Solar light for my shed, advice please.

lindos90

Im feeling quite stupid!:o

Does anyone have a solar light, and can give me some advice please?

We bought one for the shed/playhouse. Unfortunatly it did not come with instructions, but looked straightforward to fit.

The advert said that it it could store enough energy in the bulbs to last for 6-8 hours, and that it had a light sensor, so if it was kept switched on, it would automatically come on at dusk, and go off at dawn.

Nice feature, but not essential for us. Anyway, we get it fixed up, charge it, but cant get it to work.

Turns out that the light will ONLY come on if its night time! The pull switch is to turn it off at night if we dont want it on, BUT it can not be turned on during the day to illuminate the shed!

Is there anything I can do to override this, as we need it to come on during the day as thats when we go in the shed!!

ormus

cover the light sensor with black tape.

lindos90

Good idea, but dont know where the light sensor is, it must be within the panel somewhere, but its just a little solar panel of strips, nothing that looks like a sensor within the panel.

We have tried with a piece of cardboard covering different parts of the panel to see if we can pinpoint where it may be, but cant find it.

ormus

can you post a photo of it?

is the sensor not on the light itself?
what make & model is the panel/light?

lindos90

ormus wrote: »

can you post a photo of it?

is the sensor not on the light itself?
what make & model is the panel/light?

I'll get other half to do a photo tonight (im not too technical:o)

The sensor appears to be somewhere in the panel, because when we cover the panel the light comes on, its just finding where abouts in the panel it is, then we could cover it like you suggest.

Its just called 'solar light for garden shed', no model number, by a company called 'solarworks' I googled it in the hope of aquiring the insructions, but didnt find the company (only bispoke installation company of the same name)

Thanks for your suggestions:beer:

sillygoose

There may not be a sensor, like some garden lights they now design the circuit to use the voltage from the solar panel to switch it on, hence covering the panel activates it.

I gather there is an overide switch to keep the light off. Is either end of the cable to the solar panel 'plug-in' ? try unplugging the solar panel with the switch on. If the light comes on (make sure you have some charge!) then thats your answer, you need to splice a switch into the solar panel lead. I would use a slim domestic switch and mount it in a dry place inside just inside the shed.

lindos90

sillygoose wrote: »

There may not be a sensor, like some garden lights they now design the circuit to use the voltage from the solar panel to switch it on, hence covering the panel activates it.

I gather there is an overide switch to keep the light off. Is either end of the cable to the solar panel 'plug-in' ? try unplugging the solar panel with the switch on. If the light comes on (make sure you have some charge!) then thats your answer, you need to splice a switch into the solar panel lead. I would use a slim domestic switch and mount it in a dry place inside just inside the shed.

Thanks, but the batteries are behind the solar panel, not in the light, so if I unplug the solar panel, the light would have no power supply, fantastic idea though!! and I can see how it would work if the batteries were inside the light.

sillygoose

lindos90 wrote: »

Thanks, but the batteries are behind the solar panel, not in the light, so if I unplug the solar panel, the light would have no power supply, fantastic idea though!! and I can see how it would work if the batteries were inside the light.

Ha! what an odd design!

Sorry but your a bit stuffed then, if you have the option of putting it back in its packaging and returning for refund would be best, second choice is to take it apart and modify it (easy for me to say I know, I am an electronics engineer), option 3 keep something handy to cover the panel.

I can imagine this design would be ideal for illuminating an outside loo down the garden, or finding your tent when camping after a stroll to the site pub. This leaves option 4, flog it on Ebay and buy another.
Something like this I think is switchable (makes no mention of coming on in the dark) but you can always confirm with any supplier by email before buying.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Solar-Powered-Shed-Light/dp/B000P6G31E

Mankysteve

Look for a small circle shape somewhere on the panel and cover it. Cheaper ones tend to have the sensors its the expensive ones that don't.

gmgmgm

The cheap ones I've seen simply turn on the light if it's not charging ie it's dark.

So, to use the light in the shed, simply put something over the solar panel. Like a flowerpot.

lindos90

Thanks everyone!!

Although it would probably make a great 'circuit' project for my 12 year old (with help from dad!) I think for now I will use the simplist solution, position the panel so I can reach it, then put something over it when I want to turn the light on in my shed!...very MSE too as it will cost nothing extra!!

Technology, dont you just love it! Too clever for its own good!

Alternatively, could try and sell it on ebay....thats where I got it:o!