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Solar Light FAQs
Where is the best place to locate my solar garden light?
  Most solar lights need direct sunlight to receive a full charge during the day. At night, the solar garden lights will need a darkened area of the yard, away from any other light sources, including street lights or outdoor wall lights.
How long will solar garden lights light up for?
  The more direct sunlight the solar garden light receives during the day, the longer the run time at night. Every model solar garden light is built to different specifications but on average a solar garden light will stay illuminated for 6 to 8 hours.
What affects solar garden lights run time (illumination time)?
  The number one factor affecting the lighting time of solar garden lights is the position in which you locate them in your garden. A location that receives full sunlight all days will recharge more of the battery capacity. A shady location may result in the solar light not light up for very long at night, if at all. 
Usually solar garden lights will perform better during the summer because the days are longer, which gives the solar panel more time to recharge the battery. Cloudy days and short winter days will reduce the amount of charge the batteries inside the solar lights will receive, so the lights may not illuminate for as long. 
Also, extreme cold or hot weather reduces the charge capacity of the batteries, so the solar lights will have a reduced illumination time.
What are the advantages of solar garden lighting?
  Solar garden lights are very easy to install, usually with just a screwdriver. Since you don’t have to worry about where your power source is, you can set up solar garden lights just about anywhere there is ample light during the day and darkness at night. There is no wiring to hook up and no special lighting parts to purchase. Solar outdoor lights are also environmentally-friendly since they require no external power  and they cost nothing to run.
Does the weather affect my solar garden lights?
  Since the solar garden lights require direct sunlight to charge, cloudy days will inhibit the solar light from receiving a full charge. Snow can block the solar panel from receiving sunlight required to recharge the battery.
Can I use my solar garden lights in the winter?
  If you live in a milder winter climate that receives very little snow, such as Arizona or Nevada, you can leave your solar garden lights out all-year long. However, if you live in an area that gets very cold or snow, you should store your solar garden lights inside during these months. When storing the solar garden lights, make sure you charge up the battery, put the on/off switch in the OFF position, and store the lights in a  dry location at room temperature.
How do I install Solar Garden lights?
  It takes only a few of minutes to install solar garden lights. Since solar garden lights require no wiring, no power source or no digging, installing them is as easy as removing them from the packaging, switching on and placing the solar light where you want it. Generally the only tool that may be required to install solar garden lights is a screwdriver. Most require no tools at all.
How do I recharge my solar garden light’s battery?
  The battery in the solar garden light charges via sunlight, so no special battery charger is needed. Read the user manual that was included with your solar garden light to determine how to recharge the battery upon initial use (usually the solar garden light will need to be positioned outdoors and the switch left in the OFF position for 3 days before use).
Why is there an on/off switch on my solar garden lights?
  The switch is actually an OFF/AUTO switch. The light will come on automatically at dusk on the AUTO position. 
The switch has 2 main purposes:
  • The first purpose is to keep some charge in the battery from the time the light is produced until you first use it. This prevents the battery chemistry from being permanently damaged by being fully discharged for a long period of time. 
  • The second purpose is so that you can fully charge the battery when you first install the light. By fully charging the battery via the sun with the switch in the OFF position, the battery chemistry is maintained back into its normal state. When the switch is in the OFF position, the light will continue to receive electricity from the sun and store it for later use. 
  • Finally, if you have had a few cloudy days and you want your solar garden light to last many hours you can charge the light for a few days in the OFF position and this will ensure it works to its maximum on a special occasion that you are planning such as a party or having guests over.
My solar garden light was charged all day, but does not light up at night. What's wrong?
  First, check to ensure the on/off switch is in the ON position. 
Second, ensure another light source is not interfering and preventing the light from turning itself on. Consider, moving your solar light to a darker location and test if the light turns on. If it still does not light up, check to make sure the batteries are fully charged. Move the solar panel to another location where it will receive more sunlight during the day. 
Note: The battery included with your solar light will need to be replaced when its charging ability is decreased. This should be about every two years or more frequently if they are not used continuously.
Assembling and Using a SOLAscape Solar Lighted Wind Chime
 

WARNING: The lens is crackled glass.  It is fragile and will break if dropped. Extreme care should be taken to avoid breakage during assembly.

Carefully remove the contents from the package and carefully remove all the fixture parts from their protective packaging.  Check using the table below that you have all the parts. If any parts are missing do not attempt to use the product until they have been obtained and correctly installed.

 Assembling your Chime

  1. Temporarily hang solar chime body via the Hanging Hook.
  2. Carefully attach each wind chime to the horizontal Chime Ring by attaching the small clasp connected to each chime tube through a small hole on the side of the horizontal Chime Ring. NOTE: The chimes vary in size, and can be attached in any order on the Chime Ring.
  3. When assembled, hang the  wind chime in a sunny location.

 Choosing a Location for the Solar Lighted Wind Chime

Choose an outdoor location that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Hanging the solar Chime in a shaded location such as under north facing eaves will not allow the battery to charge fully and will reduce the hours of night time illumination.

The selected location for your Chime should not be near night time light sources such as street or porch lighting as these may cause the light to turn off automatically.

 Operating the Solar Chime

 NOTE: The rechargeable AA battery is pre-installed from the factory. Before operating the solar light the rechargeable battery needs to be fully charged.

  1. Slide the ON/OFF switch to the “OFF” position. Switch is located under the solar panel.
  2. The battery requires at least 8 hours of full sunlight to charge. Once the battery is fully charged, place the ON/OFF switch to the "ON" position. The chime will automatically turn on at  dusk.

 Note: The number of hours light is illuminated is directly proportional to the number of hours of sunlight it receives. If the light is placed in a shaded area it will not fully charge and reduce the hours of night time light.

 Battery Replacement

 The battery included inside your Chime is a rechargeable Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) AA battery and will need to be replaced when the charging ability is decreased. It should be replaced approximately every 2 years.

  1. Slide the ON/OFF switch to the OFF position.
  2. Unscrew the Finial connected in the middle of the solar panel.
  3. Locate the vertically –oriented battery under the Finial.
  4. Remove and replace the old battery with a new 600mAh AA Ni-Cd battery or higher capacity. Install battery with the “+ “ sign upwards.
  5. Replace the Finial and tighten securely.

 Reference "Operating  the Solar Chime” to restore solar wind chime to full operation.

  Handling Precautions

  1. Handle the wind chime with caution, especially the glass lens to avoid breakage. The
  2. LED bulb is not replaceable and should never be tampered with.
  3.  Do not scratch the surface of the solar panel and keep the solar panel free of dirt or any matter that may impair passage of light to the solar cell.

Note: To prolong the life of the Chime and reduce the risk of corrosion, hang away from salty areas.

 Cloudy  or shady conditions will affect charging effectiveness and the Chime may not illuminate for more than a few hours.

Problems?

If the chime does not turn on at night after 24 to 36 daylight hours of charging, check the following:

1. Ensure the ON/OFF switch on the Chime is ON.

2. Ensure the Chime is located in an area receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.

3. Check the battery is fully inserted with the “+” polarity at the top.

Disposal

Properly dispose of used battery. Do not dispose by general household waste. Consult your local municipality for correct disposal procedures or recycling of rechargeable batteries.

Cleaning & Care Instructions

For best results, wipe the surface of the Solar Lighted Wind Chime with a damp sponge or rag and a mild detergent to remove any dirt. Do not scratch the surface of the Chime and keep the solar panel free of dirt.

Switch off and store the Chime indoors during below freezing weather or when not in use.

 

 
Attracting Hummingbirds to A Hummingbird Feeder
 

A hummingbird is more likely to stay at a hummingbird feeder when it first arrives if the reservoir contains a rich sugar solution so initially make a solution with equal volumes of sugar and water (1:1 ratio). This high concentration replenishes energy reserves during migration, and to fuel the territorial exploits of males and nesting activities of females.

