Solar Lights – Troubleshooting
Having Problems with your Solar Lights?
Here is a check list to help you fix them. Don’t forget – most solar lights have an on and off switch – its underneath the “head” – make certain it is
turned on- you can check if they work by going into a dark closet or just simply cover the solar cell- as long as they are charged up.
1. Loose batteries -All solar garden lights and solar outdoor lights have batteries. Some times the batteries come loose in shipping- and no contact is being made or they may have some condensation. This is real simple to fix.
To check this, hold the light upside down with the top of the light held firmly in the palm of one hand. With the other hand, hold the clear plastic cover that surrounds the bulb, push down firmly and twist to either left or right. This will allow the body of the light to separate from the top exposing the batteries. Be very careful not to damage the circuit board or wiring. (don’t pull all the way apart or you will break the wiring)- You will see the batteries and you can take them out and wipe them clean etc.
If the batteries have become dislodged, simply push them firmly back into position and fit the light back together (wipe them clean first).
2. Batteries are not charged – as we warehouse all the solar lights, they might have been sitting in our warehouse for a while before getting to your place, so they might run out of batteries sometimes. Thus, please charge them with switch OFF for upto 48 hours to fully activate the rechargable batteries.
3. Corrosion in your Solar Lights – there have been some instances where dampness has caused corrosion on the battery terminals and/or the batteries. This can be fixed by removing the body of the light as per the instructions 1 above, remove the batteries from their holder, and clean terminals at each end of the battery holder with sand paper or carefully scrape with a small knife to remove any corrosion. Do the same to each end of the batteries. Reassemble the light.
4. Flat batteries or faulty solar panel – at times it is difficult to determine whether there is a problem with the rechargeable batteries not holding their charge or the solar charger not working. In Most cases its a battery problem. Again, remove the body of the light as per the instructions 1 above. To test batteries, replace one rechargeable with one normal AA/AAA battery and test light by covering the solar cell. Do the same with other rechargeable battery. If one test works and the other fails, one rechargeable battery has failed so contact us here, and we will send out a replacement battery. Please remember that you must only use rechargeable batteries in your solar garden lights- but you can test the lights with normal batteries in order to see if your rechargeable batteries are dead. The rechargeable batteries included with your light should last 1 1/2 to 2 years. And can be easily replaced with new rechargeable batteries- We have them but most hardware shops will have them also. Try and use latest models of rechargeable batteries. Your solar garden lights should last easily through 2-3 battery changes.
4. If these tests fail, the solar garden light will require servicing, so again contact us here and we will make arrangements to have the light returned for repair.
