Say Goodbye to Dead Batteries: How to Store Solar Lights
Solar lights are commonly used outdoors. They harness the power from the sun during the day. At night they light up the outside of your house but there is not much sunlight during winter, so the solar lights may not work well.
On top of that, the outside temperature can affect your solar lights. Does this mean you should remove it? Do you know the best way how to store solar lights when you are not using them?
You store solar lights by:
- Turn off the light switch
- Remove the battery, if possible
- Clean up the lights
- Wrap the lights to protect it
- Store safely over the winter
This article explores how you can store solar lights. Aside from that, it will also look at if storing your solar lights during winter is a good idea.
Should You Store Solar Lights In Winter?
Generally, it is a good idea to store solar lights in winter. This is because the cold temperature could stress your solar panels or break them.
Your lights may not get much sunlight during winter, so they may not perform well. If your solar lights are snowed under, you may accidentally trip on them since you cannot see them.
Solar lights are commonly installed outside your home. They harness sunlight during the day and provide lighting throughout the night. Winter may not see much sun, so the lights may not work too well.
Should you take in your solar lights during winter, then? You may want to do that for several reasons:
Cold Weather May Stress Your Solar Lights
Depending on where you live, winter can be mild, with no snow. It could also be harsh, with buildings and cars being under inches of snow overnight.
If you live in colder areas, the likelihood of the cold, harsh temperature may be stressful to your solar lights. Solar lights may be made with different qualities and levels of solar panels and water resistance.
This means if your solar lights are made with materials that do not handle cold temperatures well, they may break. The same can be said about if your solar lights do not have high water resistance. The melting snow may damage and break your solar lights.
Your Lights May Not Generate Much Energy Anyway
Winter months are commonly less sunny than winter. This is due to the earth’s position. If you are in winter, you would be further away from the sun.
Solar lights rely on sunlight to generate power. This means if your solar lights are not receiving enough sunlight, they will not operate well. You may still get several hours of lighting, but it may not last you the whole night.
When you factor in this and how your lights may be damaged by the low temperature and moisture, it makes sense to just store them.
They May Cause Accidents
If you live in locations where you may get thick snow, chances are some of this snow may land where your solar lights are installed. For example, pathway lights, etc.
This means if the snow is thick, your lights may be snowed under. You cannot see where they are. As a result, you may trip on them while walking or accidentally hit them while shoveling the snow.
How To Store Solar Lights?
Storing solar lights can be as easy as removing them and piling them up in your garage. However, if you wish to do them properly, consider the steps below:
Step 1: Turn Off The Switch
Most solar lights have a switch and a possible timer to tell the lights when to switch on and off. In this case, start by turning off the switch, ensuring any remaining power is not drained away.
Also, check the timer, and see if you need to turn it off. This prevents your solar lights from suddenly lighting in storage, generating excessive heat.
Step 2: Remove The Battery
Most solar lights have some sort of battery inside. Depending on the make, you may have removable or soldered batteries.
If they are removable, take them out from the lighting. This prevents accidental chemical leaks that may damage not just your lighting but other lighting as well.
If your solar lights use Lithium batteries, consider charging up to about 50% before removing them. This is because empty lithium batteries generally deteriorate faster.
Step 3: Clean The Lights
Now that you have removed the batteries. The next step is to clean it. Cleaning removes snow, mud, dirt, or other materials that may corrode your lights.
You may start by wiping down the lighting with a damp microfiber cloth. For tougher stains, consider baking soda with a soft scrub to help with the cleaning work. Wipe down with a dry cloth, and air dry the lights.
For the solar panels, you may consider cleaners such as alcohol, or toothpaste.
Step 4: Wrap The Lights
Parts of your solar lights may be fragile, for example, the headlights. Some solar headlights are made of glass, which can break easily. You may also want to wrap your solar panels, as they are fragile as well.
This means some sort of protection may be a good idea. Wrap the headlights with an old cloth, paper, or cling wrap. If your headlines are made of plastic, you may also wrap them to prevent them from scratching.
Step 5: Store Safely
It may be worthwhile to store your solar lights properly. Consider storing them in order, in a location where the temperature is more stable. A stable temperature prevents extreme temperature changes, which should prevent your lights from breaking.
If you have an insulated garage, storing your headlines inside the garage would normally do. It may be great to prevent storing it in places where they may be exposed to water.
However, if your garage is also cold during winter, consider storing your lights in a box or cabinets that may have some form of insulation. This helps to provide a more stable temperature inside.
Final Thoughts
Storing solar lights properly is essential to keep them in good shape for their next use. Proper storage can prevent damage and extend the lifespan of the lights.
While it is recommended to store solar lights during winter, it is not necessary to do so if the lights are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions.
By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your solar lights stay in top condition and continue to provide you with energy-efficient lighting for years to come.
