I. Common problems with solar lights
How to fix solar light? Solar lights may encounter various problems during use. Insufficient charging is a fairly common issue. It manifests as a significant reduction in the illumination time of solar lights at night, and even the inability to turn on normally. For example, some users have reported that their solar lights initially provided continuous lighting for 8 hours, but now can only last for 2 to 3 hours. In addition, the non illumination of the light bulb is also a major issue. This may be due to a malfunction of the light bulb itself or a problem with the circuit connection, resulting in the loss of the entire lighting function of the lamp.
II. Root cause analysis of the problem
(I) The influence of natural factors
The weather conditions have a significant impact on solar lights. Long term rainy weather can lead to insufficient sunlight received by solar panels, resulting in incomplete battery charging. For example, in rainy seasons, consecutive weeks of cloudy and rainy weather can hinder solar lights from obtaining sufficient energy replenishment. The duration of sunlight exposure is also important. In winter, due to shorter daylight hours, the electricity stored in solar lights may not be sufficient to maintain illumination throughout the night. In addition, if there are obstacles such as large trees or high-rise buildings around the installation location of solar lights, the amount of sunlight received by the solar panels will also decrease.
(II) Problems with the equipment itself
The components of solar lights may age over time. For example, the wear of the surface coating of solar panels can reduce their photoelectric conversion efficiency. After multiple cycles of charging and discharging, the capacity of the battery will gradually decrease, resulting in insufficient charging. In addition, some low-quality solar lights are prone to problems such as loose solder joints, aging wires, and short circuits in their internal circuits, which can affect the normal use of the lights. In addition, after long-term use, the filament of the light bulb may burn out or the light-emitting diode may be damaged, which can also lead to the failure of the light bulb to light up. Finally, if the solar control box has a malfunction, it can also cause the solar light to strike.
III. Detailed explanation of maintenance methods
(I) Battery malfunction
The main reason why solar lights do not work is that the battery is aging or damaged. So how to determine if the battery is faulty?
There are two methods:
A. Use a multimeter to detect voltage
If you suspect that the charging battery of the solar ceiling light is damaged, you can use a multimeter to measure the voltage of the charging battery. Select the voltage range of the multimeter to the minimum voltage value, connect the wires according to the positive and negative poles of the rechargeable battery, and the reading should generally be the nominal value. If the reading is significantly lower than the nominal value, it is very likely that the rechargeable battery has been damaged.
B. Observe the charging status
If the battery of the solar lamp supports external charging, an external charger can be used to conduct a charging test on the rechargeable battery. Under normal circumstances, after connecting the rechargeable battery to the charger, the charging status light will light up and gradually dim. When the light goes out, it indicates that the charging has been completed. If the charging status light remains unlit or flashes continuously, it is possible that the rechargeable battery has been damaged.
When it is determined that the problem is caused by a rechargeable battery, the battery needs to be replaced. We must purchase batteries of the same specifications and models for replacement.
(II) Light bulb malfunction
For situations where the light bulb is damaged, a suitable light bulb should be selected for replacement based on the type of light fixture.
(III) Controller malfunction
The solar light controller is an important component of solar lights, responsible for controlling the on/off of solar lights. If the solar light cannot light up normally or adjust the brightness automatically, it is likely that the light controller has malfunctioned. The method for quickly locating faults in the light controller is as follows:
Firstly, check if there are any abnormal heat and burnt marks on the light controller. If there are, it is likely that the light controller is damaged. Secondly, use a voltmeter to test the voltage output of the light controller. If the voltage output is unstable or zero, it indicates that there is a problem with the light controller. Finally, replace the light controller with other functioning solar street lights for testing to confirm if the light controller is the source of the malfunction.
The solution to the malfunction of the light controller is to replace it with a new one. You can choose to replace the light controller with the same model, or choose a more powerful light controller according to the actual situation, such as an intelligent light controller that supports remote control and brightness adjustment functions.
(IV) Handling of solar panel faults
1. Handle open circuit faults
a. Measure output voltage
Measure the output voltage between the positive and negative poles of the solar panel in sufficient sunlight using the voltage range of a multimeter. If the voltage value is much lower than the normal operating voltage or zero, there may be an open circuit fault. At this point, carefully inspect the connections inside the solar panel junction box to see if there are any disconnected wires. For some solar panels with solder joints, it is also necessary to check whether the solder joints are loose or detached. If the wire is found to be disconnected, it can be reconnected and insulated with insulating tape or heat shrink tubing; If there is a problem with the solder joint, it can be re soldered with a soldering iron.
b. Repair solar panels
A solar panel is composed of multiple small solar cells connected in series or parallel. If some batteries have an open circuit, it will also affect the output of the entire solar panel. You can visually inspect the surface of the battery to see if there are any obvious cracks or damage. For problematic batteries, if it is a simple connection issue, you can try reconnecting their busbars; If the battery itself is severely damaged, professional equipment may be required for repair, or the entire solar panel module may need to be replaced.
2. Handle short circuit faults
a. Abnormal current and voltage
When the output current of the solar panel is abnormally high or the voltage is abnormally low, a short circuit may occur. Firstly, check if there are any foreign objects on the surface of the solar panel that could cause a short circuit between the cells. For example, in windy and rainy conditions, leaves, metal wires, etc. may adhere to solar panels. Carefully remove these foreign objects.
b. Damaged packaging material
At the same time, check whether the packaging material of the solar panel is damaged. If there is damage, rainwater may enter the interior and cause a short circuit. For minor damages, waterproof sealant can be used for repair; If the damage is severe, it may be necessary to replace the entire solar panel or send it back to the manufacturer for repair. In addition, check whether the internal circuit is short circuited. You can use the resistance range of a multimeter to measure the resistance value between the positive and negative poles of a solar panel. If the resistance value is abnormally low, there may be an internal circuit short circuit, which may require further investigation by professionals into the circuit issue.
3. Dealing with the aging problem of solar panels
For aging issues, if it is the aging of surface anti reflective coatings, special solar panel fixing liquids can be used for repair. Apply the fixative evenly onto the surface of the solar panel according to the instructions. After drying, the optical properties of the surface can be restored to a certain extent, improving the photoelectric conversion efficiency. However, if the decrease in efficiency is caused by the aging of the internal materials of the battery, it may be necessary to replace the solar panel, as this internal aging problem is difficult to repair.
IV. Daily usage precautions
(I) Installation location
When using solar lights in daily life, a reasonable installation location should be chosen. Try to install them in open, sunny, and unobstructed areas such as rooftops and courtyards. The installation angle is also important. Usually, a good sunlight exposure effect can be achieved when the angle between the solar panel and the ground is between 30 and 60 degrees. At the same time, avoid accumulating debris around the solar light to prevent blocking the light.
(II) Regularly clean solar panels
Cleaning the battery panel is an important step to ensure its normal operation. Once, a user noticed that the charging efficiency of his solar light was getting worse and worse. After inspection, it was found that the surface of the solar panel was covered with dust and bird droppings. After gently wiping with a soft damp cloth, the charging efficiency is significantly improved. When cleaning, attention should be paid to avoiding scratching the surface of the solar panel. Except for dust and bird droppings, if there are difficult to remove stains on the surface, such as oil stains, they can be gently wiped with a mild detergent and soft cloth, but care should be taken to avoid damaging the solar panel with detergent residue
(III) Regularly check the connection of wires
Check for loose or damaged parts. If minor damage is found to the wires, they can be repaired by wrapping them with insulating tape. This can effectively extend the service life of solar lights and reduce the occurrence of malfunctions.
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