Solar garden lights ALWAYS get water in them. Even if quite well shielded against direct water ingress, the natural thermal expansion and contraction of the air inside will pull water in through any slight gap (even at molecular level). Once the water is in it will then repeatedly evaporate and condense as the temperature varies, and this will ensure it reaches all the delicate bits to corrode them.
This same water ingress effect is the bane of outdoor electrical equipment where water will even find its way in through cables. In the case of solar garden lights it's a significant issue due to the presence of close DC connections on the PCBs as the moisture will cause rapid electrolytic corrosion.
The firefly lights I'm repairing here seem to suffer the common fate of letting water in via the solar panel. But that is easily fixed. And the same techniques can be used on many other lights to protect them before they have even experienced their first drop of rain.
If you enjoy the videos on this channel then you can help support it with a dollar for coffee, cookies and technical toys at https://www.patreon.com/bigclive
This same water ingress effect is the bane of outdoor electrical equipment where water will even find its way in through cables. In the case of solar garden lights it's a significant issue due to the presence of close DC connections on the PCBs as the moisture will cause rapid electrolytic corrosion.
The firefly lights I'm repairing here seem to suffer the common fate of letting water in via the solar panel. But that is easily fixed. And the same techniques can be used on many other lights to protect them before they have even experienced their first drop of rain.
If you enjoy the videos on this channel then you can help support it with a dollar for coffee, cookies and technical toys at https://www.patreon.com/bigclive
Dang, was hoping for the 3M number of this tape as I can't find it with my searching of all weather and garden etc. tape. 🙁
Ich hab auch die so laden
Can you laquer the board
Came for the helpful tips, stayed for what sounds like 007 giving safety advice.
I have lots thanks to you- much to the memsabs annoyance as they are hogging the washing line- looks brill at night though!
I've discovered the enclosures are the weak link in solar light reliability. Buy them and seal them well before deployment and they will last twice as long.
Great videos. I've learnt so much and now fixing stuff😁
)(,’!💡
Use farts that will keep the water out
Clive I've recently brought one of these and would like to know how long they take to charge 'if at all possible this time the year?'
Too bad those are not available in India
i use acrylic clear non-yellowing paint to seal my solar lights. it seem to work for me.
Is there enough space inside the casing to change the button cell for a slightly higher capacity version?
Poundland have these lights back in stock and also have a multicolour version.