DIY guideLights and bulbs

Adjust a photocell or timer for outdoor lights

Outdoor lights coming on at the wrong time, or not at all: set the timer's clock and its on and off times, or clean the light's photocell.

7 steps

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A small round eye on the light, or on the wall near it, is a photocell. A dial or a screen by the switch, or plugged in, is a timer.
On a dial timer, turn the dial until the arrow points at the time it is now.
Push the pins or tabs in for the hours you want the light on, and out for off. A digital one: follow its buttons.
Wipe the photocell's eye with a damp cloth. Dirt or a cobweb can make it think it's night.
Turn the light's switch off first, and use a ladder only on firm, level ground.
Make sure no other light shines on it, and no branch, snow or leaves cover it.
Check at dusk that the light comes on by itself, and that it's off in the morning.
A light that won't come on, stays on, flickers, or sits up on a pole: ask Handyman for an electrician.

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