Finding out that your new solar lights are not functional is incredibly aggravating. But did you know that there are easy fixes for it?
Nowadays, solar lighting is popular. They not only save you money but also enable you to contribute to Mother Nature’s preservation and protection.
But we are aware that solar lights occasionally may not function as they should, which, depending on the time of day, might give you a great deal of difficulty.
The good news is that even if you lack technical expertise, these problems can be fixed. If your new solar lights aren’t working, we’ll walk you through some useful hints and hacks below in this article.
Brand New Solar Lights Not Working | Possible Causes
1. Solar Panels are Dirty
A covering of dust or grime hinders a solar panel’s ability to absorb sunlight, and the sunlight that does enter may not be enough to charge the batteries fully.
The dust may even become so thick that it prevents sunlight from reaching the panels, preventing the batteries from charging.
Make sure the solar panels of solar lights are clean and can let sunshine through before assuming the batteries are dead. Tree leaves that have fallen onto the solar panel should be cleared off since they might block the sun’s light entirely.
2. Due To The Battery Pull Tab
There is a good probability that the battery on your new solar lamp has a pull tab if you just bought it. A pull tab is installed to prevent the battery from being damaged during transportation.
However, this also implies that until this tab is removed from your solar lights, neither the battery nor the solar light itself will function. Therefore, be cautious about removing any pull tabs you may find after opening the battery cover.
3. The Battery Needs To Be Replaced
Solar-powered lights typically turn on when a battery dies, so you might want to check to determine if they are outdated or worn out. Even while some batteries, such as Nickel Metal Hydride batteries (NiMH), have a long lifespan, their performance degrades over time.
Old batteries might start to corrode and leak acid, which could permanently harm the electrical components of the solar light.
Additionally, even if they could, these batteries wouldn’t be able to power solar lighting for very long. So, if your solar lights aren’t working because of dead batteries, you need to get new ones.
4. Sensors Are Damaged
The solar light turns on at night and turns off during the day thanks to a sensor that responds to darkness. However, none of this will occur if a sensor is useless unless you manually override the sensors, which you presumably won’t have time to do.
The solar light won’t be able to distinguish between day and night if its sensor is malfunctioning. However, how can you identify whether it is the root of your solar lights’ malfunction?
By covering the sensor with your palm or a piece of fabric at night, you can see if it works properly by getting some light. On the other hand, if it is broken, there will be no light.
5. Water Intrusion
Despite the fact that solar lights are weather- and water-resistant, it is possible for debris or water to collect within the panel and harm the wiring and circuitry over time.
By doing so, you can remove the panel head from the wall, post, or pier mount and check to see whether the solar panel is submerged in water.
Trying to figure out how water could get through the panel? The sealant tends to age and becomes less effective over time, which is how water enters the panel if the solar lights have been in operation for a while.
Fixes To Brand New Solar lights Not Working
1. Ensure The Switch Is On
Checking to see if your solar lights are on is the first thing you should do if they stop working. The fact that some solar lights include an on/off switch is often overlooked. Assuming that’s the case, check sure the solar lights are turned on.
2. Remove The Pull Tab Of Battery
The battery of most solar lamps has a pull tab. The only way for the light to work is if this tab is taken off. Therefore, make sure the draw tab on the solar light’s battery compartment is removed.
3. Clean Dirty Solar Panels
You must make sure the solar light panels are constantly clean after installing them because they have a tendency to become dusty over time. Cleaning the panels sometimes is a fantastic idea because dust and other dirt on them shorten the illuminating duration and charging time.
The use of a hose and soapy water is the most efficient method. Enough sunshine is provided to the batteries via a reliable solar panel. Not to mention that your house will look better.
4. Change The Solar Panel Position
Install solar panels where they can receive the maximum sunshine to guarantee that your solar light operates effectively. Make sure there aren’t any big trees or structures blocking the sun. They will still charge in the shade, but charging in full sunshine will yield the best results.
5. Make Sure Solar Panels Are Charged
The battery is either too old or worn out if there is an issue. The best option is to replace them. Ideally, it would be best if you changed the batteries in your solar lights once or twice a year.
The solar light may require new batteries if you’ve cleaned and fixed all immediately apparent problems, but it’s still not working. Typically, the batteries are hidden behind the solar panel assembly.
To examine the internal mechanisms, pry open the container with a little screwdriver. There can be a single AA battery inside in some instances. Change the battery for a brand-new one of the same kind.
Install solar panels where they can receive the maximum sunshine to guarantee that your solar light operates effectively. Make sure there aren’t any big trees or structures blocking the sun. They will still charge in the shade, but charging in full sunshine will yield the best results.
6. Contact The Brand Customer Care
You may hire a professional to clean your solar panels for you if they require extensive and thorough cleaning. Additionally, if you don’t know how to clean your solar panels, don’t be obstinate about it.
It won’t hurt to look for expert assistance. If none of the aforementioned measures worked, your final resort is to contact customer service.
As much information as possible regarding your solar lights should be gathered before you call or email customer service. Each brand performs a certain task that is only visible to the maker. They can examine the product, identify the issue, and rapidly find a solution.
You may always think about asking a specialist for aid to speed up the process if you ever feel like you are not doing it correctly. Make sure to look through the solar lights’ warranty before buying them. You will receive a 12-month warranty from the majority of reputable companies.
Conclusion
You must have a pretty good understanding of solar lights not working after reading this comprehensive information on the subject. We’ve previously covered all the potential causes of your solar lights not working in our article.
However, the most crucial thing is that you can discover a remedy for individuals whose solar lights aren’t operating. You should be able to quickly get your current solar lights running with this article’s assistance, saving you the expense of purchasing new ones.