My problems the remote turns on/off all sets including my neighbors!! And it sucks! We battle with it all the time. My backyard lights is also effected ! How to hack it?
I performed the install just as you did but lights aren't working. Instruction manual said something about pulling white tab to activate remote, but I don't see a white tab anywhere
Remotes will fail 90 percent of the time. There is no fix. Sunforce is useless and refuses to do anything about it. Return lights to Costco is the only solution.
My remote won’t work unless I aim it directly at the panel so it can pick up the infrared beam from the remote. I assume that is what it happening. I mounted the panel on the roof so I can’t aim it directly at the panel so as of right now, the lights are on auto.
The remote is a bit buggy. I got 2 years out of these lights in the outdoor elements then they start breaking down. Had to replace after two years, so not a long term solution.
I just bought two sets from Costco and the solar panels have been charging for two but they still did not light up. The instructions stated that the solar panel will need three days for charging in order for the lights to light up. How come I did not see you mention that in your video?
Have these lights. The remote only worked for a few times and stopped working. I changed the 3v battery and it still does not work. Light work fine but I have to go outside now to turn them on! Any solutions?
We bought 4 sets of solar string lights 6 months ago. Been working good until last week. All the remotes can only turn on and off 2 strings, then tonight, we can only turn on and off 1 string. The other 3 strings, if I turn the switch behind the solar panels off and on again, then they lit up, but I can't turn them off with any remotes. This is frustrating. I got some 2 strings from Costco and the other 2 from Amazon since Costco ran out.
Same. Mine worked fine for about two years. All of a sudden only one set works with the remote. The one that doesn’t work witg the remote if I climb up a ladder and turn it on. Once on, ijt will bnot tirn off witb the remote.
You need to charge the solar panel under the sun for 2-3 days for a full charge. Then you can screw in the bulb after once the panel is fully charged. As soon as it is dark enough and as long as the solar panel got a full charge, once the bulbs are screwed, they should light up right away
They are all still working. I’ve actually purchased replacement bulbs on Amazon but it was for a plug in type of string light..im not sure if they use the same
According to the sunforce website under FQA, the light bulbs unfortunately are not replaceable but the whole set comes with manufacturing warranty for 1 year from the date of purchase
I bought 5 sets from Costco and they were all fully charged for a week but only 1 bulb from 1 string was on after sunset and the rest of the 14 bulbs plus all the bulbs from the other 4 strings didn’t light up. After one advice from my uncle, all of the bulb lighted up. That one fix was the make sure the small metal piece inside each of the bases were tilted outward slightly so the light bulb can come in close contact to the base after you screw the bulb on. We went through all of the 74 bases by simply using our finger to tilt the metal pieces slightly outward, very tedious but worked like magic!
thanks for the video! My string light only turns on with the help of remote. Is there anyway I can make it default turn on when there is dark. Right now even at night, it does not turn unless I press button on the remote. Thank you!
@@don_wynn - Thanks for the response. I did reach out to the customer support of the 'Sunforce' company...They told me the exact same thing....We have to press that button everytime we have to turn it on and off. Unlike other solar lights we have in the market, and I have some around the house, this does not turn on and off at dawn and dusk respectively... Nonetheless - this is still a good string of lights and I like them a lot! :)
I bought two sets from Costco and don’t want to return them but they are not working. These can’t be that cheap or so inferior that I picked two duds out of the bunch. I’m thinking - what did I not do but the directions are really straightforward yet I feel like a retard because I can’t get them to work…. Any suggestions or are other people having the same problem??? Please somebody help 😔
I bought two sets from Costco and don’t want to return them but they are not working. These can’t be that cheap or so inferior that I picked two duds out of the bunch. I’m thinking - what did I not do but the directions are really straightforward yet I feel like a retard because I can’t get them to work…. Any suggestions or are other people having the same problem??? Please somebody help 😔
@@elizari3 - directions are pretty straightforward. There is a remote that should just turn it on/off. There is no automatic turn on on this system. It will get turned off once sunlight or it runs out of its juice. Go to the main panel and check some settings out.....let those panel soak up the sunlight and check the light at night by playing with those switches..
My remote controlled both lights without having to do anything to them. Check the comment section, one of our viewers were nice enough to write down all the steps to re-sync the remotes, she wrote to Sunforce.
I've been charging my unit in the "off" position for almost a week and only one light comes on. My balcony faces the north so I don't get much direct sunlight. Is there a direct correlation or did I get a bad string?
