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Solar garden lights.

P

Pavarotti

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I have several of these but after a while they clap out usually because of water in the electronics. While they can avoid rain I am sure the moisture is due to condensation. I have taken to covering all the electronics and the on/off switch in candle wax to try to extend the life of the units.

As I have a couple of failed units can anyone let me have a circuit diagram in order to recycle a solar panel or two.and some rechargable batteries

I am hopeless with electronics so it will need to be for the simple minded. I would like one that charges a battery and comes on at night. No need for an on/off switch in the circuit.

Thanks Pav
 
I have always found these to be very short lived. Mostly the battery inside is crap amd needs replacement with proper rechargeable batteries, in spite of which they end up failing.

Gave up on the whole thing.
 
I need some that are neighbour proof. Three were run over yesterday afternoon. Probably a delivery guy in a van. One other a few weeks ago by my neighbour who was very apologetic. Thing is they are driving on a bit of lawn that runs down the side of my garage alongside next doors driveway. Because we live in a mews, people use his driveway to turn around and the poor drivers go on my lawn.
 
I bought one for the Memsahib on her birthday. Quite expensive for me at £11.99. I hope it lasts a while. 😇
 
Yup my wife can't resist buying solar lights of all shapes & sizes. The best last a month or two - most not even that. In the past I've replaced batteries & switches, swapped circuit boards from one to another, etc. but I don't bother any more.

As an aside I've had solar spotlights that lasted for many years, with the original batteries even. So it can be done but the decorative garden type really are just cheap rubbish in my experience.
 
BTB 500 said:
Yup my wife can't resist buying solar lights of all shapes & sizes. The best last a month or two - most not even that. In the past I've replaced batteries & switches, swapped circuit boards from one to another, etc. but I don't bother any more.

As an aside I've had solar spotlights that lasted for many years, with the original batteries even. So it can be done but the decorative garden type really are just cheap rubbish in my experience.
Click to expand...
yep, but if i am in the bad books its a cheap way to get back in the good books.
 
Bought these in August 2024, still going strong........

lights.webp
 
BigClive on Youtube does hacks on them .
He covers the top with tape over the solar panel and bridges the switch .
 
We bought 24 solar lights 7 years ago and have since bought another 24 to replace them as they fail. The model has been discontinued but I have been repairing some of them using parts from failures. The first thing to look for when buying these is them having a larger solar panel (40 x40) and an AA rechargeable battery. Before they get used I apply silicone sealant around the solar panel to cover joint, because that's where most of the water gets in. The failures are normally corrosion of the battery terminals, battery failure, panel failure or corrosion of the LED leads which are steel and just rust through. Of course the latter results in a scrap item which then supplies the repair parts for the others. Seems buying decent lamps is expensive. The aforementioned were just €1.50 each. A decent unit is around €20, so we won't be buying 24 of those!
 
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