PV Gap

Virginia Said:

Have you used solar outdoor lights?

We Answered:

in my experience they are very dim. We've tried 3 or 4 different styles and they are all really really weak. They work alright for lighting a path or something a little, but if you're trying to use them as the main lighting source, it might not be enough. Granted the last time we tried them was probably 4 years ago, and maybe they've gotten better since then, but the ones we tried were disappointing

Wesley Said:

i had outdoor solar lights stored in my garage 2 years. 3 days ago i put them in my yard, they're not working

We Answered:

Hello,

First thing you can do is to remove the batteries from one of them, then if you have a battery charger at home try to recharge them for let say 12 hours if it's a regular charger.

when they're fully charged place them back and give it a try.

If this don't work, you definitely need to replace the batteries.

Travis Said:

I just purchased outdoor solar lights in a copper finish. How do you keep copper looking clean?

We Answered:

Deb D - I'm sorry to say this to you but the copper finish will tarnish and within a year it will fade and even turn into a dull silvery metal look. If you try any lemon, vinegar etc.. etc.. you will only accelerate the tarnishing process.

your only chance of keeping the copper finish is by using a lacquer finish on them and even then it will soon tarnish because of the sun. the finish on most of the solar fixture is poor at best & unless the fixture is made with true copper all the way through and not an applied (very thin) copper finish it will soon fade.

The reason I know this is because I've been designing, installing & repairing Landscape Lighting systems for about 20 years now. I get about 15 calls a week from people wanting me to repair their solar lights and I now tell them it's cheaper to buy new ones (I getquestions about the finishes all the time). I think the idea of a "Solar powered - LED lights" in theory is great but honestly the reality is very different. The LED light is very dim and the color temparature is very unnatural giving a weird looking light. Plus within a year you will have to replace the batteries - and get this most of those types of batteries are considered hazerdous and should be recycled at your city/county recycle center.

Sorry Deb, I know this isn't the answer you were hoping for, I truely wish I could give you a problem solving answer but the truth is you'll spend more time and money trying save the nice copper finish but the results I've seen all come out the same. Sorry.

Ian Said:

Outdoor solar lights are not working?

We Answered:

you need to pull the little piece of plastic out between the battery and terminal

Janice Said:

What is the best way to spare solar outdoor lights from the harsh temperatures?

We Answered:

Plants! Plant some plants that provide partial shade in the summer, then cover them small decorative buckets in the winter if you have a severe winter where you live.

Carl Said:

How long to do outdoor solar lights normally last?

We Answered:

It's probably just the batteries. They usually use nicads but you can try a high number nimh battery. I found that after a year, mine burn brighter and longer with the new batteries.