We’ve all seen how in recent times the way we impact our planet is getting worst and worst. This is why more and more people are choosing green energy sources rather than the traditional electric ones.
A good example of this is solar energy, and if you learn how to fix outdoor solar lights, it can be quite handy if by any chance you encounter yourself with any problems with the solar lights.
In this article, we´ve narrowed some of the best tips that you need to be aware of in order to fix your outdoor solar lights.
Top 11 Tips On How To Fix Outdoor Solar Lights
1- Check the batteries
In case you didn’t know, solar lights have rechargeable batteries that help them function. As a result, the batteries are going to see some of their charging capability affected as time goes by.
The batteries charge themselves during the daytime and at night they discharge. The first sign of alert that you will notice when they are not functioning at their full capacity is that the lifespan of your solar lights gets reduced during the night.
Usually, good batteries have a lifetime of 1 to 2 years or even more. Be aware of this, and when the time comes to change them we suggest you pick the ones with higher quality and performance.
Another thing to consider is quantifying the amount of time you´ve owned these solar lights, as this will give you a better understanding in case you are reaching that 1-2 year period when you may need to replace some of the batteries.
2- Clean the solar panel
One common issue that we keep on seeing with solar lights is that if it is not cleaned appropriately, it can’t absorb the sun’s energy. If it can’t do that, the batteries don’t get adequately charged, so they are not going to work.
Pay attention to these details and clean the solar panel using a noncorrosive cleaner that is going to eliminate any kind of dirt. Do this from time to time, and your solar lights are going to shine so brightly.
3- Cover the light
When you cover the solar light, you are basically modifying the time component, hence the lights start operating as if it was night time. During day time, the lights are close because they are converting right into energy that goes straight into the batteries.
This energy is useful during the night as it empowers the solar lights. If your solar lights don’t go on even during nighttime, maybe there is another source of light near it. This could trick the system into thinking that it is still day time outside. Cover it with something and see if it turns on. You can also consider changing the location of your solar light to avoid this situation.
4- Avoid windows
Having a light near a window does bring a cool effect, depending on the location you want to have them. However, solar lights don’t go hand in hand with being behind a window. This is because the glass that hits the window is going to be rendered.
Make sure to get the solar light outside in the right spot for receiving light. Any kind of obstructions, even windows, can make your solar lights reduce their performance.
5- Choose a good angle
The angle that you choose for your solar lights can impact the overall light runtime. This happens especially during the winter season when we don’t see the sun that often. If your solar lights have a panel angle that you can adjust, go for a 45-degree angle.
It´s essential to make sure they are pointing in the right direction in order for them to function properly. We all know that the sun rises in the east, and the sunset means it goes towards the west. Your solar lights need to be facing the south to harvest the most sunlight. They can work even if you don’t make this change but not at their full potential.
6- Do a simple check
Sometimes the problem is not even that complicated. A simple check on the outdoor solar light to see if it is in the right position is going to save you a lot of time and can fix the problem. You will find the switch on the bottom of the light or under the cap. After you are sure that the switch is on, put the light in an area where it is going to receive the sun for a few hours.
Even moisture can damage the solar lights. It can do this by affecting the internal electric connection between the panel and the light causing it not to work correctly. Good quality outdoor solar lights shouldn’t suffer from this.
However, if water caused the light to stop, you can still try to fix it. Remove the cover that has moisture and put the light in a hot water cupboard. This is going to dry out the device. After this period, put the light back and give it some time to recharge.
If this happens and the solar lights get destroyed, a replacement might be the only solution.
7- Be aware of animals
Squirrels, for example, are known to be quite curious and can easily damage outdoor solar lights. Usually, they can’t really cause so many problems but when they do you have to take care of it.
With some electrical tape and performing some double-checks, you can fix your lights. If this doesn’t protect the lights, then speak with the brand manufacturer. Maybe they have some spare parts available, so you don’t have to get the whole product again.
8- Check the dials
The best outdoor solar lights can be quite handy on the security level as well. They have adjustable dials that detect motion. It´s essential to tune them in order to avoid birds or cats that may unnecessarily trigger the light.
However, if the light is not activating when you need it to do so, the best thing you can do is to start with maximum sensitivity and start to adjust it from there. This means that you may need to do some trials and errors, but you should be able to get the job done quite quickly.
9- Check the lux sensor
The lux sensor checks how dark it is outside to activate the light. If there are other sources of light nearby, they could trick the sensor into thinking it is still daylight, so the light does not turn on.
In other instances, the scenario is totally the opposite. The outdoor solar lights can be in a shady place even during the day, and they still work. When this happens, the device needs to be set to activate when the surroundings are darker.
10- Let it charge
If the solar lights are brand new, they tend to require 72 hours to charge completely. Just switch it off and let it like that for a few days. The device will charge even if it is offline. Do this regularly even when the outdoor solar lights work great. It helps them have a full charge as the panel keeps absorbing sun rays for several days.
11- If none of the above tips work, contact your manufacturer
Indeed if none of the above worked, then you might have just one last solution. Each brand has its own customer support service, but most of the time, they are going to check the product and see if there is any quick fix.
Also, you can always consider the help of a professional as an option to fix your lights. If you feel you are not doing things the right way, why not call somebody that does this as their daily job? Don’t forget to check the warranty of the outdoor solar lights. Usually, they have at least a 12-month warranty. And if they are not in warranty anymore, find out the costs for repairing them.
Sometimes it might be a lot easier just to buy new ones rather than fixing them. This really depends on one product to another so make sure to check all the details first before you make your last decision.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many things that you can do if you didn’t know how to fix outdoor solar lights. Don’t get upset if you don’t find the solution that quick. With patience and by checking this entire list you´ll be in a better position to solve any issues you may have with your solar lights.
Hopefully, this article was usefully and you were able to have your solar lights working back again!
