Troubleshooting Guide

Instruction Manuals

About Your Firefly Magic® Firefly Lights

• Firefly Magic® Firefly Lights are designed to add subtle ambiance to dimly lit spaces. They are not intended to be used for safety illumination. 
• The flash rate of Firefly Magic Firefly lights is designed to be slow and intermittent, just like real fireflies. As in nature, the LED fireflies will not all illuminate at the exact same time. Each LED will have a noticable pause between flashes.
• For the best results, install Firefly Magic® in an area with dim ambient light, with a dark contrast behind them. Firefly Magic® lights are best viewed at night.
• Firefly Magic® is not made to be submerged in water. Components are not waterproof.

Getting Started

• Please carefully read and follow the detailed instructions that were included with your unit.
• Please review our Set Up and Installation web page.
• Also understand How Weather Affects Firefly Magic.

Initial Testing, Power-Up Process, and ON/OFF Cycle

1. Before removing Firefly Magic® from the packaging, test the unit to become familiar with how the lights operate.
2. Locate the power switch and move it to the ‘ON’ position. When you first turn the unit ‘ON’, all the lights with flash once sequentially. This pattern indicates that the unit is working correctly. 
3. Within one (1) minute, the LEDs will start flashing randomly. Each LED will light up, flicker and fade like a real firefly. This is the normal factory start-up process and confirms that the system is working properly.
4. After the first minute, your Firefly Magic lights will begin to display a patented algorithm of 999 flash, flicker, and fade sequences. 
5. Turn the power switch ‘OFF’ and remove the unit from its packaging. Follow the included Set Up and Installation instructions.

If Your Lights Aren’t Working Properly…

1. Verify the switch is fully in the ON (or AUTO) position. Toggle the switch back and forth to verify that it is not stuck somewhere in between settings.
2. Open the battery compartment door and confirm that the batteries are firmly in the correct position with the positive terminal (+) toward the small metal square and the negative terminal (-) touching the spring. Spin each battery to ensure good contact.
3. Make sure each Firefly Cluster plug is tightly connected to the solar panel. You may need to take each plug out then plug each back in.
4. If your lights are still not working properly, remove the rechargeable batteries which shipped the unit and replace with two, brand new AA alkaline batteries. Repeat the power-up sequence described above.

Specific Issues

I opened the new box and something appears to be missing.

E-Mail Firefly Magic Support  with the identification of the part(s) that's missing, the store name and location, and date you purchased the product. Be sure to include your name, address, and the phone number where you can be reached.

My 'Fireflies' stopped but they were working before.

If your 'Fireflies' have been working, and suddenly stop, the problem is likely one of the two following problems:

1. The solar panel has not been receiving enough DIRECT SUNLIGHT to keep the batteries fully charged. To fix the problem, turn the switch to the OFF position, place the solar panel where it will receive 8 hours of DIRECT SUNLIGHT in order to get the batteries fully recharged again.
2. The battery contacts and battery ends have become dirty or corroded due to moisture. Remove the batteries and clean both ends with a clean cloth. If you see any residue, rub it off using a pencil eraser. Also be sure to clean the metal contacts in the battery holder so they are shiny. You can use a pencil eraser for this as well.

NOTE: Always try to place the solar panel assembly where the water sprinkler is not shooting water up underneath the unit.

How long will the Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries last?

Depending on the climate they're used in, Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries will last from 1 to 2 years. When they're replaced, be sure to send them to a recycling center.

You can replace the Ni-Cd batteries with another set of Ni-Cd's, or install Ni-MH rechargeable batteries. See the Battery Information Section below.

Some of my 'Fireflies' have been cut-off or damaged.

Even if one or more ‘Fireflies’ are damaged or cut-off, the remaining ‘Fireflies’ will continue to work. Replacement ‘Firefly’ Cluster can be purchased here.

Something has been broken or damaged.

Replacement parts and accessories can be purchased here.

Additional help and support.

