CFL Flood Lights for Outdoor Photocells

Get photocells that work with CFLs

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Family Handyman

Older photocells in outdoor lights often don't work with compact fluorescent lights, but new technology is available that addresses the problem. Get compatible photocells for your security lights, so you can save energy on outdoor lighting.

By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine

Using CFL bulbs outdoors

Outdoor CFLs

Save energy and still use dimmers with these flood, spot and decorative CFLs.

Photocells

Get CFL-compatible photocells for outdoor lights. One supplier is precisionmulticontrols.com

Homeowners have discovered that CFLs controlled by photocells don’t always work right. The problem is with the photocell, not the bulb. The circuitry in older photocells often isn’t compatible with the ballasts in CFLs. But that doesn’t mean you have to throw out the old fixture— just retrofit it. We found a manufacturer that guarantees its photocells will work with all CFLs on the market. Precision Multicontrols sells several styles of photocells and you can buy them at its Web site, precisionmulticontrols.com. Buy a weatherproof electrical box or a three-hole floodlight mounting plate and attach a stem-mounted photocell in one of the openings. Then connect the new photocell in place of the old one. If you have a lamppost, you can convert it with the “button”-style photocell shown.

Required Tools for this Project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

4-in-1 screwdriver
Cordless drill
Non-contact voltage tester
Wire stripper/cutter

Required Materials for this Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.

CFL-compatible photocell
Outdoor-rated CFL bulbs
Wire nuts