How to Install Outdoor Security Equipment

Decide on the area of your property that you wish to protect with the solar-powered motion-activated security light. Place a ladder against the wall. Screw wood screws through the precut holes in each side of the security light and into the wall, a few inches below the ledge of the roof, with a Phillips screwdriver.

Place the solar panel that is wired to the security light against the wall, next to the light. Screw wood screws through the precut holes in each side of the solar panel and into the wall using the Phillips screwdriver. If the solar panel is built onto the top of the security light, ignore this step.

Twist the bulb socket on the front of the security light so that it is aimed toward the ground at a 40-degree angle. Screw a floodlight into the bulb socket. If the bulb is built into the security light, ignore this step. If there are two bulb sockets, aim both of them and screw a floodlight into each of them if appropriate.

Open the side panel lid on the security light; if there is a set screw in the lid, loosen this first with a Phillips jeweler's screwdriver.

Adjust the knobs and selector switches inside the panel (depending on the make) as per the directions in the following typical manner -- although the exact names of the control knobs or switches may be different. Set the "Dusk/Day" knob or switch to "Dusk" so that the motion sensor begins to work when the sun goes away; set the "Timing" knob or switch to "15" or "20" seconds so that the light, once illuminated, stays on for this amount of time before shutting itself off; set the "Sensitivity" knob or switch to the highest number possible so that the motion sensor immediately reacts to any movement that passes by its field of vision.

Close the panel and reattach the screw, if there is one. Put the ladder away.