Solar lights ask for very little, but a good start and a few minutes of care each season make a real difference to how well they glow. This guide covers the basics for all of our solar lights. Each one works a little differently, so its product page has the specifics: run times, modes, sensors and weather ratings.
First-time setup
- Check the product's instructions. Some lights arrive switched off and need turning on before their first charge. Trail – Angled Solar Path Lights, for example, have a switch to turn on the first time, and Picket – Solar Post Cap Lights need the button on the cap pressed and held.
- Charge in full sun before the first night. Give the light a full, sunny day before you judge it. A first night after a cloudy day isn't a fair test.
- Then wait for dusk. Most of our solar lights switch on by themselves after dark.
Where to put it
- Put the panel where it gets direct sun for as much of the day as possible, clear of shade from walls, eaves, fences and trees.
- Keep it away from porch lights, streetlights and other outdoor lights. A light sensor that sees light at night may decide it's still day.
- If your light has a separate panel, like Vector – Solar Motion Sensor Wall Lamp (on a 9.8 ft cable) or Firefly – Solar Fairy Light Rope (on a 2 m lead), put the panel in the sun and the light wherever you need it.
- Push stakes into soft ground by hand. If the soil is hard, loosen or water it first rather than forcing the stake.
Cleaning the panel
Every month or two, and after storms, wipe the panel with a soft cloth and plain water. Skip abrasive pads and harsh cleaners, which can scratch or cloud the surface. Brush off snow and leaves as soon as you can, and trim back plants that grow over it.
Modes and sensors
Many solar lights have more than one mode: brightness levels, steady or flashing light, or a motion mode that stays dim or dark until someone walks by. How you change mode varies. Some lights use a button, and Vector uses the remote included with its solar-panel sets. The product page lists what yours offers.
- Lower brightness and motion modes make a charge last longest.
- Motion sensors pick up movement across their view more readily than movement straight toward them.
- Not every version of a light has a sensor. On Terra – Solar Landscape Spotlights, for example, only the 56 LED versions do.
Seasonal care
- Spring and summer: trim back plants that have grown over panels or sensors.
- Fall: clear fallen leaves, and check the panel still gets sun as the sun sits lower.
- Winter: expect shorter run times and brush off snow. Our guide to solar lights in winter explains why and what helps.
- Weather: check each light's rating on its product page. Ridge – Solar Camping Lantern, for example, is rated IP44 for indoor or outdoor use, and Cove – Solar Wicker Garden Lantern is weather resistant with no waterproof rating.
Solar light troubleshooting
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| Won't turn on | Check it's switched on; some lights ship switched off. Give it a full sunny day of charge. Make sure the panel is clean and not shaded, and that no nearby light shines on it at night. |
| Short run time | Usually the battery isn't getting a full charge. Move the panel into more direct sun and clean it. Try a lower brightness or a motion mode if it has one. Expect shorter runs after cloudy days and in winter; run times on product pages are rated after a full charge. |
| Turns on in the daytime | Its light sensor thinks it's dark. Move it out of deep shade, make sure nothing is covering the panel, and check which mode it's in. |
| Motion sensor not triggering | Check that your version has a sensor and that it's in a motion mode. Stay within the sensing range given on the product page, and walk across the sensor's view rather than straight at it. Wipe the sensor clean. On many lights the sensor only works after dark. |
When to contact us
If a light still isn't right after a few sunny days and the steps above, email support@duskhavenhome.com. Include your order number, the product name and a short note on what's happening. A photo of where the light is placed helps too. If it arrived damaged or faulty, choose a replacement or a full refund within 30 days of delivery. After that, it's covered by our 1-year limited warranty.
More answers are in our FAQ and the Lighting Guide.