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How to Control Photo Cell Light

A photo cell light regulates the amount of electricity that passes through it, based on the amount of light hitting its sensor. To control the photo cell light's reaction to light, adjust the sensitivity using a voltmeter tool that measures the conductivity. The voltmeter can be acquired from a hardware store and does not require any special skill to properly use it.

Things You'll Need

Voltmeter
Batteries
Light sensor switch
Phillips jeweler's screwdriver
Flashlight
Flat-edged jeweler's screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Open the voltmeter's battery compartment lid. Insert batteries of the correct type and number into the battery compartment. Close the lid.
- 2
  Place the light sensor switch with the photocell on a table. Remove the screws from the light sensor switch, using a Phillips jeweler's screwdriver. Pull the two sections of the switch apart.
- 3
  Place the section of the switch with the photocell in it on the table. Rotate the voltmeter's knob next to "DCV" so it points at it. Rotate the voltmeter's knob next to "Milliwatts" so it points at it.
- 4
  Place the tip of the probe at the end of the red wire attached to the voltmeter against the positive-labeled contact on the photocell. Place the tip of the probe at the end of the black wire attached to the voltmeter against the negative-labeled contact on the photocell.
- 5
  Aim the beam of a flashlight at the photocell. Insert the tip of a flat-edged jeweler's screwdriver into the screw near the photocell.
- 6
  Rotate the screw to change the reading being seen on the voltmeter to a smaller number if you want to decrease the sensitivity of the photocell. Reverse the direction of the number on the voltmeter if you want to increase the sensitivity instead.

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