albert smith 803 Posted August 20, 2019 Report Share Posted August 20, 2019 Like so many people nowdays I have several solar lights in the garden on replacing two 'failures' the instructions state that replacement batteries can be purchased at any electrical store. The specification is AA 1.2v 150mAh Ni-MH but Wilco's & Tesco only stock AA 1.5v 'normal' batteries. Anyone changed solar type batteries recently and know where they're in stock? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,143 Posted August 20, 2019 Report Share Posted August 20, 2019 Hi Albert, from experience, I have changed many solar light batteries. Never had any problem obtaining them. The ones I use now are 1500m.a. rechargeable. If the weather has been inclement, I often put them in a battery charger to give them a bit of a boost. Argos sell ready charged batteries with a great shelf life. Another place to get them are a decent garden centre. Hope helps, Beekay. Ps. All rechargeable are 1.2v with normal zinc etc are 1.5v. Hence with a 12v unit would require 10 batteries, as opposed to 8 zinc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,466 Posted August 21, 2019 Report Share Posted August 21, 2019 Albert, I searched AA 1.2 and got these results which seems to give a lot of choice. https://www.google.com/search?ei=pf9cXZPeHai_lwSKkJioAQ&q=aa+1.2&oq=aa+1.2&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i7i30l8j0j0i7i30.21675.21675..23767...0.0..0.56.56.1......0....1..gws-wiz.du-xPHDDTRA&ved=0ahUKEwjTxOvexJPkAhWo34UKHQoIBhUQ4dUDCAo&uact=5 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonab 1,644 Posted August 21, 2019 Report Share Posted August 21, 2019 Albert, I think the key words in your light instructions are "purchased at any electrical store". I don't know what Wilko is but Tesco is a general supermarket, not an electrical store. Anyway, that aside, most if not all NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) single cell batteries are 1.2volt. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radfordred 6,284 Posted August 21, 2019 Report Share Posted August 21, 2019 The Valve Shop on the Green will sort you out. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,143 Posted August 21, 2019 Report Share Posted August 21, 2019 That worrah sed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
albert smith 803 Posted August 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 Thanks everyone for your help. I think Rr has the best idea at the Valve Shop at least the assistant will know what he's talking about as Tesco & Wilco's only know 'what it says on the tin'! Thanks again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted August 22, 2019 Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 Albert, have you tried Chaddy's in Bulwell High Rd ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
albert smith 803 Posted August 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2019 OMG Fly, right on the doorstep and didn't give them a thought! I'll be down in the morning. Thanks. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,143 Posted August 23, 2019 Report Share Posted August 23, 2019 Let us know how you get on . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
albert smith 803 Posted October 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 Hi sorry for delay in replying, health's on the blink as well as the lights! Thanks Fly Chaddy's had the batteries so replaced two OK but the one shown is the one I particularly wanted to work. But no joy as the battery is inverted down that central tube with a very thin wire connecting to the terminal in the base, due to corrosion this seperated on unscrewing the 'board'. Just to rub things in one of the springs holding the glass dome to the base shot off down the garden on releasing it, so it's a 'in the bin' job. It does make you wonder though how these can be produced, put together (7 tiny scews-2 spring clips) shipped half way round the world yet sold for a'fiver'? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,143 Posted October 2, 2019 Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 Pity theres not some way you can adapt it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted October 2, 2019 Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 Bin it Albert ! Try Wilkos, B & M or a similar establishment for a replacement. Hopefully you'll improve health wise soon matey. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,417 Posted October 2, 2019 Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 1 hour ago, albert smith said: It does make you wonder though how these can be produced, put together (7 tiny scews-2 spring clips) shipped half way round the world yet sold for a'fiver'? It's called dumping Albert. It's a tad complicated but essentially all the manufacturing costs are already covered so the ones we see in the shops only cost the price of the raw materials to make. In this case that amounts to pennies. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,507 Posted October 2, 2019 Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 Throw away society ....... wish someone would tell my husband that though, he’s forever attempting to repair things around the place, by the time he’s gone out to buy the special tools and materials required we could have bought new. Feel better soon young Albert, be good to see you again. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted October 2, 2019 Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 I certainly try to make do and mend, but there becomes a time when its just not practical to do so. Those lights are so cheap, I'm afraid renewal is the best option. When I had wooden garden furniture, I virtually rebuild the bleddy things out of pallets over the years. Impossible now that I've only got Rattan style stuff. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob.L 1,090 Posted October 2, 2019 Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 I’ve managed to keep a few of those solar lights going, rather than binning them, by stripping them down and putting them back together properly. The weak point is the thin rubber seal between the glass and the base. Get that on right, and it stops water trickling down and rusting the battery connectors. Yes, I am a cheapskate! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted October 2, 2019 Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 Sorry about your health issues, Albert. Hope you are soon better. I've got quite a few of those little solar lights and the batteries no longer hold a charge after a year or two. They are marked 2/3 AA. Same diameter but a tad shorter than regular AA. The lights sell at Wal Mart for just a dollar and change. The batteries would probably cost more than that if I could ever find any. It must be because I grew up fixing stuff. I hate throwing out a light just because of the battery. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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