If you have followed all the instructions and are still having a problem, please call 1-877-834-7335 Monday - Friday 8AM to 4PM MST, or E-Mail Firefly Magic Support

 Instructions for Solar Operation

1. When using the included rechargeable batteries, be sure to place the solar panel in a location where it receives direct sunlight for a minimum of 3 hours each day.
2. During the initial installation, turn the ON/OFF switch to the ‘OFF’ position which allows all the electricity from the solar panel to recharge the batteries.
3. After the first full day of charging, the ON/OFF switch may be toggled to the ‘AUTO’ position.
4. If you intend on using AA alkaline batteries (as opposed to rechargeable batteries) long term, please place black tape the solar panel to avoid the unit charging the AA Alkaline batteries.

How does Renewable Energy Work?

One of the best ways to be environmentally friendly is to capture the power of the Sun's energy by designing solar powered renewable products, and that's exactly what Firefly Magic® has done with their newly designed renewable energy 'Fireflies'.

Basically, it means utilizing a source of energy over and over again. With our Solar Powered Firefly Magic® Firefly Lights we use the power from the Sun over and over, day after day.

We do this by first collecting the Sun's solar light radiation that hits the solar cells on the solar panel assembly. The solar panel is made up of 16 individual silicon cells that are connected together and laminated under a clear plastic cover.

By using the new technology laminating process rather than the older epoxy encapsulating process, the solar panel will not turn yellow and crack over time. This means the solar cells can continue to receive the maximum level of solar energy over their years of life.

When the sunlight strikes the solar cells in the solar panel they begin to generate electric power (voltage x current = power in watts). This electrical energy is routed by wires to the battery compartment.

In order for the 'Fireflies' to operate at night the electrical power from the sun must be transferred and stored. This is accomplished by using two (2) AA rechargeable batteries located inside the Solar Panel Assembly. Because rechargeable batteries use chemical processes to convert, store, and output the electrical power, temperature can play a significant role in how well the batteries operate, and in turn, how the 'Fireflies' work.

You may also want to review the OUTDOOR USE IN SUN and OUTDOOR USE IN SHADE Sections.

 Instructions for Battery Operation

The Firefly Magic® Firefly Lights models FMS-16S1CG and FMS-07 are a new and unique 2-in-1 product that can operate either from rechargeable or standard AA batteries . . . it's completely your choice!.

Originally, Firefly Magic® manufactured separate solar powered and battery powered firefly lighting units. This meant making a decision whether to purchase an outdoor solar power unit, or a battery power unit for locations with little or no sunlight - especially for indoor events and displays.

With the new Firefly Magic® Firefly Lights (FMS-16S1CG and FMS-07) you no longer must pick one or the other . . . you get both!

Use the rechargeable batteries that are included and place the Solar Panel Assembly in a location where direct sunlight strikes the solar panel 2-3 hours per day, and you have a self sustaining solar powered, efficient and renewable set of 'Fireflies' flashing, flickering, and fading day-after-day, week-after-week, and month-after-month.

How does Battery Operation Work?

If want your Firefly Magic® 'Fireflies' in a location where there is little or no sunlight you can simply replace the rechargeable batteries in the Solar Panel Assembly with standard or heavy duty Alkaline AA batteries.

Alkaline batteries use electrochemistry to produce electrical power that can operate the 'Fireflies' electronic circuits and light up the patented 'Firefly LED'.

Because Firefly Magic® uses their own patented technical methodology to make the "fireflies' operate so realistically, the amount of power they use has been efficiently reduced. This means the model FMS-16S1CG unit with sixteen 'Fireflies' can operate continuously on just two (2) AA batteries for approximately 4 weeks. While the model FMS-07 with seven 'Fireflies' can operate continuously for over 6 weeks.

While using standard AA Alkaline batteries gives complete flexibility for having 'Fireflies' virtually anywhere, it is important to never leave dead batteries in the unit. This is because the electrochemical reaction that produces electricity inside the battery can also produce acid when the battery is depleted. This acid is corrosive and if it leaks out of the battery case will permanently damage everything it touches, especially metal contacts.

CAUTION - NEVER LEAVE DEAD ALKALINE BATTERIES IN THE UNIT AS THEY WILL DEGRADE AND POSSIBLY LEAK ACID, CAUSING PERMANENT DAMAGE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY.