Recognized as energy-efficient outdoor lighting fixtures, solar lights gather solar radiation through photovoltaic cells, transform it into electrical energy, and store it in rechargeable batteries for later use. Throughout the day, solar lights units are constantly charging, indicating a steady supply of electricity. The lights run from nightfall until morning while the battery is charged and discharged. Solar batteries typically last between two and five years, depending on the type. After that, they start to lose energy storage capacity and your solar product’s performance starts to deteriorate.
Rechargeable batteries are already present in solar light fixtures, which simplify the process of installing solar lights. Your solar lighting systems’ ability to operate depends heavily on your batteries. Rechargeable batteries such as NiMH, LiFePO4, lithium-ion, and lead acid are used in solar lamps. In order to get the best lighting possible from the solar lights, worn-out batteries must be replaced. It’s not hard to find a replacement solar battery, but it’s crucial to select the correct batteries for your solar lighting.
Can conventional batteries be used with solar lights? Because regular batteries, such as alkaline-based batteries, are made to be thrown away when they run out of power, they are not a suitable option for solar lighting. The interaction between manganese dioxide and zinc metal provides energy for these batteries. Utilizing these non-rechargeable batteries in solar lights can result in irreversible harm to the complete solar apparatus. So long as you don’t have solar batteries on hand, you can use normal batteries to temporarily power your solar lights.
Solar Batteries
Lead acid batteries were formerly used in Solar Street Lights. These batteries were noted for their low self-discharge, ability to withstand overcharging, and affordability. Because lithium-ion or lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are small and light, they are used in modern solar street lighting. They are highly compatible with various environments and have a longer lifespan. The majority of solar garden lights run on Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries, which are ideal for smaller solar lights and less likely to suffer from the memory effect.
What Are the Risks Associated with Utilizing Solar Lights that Use Non-rechargeable Batteries?
Uninterruptible System Failure
The irreversible damage to the system and issues with charging arise from alkaline batteries’ inability to store accumulated charge.
Unstable Operation
Normal batteries are not made for solar lighting equipment, therefore you cannot expect them to operate smoothly.
Wear and Tear on Terminals
Your solar lights’ battery terminal might corrode and quickly run out of power when using regular batteries. Corrosion can cause the battery’s connections to become disconnected, which prevents power from the battery from getting to the light.
Termination of Warranty
There is a warranty included with solar lights, but it’s only good if you follow the guidelines provided by the manufacturer. If the improper battery is used in your solar system, the warranty may be void. Furthermore, any losses brought on by improper battery usage are not covered by the guarantee.
How Can the Lifespan of Rechargeable Batteries Be Increased?
The lifespan of solar batteries is determined by their usage cycles. Lead acid batteries should last 300–700 cycles, according to expectations, but lithium batteries should last more than 2000 cycles. Stated differently, the estimated lifetimes of LiFePO4 batteries are five to six years, lithium ion batteries are two to three years, and lead acid batteries are three to five years.
Whenever you purchase solar lights, make sure the manufacturer or dealer is trustworthy. The battery must come with a strong manufacturer’s warranty.
Mount your solar lights in a location with controlled temperatures since excessive temperatures can shorten the life of your battery.
Avoid storing your solar batteries indoors or keeping them inactive for long periods of time since this could lead to harm. Instead, charge and discharge your batteries on a regular basis.
Learn about the different types of solar batteries and the parts that make up your solar lights.
Keeping solar panels clean will increase brightness and prolong battery life.
How Long Do Rechargeable Batteries Typically Last?
Rechargeable solar light batteries typically have a lifespan of one to two years. However, the brand, kind, and quality of your battery might determine how long it actually lasts.
After a year, the majority of solar light batteries lose some of their brightness. Rechargeable solar light batteries will provide significantly less light when they are not operating at peak efficiency, whether from age or improper charging.
They will also perform much worse overall and in terms of charging. The rechargeable batteries should be changed as soon as they start to exhibit obvious symptoms of depletion.
What Happens If Regular Batteries Are Used in Solar Lights?
Regular non-rechargeable batteries pose several risks when used in solar lights, such as:
Terminal Corrosion
The corrosion of terminals is one risk associated with utilizing ordinary batteries in your solar lights. Ordinary batteries are meant to be thrown away as their energy runs out.
