Replacing a Battery for a Brinkman Solar Light

[W. Watson]

I think the 6v battery is dead, 6v made by Eagle Picher, Carefree. The
voltage measure 0.5. Do these rechargeable batteries get this low under
ordinary circumstances?

 

[Chris]

I think the 6v battery is dead, 6v made by Eagle Picher, Carefree. The
voltage measure 0.5. Do these rechargeable batteries get this low under
ordinary circumstances?

Really deep discharge, it's possible. I believe these are NiCad?

Try charging under bright sunlight for a day. Read the battery
voltage while it's charging, and see if it goes up. If not, there may
be a loose wire or bad connection somewhere. That seems to be a
problem with these outdoor lights.

You could always just try a new battery and see if it works.

Remember to recycle the battery when you buy a new one. If you buy
where you bought the lamp, Brinkmann guarantees they'll take it back
for recycling.

Good luck
Chris

 

[W. Watson]

Thanks. I'll try your suggestions. We have plenty of bright sunlight here in
N. Calif. today.

 

[W. Watson]

I suppose it could be the solar cell. How would one go about testing it?

 

[Chris]

I suppose it could be the solar cell. How would one go about testing it?





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Put your DMM leads on the battery, and place the solar light in
sunlight. Since the battery isn't dead shorted, you should see a big
increase in voltage in sunlight.

Good luck
Chris

 

[W. Watson]

Too obvious! Thanks. The cells are producing 9v.

 

[Chris]

Too obvious! Thanks. The cells are producing 9v.








--
Wayne Watson (Nevada City, CA)

Web Page: <speckledwithStars.net>- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

OK, Mr. Watson. I'd guess the charging part is working. Wait a bit
(at least a couple of hours), and with the DMM still connected, cover
the solar panel, then check the voltage. Unless it's quite a bit
higher than 0.5V, the battery's probably cashed.

Cheers
Chris

 

[wlb]

I think the 6v battery is dead, 6v made by Eagle Picher, Carefree. The
voltage measure 0.5. Do these rechargeable batteries get this low under
ordinary circumstances?

Eagle Picher Carefree IIRC is a Sealed Lead Acid chemistry, it's a
square brick similar to those used in emergency lighting systems. If
it's gotten down to that low of a voltage it most likely won't come
back. That has been my experience in the past with very deeply
discharged SLA batteries. They might exhibit the correct terminal
voltage when under charge but the minute a load is applied they crap
out.

-wlb