Solar outdoor chandelier stopped working.

[azdave]

Definitely not. A LED will not turn on till it reaches a certain voltage and even your highest voltage doesn't seem high enough. I haven't played with white LED recently and there may be some lower voltage ones now. Regardless, it will have to be at least over 3V.

White LEDs typically have a forward voltage of 3.2 volts however, with modern boost converters you don't need to have a power source that will meet or exceed that. There are millions of cheap flashlights around that only need a single 1.5V AA cell to work just fine to drive a white LED.

[PNPmacnab]

There should be some markings on the batteries as to what voltage they should be. There are many different chemistries all with different voltages. I wouldn't just throw money at a new panel. Panel just has to produce more volts than the batteries. Did you connect the light with the correct polarity? They will only light one way.

[trooper1954]

That's the reading on a multimeter from the two wires leading to the light from the solar panel. With absolutely no markings on the panel itself, how would I determine what the output from the panel should be? I'd like to order a new panel and try it.

[oregon_phil]

I'm trying to figure out how the 0.75vdc was calculated.

[PNPmacnab]

Definitely not. A LED will not turn on till it reaches a certain voltage and even your highest voltage doesn't seem high enough. I haven't played with white LED recently and there may be some lower voltage ones now. Regardless, it will have to be at least over 3V.

[trooper1954]

I guess final question on this thread....is .75v going to six bulbs sufficient to power them?
Thanks.

[oregon_phil]

PNPmacnab is right about these cheap circuits. When checking connections and solder joints, don't forget to check the connections between the circuit board and batteries and between the batteries.

I have found those coaxial DC power plugs to be pretty temperamental, especially ones used outside. Just the slightest position change can cause an open circuit in some instances. Especially with contact corrosion/wear.

How long has this light been in service before you did the renovation and cut the wire?

I have done some research and surmised the batteries are Paradise brand AA NiMh. I'm not sure if this is good or bad.

Thoughts on the switch:

If the switch is closed, then there should be no voltage drop across the contacts. In other words, the multimeter would read 0.0 VDC (unless you have high contact resistance at the switch).

Flip the switch to the other position and take another voltage reading.

I'm an ME so I may not know what I'm talking about......

[trooper1954]

and #1 reads 3.4v

[trooper1954]

That should read 3.4v in sunlight

[trooper1954]

Circuit board.jpg
#3 Panel to board #.4v in sunlight
#4 board to on/off switch 3.08v
#5 at on/off switch 0.0v...at board #2 2.8v

I'm thinking there should be power at the switch?
Thanks for any help.

[trooper1954]

Thank you so much PNPmacnab.....I will disconnect the circuit board from the solar panel, and if you don't mind will post the readings at each connect on the circuit board. I'm not good with electrical stuff so hopefully with that info you may be able to tell me what the problem might be. I'll post a photo with the readings included. I suspect perhaps the on/off switch may be the issue.
Thanks again

[PNPmacnab]

These outdoor devices often suffer from corrosion so minor it often can't be seen. A meter isn't much of a load, I would measure the voltage with the lamp connected. My wife has a LED flashlight she keeps bringing to me saying it needs new batteries. I just unscrew it, let the battery carrier drop out a little and then just screw it back together. Wife thanks me for the new batteries! These contacts are brass and look just fine. A little mechanical movement creates a new connection.

I would remove those batteries and give the contacts a light sanding and reinstall. Is there a photo switch that might inhibit this from working in the day? LED are polarity sensitive. Maybe the wires are reversed. Check where the wire connects to the circuit board. Anything that might be related to a mechanical disturbance. Many are stymied because they can't accept the impossible has occurred. You need to keep your mind open and follow the evidence. Some simple things have often thrown me for a loop. Electrons always know what they are supposed to do. I always loved repair for the challenge.

[trooper1954]

Here's another attempt at loading photos of the offending chandelier....seems to have worked.
Solar Light 2.jpgSolar light 3.jpgSolar Light.jpg
The outlet at left upper is the rear of the plug in and reads 3.58v.....the second photo is the other end of the wire to th chandelier.....reads 0.0. Must this then be a fault in this wire?

[J.P.M.]

40 odd views and only one response....hmmmmm....maybe in the wrong place.

Maybe. Or, maybe it's just that the right person hasn't seen it (yet).

FWIW, I bet there's not a lot of demand or knowledge about outdoor solar chandeliers out there.
Similar to solar feng shui, seems like it might be a somewhat specialized branch of alternate energy.

BTW, welcome to the neighborhood even if though there seems to be a dearth of solar exterior decorators around here.
53 views and counting.

[trooper1954]

40 odd views and only one response....hmmmmm....maybe in the wrong place.