tall structure, or in an area with a lot of shade will keep them from charging properly.
Solar panels can be very efficient unless dirt and debris build up on them which can reduce their efficiency up to 30 percent. when my outdoor solar lights are not working so Cleaning the panels regularly helps them work at their full capacity.
If the neat solar LED lights outdoors are not functioning after a full day of sunlight then definitely the problem would be with the battery. Typically rechargeable batteries lose their ability to hold a charge after 1-2 years.
If the lights arent coming on at dusk, the sensor may be blind or broken. Sensors can become dirty over time preventing them from reading the change in light levels.
Sometimes you cant even see the wiring issues, but they can be huge problems. If the lights still dont work after cleaning the panels and changing batteries, you may have damaged wiring.
It is important that you care for your outdoor lights so that you do not cause any of the issues that might occur in future and so your lifespan can last longer. Some best practices are displayed below.
to address your question of my outdoor solar lights are not working Dust, debris and grime can decrease the efficiency of your solar panels. Regularity in cleaning will help them soak up as much sunlight as they can.
Rechargeable batteries lose charge over time and will eventually have to be replaced. If you want the solar lights to remain functional, make sure and keep the fresh batteries.
Solar light energy is a function of the seasons: the angle and intensity of sunlight they receive change through different seasons.
All outdoor solar lights can be damaged with harsh weather conditions including extreme cold, strong storms, strong winds, severe winds, rain and snow. In areas with deadly winter, leaving your solar lights uncovered over winter or in the ground may be unwise.
Faced with broken solar lights, you may find yourself wondering whether its worthwhile to fix your light or get rid of them altogether. Heres how to decide:
Solar lights placed outside are an eco-friendly and cost effective way to brighten your yard, garden, or path, similar to any outdoor device they can experience trouble from time to time. There can be many reasons why your solar powered outdoor lights arent working such as lack of sunlight and dirty panels; battery or wiring problems. Fortunately, most of these problems are easily fixed and minor troubleshooting and maintenance is all it takes. Regular cleaning of the panels, changing batteries and positioning the lights properly will mean your solar lights outdoors can provide you with reliable long lasting performance.
Shop at DEL today for top-quality solar lights and accessories, and ensure your outdoor lighting stays bright and efficient. Explore our collection and discover how DEL can enhance your outdoor experience.
Q1: Why are my outdoor solar lights not turning on at night?
A: To start with, get your solar light positioned somewhere where natural sunlight lets them receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day. Moreover, clean the solar panels and remove any dirt, debris blocking sunlight. If this doesnt work the lights will still not turn on, check the batteries and if necessary replace them.
Q2: How long do outdoor solar lights last?
A: For your question of why are my outdoor solar lights not working most solar powered outdoor lights, they generally last from 2 to 5 years, depending on the quality of the lights and how well theyre taken care of. On the other hand, the solar panels and LEDs within the lights should last for longer, however the batteries inside the lights generally need replacing around every 1-2 years. Keeping the panels clean and replacing the batteries can add years on to the life of the lights.
Q3: Why do my solar lights only stay on for a short period?
A: This usually means that the batteries are not fully charged during the day solar led lights outdoor not working. If the solar panels are not receiving enough sunlight for Make sure the lights pointed in the sun and clean the panels on a monthly basis. If the problem persists you might want to replace the rechargeable batteries because they may have lost their reading power.
Q4: Can I replace the batteries in my solar lights?
A: Most solar powered outdoor lights are batteries that recharge and are replaceable. If they wont fix it, then to replace them, open the battery compartment (usually under the solar panel), and replace the old batteries with new ones. Use the same sort of rechargeable batteries as the manufacturer recommends in order to optimize performance. Ni-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride) or (Nickel Cadmium) Ni-Cd batteries are popular types of the batteries.
Q5: What should I do if my solar lights stay on during the day?
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A: This is because if your solar outdoor lights stay on during daylight, then this suggests the light sensor is acting up. Its the sensor that makes sure the lights only come on when its dark, detecting if light levels are getting too high. Clean sensor if its blocked by dirt or debris. The sensor may need to be replaced if the issue continues after you have cleaned it. Replacing the whole light could end up being more cost effective, however, if the unit is.
Q6: Can extreme weather damage solar lights?
A: Of course, while solar led lights outdoor not working solar LED lights outdoors can also be damaged by extreme weather; namely freezing temperatures and storms. Batteries will perform worse during cold weather. A heavy rain or snow can also hurt wiring and internal components. But before storing your solar lights in winter, its a good idea to store them indoors, or use weather resistant models that can handle harsh climates.
Ten reasons why your solar lights may have stopped working, and how to fix them
Solar energy use is on the rise globally. Advances in technology mean that we are becoming increasingly less reliant on using polluting fossil fuels for energy, and are replacing these dirty fuel sources with clean renewable energy such as solar electricity and wind power.
In fact, we can see solar energy in use all around us everyday. Technology such as residential rooftop solar panels, solar chargers (find out our Top 12V solar battery chargers) for electric vehicles, and solar water heaters can be commonly found in households, and are no longer the rarity they once were.
Among these innovations, solar lights are one of the more popular solar products in use today. Also known as a solar lamps or solar lanterns, these convenient lights are attached to their own solar panels and battery, allowing the light to shine even without being connected to a power outlet.
Read here: Best Solar Flagpole lights.
Some of these solar lights might even come with motion sensors attached, only turning on when movement is detected. By relying exclusively on completely free solar power, these lights allow you to save big on your electricity bills.
However, solar lights are not infallible they can occasionally stop functioning, and it might be confusing to figure out what went wrong. Well run through some of the more common scenarios below which might cause your solar light to fail, and how to get them up and running again.
