Types Of Batteries Used In Solar Lights
Out of all the parts of the solar lighting system it is highly essential to get information about the solar batteries as the performance of the solar lights exclusively depends upon the battery.
1. Lead-acid battery and SMF2. Lithium-Ion Battery3. Lithium-Ion Phosphate BatteryThe perfect solar battery
How To Find The Right Solar Battery Type For You
In most cases, the best battery for you to get for a home solar installation is a lithium ion battery.
They are able to hold more energy in a small amount of space, discharge most of their stored energy, and they have high efficiencies. Also, because these are the most common, many solar companies will be able to install a lithium ion solar battery both accurately and safely.
If you are on a budget, lead acid batteries could be the best option for you. They have been used for decades, plus they come at a low cost.
Although you could get a Ni-Cd battery or a flow battery to pair with your solar system, lithium ion and lead acid are the go-to solar batteries for a reason. To find out which type of solar battery will best meet your needs, you should call local solar installers.
How much could you save with solar + battery storage?
How Do Solar Light Batteries Work
When researching renewable products, its easy to think that your search should stop once youve found the solar panel, solar light, or solar pool cleaner that you want. And whilst, generally speaking, youd be right, there are those products for which its also important to know a little more such as with solar lights.
Having purchased your solar lights, youll experience fantastic performance for many months, even years, before that performance starts to dip. But when it does, you dont want to be left thinking that the product itself has reached the end of its lifespan. Indeed, the solar panels in the products should last you decades. With solar lights, the likelihood is more simply that the batteries inside the light-housing have been recharged and drained one too many times, and now they need replacing. Replacing the batteries in your solar lights is a super affordable and speedy way to bring their performance back to box-fresh standards, but first youll want to know just exactly how solar light batteries work.
Then, come nightfall and the automatic operation of the solar lights, the batteries release their stored electricity to power the LED bulbs inside the casing. Pretty simple, isnt it? However, there are a few factors which set solar batteries apart from conventional ones.
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How Do You Charge Brand New Solar Lights
Most solar lights now come with an on andoff switch that is very helpful for things like storing your lights. When youare installing a brand-new light, however, it is recommended that you leave theswitch in the off position and then leave your solar lights in direct sunlightfor a couple days to charge.
This will allow the battery to charge tofull capacity, which is healthy for the solar lights lifespan and preventsbattery discharge during initial use.
Innogear Upgraded Solar Lights
The InnoGear 2 in 1 waterproof Solar Lights are pathway model landscape lights that can also be doubled as a wall light as well.
These lights come with a separate light and land spikes unlike most of the landscape lights. The lights height is fully adjustable. You can drive it in the ground with its stick to become a pathway landscape light or remove the stick and place it on the wall to become a wall light as well.
This light comes with 2 lighting modes, one is the low energy light mode which will burn for about 8 to 12 hours and in its high energy mode, the light runs for about 4 to 6 hours in total.
Automatically turning on and off, the solar panel of the light is attached to the top of the light and it is built with a 1.5W monocrystalline silicon. This lets you charge the lights much faster than any other material in the same sunlight conditions. This material detects any brightness around it which includes bulb lighting or even indirect sunlight. It then channels it, switches on, and stores the energy.
Much like most of the landscape models, this one too does not need any installation for placing in the ground. For walls, it has a set of simple to use screws and can be installed easily. Made out of high quality waterproof and dustproof material, it can withstand high temperatures and harsh weather too.
The light comes normal white color temperature and the battery capacity is 2,200 mAh. These solar lights have 12 month warranty.
Highlights
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What Types Of Battery Is The Best For Solar Street Lights
It is very important for the batteries in the entire solar street light system. During the day, it stores the energy generated by solar panels and then discharges to supply energy to the solar street lamp when the light is insufficient or at night. Its quality and price directly determine the quality and price of the entire solar street light system. Therefore, the choice of battery is very important for different schemes or different types of solar street light systems.
When Looking For Recommended Replacements
It would help if you stored extra NiMH or NiCd batteries for emergencies. But if your lights suddenly go off and you dont have the recommended replacements, you can make do with regular batteries as you search for replacements.
Be sure to remove those batteries from your solar lights before seven days are over. If they stay longer, they may wreak the most havoc on your solar lighting system.
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Nimh Versus Nicd Rechargeable Batteries
Both NiMH and NiCd batteries are:
- Rechargeable
- Interchangeable
- Conveniently sold in stores andonline
These batteries make finding a replacementbattery for your solar lights a very easy process. There are some differencesbetween the two, however. NiMH batteries are generally preferred over NiCdbatteries for a few reasons.
