I had a string of solar lights, and after about three years (stopped working long before that) I can to take them down and the wires just snapped all flexibility in them had gone. Plastics go brittle, but not sure what the metal component was, but most strands just broke as well.Unusual for wires to break, unless at joints, perhaps they're not copper
An awful lot of Chinese cheepo carp solar lighting tend to have a high content of steel in the wire and the components, this of course rusts outside making the components brittle but also noney working any more. That is why I now reluctantly have given up on solar garden lighting even though it is nice. Mains powered lighting is not on my agenda either being a Yorkshireman.I had a string of solar lights, and after about three years (stopped working long before that) I can to take them down and the wires just snapped all flexibility in them had gone. Plastics go brittle, but not sure what the metal component was, but most strands just broke as well.
Before dissing Chinese products I think we should remember why people buy cheap Chinese products, they're cheap, if you want quality Chinese products they cost a bit more, still nowhere near the british manufactured product price, but a bit more than the cheap items.An awful lot of Chinese cheepo carp solar lighting tend to have a high content of steel in the wire and the components, this of course rusts outside making the components brittle but also noney working any more. That is why I now reluctantly have given up on solar garden lighting even though it is nice. Mains powered lighting is not on my agenda either being a Yorkshireman.
indeed so, we all buy Chinese products, pretty well all that is available these days and most of mainstream big name model trains in other gauges appear to be made in China. Plus many other acceptable products.Before dissing Chinese products I think we should remember why people buy cheap Chinese products, they're cheap, if you want quality Chinese products they cost a bit more, still nowhere near the british manufactured product price, but a bit more than the cheap items.
One of these may help, insulated with heat shrink. Amazon purchase.It is so warm, and the components so tiny and light, they are 'sticking' to the sheen of perspiration on my skin, and moving about as I try to solder to them.
View attachment 314594
Twelve connections, per pair of boards.. Luckily no LEDs or sound-triggers required by this customer.
PhilP
Before dissing Chinese products I think we should remember why people buy cheap Chinese products, they're cheap, if you want quality Chinese products they cost a bit more, still nowhere near the british manufactured product price, but a bit more than the cheap items.
If buying products from China I always buy items in the mid price range and I have never had any problems with Chinese products.
When I moved to Scotland from Hong Kong (home for most of my life) I brought my Chinese made rice cooker with me, 18 years later it's still one of the most important cooking tools in the kitchen.