I initially had the first set if lights but it turned on only 1 bulb. Returned it for a 2nd set and nothing turns on after a week of charging. Tried Mike's andvice and tighten the lights then everything turns on.
Try cranking in the bulbs. You got to really twist them in. Don’t be scared the bulbs are shatter proof. Keep twisting it in till it turns on. Lmk if it helps
@@don_wynn sorry, I was commenting on trying to re sync the controller. The bulbs were installed in mine when I got it, all the bulbs work when I turn it ON, problem is that the controller, even after trying to re sync as recommended by the company today does not work. Thx
My remote won’t work either. Will try to get a new battery. Used the camera on my phone to see if I see the RF light on, it’s too dim unless I put it like on the camera and I’ll see it flicker. Just bought 3 days ago.
I also bought 2 sets of solar string lights from Costco. Had them for >6.months but find them too dim. Is there a way to brighten them (like connecting to an adaptor to plug into an outlet perhaps? Also I find that the remote controls don’t always turn on both sets consistently, it’s like they’re confused
I don’t think you can make them any brighter. I also have the same problem with turning on both set at once. When it’s off sync I just click the remote like crazy and eventually get them to turn on at the same time. 😄
Thank you for writing back to us. I think a quick re-sync should fix this. 1) Place the solar panel in the OFF position and wait 30 seconds with the batteries removed from the solar panel. 2) Put the panel in the ON position, the bulbs should turn on. 3) Hold down the remote button for 5 seconds as close as possible to the solar panel. 4) You should be able to turn the string lights OFF/ON with the remote. This is what they said to do.
I bought a set with the remote from Costco I set it up but the remote does not turn the lights off or on. I put the solar panel on auto. So what did I do wrong.?
I have my switch set to 'on'. I found out the hard way that the remote needs to have a clear line of sight to the clear plastic sensor cover located on the solar panel.
My lights have worked without any problems but the remote battery doesn't last very long. I cant get the remote battery compartment open. I've tried all sorts of methods but it won't budge. Please tell me how to get the remote battery comoartment open
I used a fingernail in the vertical slot to pull the edge in toward the middle at the same time as prying the battery compartment out horizontally using the slot. It's a little awkward but I got it to open.
According to the Sunforce website under FAQ the lights are not extendible. You can attach two strings by using zip tie but each string needs to operate under its own solar panel.
I have my switch set to 'on'. I found out the hard way that the remote needs to have a clear line of sight to the clear plastic sensor cover located on the solar panel.
I’m doing the same thing because I mounted the panel on the roof and the remote only works if I aim it directly at the panel and I would need a ladder to to that. So I have them on auto as well.
I bought 5 sets from Costco and they were all fully charged for a week but only 1 bulb from 1 string was on after sunset and the rest of the 14 bulbs plus all the bulbs from the other 4 strings didn’t light up. Just when I was about to dissembled them for exchange, I got an advice from my uncle then all of the bulbs lighted up. That one fix was to make sure the small metal piece inside each of the bases were tilted outward slightly so the light bulb can come in close contact to the base after you screw the bulb on. We went through all of the 74 bases by simply using our finger to tilt the metal pieces slightly outward, very tedious but worked like magic!
@@kinnychen916 This is what finally worked for me, too. I'm happy it works and I only paid 50% of their initial price, but disappointed I had to do this for EVERY socket on the string.
I have the same one like this from Costco but only 3 bulbs lights up. I’ll try to recharge one full sunny day then if the same thing happened I’ll return it. I set it to “auto” so it will torn on automatically at dusk
Instructions for initial charging show 2 different methods #! instructs 3 days sun charging in OFF position and #2 reads to not have in OFF position when charging Followed both and when turned on ---only the last bulb went ON
Love your backyard! 😍... thanks for this video...very informative...just what we're looking for...
My problems the remote turns on/off all sets including my neighbors!! And it sucks! We battle with it all the time. My backyard lights is also effected ! How to hack it?
I was actually looking for how to reprogram the remote to work for another set of lights so this is actually good news for me😂
Good job. Good video. Exactly what I am looking for.
LIKED
When you first install them, do you turn them on or do you leave them off and they will turn on at night?
Nice backyard my friend!
Thank you 👍🏻
Fyi if you think yours isnt working make sure thr bulbs are turned in all the way tight. That was my issue.
you are absolutely right. that would be my advice as well
I performed the install just as you did but lights aren't working. Instruction manual said something about pulling white tab to activate remote, but I don't see a white tab anywhere
It seems like lots of people are having issues with the remotes. I bought 2 sets and only needed 1 remote to work both. Lol
Well done, thanks for the video.
