Asked on Jul 03, 2020

How to start Patriot Lighting solar path lights from Menard’s

Chriss Grijak
by Chriss Grijak

I found 8 solar pathway lights in my basement but only one has a tag on it. All I know it is that they are LED solar lights that stay on white or change colors. It’s the bronze mini crackle landscape light. Can someone be so kind as to walk me through to get these to light up? There aren’t any directions on any of these! Thank you!


  13 answers
  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Jul 03, 2020

    they have to be charged by the sunlight for several hours before they will come on- here is more info for you that hopefully will help you to get your lights installed and working just click on the links below and it will tell you all you need to know


    https://www.menards.com/main/lighting-ceiling-fans/outdoor-lighting/landscape-lighting/patriot-lighting-reg-solar-integrated-led-flag-light/l730/p-1501569273811.htm


    https://www.menards.com/main/lighting-ceiling-fans/outdoor-lighting/landscape-lighting/patriot-lighting-reg-solar-integrated-led-winged-cross-stake-landscape-light/s7084/p-1468406811432.htm

  • Annie Annie on Jul 03, 2020

    There may be a little hidden off/on switch under them. Look for that and turn on. Then leave them in the direct sun to charge up. If they have been stored for a while it may take several days to charge.


  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Jul 03, 2020

    The solar lights I have bought do have an on/off switch. They do need to recharge in the direct sun light.

  • Em Em on Jul 03, 2020

    They could be old and need new batteries. They are not the same as typical batteries. They can be purchased online. See what is inside and order the same. Should be something like 500 mah or 600 mah. These are rechargeable.

  • Deb K Deb K on Jul 03, 2020

    Hi Chriss, there could be an on/off switch, if it isn't visible you may have to take it apart to turn it on, or they may not have switches, in any case put them out in the sun to charge and you can test them in the evening by putting them in the dark, hope this helps. If they don't work, the batteries are like dead

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jul 03, 2020

    Hello sometimes theres a rectangular tab to pull out so that battery contact can be made.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 03, 2020

    Either call the place that you bought these or the company that made them and explain this to them. They should know exactly what to do.

  • Check to make sure the tab is pulled and then sit them in the sun all day. When it gets dark, they should light up.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jul 04, 2020

    All of the above answers are correct. The little tab they are talking about keeps the contacts apart until you are ready to use them. The battery that charges is usually below the solar panel of the light. The exception is when there is a separate solar panel that connects by wires to all the lights. Then the battery is beneath the panel. They can be replaced, but, sometimes they are filled with moisture, spiderwebs, etc. Then you just take them apart, clean them and let them dry out. You often need a tiny head screwdriver to open one. I keep an eyeglass repair kit in my tool box for things like that. Stay safe!

  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Jul 04, 2020

    I love solar lights and have a ton of them in my yard. Usually there is a red tag somewhere on it that you have to pull to let the battery have contact to begin charging. Pull those if there are any. Then stick them in the sun for a whole day maybe even 2 if they have been sitting in the dark. See if they light up in the evenings after a full charge. If they do - you're all set to place them outside. If they don't light up, they might need a new solar battery (and there is usually a compartment somewhere inside where you can find the battery). If it is a dead battery you'll have to weigh out if it's cheaper to buy the new battery or just get a new solar light as sometimes the replacement batteries are more than the actual solar light.

    • Chriss Grijak Chriss Grijak on Jul 04, 2020

      Thank you for the info! I’m going on day 2 with no luck yet....these didn’t have tags to pull out. Waiting for nighttime....if they don’t light I’ll try new batteries. 🇺🇸

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Jul 06, 2020

    There is probably a pull tab on them. Most solar lights have them to keep the battery from coming in contact until you are ready to use. Remove that.

    Next check for an on/off switch.

    After that, you should be good to go if the batteries are still good.

    • See 1 previous
    • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Jul 07, 2020

      Check around on battery prices but that's a great find. Also, if you have access to Sam's club they have some metal and glass solar lights on stakes $20/5 right now (mark down price I think). I bought some 3 years ago and paid $40/6 and all still work so I grabbed a few more boxes this year. They use regular batteries but recommend long life.

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Jul 08, 2020

    Look on the light for a on of switch if there is one turn it on.then place in the ground we’re you want but push from the bottom of the stem so not to crack the light hold close to the ground and push there should be a spike in the bottom backwards pull it out and turn around and put in in the end then place in the ground

  • Zetandel Zetandel on May 30, 2022

    Isn't there a user manual available anywhere on the Internet? Your advice is great, but strangely, no one has collected them in one document. Seven years ago, I also found such lights in the attic, they remained in the house after the death of my grandfather. There was no signature in the box, and I didn't even realize they were solar lights. Yes, I took them to the trash (what a shame). Now I think that I'd gladly buy a couple of these for my yard. My wife is responsible for the lighting in the house, so in our corridor, there are already several dimmable LED strips hanging. And I want to decorate the yard as I wish so that everything is fair.