How to Repair Solar Lights

Maintain and repair solar lights.

Solar lights are a convenient way to light the outside of your home and add dramatic flair to your garden. After the initial expenditure for purchasing solar lights, the cost to operate is practically nonexistent. There are a few things you need to do to ensure they continue to work properly. However, if you did not perform regular maintenance and the lights are not working properly, repairing solar lights is not difficult to do.

Instructions

1. Change the solar panel angle or move the light to a new location. Pay particular attention to how much sun is actually shining on the solar panel. If the panel receives a sufficient number of hours of direct sunlight and the light is still not working, then it's time to adjust the angle of the solar panel. Modifying the solar panel angle may be all that is necessary for the light to begin working properly again.

2. Clean the solar panel. A dirty solar panel cannot utilize the full effect of the sun; the dirtier the panel, the dimmer your solar illumination. When the panel is dirty it is unable to get enough of the sun's energy to fully charge the battery. Keeping a clean panel is just as important as placing the light in the right location.

3. Remove mineral buildup on the battery terminals. Over time the battery terminals can become dirty with a buildup of minerals and dirt particles on the positive and negative terminals of the battery housing. Too much of a buildup can prevent the battery from connecting to the positive and negative terminals. If the battery cannot access the positive and negative terminals, the light will not turn on.

4. Inspect and test the battery. If the light still doesn't work after cleaning the terminals, test the battery and replace it if necessary.

5. Replace the light density resistor. The light density resistor (LDR) is responsible for telling the solar light when to turn on. It interprets the difference between day and night. If it is broken or defective it must be replaced otherwise the light won't know the sun has gone down and it's time to turn on.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep an eye on the surrounding shrubbery. As bushes and shrubs grow throughout the season, some leaves may inadvertently block the direct sun rays from the solar panel.

References

• Green Living Tips: Solar Panel Basics

Resources

• Alternative Technology: Solar Garden Lamp Repair