Solio Xcellerator and Hub Battery Pack and Solar Charger Troubleshooting Page

"I set up the charger to charge my device, but it is not charging."

Before trying to break open the Charger Hub or the solar panel, make sure that all cables are properly connected. This includes the cable connecting the Charger Hub to the solar panel, as well as your own cable connecting your device to the Charger Hub. Do not connect the device directly to the solar panel. The provided black cable connects the solar panel with the Charger Hub. The large end of the cable connects to the solar panel, while the smaller end of the cable connects to the Charger Hub. The cable connecting to your device to the Charger Hub is not provided by Solio. If you are having issues connecting the cables, see “Cable between Solar Panel and Charger Hub does not fit” or “The Cable will not Connect Between the Device and Charger Hub.”

If the cables seem to be properly connected, you should then examine the solar panel. The solar panel requires a large amount of sunlight in order for your device to be properly charged. Try placing the device in direct sunlight so it receives maximum sun (tilt it in the direction of the sun).

Try plugging in a different device into the charger. If the charger works, then the issue may be with your device and not the charger. When charging an external device, make sure to keep your device out of the sunlight. Unlike with the solar panel, the batteries of the device may not be made to withstand high temperatures. If this is the issue, you may want to look up a troubleshooting guide for that device.

If the device will still not charge after connecting all appropriate cables and placing the solar panel in the direct sunlight then the issue may be the battery within the Charger Hub. If this is the case, you should consider replacing your battery. Please see the battery replacement repair guide.

Old batteries may also start to leak acid or corrode. When opening the hub to replace the battery, make note of the battery’s appearance. Corrosion can be identified by a crusty material on the battery and/or nearby parts. In this case, see the battery replacement repair guide.

Check to see that your device is properly connected to the Charger Hub. If your device is not correctly connected to the Charger Hub, then your device will not charge even though the red light remains lit. If the cable does not seem to fit in the Charger Hub USB port, try flipping the cable over and then try inserting it again. Don’t use too much force, as this may damage the Charger Hub and your cable.

It takes several hours for the Charger Hub to be at maximum capacity. If the Charger Hub does not yet have enough power, your device may not be able to charge right away even though the red light is on. To check the power level of the Charger Hub, simply press the LED on the charger once. The light will flash 1 to 5 times. Five flashes = 100-80% charged Three flashes: 80-50% Two Flashes: 60-40%. No flashes will mean that the Charger Hub is fully charged.

The black cable included in the box connects the Solar Panel to the Charger Hub, not between your device and the Charger Hub. In order to charge your device with the Charger Hub, connect the charger for your device into the Charger Hub, not the Solar Panel.

The USB cable included in the box has an indented icon that should be facing the opposite of the front of the device before it is inserted. Basically, if you are not able to push the USB cable into the USB port completely through, flip the USB cable head and try again.

If the USB cable head will not fit into the USB port, no matter which way it is flipped, then your USB port is probably bent. Examine the inside of the USB port. After examination, take a strong flat object, such as narrow pliers, and unbend the inside of the USB port until the USB cable head fits. Be careful when adjusting the inside of the USB port because it is easy to damage the device’s ports.

"When I push the red LED button, nothing happens! Isn’t it supposed to flash?"

If the Charger Hub is fully charged, the red LED light button will not flash if pushed. The button only flashes if the Charger Hub is not completely charged.

Make sure your device is properly connected to the Charger Hub. Check the USB cable connecting your device to the charger to verify it is secure and properly inserted.

Make sure the Charger Hub is connect to the Solar Panel via the included USB cable. If you have issues connecting them together, see “Cable between Solar Panel and Charger Hub does not fit.”

Place Solar Panel in direct sunlight.

If none of the above situations are the cause, the issue may be that the connection between the LED bulb and the rest of the device has broken. The device must be opened up, and the connection repaired.

If none of the above situations are the cause, the issue may be within the LED bulb itself. To solve this, the LED bulb itself must be replaced with a working one.

The blue LED light turns on only when the solar panel is in direct sunlight. If you are not seeing the light turn on, try placing the solar panel in direct sunlight on a sunny day.

If none of the above situations are the cause, the issue may be that the connection between the LED bulb and the rest of the device has broken. The device must be opened up, and the connection repaired.

If none of the above situations are the cause, the issue may be within the LED bulb itself. To solve this, the LED bulb itself must be replaced with a working one.

Before anything else, verify that the cable you are using is the correct one. Check the ends of the cable to make sure the hardware matches up with the “charge out” USB port in the Hub and the charger port of the device. If you do not have the appropriate cable to charge a certain device, you may need to purchase one that is USB compatible.

The USB cable included in the box has an indented icon that should be facing the opposite of the front of the device before it is inserted. Basically, if you are not able to push the USB cable into the USB port completely through, flip the USB cable head and try again.

If the USB cable head will not fit into the USB port, no matter which way it is flipped, then your USB port is probably bent. Examine the inside of the USB port. After examination, take a strong flat object, such as narrow pliers, and unbend the inside of the USB port until the USB cable head fits. Be careful when adjusting the inside of the USB port because it is easy to damage the device’s ports.