You are welcome. Thanks for watching 😃
They are not meant to light up the area, but to bring a soothing and cosy mood to the garden
great video. Just wondering were bothe ends the same height ?
Remotes will fail 90 percent of the time. There is no fix. Sunforce is useless and refuses to do anything about it. Return lights to Costco is the only solution.
I have the set too,but the remote won’t work,I’ve replaced the battery,but still won’t so I have to go turn off and on
Same here
My remote won’t work unless I aim it directly at the panel so it can pick up the infrared beam from the remote. I assume that is what it happening. I mounted the panel on the roof so I can’t aim it directly at the panel so as of right now, the lights are on auto.
The remote is a bit buggy. I got 2 years out of these lights in the outdoor elements then they start breaking down. Had to replace after two years, so not a long term solution.
I just bought two sets from Costco and the solar panels have been charging for two but they still did not light up. The instructions stated that the solar panel will need three days for charging in order for the lights to light up. How come I did not see you mention that in your video?
Is this true?
Tighten down the bulbs more
I bought last year from Costco
It work fine but now my won’t work with remote any solution ?
Did you get them to work with the remote?
Have these lights. The remote only worked for a few times and stopped working. I changed the 3v battery and it still does not work. Light work fine but I have to go outside now to turn them on! Any solutions?
We bought 4 sets of solar string lights 6 months ago. Been working good until last week. All the remotes can only turn on and off 2 strings, then tonight, we can only turn on and off 1 string. The other 3 strings, if I turn the switch behind the solar panels off and on again, then they lit up, but I can't turn them off with any remotes. This is frustrating. I got some 2 strings from Costco and the other 2 from Amazon since Costco ran out.
Same here. No way to pair them.
Same here. So disappointed. :(
I think there is a battery inside the remote. May need a new one
Same. Mine worked fine for about two years. All of a sudden only one set works with the remote. The one that doesn’t work witg the remote if I climb up a ladder and turn it on. Once on, ijt will bnot tirn off witb the remote.
how do i charge the solar panel and should i put in the lights before and while i am charging?
You need to charge the solar panel under the sun for 2-3 days for a full charge. Then you can screw in the bulb after once the panel is fully charged. As soon as it is dark enough and as long as the solar panel got a full charge, once the bulbs are screwed, they should light up right away
Bought the new ones at Costco, they don’t have a remote , need to be charged for three days before working. Pos
Hi, return it and get a new one 😅
I have a problem where they aren’t that bright like they supposed to.
I see…these are more like ambient lights…they’re not really that bright unless yours is really dim.
Helpful video but Outdoor Solar lights are not good in the long run. If possible go with electric outdoor lights.
Can you be more specific? *Why* do you think they are not good in the long run?
Thanks for the video. Have any of your light bulbs not worked and is there a way to get replacement light bulbs?
They are all still working. I’ve actually purchased replacement bulbs on Amazon but it was for a plug in type of string light..im not sure if they use the same
According to the sunforce website under FQA, the light bulbs unfortunately are not replaceable but the whole set comes with manufacturing warranty for 1 year from the date of purchase
So pretty
Nice job. Are you a tradesman of some kind?
I just put mine up and only two bulbs light up do you have any suggestions of what I should do
Try to really tighten the bulbs. I had to do that to mines. If it still doesn’t light up you may have a defective one.
do all lights need to be screwed in to test the setup? if one bulb fails, do all the bulbs stop working?
I bought 5 sets from Costco and they were all fully charged for a week but only 1 bulb from 1 string was on after sunset and the rest of the 14 bulbs plus all the bulbs from the other 4 strings didn’t light up. After one advice from my uncle, all of the bulb lighted up. That one fix was the make sure the small metal piece inside each of the bases were tilted outward slightly so the light bulb can come in close contact to the base after you screw the bulb on. We went through all of the 74 bases by simply using our finger to tilt the metal pieces slightly outward, very tedious but worked like magic!
@@kinnychen916 a great little fix!
How did you connect the coax cable??
Saludos.
Las mias solo encienden y apagan con el control... De qué manera encienden y apagan con sensor de claridad u orcuridad? gracias
thanks for the video!
My string light only turns on with the help of remote.
Is there anyway I can make it default turn on when there is dark. Right now even at night, it does not turn unless I press button on the remote.
Thank you!
It does not have a timer. I unfortunately I have to do the same and press the button to turn on and off
@@don_wynn - Thanks for the response. I did reach out to the customer support of the 'Sunforce' company...They told me the exact same thing....We have to press that button everytime we have to turn it on and off.
