Selecting the right light for your lighthouse is perhaps your most important decision in your purchase. Choosing the best light for you depends on how you will use the lighthouse, its proximity to others, the source of power, and your personal preference.
Please note that all lights are low wattage (usually about 25 watts or less), as they are meant to serve as accent lights. Your lighthouse will not light up an entire yard, but will accent it beautifully.
Except for the solar light, all lights operate by plugging a cord into a standard AC/DC outlet, just as you would for any lamp. Unfortunately, we do not sell timers or remote controls for our wooden outdoor lighthouses. We recommend that you purchase a timer through your local hardware store and consult an electrician for more complex wiring.
Light options are as follows:
Standard Light
All lighthouses come with a standard light at no extra charge. When the lighthouse is plugged in, the light is on. The primary benefit of this light is that there is no extra charge. It is the best option for a lighthouse that will be in close proximity to living areas (to minimize distraction). The standard light uses a 25 watt bulb.
Standard Light with Dusk to Dawn SensorThe dusk to dawn sensor automatically turns the light on at dusk and off in the morning. This sensor comes only with the standard light.
Flashing Light
The flashing light is simply a standard light with a controlled pulse of electric current. The effect is a slight dimming on and off a soft and gentle flash, giving your lighthouse a touch of authenticity.
Solar Light #1
This is our least expensive solar light option. If you want a solar light and cost is a factor, this option is the one for you. See
Solar Light #2 to read about the solar light that we recommend to customers when cost is not as much of a factor.
The solar light allows you to set your lighthouse virtually anywhere in the sun - no need for wires at all - which will save you from tearing up your yard or paying for expensive installation of electricity for remote places. Next to our standard light, the solar light is our most popular light option. The solar light also saves money over the long run because it does not add to your electric bill. It’s the most ecological friendly solution. The solar collectors will gather sunlight during the day and the light will shine at night. This light requires access to the sun. It is slightly dimmer than our other lights. It’s a great idea for a dock! Please note that the tip of the lighthouse is lost with this light option (see picture of options for detail). The loss of this detail steers some people away from this option.
Solar Light #2If you want a solar light for your lighthouse, this is the option that we recommend. This light is superior to
Solar Light #1 for the following reasons:
- Higher wattage - it is brighter
- Better quality - it will likely last longer
- Includes a switch to change from a steady light to one that appears to be rotating
- Adds a small solar panel to the roof of your lighthouse without sacrificing the ornamental point on the top of your lighthouse
This light does not actually rotate but it appears to do so. The Solar Light #2 consists of 8 LEDs arranged in a circle. When the switch is set to "rotating light", what actually happens is that 3 LEDs in a row will be lit at once. As soon as a 4th LED is lit, the first one turns off and the effect is that 3 LEDs chase each other around the circle.
Revolving Light
The revolving light is a very popular option for those who want to most accurately simulate the effect of many real lighthouses. The revolving light operates by a small motor and system of mirrors to give it a beacon effect. It is a wonderful choice if you’re looking for an authentic replication of a lighthouse and are placing your lighthouse in a remote area where power is available. We don’t recommend the revolving light next to a neighbor’s window or on the side of the street, but we’ve never heard any reports of complaints from customers who have chosen this option.
Revolving Light is not available on 2 ft lighthouses. This light uses 120V and a 4 watt bulb. It revolves at a rate of 36rpm (revolutions per minute) or once every 1 and a half seconds.
Extra Large Revolving LightThis option is available only for the 8 and 12 foot lighthouses. It is 120V and uses a 35 watt halogen bulb. The light revolves a a rate of 13rpm (revolutions per minute) or once every 4 and a half seconds.
Interior Lighting in Tower Windows
Imagine having the windows of your lighthouse tower lit up. This feature makes your lighthouse far more realistic.
Note: The lighting system for the interior lighting in tower windows
requires electricity from a cord,
that is, it can't be connected to a solar system. The "solar" in the
Solar Light #1 and Solar Light #2 applies only to the beacon light in
the top of the lighthouse.
If you purchase a solar lighthouse with
interior lighting in the tower windows you must run a cord from an
electrical outlet in order to use the interior lighting system.
Interior lighting in the tower windows is not available in the 2-foot lighthouses.