Solargizer blinks but very dim

[edpdx]

Is this the norm? I know its probably OEM; but do these things need service? I checked the ground and main power wire, they look fine. Is there a test I can perform?

 

[wsucougarx]

Here's what I found via search (hope the info is correct):

Here is a brief red light legend for the Solargizer

Red light on solid = working at full strength (full sunshine on solar panel)
Red light blinking = working at partial strength (shaded or partial sun)
Red light off = not working (dark out, hooked up wrong, dead)

 

[M1008driver]

I thought blinking means it is not working right? Mine is solid when working and that is all I have to go by. I also found they are not making our model anymore and the new ones are more expensive as they are chargers too.

EDIT- The above post is right.

 

[Lothar]

Is it an old unit? Solar panels have a shelf life. After about twenty years they often need to be replaced.

 

[edpdx]

I believe it is the original dash mounted. Anyone know what a good replacement would be? Is the solar panel all I would need, still ok to use the "BOX"?

 

[Lothar]

I would just get a whole new setup from fleabay, they range from $40-60 I think.

 

[Kasper31]

Got one on the bay paid $56 for it,,,it come as a whole unit. I recomend getting a complete unit and not trying to splice in new piece. Look around there are different types of these
Solargizers out there.

 

[mistaken1]

If it is dash mounted as in on the inside then the windshield glass filters the sunlight reaching the solar panel causing it to work as if it is not receiving full sunlight (red blink) because in that location it is not receiving full sunlight.

They need to be mounted outside to get the full effect of the sun's energy.

If yours is mounted outside the glass in full sun then there is indeed a problem and replacement would then be the best option.

 

[tennmogger]

Is this the norm? I know its probably OEM; but do these things need service? I checked the ground and main power wire, they look fine. Is there a test I can perform?

As already posted, if it's blinking it's working. No service is needed or possible. Rate of blink is the important issue. I have one sitting next to me here at the bench, getting light through two sliding double glass doors, and it blinks about once per second when sunlight comes through. In full sun it would blink so fast to look continuous.

It occurred to me that intensity of blink may be related to battery voltage, but a quick test proves it's not.

Just hooked one up to a 12v battery and it pulses just fine so battery voltage (even at 12v for a 24v Solargizer) is still adequate for good bright blinks.

These little Solargizers rely on the battery for power (!) and simply use the solar panel (which only puts out 4 or 5 volts) to build a voltage to be 'added' to the battery voltage when pulsed. Beware, substituting a 12 v solar panel (which typically peak at 20-22 v, might fry the Solargizer.

Bob WB4ETT