 Note: Use only table sugar and never honey, fruit, red food coloring or artificial sugars.


 Increasing Feeding Activity

Once hummingbirds have been attracted with the 1:1 solution for two or three weeks, a lower concentration will increase their feeding activity and still provide sufficient energy so mix one part sugar with four parts water (1:4 ratio).

 Reservoir Cleaning Frequency

 Wash out your feeder Reservoir every three to four days. Use only warm or hot water and a soft brush to clean the feeder.
Assembling and Using a Solar Lighted Hummingbird Feeder
 

Activating the Solar Feeder Lighting Function

The rechargeable AA battery is preinstalled from the factory. Before operating the solar lighted feeder, the rechargeable battery need to be fully charged.

  1. Slide the ON/OFF switch to the “OFF” position. Switch is located under the Feeder Top.
  2. The battery requires at least 8 hours of full sunlight to charge.
  3. Once the battery is fully charged, slide the ON/OFF switch to the "ON" position. The Feeder will automatically turn on at dusk.
Note: The number of lighting hours light is directly proportional to the number of hours of sunlight it receives. If the light is placed in a shaded area it will not fully charge and reduce the hours of night time lighting.

 Cloudy  or shady conditions will affect charging effectiveness and the Feeder may not illuminate for more than a few hours.

Filling Solar Lighted Feeder

  1. Rotate the Feeder Top portion counterclockwise relative to the Reservoir. Remove the Feeder Top and set it aside.
  2. Rotate the Feeder Base (having the feeder ports) clockwise relative to the Reservoir until the metal upper Feeder Base and plastic lower part of the Feeder Base separate from the Reservoir.
  3. Invert and fill the Reservoir with the sugar solution. Do not fill to the top.
  4. Replace the Feeder Base while the Reservoir is inverted by twisting the black plastic lower Base portion counterclockwise until secure.
  5. Quickly invert Reservoir with Feeder Base attached. It should not leak if secured correctly.
  6. Attach and rotate the Feeder Top portion clockwise relative to the Reservoir.

Choosing a Location for the Solar Lighted Hummingbird Feeder

Choose an outdoor location that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Hanging the Feeder in a shaded location such as under north facing eaves will not allow the battery to charge fully and will reduce the hours of night time illumination.

The selected location for your Feeder should not be near night time light sources such as street or porch lighting as these may cause the light to turn off automatically.

Note: To prolong the life of the Feeder and reduce the risk of corrosion, hang away from salty areas.

Battery Replacement

The battery included inside your Feeder is a rechargeable Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) AA battery and will need to be replaced when the charging ability is decreased. It should be replaced approximately every 2 years.

  1. Rotate the Feeder Top portion counterclockwise relative to the Reservoir to detach the Feeder Top from Reservoir.
  2. Slide ON/OFF switch to the "OFF" position.
  3. Open the battery compartment cover.
  4. Remove and replace the old battery with new 400mAh Ni-Cd battery or higher capacity. Install battery using the correct polarity markings (+/-).
  5. Replace the battery compartment cover.
  6. Reference "Activating Solar Feeder” to restore Feeder to full solar lighting operation.

 Problems?

If the Feeder does not turn on at night after 24 to 36 daylight hours of charging, check the following:

  1. Ensure the ON/OFF switch on the Feeder is ON.
  2. Check the battery is fully inserted with the correct polarity.
  3. Ensure the Feeder is located in an area receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.

 Disposal

Properly dispose of used battery. Do not dispose by general household waste. Consult your local municipality for correct disposal procedures or recycling of rechargeable batteries.

Cleaning & Care Instructions

 For best results, do not scratch the surface of the solar panel on the top of the Hummingbird Feeder and keep the solar panel free of dirt or any matter that may impair passage of light to the solar cell.

LED bulb is not replaceable and should never be tampered with.

 

Store the Feeder indoors during below freezing weather.