Information: "Solar Light University"

dilettante

dilettante

Well-known Member
Location
Michigan
"Solar garden lights" are popular, but without care they often fail and need to be replaced.

Maintenance can extend life quite a bit though. Basic care and cleaning, improving the seals against water intrusion, and battery care or replacement are just some of the helpful things you can do.

This thread could contain video links, web page links, tips and hints, etc. Many of us can apply such information, and some of it might just be interesting.
 

Good general tips about solar light batteries and caring for your lights.

Commonly asked questions about Tenergy's Solar batteries for outdoor garden lights
 
Some lights, often the brighter strings of larger lamps, may use a 2-pin DC power connector between the solar panel and battery box and the string of lights. A common type looks like:

2-pin power.gif

I often smear Vaseline on the threads, connect the plug into the socket, screw down the seal ring, and then add more Vaseline "behind" and "ahead of" the tightened ring to help keep moisture out. Be sure to tighten the ring nut down against the soft plastic "O ring" (if one is present). Then wipe the mess off your hands. šŸ˜›

In addition I often use a piece of wide duct tape or plastic tape and apply it the the joint in a tight "cone shape" with the wide more open end of the cone pointing downward toward the ground as the cable hangs in use. This seems to help shed rain better than trying to tightly wrap the joint.

Be sure to leave a small folded-over flap to make future removal easier.

Before I did this I found that within 2 or even just 1 season those power contacts would get corroded.
 

Most "garden lights" don't use disposable alkalines, but here is some info:

Commonly asked questions about Tenergy's Alkaline batteries
 
Some of the larger, brighter, solar light strings will use a Lithium-Ion 18650 cell instead of Nickel Cadmium or Nickel Metal Hydride.

All you need to know about 18650 batteries
 
Clive covers a lot of electrical stuff, including solar lighting.

Easy way to create a protective silicone layer on a solar light.

Note in this case the small light uses a tiny NiMH button-cell. These can also be replaced but are not cheap in small quantities and typically are soldered or even spot-welded into the circuit. :(
 

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