Solar Fairy Lights Trouble Shooting Guide that will help you fix nearly any set of Solar Fairy Lights, if you are having problems then please read this guide.

Solar Fairy Lights Trouble Shooting Guide

The Fairy lights normally come with an initial battery charge, so will nearly always work straight out of the box for the first night without fail, it is also possible the battery will last for the second or even third night in some cases. After this period the units are then dependent upon the location that they have been placed in and the inclement weather.

Setting Problem

If your unit has two identical switches on the control / solar panel, then the most common problem is a setting problem, please follow these instructions to reset the unit :

• Please turn both switches so that 0 is pushed down.

Solar Fairy Lights Trouble Shooting Guide : reseating the solar fairy lights

• Turn the 'off / on' switch to on first followed by the mode or auto switch (on is when the '1' symbol is pushed down).

Solar Fairy Lights Trouble Shooting Guide : reseating the solar fairy lights

• Cover the panel over to make the unit think it is dark and wait for at least 10 seconds... leave the switches after this reset and the lights will cycle through their sequences, when you reach the sequence you require then you turn the mode switch off (zero is pushed down) and then it will freeze the lights in that specific mode.

If you have an on / off switch only then please remember to press the small circular Mode button after this to select the mode.

Solar Fairy Lights Trouble Shooting Guide : 240 Mode button
if nothing happens then there are 3 reasons for this :-

Location

location of panel is insufficient to charge lights.
(PLEASE NOTE : IN WINTER IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE UNIT IS FACING SOUTH AND IS ALSO OUT OF SHADE - THIS IS NOT IMPORTANT IN SUMMER BUT IS CRITICAL IN WINTER TIME IN UK).

Solar Fairy Lights Trouble Shooting Guide : position of the solar panel
Another VERY HOT TIP : USE THE POWER THE PANEL COMES WITH : look at the angle of your panel and make sure it is flat facing toward mid day sun, so if using the spike in winter please angle the spike at 30 degrees FORWARD TOWARD THE SUN to ensure maximum light is hitting panel at mid day. This significantly increases burn time of the led's.
On dull days it is difficult to generate any voltage so the above is very important to ensure longevity of operation in UK winter time when conditions are the most challenging.

Batteries

Batteries need replacing (this is common after 1 year or if unit has been stored without use and without charge). If the weather is very dull / raining it may be necessary to charge batteries using a battery charger. If the unit comes with a USB cable and charging port  then you can simply unplug the string and charge the battery directly from your computer or laptop. (do not charge them for longer than 6 hours)

WARNING : DO NOT SIMPLY CHARGE THE UNITS WITH A PHONE CHARGER OR ANY CHARGER THAT YOU THINK MAY WORK, IT MUST BE WHAT WE RECOMMEND AS THIS COULD DAMAGE THE UNIT.

It is always worth checking the batteries, rechargeable batteries can be purchased almost anywhere now, please remove the battery from the old unit and match the specification on it Solar Fairy Lights Trouble Shooting Guide : rechargeable batteries (if you do not have any you can quickly test the unit with any AA battery which you know is charged - but don't leave non rechargeable in the unit).

With our 100 solar fairy lights, there are four holes in the back of the panel, you will need a Phillips no. 1 screwdriver, simply unscrew these screws and locate the battery compartment inside the control box,

Solar Fairy Lights Trouble Shooting Guide : replacing the battery

match the specifications of the battery and replace, you can purchase AA rechargeable batteries almost anywhere now a day's including Tesco's local garages etc. It is IMPORTANT that you get the polarity correct when replacing the batteries, just match up the positive and negative symbols.

Strings

The string has been damaged (this can be caused by animal attack, pulling strings hard out of trees or garden equipment allowing string to dangle loose and in high winds flap around for a prolonged period (over 6 months)) where the string is old or damaged and the unit has replaceable strings new strings can be purchased individually at :
Additional Strings

Important : Check to see if there is a groove and key fitting on the string connection :

Solar Fairy Lights Trouble Shooting Guide : checking the connection between the string of lights and the panel

Please also unplug the string and double check the groove is inserted in to the key on the string. There are two small arrows on each male and female connector which MUST be aligned.

Also for Strings could you check the installation area for these strings it is important :

• Bird feeders are not close to the string.
• No additional water flow from any roofs or overhanging buildings etc.
• Strings are not left loose to flap around in high wind etc.
• Any unusual aspect which may cause damage to string.
• Hand rails (hand rails can have a higher probability of string damage).