Seeing your solar lights shining brightly in broad daylight? This common solar light problem can waste valuable energy and significantly shorten the lifespan of your solar light batteries.
This post provides a step-by-step guide on how to diagnose and fix the issue of solar lights staying on during the day.
Table of Contents
7 Common Causes for lights being on during the day
1. Solar Panel Fault
Take a 12V solar light as an example. These lights typically turn on when the solar panel’s output voltage drops below a certain threshold, such as 7V. If dust or grime completely covers the solar panel, it can lead to insufficient voltage generation during daytime charging. This low voltage can be misinterpreted as nighttime, causing the light to remain on.
Additionally, obstructions on the solar panel, such as spiderwebs or leaves, can also cause a similar issue. These objects prevent the panel from properly absorbing sunlight and generating the necessary voltage.
2. Installation Site Issues
Improper installation location, such as trees or eaves blocking sunlight around the solar light, will cause the solar panel to be constantly in a shaded area.
3. Circuit Fault
Prolonged exposure to moisture has damaged the internal circuit board, preventing it from making proper judgments.
4. Incorrect Manual Settings
Certain advanced solar lights, like solar street lights, have a debugging mode that should be disabled after setup. If left on, this mode can cause the lights to activate during the day. Furthermore, incorrect timer settings on programmable solar lights can also lead to daytime illumination.
5. Product Flaw
Low-quality solar lights, often suffering from inconsistent quality such as poor waterproofing or faulty controllers, can also be a cause of them staying on during the day.
6. Extreme Weather False Triggers
Abnormal weather conditions, such as cloudy or rainy days causing insufficient light, can lead solar lights to mistakenly believe it is nighttime and turn on. Additionally, snow covering the solar panels can also trigger them to illuminate.
7. Hybrid Power Interference
Some hybrid solar street lights can also be connected to the power grid. They are turned on by a central controller, and a potential issue is that the controller’s on-time schedule may not have been adjusted promptly to reflect seasonal changes.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Quick Check
Clean the sensor and solar panel, and check for any physical obstructions.
2. Solar Panel Diagnoses
① Simulated Sunlight Test: In a dark environment, shine a strong flashlight directly onto the solar panel for approximately ten seconds. Observe if the light fixture turns off.
- Result: If the light fixture turns off, it indicates that the solar light itself is functioning correctly. The issue is likely due to insufficient sunlight exposure during the day.
② Voltage Test (If the Light Fixture Does Not Turn Off):
- Turn on the power switch of the light fixture.
- Use a multimeter to measure the output voltage of the solar panel.
- Result: If the voltage is above 7V, it indicates that the solar panel is working correctly. The problem might lie with other components of the light fixture.
3. Checking the Solar Light Controller
For small solar lights, due to their simple circuit structure, the controller is usually an exposed circuit board. You can inspect the condition of the circuit board, looking for signs of moisture, burn marks, or dirt accumulation. If any issues are found, first clean the board, then use a hairdryer to dry it thoroughly before attempting to turn on the light again.
For high-power solar lights, such as integrated solar street lights, the controller is typically a separate, sealed module. These types of lights are generally equipped with a dedicated remote control that can read the operating status of the light. You can use the information displayed on the remote control to determine if the controller is functioning correctly.
4. Optimizing the Installation Location
For optimal performance, place your solar lights where they receive unobstructed sunlight all day. Also, keep them away from artificial lights (like porch lights) to prevent them from staying off at night due to light interference.
5. Reset Device
- Power off the device, wait a few seconds, and then restart it to see if the issue is resolved.
- If the problem persists, try performing a factory reset (if your device supports this feature).
Prevention Tips to Avoid Future Issues
1. Regular Cleaning
Clean the sensor and solar panel at least once a month to ensure optimal performance.
2. Seasonal Maintenance
- Winter/Rainy Season Moisture Protection: Take measures to prevent moisture from entering electronic components.
- Winter Snow Removal: Promptly remove snow from the solar panel to ensure sunlight absorption.
3. Choosing High-Quality Products
- Consider IP Waterproof Rating: Select products with an appropriate IP waterproof rating to suit outdoor environments.
- Understand Sensor Type: Choose the right sensor type based on your needs to ensure sensitivity and accuracy.
4. Cleaning Precautions
Do not use strong corrosive cleaners to avoid damaging the product.
When to Contact Support
- Multiple resets have been unsuccessful.
- The circuit board has burn marks or an unusual smell.
- The product is within the warranty period.
FAQs
- Sensor Sensitivity Adjustment Issue: This could be due to an improper sensor sensitivity setting, causing the voltage threshold to be set too high.
- Weather Factors: Another possibility is that condensation has formed on the solar panel due to rainy or foggy weather, affecting light energy absorption.
Rain itself does not directly cause solar lights to turn on. Whether the lights activate depends on the ambient illuminance level. Solar lights will only turn on when the ambient light level falls below a set threshold. However, rainy days typically lead to darker conditions that last longer. This means solar lights may turn on earlier and turn off later compared to clear weather.
Given that the majority of solar lights and their accessories are manufactured in China, sourcing these components from China is often the primary consideration. With the widespread availability of the internet, these accessories can be easily obtained through Chinese online platforms such as Taobao, Pinduoduo, Alibaba, and 1688.
We have a team of professional engineers who can provide rapid response technical support. Even if the issue you are experiencing is not related to our products, we are happy to offer assistance.
Conclusion
The reasons why your solar lights turn on during the day and their solutions are actually quite simple. Once you understand how solar lights work, you can easily troubleshoot and fix the issue. To ensure your lights function properly, regular maintenance is crucial. We also encourage you to share your experiences or ask questions in the comments section so we can learn together.