Outdoor Solar Lights admin | 31 Aug 2010
Solar Deck Lights by HomeBrite
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When it comes to solar deck lights, the Wunder Light by Homebrite is a great solar powered lighting solution that can be used in several ways. It is a relatively small product and comes in a pack of 6, 12 or 24 individual lights that can be installed outdoors just about anywhere that will provide sufficient exposure to direct sunlight. Since it is so small and easy to install, the Wunder Light can be used individually to cast a light on signs and posts during the night or it can be installed incrementally spaced apart on a deck to provide light and create a subtle, relaxed mood. This makes your deck a better lit and a more welcoming place to be enjoyed at night. It is also waterproof making it an ideal solar deck lighting solution for outdoor conditions.
How It Works
The solar deck lights looks like a small flat rectangular box with the solar panel on the top of the box and the LED lamp emitting light from the bottom. The light must be installed outdoor where it will receive sun light that is captured by the solar panels and converted into DC power which is stored in the battery. The sensors detect lighting levels to turn the lamp on at dusk and off at dawn. More direct sunlight allows the battery to charge fully and a fully charged battery can sustain a bright light for up to eight hours. If the light is dim or blinking that usually means the battery does not have sufficient charge. In bad weather or consecutive days without sunlight, it is recommended that the light is switched off to prevent power from being drawn and allow the unit to recharge for several days.
Installing the Solar Deck Lights
Installing the solar deck lights is as easy as determining the location and using the provided methods to suspend the light in place. Make sure the location will provide as much direct exposure to the sun during day light hours as possible and understand the difference in sun angles through different seasons in a year. Shadows and other obstacles can prevent the batteries from charging fully. Also be aware of any other light sources that might turn on at night because they could fool the sensors from turning on the lamp.
Before attaching the light to a wall or other object where it will be suspended from, turn on the switch in the back and test the product by covering the solar panel to simulate low-light conditions which will trigger the sensor to turn on the lamp.
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To suspend the solar lights in place there are a variety of options available. The back of the light will have an adhesive surface which can be revealed by removing the covering. Simply affix the light with the adhesive end to a flat surface if you wish to use this method. There are also two metal brackets on the backside which can be used to screw the light into a wood surface such as walls or wooden railings of a deck. To suspend the light over a thin end there is an attachable clip that can be used.
Battery Care and Replacing
Before using the Wunder Light it is recommended that you fully charge the battery for 8 hours by exposing it to direct sunlight. The batteries come pre-installed and will typically need to be replaced after about 36 months. Replace with a Nickel Metal-Hydride rechargeable AAA battery of 1.2V and 600 or higher mAh. To replace the battery simply unscrew the battery cover on the underside of the light right next to the LED lamp and be sure the polarities of the new battery is aligned properly.
Benefits of Solar Powered Deck Lights
By using solar deck lights to illuminate your outdoor living space you create a welcoming, well lit area to relax and entertain which is the purpose of having a nice deck. Having solar powered lights mean you can keep the area light without concerning your electricity consumption and does not add to your electricity bill. The Wunder Light is a great deck light because it is small which makes installation easy and is convenient when you want to redesign your deck and move the lights around. It also makes for great solar patio lights as well since there is no need to worry about hiding or managing wires and for under $50 it is an incredibly affordable solution for your lighting needs.
Solar Post Lights admin | 23 Aug 2010
How to Repair Broken Solar Post Lights
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Solar post lights are some of the most common types of solar lights you can expect to find in home improvement. These are simply solar powered outdoor lights that are fixated to a stake that can be stabbed into the dirt as garden lights, pathway lights or even patio lights. These products are not without their problems especially the cheap models you find in general retail stores like Wal-Mart who are known to carry low cost models. Some problems, however, can be easy to fix and this article will cover some of the most common issues and possible resolutions.
Diagnose the Issue
The first step in attempting to fix anything is to diagnose the issue. With solar post lights the physical malfunctions can be easy to identify. These are issues like a broken stake or post. It is the technical component level that can take a little bit of guesswork or trial and error to discover where the problem resides. Some tougher to diagnose issues might be observed when there is dim or no light coming from the lamp at night. There are several areas that could possibly be malfunctioning to prevent the lamp from producing light.
Post-less Solar Post Lighting
A broken stake or post could be a simple repair with certain types of glues depending on the material. Often metal stakes are more durable than plastic but metal will bend rather than simply break. In the case of a bent post there is always to possibility that it can be bent back into shape. If not a replacement post is often cheap and easy to perform yourself.
Dim Outdoor Solar Post Lights
In situations where there is dim or no light, the first test would be whether the solar cells are receiving enough direct exposure to sun light during the day. Consider the entirety of the day and whether there are shadows cast over the product at any point depending on the position of the sun. If possible, you might want to try moving the solar light into an area where it is guaranteed to receive direct exposure to sun light all day long. Sometimes moving the solar panel is enough to solve this issue especially for products like a solar security light where the installation location isn’t always ideal for receiving sun light.
If the exposure to sun light is sufficient and it is still only producing a dim light then there must a problem somewhere else. One possible component could be the solar panel itself. The delicate wires inside could be disconnected preventing the solar cells from passing electricity to the battery, or the cells themselves could simply not be capturing and converting electricity properly. It could also be the battery’s inability to hold a charge. The only real way to distinguish the malfunction is to replace the solar cells or pull the battery and test it if you have the proper equipment.
Light Sensor Malfunction
There could be a malfunction of other parts in situations where there is absolutely no light at all. It could be that the solar panels and batteries are working fine but the lamp isn’t being turned on at night because the light sensors are not working properly. The switch is controlled by a light dependent resistor, or LDR, which controls the electricity circuit depending on the light levels outside. These are electrical components so it could be that a leak in the case allowing the parts to get wet could cause the problem. Try drying everything and if it doesn’t work then it is time for replacement parts.
The good news is that there is often a lot of information you can gather simply by going through the owner’s manual and the troubleshooting section. If parts do need to be replaced they often are cheap. Usually problems are not that common and if the solar post lights were recently purchased it could be covered by a warranty that might entitle you to an entirely new replacement.