Dusk to Dawn Outdoor Wall Lights

Dusk to dawn outdoor wall lights and how the sensor works

Dusk to dawn outdoor wall lights use a small photocell that reads daylight. When light drops at sunset, the fixture switches on, and it switches off again at sunrise. Mount them where the sensor sees open sky, not under a bright porch light or inside a dark corner, or the light may cycle on and off through the evening.

1-light dusk to dawn outdoor wall light or 2-light and 3-light

A 1-light dusk to dawn outdoor wall light suits a door or a garage side wall. Lanterns with two or three lights throw more light across a driveway or porch. Fixtures here stand 12 to 26.7 inches tall. As a guide, choose a fixture about a quarter to a third the height of the door it flanks, and mount it slightly above eye level.

Dusk to dawn outdoor wall lighting: bulbs and LED

Dusk to dawn outdoor wall lighting here takes three forms. Most single-light sconces use a standard E26 bulb, and the 2-light lanterns and sconces use smaller E12 candelabra bulbs, so check the base before you buy bulbs. The crystal-shade light and the solar lantern have built-in LEDs that are not replaceable. Several models offer selectable color temperature, and two are dimmable.

Solar outdoor wall lights dusk to dawn, or hardwired

Solar outdoor wall lights dusk to dawn need no wiring: the bronze solar lantern charges by day and runs up to 12 hours. The others are wired fixtures, best installed by a qualified electrician. All are wet rated. Finishes are black, with bronze on the solar lantern, and shades come in clear, seeded, ripple and bubble glass.