NiMH batteries:
- Have a higher capacity
- NiMH batteries contain morethan twice the amount of storage space for energy as standard NiCd batteriesdo, in addition to having longer output times
- If not, the batteries will not fully chargeand the next charge will be set to a lower energy capacity
- If the battery is continually not emptied, theprocess will repeat itself until the battery will no longer hold any charge
- This is what is referred to as the memoryeffect
- NiMH rechargeable batterieshave the capability of storing new energy while there is still energy in itsstorage, without affecting the battery life
- Unlike NiCd, NiMH contains no cadmium making it the better choice where environmentalhealth is concerned
Tips To Prolong The Life Of Your Solar Lights
Solar lights last, on average, about twoyears before the batteries must be replaced. However, there are a few ways toensure they last a while longer.
Make sure to turn lights off when they will not be exposed to light for long periods of time
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Replacing Nickel Cadmium With Lithium
Although it ispossible to replace nickel-cadmium with lithium-ion batteries, it is generallynot recommended. However, if you insist, you may have to modify the solarlights connection setting to accommodate lithium-ion batteries.
You may stillhave problems with the batteries because lithium-ion has a higher dischargerate than nickel-cadmium, which may damage your solar light with time.
How Many Types Of Solar
According to the different battery placement positions in the solar street light system, it can be roughly divided into the following three types of solar street lights.
1. The traditional split solar street light system is an independent distributed power supply system. The solar panels, batteries, light source, and other components in the system are all independent of each other. Generally, the storage battery is buried in the ground or placed on the street lamp pole.
2. The second type is integrated solar street lights, also called All-in-one solar street lights. It integrates all the parts and components required by the system into one lamp body, which is very convenient to install.
3. The third type is a derivative version of integrated street lights, called All in two solar street lights. This kind of street light mainly integrates the lithium battery and the solar control into the LED street lamp body, but a separate solar panel on the outside.
Corresponding to the above different types, most led solar street lamp manufacturers use the following 4 types of batteries.
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Recharge Time And Run Time
Charge time represents the time duration required for solar lights to get charged completely for powering up the lights. You have to choose a model that can charge efficiently even on a gloomy day. Once the lights are installed, you have to wait for a day or two for completing the charge.
When it comes to run time, it represents the time duration solar lights can provide light continuously during the night. You have to choose a model that can illuminate the home for a longer duration. Make a note that run time is usually affected by the amount of solar energy the solar panel can harness during the day.
Along with that, both charge time and run time vary based on the locality and time of the year. We recommend choosing a model that has an efficient charge time and run time. Mostly, batteries can be charged completely during the day. Batteries that have low capacity are suitable for areas with bad solar exposure. This will ensure that battery will have a higher chance of getting charged regardless of the less solar exposure.
Usually, 6 to 7 hours of charge time is ideal and when it comes to run time, 10 to 12 hours is suitable.
How Does A Solar Light Work
The working mechanism of solar lights is actually very simple. A core component of solar light is a photovoltaic panel also known as PV panel. This component will absorb the energy from sunlight during day time. After collecting the energy, it will be transformed into electrical energy and stored in a battery. Usually, batteries provided with solar lights are rechargeable ones.
When sunsets, the solar power lights will automatically detect it and switch on the lights. As sunlight is their main energy source, you have to install these lights where there is more sun exposure. Apart from PV panels, solar lights also have a controller. This component is specially designed to sense the sunlight and automatically turn on/off the LED lights using the energy stored from sunlight.
If you want to know how the PV panels work, then heres how they contain several layers of crystalline silicon and some chemicals. These layers have negatively charged electrons and positively charged spaces. Once the sunlight passes through the PV panel, the light energy will excite the negatively charged electrons and pressures them into positive spaces.
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What To Do If Your Solar Lights Stop Working
Its important that you check all the components of your solar lights to find out which part of it has stopped working. Firstly, the solar panel on each light will probably need cleaning, as a layer of dirt can build up and stop the sunlight getting through. Remember to position your lights in the best position to get sunlight, and if your solar lights tilt, make sure they are tilted towards the sun.
Its also a good idea to check the battery compartment and check for any signs of damage such as water damage, rust or broken wires. Also, check the batteries are firmly connected, and for signs of corrosion. Inside all solar lights is a circuit board or charge controller that also acts as a sensor or switch. When the sun is shining on to the solar panel the circuit board sends the charge from the panel to the battery. As soon as its dark, the circuit board or sensor recognises there is no light shining on the panel and stops charging the battery, instead of sending the power from the battery to light the LED bulb. Quite often once the garden solar light is cleaned, dried out and left to recharge, they do start to work again.
