ALDI Solar Lights Failing - Anyone Else? What Brands Are Good?

jjjaar on 05/01/2019 - 23:01
Last edited 05/01/2019 - 23:02

So I bought two sets of Aldi solar lights prior to Christmas, one was icicles and one string lights. They both worked great for the first week, they would still be on about 3-4am after coming on at 830ish, so 6ish hours.

Then in the second week, the icicles only lasted for about 3 hours. I took them back and swapped them for another box. The new ones worked great for the first week, then same issue. The solar panels were slightly different so I just assumed the icicles were just poorer quality and refunded them.

Now, the string lights don’t seem to be lasting long either. On the sunniest of days, they’ll be off by 11pm-midnight. So 3-4 hours. There’s also an issue with the on/off button, as I have to push it a few times, or it kind of just unclicks itself (If I used sticky tape to hold it down it would stay on).

I’ll probably be taking these back too, but I’m mostly wondering if anyone else has had similar issues with their Aldi brand solar lights, to understand if it’s a common problem, or if I’m just really unlucky?

Does anyone know any better brands for solar lights that won’t have these issues? The Aldi ones were $18 for the icicle and $12 for the string lights, but I’m happy to pay more if they’ll actually last more than a month!

Thanks.

tl:dr Aldi solar lights not lasting as long as they did at the start. Was 6 hours, now 2-3. Is the brand flawed?

Poll Options

  • 0
    I have Aldi solar lights and I have had similar issues
  • 3
    I have Aldi solar lights and I have not had any issues
  • 26
    I don’t have Aldi solar lights but I like clicking buttons
Electrical & Electronics

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Comments

  • tebbybabes on 05/01/2019 - 23:20

    I've had multiple solar lights from ALDI, from mulitple years. All are still going except for one set of candy canes. Admittedly, I did have to change the el-cheapo rechargeable batteries in them after the first year. Mine all took standard AA sized rechargeable cells. I fortunately never had the issue with the dodgy switch.

    • dcep on 06/01/2019 - 02:24

      how does the battery fairs under the sun ?

      • tebbybabes on 06/01/2019 - 03:45

        To be honest, I didn't really look into it. I just decided not to leave them inside the devices in the off season. These were part of my regular stash of rechargeables. Since I didn't pay attention, I can't reliably determine if any of my failed rechargeables were from staying out in the sun for a season or just end of life failures. Sorry.

  • Davo1111 on 06/01/2019 - 02:12

    i bought the aldi ones that clip onto the gutter/fence. This time last year, going fine.

    have never had success with bunnings solar lights, and the feedback from others when i walked past the big display was that they had the same issues

  • aussieprepper on 06/01/2019 - 03:57

    Hey mate i bought two solar powered light from Aldi when they where half price $5 each reduced from $10. These are the wall mounted solar powered motion activated lights. I have had them outside for a few months i think maybe 5-6 months and they are okay. I am surprised they are still going lol.

    Before placing them on the wall i pulled them apart cleaned up the circuit board re-soldered some bits and put hot glue over most of the important connections on the circuit board. (An epoxy potting mix would have been better)I tried to waterproof them as much as i can without going overboard because they will need some air access or they will overheat.

    What can i say build quality is okay, it does the job. My lights have lithium cells in them (14500) and they are low capacity cells like 400-500mah so run time isn't great but being only around 50 lumens this size cell does the job. The lower capacity cells should give more recharges over time.

    Two biggest killers of these light will be water and heat. The cells have no protection from the sun as such so they probably reach close to there max temp (80c) on a hot day. I have placed them just of the brick wall so water should flow down the wall and not over the lights this should also help with heat soak from the wall. For the most part i think i waterproofed good enough so no rust should build up on steel connection inside (battery terminals are steel). Things like the motion detection sensor has a rubber o-ring but its a bit meh so i glued it also.

    Are your lights using NiCads batteries? I have pulled apart a few Bunnings solar powered lights and they use NiCad on the cheaper lights and NiMH on the better lights. You may have an issue with battery memory on cheaper NiCads and NiMH. Take the cells out and charge them or turn the lights of and let them charge for a few days?

  • Nugs on 06/01/2019 - 08:57

    we bought the cheapy ones from Bunnings in the plastic tubs at post xmas sales a couple of years ago, still working.
    the only failures have been thru physical damage i.e. the council mowed our road verge where the solar panel was…..
    .

  • [Deactivated] on 06/01/2019 - 10:15
    +1

    Aldi are cheap shit I wouldn't expect anything else. Most solar lights are cheap shit and I don't waste my money on them.

  • jjjaar on 06/01/2019 - 21:34

    Thanks all for your comments. I’m hoping that where I placed them didn’t result in water getting into them, but I’ll open them up and have a looksee.

    • AlienC on 07/02/2019 - 01:35

      This is my fear. I get lots of rain and fog in my area so I have a feeling the weather could have destroyed my solar lights which were actually 2 in 1 UV bug zappers and normal solar lights from ebay (the cheapest one)

      They didn't fare long and now looking for round 2 and hopefully the final round of solar lights.

      The area does get decent sunlight so something else might be hampering it.

      We do have lots of cloudy days but also clear skies thanks to the super random weather.

      But yeah anyone found some good reliable solid solar lights preferably path lights because my experience with them is they don't last.

  • Franc-T on 22/01/2019 - 22:02
    +1

    I have mine for ages (Mix of last year and this years) they are still fine.

    NB the solar panel may be dirty and hampering recharge.

  • serpserpserp on 30/01/2019 - 19:20

    Oh dear, OP said that something from Aldi didn't last. That doesn't go down well in these parts…

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