We have some from bunnings and they are great no problems here and have lasted well. paid $22 for the 500 pack.
rusty-bones,
Oct 4, 4:11pm
Has anyone changed the batteries in these. I went to have a look but the screws were all rusted. I should have just cut them of, I wanted to see what the batteries were and if they could be replaced?
clareo,
Oct 4, 4:34pm
I would be interested to know as well.
paix1,
Oct 4, 5:47pm
. I think you have to use rechargable batteries - and they are SO expensive, cheaper to buy whole new light/s
rusty-bones,
Oct 13, 11:19pm
I just undid one, where the screws havent rusted and its a AA size battery but solar powered I , its green. Now to find out how much they are. I cant seem to find any on here. But like someone said prob cheaper to buy the lights.
rusty-bones,
Oct 13, 11:26pm
Is the rechargeable ones they same? It says the same thing as the battery I took out. (I tried to copy the auction) Ni-MH AA600mAh 1.2V. But wouldnt you have to keep charging it often? It was quite cheap.
rusty-bones,
Oct 13, 11:27pm
Wonder if I should give it a go.
stevo2,
Oct 14, 12:08am
Got mine from Mega10 and they lasted about 6 months
tigra,
Oct 14, 10:09pm
Of course you have to use rechargeables how else could they work/? Plenty of AAA batteries (rechargeable) on TM for sale. I bought my String lights from "One Day" and found they worked OK providing they got lots of sun during the day. I've been using a Solar powered pump on my Water Feature for 3 years now and it keeps on going. But you can remove the batteries in the lights and charge them in a mains charger to get them fully charged to give them a good start.
tigra,
Oct 14, 10:28pm
If you are replacing them try to get them with a bit more capacity than 600 mAH maybe 800 or 900. But the point about solar powered ones is they start charging as soon as the sun comes out - providing they are in a position to get sun!
phoebe22,
Oct 15, 1:04am
Have not bought any lately but I used to buy the replacement green batteries in the Warehouse gardening section.
rusty-bones,
Oct 15, 1:39pm
Thanks phoebe
rusty-bones,
Oct 15, 1:44pm
Ok so I have a few rechargeable batteries that I use for a few bits and pieces. When I replace the battery in this Solar light I just use a rechargeable right? Do you need to recharge it first with my recharger before I replace it? And then from there just the Sun will keep it recharged? I am confused, I realised it was some kind of rechargeable battery of corse but I thought they were special Solar ones that were designed for the sun to charge. So have I got this right, I wont need to keep taking the battery out to charge in my charger?
tigra,
Oct 15, 2:02pm
Mostly the cheaper Fairy lights use very basic rechargeables that need several hours of sunlight to charge them to their max. they are not special "solar batteries".Most solar rechargeables these days are AAA so if yours uses AA they may be quite old. Sure the Sun does recharge them but generally it needs good sunlight for several hours to charge them long enough to last several hours at night. Giving them a good charge in a Mains charger gives them a good start. As said if you want them to last longer in night hours you need higher capacity batteries and 600mAh are not large capacity. So if you have any bigger capacity batteries use them in preference.
rusty-bones,
Oct 15, 2:42pm
Thanks, might just try this on them before throwing them out. Will be interesting.
tigra,
Oct 15, 4:20pm
Have a look at this auction. 791213515 I use this brand (import myself from China) and found then generally very good. Some duds occasionally unfortunately.
sam1670,
Oct 16, 3:28am
Another plug for the Ezi-Buy ones. I have brought heaps (yes I am that person who decorates the house/garden at Christmas). The Ezi-buy ones have run up to 3 years before needing a new battery. I also get the cheap ones off the web to add to the display. One thing I find with the cheapies is that often the rechargeable battery is already pretty run down or just crap when you get them. I keep a pack of cheap rechargeables and replace as need be. Put a good new battery in and leave them in the sun for at least a day, then retest. Also check for twists in the wires/loose wires -that can easily happen if you pack and unpack them.
rusty-bones,
Oct 16, 1:44pm
Thank you so much.
rusty-bones,
Oct 16, 1:47pm
Excellent thanks. I would love to be like you and do my house with Christmas Lights, I think people like you are amazing. I do a few extras around Christmas just in a tree and bits. Must be really hard work and you would have to be extremely organised.
clareo,
Oct 16, 2:36pm
I have put up our Ezi Buy ones about a week and a half ago - they are still going but they do flash all the time at night (even when the switch is switched to the off postition). But they have now lasted longer than any other solar string lights we have had.
wendalls,
Nov 10, 5:20pm
Well I bought 5 lots from briscoes a few weeks ago as they were 50% off and just left them going as that was the whole idea I thought. However only one set is still going. Probably got less than 2 weeks out of them. I couldn't see them in ezi buy when I was there but maybe I will look in their catalogue. Should I open one up and see if there is water damage I wonder?
tigra,
Nov 10, 5:56pm
Did you put them where they will get at least 6-8 hours of strong sunlight?
clareo,
Nov 12, 3:45pm
My Ezi Buy ones are still going - even though I only purchased in October they have already lasted longer than any of the others we have had.
tinkies,
Sep 15, 6:19am
Spoil sport!
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