Unlike other solar lights we have in the market, and I have some around the house, this does not turn on and off at dawn and dusk respectively...
Nonetheless - this is still a good string of lights and I like them a lot! :)
I bought two sets from Costco and don’t want to return them but they are not working. These can’t be that cheap or so inferior that I picked two duds out of the bunch. I’m thinking - what did I not do but the directions are really straightforward yet I feel like a retard because I can’t get them to work…. Any suggestions or are other people having the same problem??? Please somebody help 😔
I bought two sets from Costco and don’t want to return them but they are not working. These can’t be that cheap or so inferior that I picked two duds out of the bunch. I’m thinking - what did I not do but the directions are really straightforward yet I feel like a retard because I can’t get them to work…. Any suggestions or are other people having the same problem??? Please somebody help 😔
@@elizari3 - directions are pretty straightforward. There is a remote that should just turn it on/off. There is no automatic turn on on this system. It will get turned off once sunlight or it runs out of its juice.
Go to the main panel and check some settings out.....let those panel soak up the sunlight and check the light at night by playing with those switches..
How does your remote work from behind a wall . Mine only works if I aim it directly at the panel. I just have to leave the lights on auto
How did you get the one remote to control both sets ? I just hooked mine up and both remotes only control one set of lights??
My remote controlled both lights without having to do anything to them. Check the comment section, one of our viewers were nice enough to write down all the steps to re-sync the remotes, she wrote to Sunforce.
I've been charging my unit in the "off" position for almost a week and only one light comes on. My balcony faces the north so I don't get much direct sunlight. Is there a direct correlation or did I get a bad string?
Try tightening the bulbs in further, had same issue
I initially had the first set if lights but it turned on only 1 bulb. Returned it for a 2nd set and nothing turns on after a week of charging. Tried Mike's andvice and tighten the lights then everything turns on.
@@mikepanovec3605 you just solved my problem - thank you!!
How's the solar panel's performance during cloudy days?
Neither of my 3 sets I bought a week ago work.
Did you read though the comments here for tips? Or did you already get your 3 sets to work?
Solar panel is fully powered, but light bulbs don’t turn on. Any idea?
Twist the bulbs into the sockets a little deeper- common problem
What is the distance of wire from the solar panel to the first light? Thank you
about 3 meters
I connected mines properly and it’s been 3 days of charging them in thr off position and they don’t turn on !!
That’s unfortunate. I’m not sure why.
Try cranking in the bulbs. You got to really twist them in. Don’t be scared the bulbs are shatter proof. Keep twisting it in till it turns on. Lmk if it helps
Same here. Not sure why they aren’t working.
You have to tighten the bulbs all the way in mines were only half ways
@@rafaelandrade69 same! Figured that out yesterday 😂
Did not work for me today but am still trying to make them work.
Try tightening the bulb real tight. I had to twist them on so hard for them to work in the first place
@@don_wynn sorry, I was commenting on trying to re sync the controller. The bulbs were installed in mine when I got it, all the bulbs work when I turn it ON, problem is that the controller, even after trying to re sync as recommended by the company today does not work. Thx
My remote won’t work either. Will try to get a new battery. Used the camera on my phone to see if I see the RF light on, it’s too dim unless I put it like on the camera and I’ll see it flicker. Just bought 3 days ago.
Also, don’t know if it should work on: auto, off or on setting.
@@don_wynn This comment helped me get mine to work. I had two strings without a single working bulb, so your suggestion saved me a lot of frustration
I also bought 2 sets of solar string lights from Costco. Had them for >6.months but find them too dim. Is there a way to brighten them (like connecting to an adaptor to plug into an outlet perhaps? Also I find that the remote controls don’t always turn on both sets consistently, it’s like they’re confused
I don’t think you can make them any brighter. I also have the same problem with turning on both set at once. When it’s off sync I just click the remote like crazy and eventually get them to turn on at the same time. 😄
@@don_wynn do you think it's the *distance* from the remote to the lights that is causing the problem?
Last year one remote worked both our sets . This year one set will not work with the remote?? Any suggestions?
That’s a good question. I haven’t experienced that. Maybe remove the battery for a minute or two and reinstall the battery to that remote.
I have this problem too!
I have the same problem
Thank you for writing back to us. I think a quick re-sync should fix this.
1) Place the solar panel in the OFF position and wait 30 seconds with the batteries removed from the solar panel.