Deep Cycle Vrl Batteries:
These battery types have AGM and GEL technologies, which means there is no need for water and secondly these batteries can be positioned in any way. The batteries are designed in a way that the oxygen generated due to the use of the positive plates while charging can get shifted to the negative plates where it gets turned to water, automatically decreasing the water loss. Though the cost of these VRL batteries is not much it is better to go for quality rather than price. The low-cost battery will be requiring regular replacements and might also have a shorter life.
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Kruta Solar Light Batteries Aaa Ni
Here at the final position of this listicle, we have Kruta and its affordable batteries for solar lights which can be considered by those who are on a tight budget.
These Kruta batteries for solar lights are one of the cheapest options in this article making them highly affordable. Although, this means that you get a very poor battery life rating because of the given 600 mAh capacity rating.
Thankfully, these batteries do offer a total of 12 batteries in the box which is quite good for the price. Another great thing about these batteries is that you get a 2-year warranty with them making them highly reliable and durable for the price.
Best Features:
- Rated battery capacity of 600 mAh
- Offers 12 batteries in the box
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
Pros:
- Affordable pick for budget buyers
Cons:
Brightown Store Nimh Rechargeable Batteries For Solar Lights
Outdoor solar lights always need reliable power supplies. Brightown store NiMH Rechargeable AA Battery for Solar Lights is the best choice to provide constant light instead of using disposable batteries that emit harmful substances.
Brightown is your one-stop-shop for the best LED Solar Light batteries that use Nimh Rechargeable Batteries for Solar Lights.
They come with 30% pre charged batteries so that you can use your system long after the initial purchase. To get optimum performance, they recommend recharge after every 3 months.
Rechargeable NiMH batteries are great for saving you money and reducing waste. Also, you can recharge them 500 times with little degradation.
With a high capacity rating of 2400mAh, these batteries will allow your electronics to work longer without charging them again on the same day.
You can also use these devices around your home or yard, such as electronic toys and battery string lights .
We understand that when youre buying solar products, its important to avoid wasting money on anything disposable like one-time-use alkaline batteries.
With the NiMH rechargeable batteries or any other product at Brightown Store, they help you make an environmentally conscious decision in purchasing items that work with your solar lights to get rid of any disposable batteries.
Using rechargeable NiMH batteries that can be constantly recharged and reused, spending less money on one-time-use disposable batteries, do less harm to the environment.
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The 11 Best Solar Lights In 2021 Reviews & Buying Guide
Solar Lights are the most practical and energy-efficient solution for lighting up the outdoors. Apart from providing aesthetical value, they add safety and security to your home and doesnt require any electricity to be powered on. They can be installed easily on driveways, pathways, walkways, walls, patios, , and lawns. So, in this article, we will list out some of the Best Solar Lights you can buy online.
Before buying the best solar powered lights for your home, garden or driveway, here are some important factors / specifications that you have to consider
- Type and Brightness: Based on your purpose, you have to pick up the right solar light. For example, if you need a security lamp, you have the basic LED Solar Security Lamps. Apart from that, you have to also consider the brightness as well. It is measured in terms of the lumen and below are the general guidelines
| Solar Lights Type | |
|---|---|
| Flood solar light | 700 to 1300 lumens |
Note: When it comes to Solar String Lights, they illuminate very less. However, as they have smaller lights and are mostly used for decoration, brightness levels usually dont matter much.
Our Buying Guide has a detailed list of points and factors that you need to look at and consider apart from these three key points.
A list of Best Solar Lights is also provided below which are carefully picked and selected after several hours of testing and analysis.
Tenergy Solla Rechargeable Batteries
These AA rechargeable batteries by Tenergy Corporation are designed especially for solar lighting purposes. The 12 pack NiMH batteries come with a rated charge capacity of 1000 mAh. These batteries can be used to illuminate solar lights for 5 years on average. Similar to the EBL rechargeable batteries, Tenergy solar light batteries can perform well in extreme weather conditions.
The Tenergys Solla batteries are protected from leakages due to over-charging. They do not contain any toxic heavy metals like those typically found in the NiCd rechargeable batteries. The batteries are also covered by a 12-month warranty.
Pros
- A shelf-life claim of up to 5 years
Cons
- Low capacity compared to other brands
- Quality control issues
Verdict
The Tenergys Solla rechargeable AA batteries for solar lights contain some excellent features, but the charge capacity couldve been higher for solar-powered applications.
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