Bought 5 Solar panels to get 2 that worked

[larrywilliams]

I have 5 cameras in my setup.   2 of these are very hard to access for battery charging.   So, I thought I would add the Arlo solar panels.  Easy, right?   WRONG!

I had to purchase FIVE of the solar panels to get 2 that would work.   I spent hours on the phone and in chats with netgear trying to diagnose only to be told "return the panel to the store for refund".    So on my last trip to Best Buy, I bought all they had on the shelf.  

I already had one installed that worked perfectly right out of the box.   It took 4 more to get the other camera charging.   Out of those four, 2 would not work with any of my cameras.  1 did not work until I plugged, unplugged and replugged it a dozen times in 3 cameras.   Then it only worked half a day. 

The last one worked immediately.   It has been up for 3 days now. FINGERS CROSSED!!!!!     The first panel has been up for 2 weeks without issue.

So, now back to Best Buy for the refund of the defective panels.

I have to wonder if I am the only one that has had this experience.   The Netgear rep told me that they had already solved the problem that causes this.   If this was so, why did it happen?   I had to travel to 3 stores to purchase all these panels......they were not old stock.

[JamesC]

larrywilliams,

What behavior were you seeing that indicates the solar panels were not working? The issue you were experiencing could have been due to the placement of the solar panel. Take a look here for placement tips for best performance: How do I position the Arlo Solar Panel to get the most sunlight?

JamesC