How To Replace Batteries in Outdoor Solar Lights
There comes a time when suddenly, your outdoor solar lights stop working. If you are not too familiar with how outdoor solar lights work then certainly you would think that your units need repair. But, if you know how they work and you know the components of solar light, then the thing that’s top of mind when your solar lights do stop working would be to check the batteries.
Why do solar lights need batteries, you might ask. It’s understandable if you think that solar lights are evergreen since their source is the sun. Indeed if you need the solar energy to be converted immediately to electricity for your consumption during the day then a battery may not be necessary. But come night time, when you need your outdoor solar lights to work, you wouldn’t have the sun to provide energy to the small solar panels of each of your solar lights. It is for this reason that you need rechargeable batteries to store electricity generated by your solar lights during the day to be consumed at night when they are needed the most.
What Rechargeable Battery To Use
In our previous blog, “How Does Outdoor Solar Lighting Work?”, we talked about the different types of solar light batteries. But you cannot just simply get any kind of battery to use in your solar lights. They may have been designed to function using a particular type of battery. The best way to know is to check the manual or brochure that comes with the product.
You will see a battery specification that lets you know what type of battery you must get to replace the current ones when they’re not working anymore. If there is no manual, you can check the website of the manufacturer or call them to be certain.
Step-by-step instructions on replacing batteries
Here are the main steps in replacing batteries:
Switch your solar lights off
Before tinkering with the mechanism of your solar lights, you have to see to it that it is turned off. Most solar lights now come with a switch that you can turn on or off. If it has that option and as a precautionary measure, it is best to turn the solar lights off before touching the battery.
Bring your solar lights to a clean and dry area
You must remember that your solar lights come with very delicate parts. Water and dirt must not come in contact with the inner workings of your solar lights as this can affect their performance and function.
Open the battery housing
Solar lights come in different designs and types but most have a battery housing. It is usually located at the top section of your solar lights, at the top of the bulb. You can also consult the brochure or the supplier’s website to see where the battery housing is located.
Find a battery as specified
By this time you would already know which type of battery you would need for your solar lights. You can then check with the supplier or your local hardware for a similar type of rechargeable battery. Be sure to test them first to know if they work.
Replace the old batteries with the new ones
By this time you would already know which type of battery you would need for your solar lights. You can then check with the supplier or your local hardware for a similar type of rechargeable battery. Be sure to test them first to know if they work.
Turn on the light
New batteries are generally fully charged when you buy them. After closing the battery housing and getting all the parts of your solar lights back together, turn the switch on. In the slightest chance that your lights do not work yet, you can keep them under the sun for a reasonable amount of time before switching it on again to test.
Throwing Out Used Batteries
After replacing used batteries and as you enjoy the illumination of your solar lights with the new batteries, you have to think deeply about how to dispose of the used batteries. You cannot simply throw them to the bin as they might contain harmful toxins that can negatively affect the environment when they are not disposed of properly.
There are however recycling centers that take the disposal for you. Local hardware stores also have their disposal programs or recycling points for used batteries. Just take your used batteries to these recycling points as your way to help protect the environment.
