Outdoor Solar Lights

I just bought two out door lights for the drive way I have put them in the ground and they still are not working do I have to do something else other than wait for a real sunny day to make them light up they are not even looking like they are going to even glow…help

The batteries need to charge. Many of them use AA batteries. If they are easily removed, charge them up using a standard charger. You can also take them inside and use room light to charge the batteries. About 12 hours should work.

I have two lights in the front yard, one is a street light and the other is on the ground that lights up my house. They only kick on when it gets dark (solar sensored?) and they turn on at the same time, so I think they are somehow connected…sometimes they work (turn on) and sometimes they dont. They won’t turn on for like 5 days, then all the sudden they will work the next night…then they may be off again then work for another couple days. It’s driving me NUTS that these lights don’t work everynight. Any reason why they don’t always work and sometimes they do?

Your lights must be on a photocell light sensor.
it is usually a device added on your light system or pole.
It has a small glass window that allows the light or lack of light to the light sensitive part of the cell/relay. The cells go bad /but also moisture, and sweat or fog on the glass changes what it sees. A lot of these cells are replaceable. Some slip and turn lock in.
If they are on a timer it would be off and on on regular intervals but not different periods a say unless the gears or motor is stripped.
I suspect you need a new photo/cell relay

I have the kind you stick in the ground and they are only a year or 2 old. Some of them don’t come on anymore. Do I need to change the battery?
THANK you all so much for the great advice! ~surfergirl

Actually these exterior yard lights dont usually make it more than 1 to 2 seasons..Most I have seen usually rust up immediately inside on the prongs that the batteries touch for connection.They usually end up in the trash about this point..but yes they need to have the battery changed pretty often..if the battery change does not help it..where the ends of the battery touch inside..see if it isn’t rusted up..You can take a fingernail board or fine sandpaper and sand the rust off and then install new batteries

If black absorbs heat from the light of the sun… wouldn’t it heat the water a little bit to paint the outside of the above ground pool black? Interested if anyone has tried this.

It is possible that the pool temperature may raise a few degree’s by doing this. You will also violate your pool warranty. A second option besides a solar cover, is a solar panel, which sets apart from your pool and you never have to move it to go for a swim. It hooks inline with your filter system and can ad 10-15 degrees of heat

Small garden lights with no istallation(lights that you just stick in the ground). Need direct light for how many hours to emit light?

8 hours give 3 hours or so of light …. longer the better

can’t seem to find any modern/decent ones online. Anyone know of any garden stores or anyone who carries these? Just looking for simple – no fancy design – just a simple square (some say ‘brick’) flush to the ground solar path light.

Thank you
i’ve seen the home depot ones (online anyways) and they’re basic and grandma-ish. i’m looking for modern styled ones. i thought there might be a more specialized store somewhere out there that caters to items like this.

these aren’t brick/flush in the ground, but they are pretty modern, since they’re from Ikea. they’re light-sticks design, simple and clean.. and come in a variety of colors for the base/solar unit to choose from. i have them for my house and they work great!

The ground stakes are snapping off and I need something to stick the lights into the ground.

Oh, solar lights. LOL, sorry. uhm… those little plastic steaks that the tube fits onto are a pain. I havent had a problem with the stakes themselves, the post however has warbled out and made it hard to keep the lights standing I used a small peice of rebar smaller than 1/2" I dont know what size it was I used my big bolt cutters to cut it into 8" peices, I JB welded two peices opposite each to the inside of the decorative tube. removed the light from the top, used a block of wood on the top and gently tapped the post into the ground. Be careful especially if you have the plastic tubes, wet the ground or something very good first.
Once you do this do not pull the post up during lawn care. They will be secure enough to use the weed eater around.