Solar batteries can provide a reliable source of power for solar-powered garden, landscaping, and some security lights.
They come in various capacities sometimes 600, 800 mAh, or higher capacity mAh. NiCd and NiMH are the more common types on the market.
Solar light batteries are generally affordable and can work reliably for many years. In fact, it is easy to forget about them until they stop working.
While there are several possible causes of why a solar light can fail, one of the more common ones is the failure of the battery.
So in this article, I will cover several topics including whether these solar batteries need to be replaced when to know that it is time to replace them and how to keep them healthy.
Do Solar Light batteries Need to be Replaced?
Solar light batteries like all batteries, wear out after a certain number of charge/discharge cycles and need to be replaced.
Are they Worth Replacing?
This really depends on the quality and cost of the solar light and batteries.
For instance, there are some cheap solar lights on the market that degrade over a period of 1 -3 years because of exposure to outdoor weather – rain, heat, or sunlight. It is probably not worth replacing these batteries especially if
there is a reasonably priced quality solar light on the market.
When to Replace Solar Light Batteries (Signs Batteries are Bad)
Check if the solar light’s panels are clear and do not have any object casting shadows or blocking sunlight.
If the solar panels are clear with no shadows and you notice reduced performance from the battery either because:
- the Solar lights are not working completely or
- the lights lasts for a much shorter time, for example 3 hours instead of the expected 6-8 hours or
- the batteries do not accept charge
- Solar batteries also have a finite life and will naturally degrade with each cycle – recharge or discharge. Plan to replace them close to the expected lifetime.
- Placing them in a known working charger for the recommended charging time for the type of charger and battery time does not result in a fully charged battery. Instead, you find that the voltage has not changed substantially from the original 0.6V.
Either of the signs above is an indication that the solar light batteries are due for replacement.
How Often to Replace Solar Light batteries | How Long they Last?
Solar light batteries can last for a period ranging from 1 – 5 years mainly depending on the quality of the batteries and how often they are used.
Good quality, heavy-duty batteries generally handle more charge and discharge cycles and tend to last longer than lower quality batteries.
Also, solar light batteries that are used more frequently will last longer than those that are only occasionally used.
For example, a light set to turn on when motion is detected vs. another that lights from dusk to dawn.
Why you Need to Replace Solar Batteries | Causes of Failure
Solar light batteries wear out after a certain time. Solar batteries have a finite life. If your solar batteries are in use on a daily basis, you should expect them to fail after a certain cycle life, between 1 -5 years depending on the quality of battery and usage.
They suffer from damage over time from exposure of the batteries to rain and heat especially if:
- the lights are made of poor quality materials that break up after some time exposing the batteries to rain and heat, or
- Some solar batteries are of poor quality. Sometimes the solar batteries are of poor quality or even within a batch of good quality batteries, there are some with defects.
- if the battery enclosure is not closed properly and
- also if the lights are not installed in an the environment they are suited to. Some lights are built to withstand direct rain and sunshine while others are only intended for occasional splashes.
Check the manufacturer guidelines and install your lights accordingly.
How to Keep Solar Light Batteries Healthy
Here are some tips that you can follow to slow down the replacements of solar batteries.
1. Use solar lights with NiMH batteries. You will likely have fewer replacements over a period of time compared to NiCd batteries.
They generally have a higher capacity than the NiCd batteries, last longer, and are not prone to the memory effect that affects the NiCd batteries.
2. Install solar lights in the installation locations by the manufacturer to limit exposure to heat and rain that can shorten the battery life.
3. Buy good-quality solar light batteries. Aim to purchase well-regarded solar batteries with genuine user feedback to reduce the risk of ending up with bad quality batteries.
4. Use a recommended charger for the solar light battery type. If planning to use a battery charger, make sure it is suited to charge the battery type you have.
For example, NiCd batteries can be charged in NiMH battery chargers with the same voltage specifications yet NiMH batteries cannot be charged in NiCd battery chargers
Related questions:
Can you Replace Solar Light Batteries with Regular Batteries?
It is not recommended to replace rechargeable solar light batteries with regular alkaline batteries.
This is because there is a voltage mismatch – the alkaline batteries are rated 1.5V while the NiCd or NiMH are usually 1.2V.
Secondly, the normal alkaline batteries are not rechargeable – attempting to charge them can result in damage to the battery and solar light.
Final Word
Solar light batteries can be replaced – whether it is worth it or not depends on the lifespan of the light and alternative solar light technologies available at the time you are considering the replacement.
Your solar light batteries are probably due for replacement if you confirm that the solar panel is clear and working yet the lights do not work at all, last for a shorter time than before or do not accept charge.
Related Topics