2) Put the panel in the ON position, the bulbs should turn on.
3) Hold down the remote button for 5 seconds as close as possible to the solar panel.
4) You should be able to turn the string lights OFF/ON with the remote.
This is what they said to do.
I wrote sunforce
Curious as to what they look like later at night. Can the light a walk way around 11:00pm and how long does the charge last?
Hi. Yes the light is still lid at 11pm. Not sure how long it last through the night though
On my second box. Both won't come on💔
Make sure all lights are on tight 😃
I bought a set with the remote from Costco I set it up but the remote does not turn the lights off or on. I put the solar panel on auto.
So what did I do wrong.?
I have my switch set to 'on'. I found out the hard way that the remote needs to have a clear line of sight to the clear plastic sensor cover located on the solar panel.
Did you figure out why your solar lights weren't working for you?
My lights have worked without any problems but the remote battery doesn't last very long. I cant get the remote battery compartment open. I've tried all sorts of methods but it won't budge. Please tell me how to get the remote battery comoartment open
I used a fingernail in the vertical slot to pull the edge in toward the middle at the same time as prying the battery compartment out horizontally using the slot. It's a little awkward but I got it to open.
@@rkidd100 Thanks. I'll give it a try!
I have the same issue with the remote battery compartment.
Is it possible to connect two sets of lights to each other?
Yes you can attach up to two sets
According to the Sunforce website under FAQ the lights are not extendible. You can attach two strings by using zip tie but each string needs to operate under its own solar panel.
My remote is not working. My system is on “auto” option so every evening light turns on and they go off around 2 AM. Any suggestions?
I have my switch set to 'on'. I found out the hard way that the remote needs to have a clear line of sight to the clear plastic sensor cover located on the solar panel.
I’m doing the same thing because I mounted the panel on the roof and the remote only works if I aim it directly at the panel and I would need a ladder to to that. So I have them on auto as well.
does it have to be dark for them to work or can you use them in daytime?
The lights can be turned on anytime with remote.
🤔 how did you get messenger wire without the coax? 😂
😂
I tried the re synching procedure and it did not work. Shame these lights only worked for less than a year.
Are you gonna keep your solar panel in off position before installing?
Yes
I bought a set, charged for a week, doesn't turn on, exchanged for another set, same issue, won't turn on, anyone else experiencing this?
I bought 5 sets from Costco and they were all fully charged for a week but only 1 bulb from 1 string was on after sunset and the rest of the 14 bulbs plus all the bulbs from the other 4 strings didn’t light up. Just when I was about to dissembled them for exchange, I got an advice from my uncle then all of the bulbs lighted up. That one fix was to make sure the small metal piece inside each of the bases were tilted outward slightly so the light bulb can come in close contact to the base after you screw the bulb on. We went through all of the 74 bases by simply using our finger to tilt the metal pieces slightly outward, very tedious but worked like magic!
@@kinnychen916 This is what finally worked for me, too. I'm happy it works and I only paid 50% of their initial price, but disappointed I had to do this for EVERY socket on the string.
I bought two sets of these last week from Costco, should they not come on by themselves at dusk
No. They don’t have timer
I have the same one like this from Costco but only 3 bulbs lights up. I’ll try to recharge one full sunny day then if the same thing happened I’ll return it. I set it to “auto” so it will torn on automatically at dusk
@@hfollos Did they end up working out for you?
yes @@Yowzoe
@@hfollos great. I bought three sets, but I didn't install them. Thankfully Costco will always take them back if they're duds😅
What if the lights don’t turn on? Is it the remote?
Could be or the light itself.
No one of my sets is very dim and once is bright. Any ideas? Solar panels are at the same area so that is not it.
Did you figure out why one was dim?
How do you change the battery in the remote control
Same question from me. There r instructions on the back of the remote but still can't open it
I used a tooth pick to slide it out. I slide it out with the toothpick
Instructions for initial charging show 2 different methods
#! instructs 3 days sun charging in OFF position and #2 reads to not have in OFF position when charging
Followed both and when turned on ---only the last bulb went ON
Mine too !
Just got a set this weekend and also confused. Should the solar panel be ON or OFF the first 3 days??
Same I am so confused. For first time setup do we keep it at ON or OFF for the first 3 days??
@@ponp9258 So I charged mine for 3 days in the OFF position and it has worked perfectly for over a week now.
Mine too. Just the last bulb lit....
Also, the strings often got our of sync the past 6 months.
What do you mean *out of sync*?
These lights suck. Don’t buy them. Mine didn’t work.