Heads up on those cheap solar lanterns from the big box store, my campsite almost flooded

Bought a 2-pack of those generic solar lanterns for like $15 last month. Took them to Lake Tahoe last weekend. Left them out to charge all day, no problem. But when the temp dropped that night, the plastic casing on one just cracked open. Not a small crack, a full split. The little battery pack and wires got soaked from the dew. Woke up to a puddle of water right next to my sleeping bag. Learned that super thin plastic can't handle quick temp changes. Anyone know a decent solar light that can actually handle cold nights?

3 comments

3 Comments

anna49127d ago

That part about the plastic cracking from quick temperature changes is spot on. I've seen the same thing happen with cheap coolers left in the sun then packed with ice. They get brittle and split. For lights, you really need something with thicker ABS plastic or rubberized coating. I had a cheap one fail on a backpacking trip and now I just use a headlamp with a separate solar power bank.

river95227d ago

My buddy's lantern did that on a camping trip last year.

nelson.vera27d ago

I read a study where they tested plastic gear in desert conditions and the UV damage was worse than the temperature swings. That sun exposure breaks down the material over time, making it way more likely to crack. River952's buddy's lantern probably sat in a sunny garage for months before the trip. A rubber coating helps, but even thick ABS gets weak if it's not UV-stabilized. Have you checked if your solar power bank case is rated for long term sun exposure?