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Verified identity: model QS73P-K3-BK-6, item 805246
Retail documentation identifies Portfolio item 805246 as model QS73P-K3-BK-6, a six-pack solar LED path-light kit. The model matters because Portfolio sold several QS73P variants with different lumen ratings and package configurations. Keep the full suffix K3-BK-6 when researching batteries or donor parts rather than shortening the number to QS73P.
Original performance target: 3 lumens per light
The archived retail specification lists 3 lumens and 0.5 watt for this model, with a 3500 K light color. That is accent/path marking output, not floodlighting. If an aging fixture still illuminates but seems weak compared with a modern path light, compare it with the original 3-lumen design target before assuming a fault.
The six-pack originally included rechargeable batteries
The kit was sold with six rechargeable batteries. Retail documentation identifies 300 mAh AA solar batteries and describes up to about eight hours of runtime on an average sunny day. Runtime is highly dependent on charging conditions and battery age, so use the original figures as a baseline rather than a guarantee for an old set.
Short runtime: distinguish weak sun from weak batteries
Clean the panels and charge the lights in unobstructed direct sun. Compare runtime after a strong sunny day. If all six improve together, the previous charging environment was limiting them. If one fixture still fades much earlier than its neighbors under the same conditions, swap only a correctly matched rechargeable battery or compare battery voltage/capacity to isolate that fixture.
Do not use disposable alkaline AA cells in the charging circuit
The physical AA size can tempt owners to install ordinary alkaline batteries. A solar fixture charges its installed cell, so use only the rechargeable chemistry and voltage appropriate to the original design. Match the markings on the original battery. If the battery bay is corroded, repair the contacts only if they can be restored mechanically and electrically without bypassing the fixture’s intended charging system.
A nearby porch light can prevent dusk activation
Solar path lights use a light sensor to decide when night has arrived. A fixture near a porch, driveway lamp or bright window can remain off while identical lights farther away operate normally. Test by temporarily shading the solar panel/sensor after charging. If the light turns on when fully darkened, repositioning may solve the problem without replacing any parts.
Broken stakes: measure before buying a universal replacement
A six-pack can remain useful even after one stake breaks. Remove the broken piece carefully and measure the pole/stake interface, including diameter, insertion depth and locking features. Generic solar stakes are not dimensionally standardized. Buying by measurement is more reliable than buying a product labeled universal.
Cloudy lenses and dirty panels cause different symptoms
A dirty solar panel reduces energy collected and therefore runtime. A cloudy lens can reduce visible output even when the battery is fully charged. Clean both, then evaluate separately. If the light runs for hours but appears dim, optical haze may be more important than battery capacity. If it starts bright and dies quickly, storage/charging deserves more attention.
Replacing one fixture in a matched six-pack
When an exact QS73P-K3-BK-6 donor cannot be found, decide whether visual matching or performance matching matters more. For a symmetrical walkway, a visibly different replacement may stand out. Consider moving surviving originals to the most visible positions and using a compatible modern set elsewhere rather than mixing color temperatures and brightness randomly.
Related Portfolio resources
Use the solar lighting guide, model lookup and replacement-parts guide. For broader path-light repair and placement, see Portfolio path lights.
Rank the six fixtures by runtime to find the outlier
After equal charging, place the six lights in a row and record when each one turns off. A single light that dies much earlier is a stronger battery/fixture candidate than a set in which all six fade at roughly the same time. This ranking method is especially useful with older sets because it shows whether aging is uniform or concentrated in one unit.
A battery swap can isolate the fixture without buying parts
If two lights use the same verified rechargeable battery specification, exchange the batteries between the strongest and weakest fixture after marking them. Recharge both under the same conditions. If poor runtime follows the battery, the battery is implicated. If it stays with the fixture, investigate panel output, contacts, sensor or electronics. Return components to their labeled fixtures after testing.
Check stake alignment before the plastic cracks
Solar path-light poles are lightweight and can lean when soil softens or roots push against the stake. A leaning pole adds side load at the plastic joint. Straighten the installation by correcting the soil and stake position rather than twisting the upper housing as a lever. Preventing that mechanical stress is easier than finding an exact discontinued QS73P stake or pole later.
Match color and output when combining surviving sets
The documented 3500 K, 3-lumen output gives you a useful baseline when adding replacements. A much cooler, brighter modern solar light can make the remaining QS73P fixtures appear defective even when they are operating normally. For a uniform walkway, group fixtures with similar color and brightness, or replace an entire visual zone rather than alternating dramatically different lights.