6 Common Reasons Why Solar Lights Stop Working
Do you have some solar lights that went out and wondering what the problem could be? You¡¯ll find this article helpful. While solar lights are resistant to the ever-changing weather, they can be destructible or run into some trouble, which is common to many users. But that doesn¡¯t mean their functionality is entirely dead.
Here we¡¯ve identified some of the major reasons your solar lights suddenly stopped working and tips to get them back up and working.
Why Solar Lights Stop Working
Solar lights are known to be resilient by design. They are put outside under a sturdy element to withstand various weather conditions. As a result, today, they are fast becoming an alternative lighting mechanism in offices, homes, and even cars!
Unlike other fuel lamps, solar lights are quite beneficial. They are cost-friendly and don¡¯t pollute the environment. In short, they are an incredibly amazing source of energy. But what could be the cause of them not working?
The following could be some of the reasons:
1. They Are Not Receiving Enough Sunlight
If you place your solar lights in the shade or a covered area, the chance of them working is minimal because they won¡¯t receive sufficient sunlight. While you don¡¯t have to place solar lamps into the direct sun to function, they need a reasonable amount of light to be fully charged.
Outdoor solar lights usually charge their batteries within six hours of direct sunlight every day, depending on the sun intensity, type of solar panel, and battery. However, if your house or trees envelop the solar panels in the dark, especially during afternoon hours, they won¡¯t get quite enough sunlight, and they might not turn on all night long.
2. Batteries¡¯ Lifespan Has Come To An End
In most cases, solar-powered lights when a battery is dead, so you might want to take a look and see whether they are worn out or too old. While there are long-lasting batteries like Nickel Metal Hydride batteries (NiMH), they also drop in performance as time goes.Batteries that are worn out may start to erode, resulting in acid leakage, and this could cause permanent damage to the solar lamp¡¯s electrical components. These batteries also cannot hold an adequate charge to light up solar lamps, and if they can, not for so long. Therefore, if dead batteries are the culprit of your solar lights not working, you need to replace them.
3. Solar Lights Have A Faulty Sensor
A sensor reacts to darkness allowing the solar light to go off during the day and turn on at night. But none of this will happen with an ineffective sensor unless you do it manually by bypassing the sensors, and you probably don¡¯t have all the time for that.
If the solar light has a faulty sensor, it won¡¯t differentiate between day and night. But how do you tell it is the cause of your solar lights not working? You can check during the nighttime by covering the sensor with your hand or cloth, and if it brings to light, it is working perfectly fine. On the contrary, it will show no light if it is defective.
4. The Solar Panels Are Covered With Dirt
Earlier we mentioned that inadequate sunlight could be why your solar lights are not working, but dirty panels are also a hindrance. A layer of dust or dirt on a solar panel prevents it from absorbing sunlight, and the little that gets in may not charge the batteries properly.
The dust could even get so thick that no sunlight reaches the panels, and as a result, the batteries will not charge at all. Before you assume the batteries are dead, ensure the panels are clean and sunlight can pass through. If the solar panel has fallen tree leaves on, it clears them off as they can completely block the sun rays.
5. Water Buildup In The Panels
Even though solar lights are water and weather resistant, sometimes residue or water may build up inside the panel, damaging internal wiring and circuitry. To ensure that the solar panel is filled with water, you can detach the panel head from either the wall, post, or pier mount to check.
Wondering how water could leak through the panel? If you have used the solar lights for quite some time, the sealant tends to get older, thus becoming less effective, and that¡¯s how water gets inside the panel.
6. The Proximity To Other Light Sources Is Too Close
Solar lights are equipped with a sensor that contains photovoltaic cells to detect any light, including artificial ones. So, if other sources of lights such as house/garage lights, street lights, and neighbor lights are shinning towards your solar lamps, it could be the cause of them not working properly.
To find out if this is the issue, check your solar panels¡¯ location to see whether there is another source of light close to it.
