How to Light Your Walkway

Determine the best style of lighting for your home. Solar powered lights provide a few hours of adequate light at night but require adequate sun during the daytime to charge the batteries. If you reside in an area that gets significant sun, even during the winter, solar lights offer an easy-to-install option. However, if you live in an area with large amounts of cloud cover and inclement days, low voltage outdoor lighting would provide a more reliable option.

Decide how many lights you need and where you would like to place them. Check the packaging for the lights you decide on to find the area of the light cast by each fixture to help you determine the spacing. Consider the wattage restrictions of available transformers when deciding the total number of lights, if you choose low voltage lighting. The total watts of your lights must be less than the maximum watts of the transformer. For example, five 30-watt lights would require a transformer of at least 150 watts, and preferably higher to account for any fluctuations.

Mark the spots where you will place your lights. Choose places for solar fixtures that will get the most sun. Assemble the solar lamps by attaching the light pods to the pole shafts. Attach the poles to the plastic stakes and drive the stakes into the ground at the pre-marked places. The solar lamps may take a few days to gain a full charge.

Purchase a do-it-yourself low-voltage outdoor lighting installation kit and a transformer, if you choose this option. The kits come with all the necessary equipment and tools. Assemble the lights and wiring and set up the lights at pre-marked spaces based on the length of wire included. Plug in the lights to the transformer before mounting to test the connections and confirm that the lights are laid out properly to light the walkway. Disconnect the lights from the transformer and turn off the power to the exterior GFCI outlet where you will connect the transformer. Mount the transformer near the outlet. Dig shallow trenches and bury the wires that run from the lights to the transformer. Fill in the trenches. Turn on the power to the transformer.