How do you know if your solar panel is working?

I initially had the same problem, thanks. They are working now but still not all that well. I just don’t think we get enough sunlight in the UK for these panels. They “do” work, just not great. Thanks for the info though, its certainly something I noticed too ( eventually )

not happening here in sunny fl. still discharing.

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Are you talking about the solar panel for the Ring 2 device that costs $49? I’m wondering what you mean by plug? There’s something that gets attached by 2 screws…is that what you mean? I’m trying to figure mine out also. I don’t feel like it’s working but wondering if it has to do with the connection. It would make so much of a difference if the app recognized the device and showed that a solar panel was attached.

I wish I seen this before I brought it too! I have the original ring doorbell and was having to charge the bell every 2 weeks! I spoke with someone on live chat and told them I think the camera is faulty and they disregarded the comment and said I should get the solar charger which I did, £49 later I’m still having to charge the doorbell every few weeks because it dies! Theres no way to tell when the bell is charging (which would I think solve everyone’s issue who has written on this thread) even if it’s only for an hour a day for example but we have the sun rise at the front of our house and set at the back so it definitely gets enough sun but still needs to be taken off and charged!

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I have the same issues, just working over one year and now didn’t charge anymore, feel frustrated

I do that multiple times a day. Bought a new panel because the Old one, like 3 months old, seemed to do nothing. Now the new one has gone up 1% once in a week of mostly sunlight. It’s not the panel. It’s the camera. Now what? Guess I have to call.

OK guys, I had called Ring, and before they told me, I figured it out. The answer is that under “Power Source” when the solar panel is connected and detected, this changes from “Battery” to “Power Outlet”, indicating that power is coming from the solar panel (or AC). While this doesn’t give us a reading of how much power is coming into the unit, at least you can tell it is connected and giving power.

If you all knew this already, sorry! Hopefully it helps others as it helped me.

Curlynerd

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Hmmm…interesting. I never hear that. My Ring never listed anything but Battery for the power source. I wonder if that means it really isn’t working (and this is the replacement unit I received).

I had this question with my new cameras, because I thought one wasn’t charging, and noticed that each camera will show you differently that it’s connected.

Spotlight Cam - will actually state under “Solar Status” - “Connected”

Stick Up Cam - will NOT state connected under “Solar Status” but will show the battery is charging on the battery symbol on the cameras main page by showing the lightning bolt symbol in it.

It would be nice if a firmware update was done for the Stick Up Cam so that it stated “Connected” under the “Solar Status” section of the app.

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Hey neighbors! Thank you for working with each other in this thread to resolve your concern with your device not registering the solar panel as connected in the app. We did have this bug in the app before where it would ask you to add a solar panel to extend your battery life, which has seen been resolved. At this time, if your app is not showing the solar panel as connected under your device’s Device Health page, you will want to ensure the device is connected properly. I recommend detaching the solar panel from your Ring device and then attaching it back, while also ensuring that there is no dust and debris on the solar panel and at the connection.

After checking the connection, if you find that it is still not showing as connected in the Device Health section, please try resetting your Ring camera by pressing and holding the setup button for 20 seconds. After this reset, re-establish the connection your device has in your Ring app by tapping on Reconnect or Change Wifi Network under Device Health. This will take you through another setup of the device in the Ring app. Once completed, check the Device Health again to see if the solar panel is showing as connected.

In the event you may not see the solar panel connected still, please give our support team a call at one of the numbers available here. If you are outside of the US, please go here to see how to contact support.

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I was wondering if there is updated info on this for 2020? I read the message board from 2019 and didnt look like there was a way to check if the solar panel is working on not.

THanks in advance.

It should show up now. If you go to your device list and then check device health, it now shows when there is a solar panel connected. If it doesn’t show, you may need to update your device. Mine are showing up now.

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Oddly, it did appear for me a while ago, but now it doesn’t…it displays the message “Extend your battery life with a ring solar charger” again. :frowning:

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Weird. Just checked. Mine are still showing connected.

My panel had stopped working , so I tried all of Chelsea_Ring’s recommendations, but still not working. Then I examined the wiring more closely and noticed that a critter had chewed right through the cable from the panel to the camera! Suspect either a crow or a squirrel. They were crafty enough to remain behind the camera, so they didn’t get caught on camera :smiley:

Anyway, spliced the two wires in the cable together, soldered them, taped each individual wire carefully with electrical tape, and then around the whole cable, and now it’s working fine again.

Since installing my solar panel In my back yard, every time I go to device health it shows the battery is at 100%
Best thing ever made!
Now if I could just get my problem resolved with my front cam I’ll be good

My solar panel status has still not updated. It continues to say " connect a solar panel". Everything is up to date, I’ve called customer service numerous times, and no one can answer why the app does not correctly display the status. Chelsea_ring r response has not solved my issue yet! Very annoyed at ring right now.

Update: WIth the Device Health noting I am running the latest firmware, I see “Connected” now for the Solar Status. This is inline with what was noted in a June posting my a Ring staffer earlier in this thread.

So…right now, it is working as expected.

@Chelsea_ring I think you missed the point. It is NOT apparent the solar charger is extending the battery life and/or functional as expected. How can one tell as the battery % continues to drop? As mentioned in another post, a charging indicator would be useful here.

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Firstly, for some strange reason the instructions accompanying the Solar Panel do not mention this but, for solar panels generally if you live north of the equator (northern hemisphere) you MUST ensure that (1) the Solar Panel is fixed to a SOUTH facing wall and only if that’s not possible should you opt for an East or West facing wall (under no circumstances should it be placed on North facing wall) and (2) secondly the Solar Panel should be tilted upwards towards the sky at an approximately 30 to 40 degree angle.

The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west. In the UK, we are in the northern hemisphere. This means that the sun is above the equator and therefore your solar panels will be most effective if they are south facing. Panels facing south will face the sun all day long

These fitting guidelines are VITAL for less sunny climates like the northern states of the USA and the British Isles.

So those of you who are not experiencing much charge from your Solar Panel, it may well be that your Panel is not situated in an optimal location.

In addition to that advice, hopefully this video (in the link below) will help users choose the best Ring Solar Panel depending on your needs and give you some idea as to how much charge you should expect from the Solar Panel if optimally installed:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xmx7_Stwojs

sources:

https://www.geogreenpower.com/blog/a-guide-for-where-to-place-your-solar-panels/

and

https://greenbusinesswatch.co.uk/do-solar-panels-have-to-face-south

Regards

Paul