Troubleshooting Solar Charger (2nd Generation) for Battery Doorbells

If you have a Ring video doorbell, you may want to use a Solar Charger (2nd Generation) to help power your device. We recommend at least three to four hours of daily direct sunlight to keep your device's battery charged, depending on your usage.

Not sure if your doorbell is compatible? Tap here to find out how to get the right accessories for your Ring device.

For questions about the Solar Charger (2nd Generation) for Battery Doorbells, read on.

Will a Solar Charger keep my device fully charged?

The device's battery level may vary based on the amount of direct sunlight the Solar Charger receives. 

Learn more about device charging limitations in Optimized Battery Charging to Reduce Battery Aging.

How many hours of direct sunlight does a Solar Charger need for my device to stay charged?

For best performance, Ring recommends at least three to four hours of direct sunlight per day for Solar Charger (2nd Generation). With the recommended amount of direct sunlight or more, the device should remain continuously charged under most conditions, depending on usage.

Make sure to check that there are no obstructions or objects that could cast a shadow on your solar panel, such as an extended roof, ledge, flag, tree, or bush.

It's a hot and sunny day. Why I don't see much charging?

To protect the lithium-ion battery in device, and for your safety, Ring Quick Release Battery Packs only allow solar to charge in the temperature range 32ºF - 113ºF (or 0ºC - 45ºC). Under direct sunlight on a very hot day, it may be too hot for the battery to safely charge.

My Solar Charger seemed to work fine all summer, but now that it's winter, it is not working as expected. What is going on?

All Ring solar panels require as much direct sunlight as possible. Filtered or indirect sunlight through the clouds will not provide the same charge to your Ring devices. If the weather is cloudy or you get a lot of snow, this would limit the hours of direct sunlight your device is receiving, which could lessen the charge significantly. Colder temperatures can also cause excessive drain to lithium-ion batteries. During prolonged cloudy winter weather, you may need to manually recharge the battery more frequently.

My Solar Charger gets plenty of direct sunlight and my Ring app says my device is charging, but my battery life is still shorter than expected. Is something wrong with my doorbell or Solar Charger?

No, most likely not. If your battery life is still relatively short even with the solar panel installed, your Ring device's daily activity and specific settings are most likely using more power than your Solar Charger can replace during the course of the day. If you receive a lot of motion events in a day, try adjusting your sensitivity to reduce unwanted motion and conserve battery.

My Ring app says my Ring device is "Not Connected" to solar. What should I do?

We suggest you update your Ring app to the latest version. You should also make sure the the Solar Charger's power connector(s) are firmly secured to the back of your battery doorbell. Handle the connector wires with care, as they can be fragile.

To find out the latest app version that you need, read Downloading and Updating the Ring app.