Photocell bulbs

[Venod]

This is not cycling related and it's not really that important.
We have in the garden two led bulbs that are solar charged and when darkness falls they are supposed to illuminate, but they never do.
The strange thing is if I put my hand over the light sensitive panel on top of the bulbs they come on, if I take them into the garage, which is dim but by no means dark they come on, what is happening here ? baffling to me.

 

[markemark]

This is not cycling related and it's not really that important.
We have in the garden two led bulbs that are solar charged and when darkness falls they are supposed to illuminate, but they never do.
The strange thing is if I put my hand over the light sensitive panel on top of the bulbs they come on, if I take them into the garage, which is dim but by no means dark they come on, what is happening here ? baffling to me.

Is there another external light that comes on nearby that means the threshold is not being reached?

Or maybe the storage is so small that it is coming on but only lasting a short period?

 

[Venod]

Is there another external light that comes on nearby that means the threshold is not being reached?

No they are completely in the dark, think I will stick some tape over the sensors and see how long they stay on.

 

[ColinJ]

Maybe there is an infrared or ultraviolet light source nearby that you can't see but it reacts to?

 

[fossyant]

I would second that there is some other light source that the lights are picking up. Worth moving them ? I have a few on the side of the garage (in full sun) and they are really handy in a dimly lit part of the garden - there is a street light nearby, so do work with a nearby light source.

Potentially, the light sensor could be faulty.

 

[Venod]

Or maybe the storage is so small that it is coming on but only lasting a short period?

OK I think you have the answer here I taped over the sensor and the bulb stayed on for 20 minutes, I may have not have observed it been on for this short period, next to useless cheap rubbish.

 

[fossyant]

There is alot of it about. I bought a couple of solar lamps from my Sister-in-law's electrical shop, thinking they might be better than random stuff of the internet. They weren't. One flooded as soon as it rained. Didn't have the heart to take it back as they are a struggling small business.

 

[markemark]

OK I think you have the answer here I taped over the sensor and the bulb stayed on for 20 minutes, I may have not observed it been on for this short period, next to useless cheap rubbish.

Useless, yes. In fairness though, it would need a big panel and a big battery to store enough power to run an outdoor light for any length if time, particularly anything bright enough to be of any use. It may have greatly exaggerated its ability but it may also be your expectations. Solar panel lights are pretty rubbish on doing anything other than a meagre cosmetic light.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I bought some of these, they are very bright.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EHXt3Hs

 

[cougie uk]

I bought some of these, they are very bright.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EHXt3Hs

I bought similar looking ones for a similar price. They were great for a few months then total failure.
The solar light I bought from the supermarket for 4 times the price still works 5 years on.

 

[classic33]

Black marker pen and darken the area over the photocell. It'll make the light react sooner.

There is a pen you can buy for doing larger cells/switches, but a black permanent marker will suffice.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I bought similar looking ones for a similar price. They were great for a few months then total failure.
The solar light I bought from the supermarket for 4 times the price still works 5 years on.

Opposite for me lol Supermarket ones are failing, these are still working for now.