Solar lighting batteries – right decision will mean a longer life

If you’ve decided to finally do something about lighting up your garden, driveway or swimming pool then the most logical way to do so is with solar lights. The advantages are obvious, with the cost compared to using on-grid electrical power principal amongst them.

Then, of course, there is the matter of mobility, with solar lights capable of being placed anywhere in the garden so long as its own power source – the solar panel – stays somewhere in reach of sunlight during the day to recharge the solar lighting batteries.

There are things that you must watch out for to ensure that the whole system works effectively and one of the most important elements in the system is the rechargeable battery that you select to power the individual lamps. Remember that the rechargeable batteries you receive with your solar lighting kit will not necessarily be the best type to use.

Most of the time, you’ll get AA-sized 1.2V Nickel Cadium (NiCad) batteries with your kit. These boast 500 – 900mA but the better choice are 1.2V Nickel Metal Halide (NiMH) batteries which boast 1000 – 2000mA. These type have a greater life span and are overall much more reliable that their alternative. The average lifespan of a NiCad battery is two years, after which you’ll notice a significantly shortened lighting time for the batteries.

Of course, after you’ve chosen the best batteries to use, you still have to take care of them in order to ensure the maximum life span. If you notice after a short period that the batteries fail to power lamps for the expected time, or the quality of light is quite dim, then it’s likely that they are not being recharged effectively.

Take a look at where the solar panel is situated. Is it getting as much sunlight as it should or is it in the shade for most of the day? This can seriously affect the efficiency of the batteries themselves as they will not have received sufficient light to get fully powered.

It could also be that the solar panel itself is dirty and can’t absorb sunlight efficiently. You should be cleaning the panels regularly to keep it clear of grit and dust, the smallest amount of which can block sunlight.

Finally, if you live in an area where there can be extreme weather conditions, for example where winters are freezing, then you’ll probably have to store your solar lighting system away. When you do, be sure to take the batteries out. This too prolongs the batteries’ lifespan so you can get the most out of them.

The batteries that you choose do make a difference, and remember the NiMH batteries (AA sized as normal) tend to be the best to use. Lamps will use one battery but it could be up to four. After that, it’s all about looking after your system to ensure the best from them.

It’s all rather simple really, but keep the pointers above in mind and you’ll never be dissatisfied with your solar lighting batteries performance.

Solar Lighting Batteries – Solar and Wind Battery Bank Video

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