These batteries will quickly lose their charge and damage the battery terminal of your light if they are utilized in a solar lighting system. When that occurs, the battery’s connections are severed, preventing electricity from getting to the light.
Unchangeable System Error
Using regular alkaline batteries in a solar light that tries to charge them could cause lasting system damage and charging issues because regular alkaline batteries are not meant to be recharged. Furthermore, terminal corrosion has the potential to cause irreversible system failure.
Using brushes and a baking soda and water solution, you may mitigate the extreme corrosive effects of normal batteries, but this is a dangerous procedure. Regardless of your level of caution, extra water may still leak into the circuit board, wiring, LEDs, and other internal components of the light. This could cause irreversible damage to the system.
Termination of Warranty
There are warranties available for almost all solar lights on the market. But that guarantee may only be honoured if you follow the guidelines set forth by the manufacturer. It is mandatory by the manufacturer that you just utilize the suggested replacement solar light batteries.
Using ordinary non-rechargeable batteries could mean your guarantee is nullified. As a result, any damages resulting from improper battery usage or future system damages are not covered by the guarantee.
Are Regular Batteries Compatible with Solar Lights?
It is not advisable to use regular batteries with solar lights. Deep-cycle batteries, such lithium-ion batteries, are usually needed for solar lights. These batteries are designed to endure frequent charging and discharging. These batteries last longer than regular batteries and are more suitable for storing energy from solar panels. Additionally, a specific battery type will be programmed into each solar light controller.
How Long Does A Solar Light Battery Last?
Depending on the battery type, quality, and usage circumstances, a solar light battery’s lifespan can change. It is noteworthy that the usage circumstances of your solar lamp might have a substantial effect on how long its battery lasts. A high-quality solar light battery should last between one and six years on average. Nonetheless, the battery’s life can be increased with appropriate upkeep and handling.
What Causes Solar Batteries to Die?
Numerous factors might cause solar batteries to fail, such as:
Battery components deteriorating over time.
Long periods of battery idle time result in overcharging or deep draining.
Exposure to very high or low temperatures.
Manufacturing flaws.
Improper upkeep or installation.
If Your Rechargeable Batteries Run Out of Life, How Can You Tell?
Determining whether your old rechargeable solar light batteries need to be changed is a simple process. All you have to do is swap out the rechargeable batteries with standard alkaline ones in your solar lights temporarily.
Try turning on your solar lights in a dark room with conventional alkaline batteries to see if the lighting returns to normal.
If so, it’s time to get fresh rechargeable batteries for your devices. To protect your solar lights from potential harm, make sure to remove the standard alkaline batteries.
How Can the Life of Rechargeable Batteries Be Extended?
You’ll want to make sure your solar light batteries last as long as possible after you’ve changed them. The following are three essential pointers to increase the lifespan of your rechargeable NiCd or NiMH batteries:
As Soon As Possible, Take Care of Rechargeable Batteries
Tip 1: in times of severe weather, turn out the lights.
Turning off the lights after prolonged rain or cloud cover will help the solar light batteries last longer. Preventing damage to batteries can be achieved by turning off the lights when the rain persists.
Tip 2: When severe weather strikes, keep solar lights inside.
To prolong the life of the battery, solar lights must be kept indoors during the chilly winter months. To ensure that the batteries can maintain a charge, try to store them wherever they can receive natural light from the sun or interior lights.
Tip 3: Maintain immaculate solar panels
Longer lighting times and improved battery life are guaranteed when your solar panels are cleaned on a regular basis. Therefore, to maintain the optimal performance of the solar lighting system, wipe the panels with a clean, lint-free cloth at least twice a month.
Conclusion
Most solar lamps are made to run on rechargeable batteries. To temporarily power the LEDs, you can use ordinary batteries if NiMH or NiCd rechargeable batteries are out of reach.
Generally speaking, make sure you use ordinary batteries for no more than a few days at a time. Continually using normal batteries can damage the internal workings of your solar light and even lead to a system breakdown.
For the time being, you can use conventional batteries to power your solar LEDs. But if you want your solar lighting devices to last for a long time, take the time to buy the right kind of battery. Otherwise, the damage that regular battery use causes to your systems will force you to replace them altogether.