Fortunately, most of these issues have a simple fix, and only require small re-adjustments to address!
So without further ado, here are some methods which might be able to get your solar light working again.
Yes, we know that this sounds counter-intuitive. Since the solar panel attached to your solar light needs to receive sunlight in order to generate electricity, why should shading your solar light get it working again?
The answer lies in how your solar light is programmed to work. Some solar lights, like solar gutter lights, are configured to turn themselves off during the day, and only turn on when lighting levels are low. Electricity produced from its solar panel when the sky is bright is sent to the battery, instead of being used to power the light.
If your solar lights sunlight detection is overly-sensitive, it might be mistakenly turning off the light even when you want it to shine. This can also happen if there are nearby light sources which make the environment overly-bright at night. By shading your solar panel, you force your solar light to recognize that lighting levels are low and that it needs to give off light, allowing your light to start working again.
Batteries attached to your solar light should charge up during the day, using power generated by the attached solar panel. These batteries usually have a lifetime of around two years, after which they can break down and need to be replaced.
When your solar battery breaks down, it means that energy generated during the day is not stored properly. Your solar light would have no electricity to draw on when it becomes dark, and it simply wont turn on. Most of the time, all youll need is a screwdriver to open up the battery slot on your solar light, and slot in some fresh re-chargeable batteries (make sure that theyre of the same size and capacity) to get your light working again.
Sometimes, the problem might be as simple as an unexpected piece of shade blocking your solar panel from the Sun. Check if some object is preventing sunlight from reaching your solar panel during the day, and stopping it from generating the electricity that your light needs.
Keep in mind that as the Sun moves across the sky during the day, the shadows cast by nearby objects will change accordingly. The Suns position in the sky also changes based on the season. Solar lights can still function during the winter, even though the sun shines for less time throughout the day. Make sure that your solar panels are in the best spot possible to receive the most sunlight each day!
The angle of your solar panels is also key to allowing it to generate enough solar energy to power your light. Finding the right angle can be tricky at times, however, since the optimum angle depends on both the time of year and on where you are in the world.
If you just want to set your solar panels at a specific angle and leave it untouched afterwards, we recommend tilting your solar panels between 30 and 50 degrees if possible. This angle ensures that your solar panels should receive adequate sunlight year-round.
Otherwise, one approximate calculation method for the optimum angle in winter is to add 15 degrees to your latitude, and re-adjust your panels in the summer to have a tilt of 15 degrees lower than your latitude.
Generally, solar panels can receive the most sunlight if theyre faced towards the South, but only if you live in the Northern hemisphere. This is because the Sun is mostly present in the Southern part of the sky as it moves from East to West everyday.
If insufficient energy production is causing your solar lights to fail, re-positioning your panels to face the South might help.
This issue is usually rare if your solar light comes from a well-known or highly-rated manufacturer, but it can nevertheless be an occasional cause of solar light failure. Luckily, water damage is not always permanent, and your solar light can sometimes start working again once it dries out.
To properly dry out your solar light, make sure to check for and remove any sources of liquid that could have leaked onto the equipment. This includes the light itself along with the attached battery and solar panel. Once the light becomes completely dry under the Sun, it should start working again.
However, most solar lights are only water-resistant, and not completely water-proof. If water has completely seeped into the inner electrical wiring of your light multiple times, it might not be repairable. Its inevitable for your solar light to become become exposed to rain, but do not allow any part of your solar light to get completely submerged in water.
The time-honored method of fixing any electronic device. Sometimes, all it takes to get your light working again is to turn it off and turn it back on.
A dirty or dusty solar panel can also prevent your solar light from receiving enough electricity to work. Dirt and grime on the outer glass covering of a solar panel blocks sunlight from reaching the inner solar cells, which in turn may prevent them from generating enough electricity to power your light.
Usually, a simple wash with water and a solar-panel cleaning solution every three months is more than enough to keep your panels clean. There are however more specifically-tailored solar panel cleaning products out there if you prefer.
Your glass windows might appear to be completely transparent, but its a known fact that solar panels work much less efficiently if they can only receive sunlight through a glass window. Unless absolutely necessary, always place your solar light outdoors and allow it to receive direct sunlight.
The Lux Sensor is a vital part of your solar light, and it controls when your light switches on. By changing its settings, you can make your solar light turn on once it detects light levels dropping below a certain threshold.
Sometimes, an overly-sensitive Lux sensor might be turning your solar light off, even when it becomes dark. This can be fixed by simply adjusting your sensors settings.
Other times, your Lux sensor might have broken down completely, resulting in your solar light never turning itself on. If you block all light completely from your light sensor and your light still doesnt turn on, thats likely the case. When that happens, the sensor needs to be replaced by a new one to get your lights working again.
Flashing solar lights is often an indication that your LED light isnt receiving enough electricity. For example, the electrical wiring of your light might be loose, or your solar battery might be almost out of electricity, leading to your lights not working as they should.
The batteries of a solar light is often the first component to give out, and unfortunately the re-chargeable batteries equipped on a solar light generally only last for one to two years. Fortunately, these batteries are easily replaceable as long as you can buy new batteries with the same size and capacity to replace your old ones, the other components of your solar light can theoretically last for 20 to 30 years.
Yes, as long as you have a spot indoors which receives enough sunlight to charge your solar light. Note that solar panels work much less efficiently indoors, however, especially if it is only receiving light through a glass window.
While rare, there have been reports of solar lights over-heating and catching fire. Most of the time, these fires have been a result of overheating solar batteries coming into contact with flammable material. Make sure that you use high-quality batteries with good safety controls that shut off the battery before it overheats, and place your solar light away from any materials that can easily catch fire.
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