Installing a VOLT® deck light on a post is a straightforward DIY project that makes a big difference in the look and feel of your outdoor space. In this guide, we walk you through each step of the process, from drilling the post to making the final wire connection, so your deck or dock is beautifully lit in no time.
Installing a Deck Light on a Post
Mark Your Fixture Location
Hold the deck light fixture up against the post at your desired height and position. Use a pencil to mark the mounting hole locations on the post. This gives you a clear guide for drilling and keeps the fixture level and properly placed before you start cutting into the wood.
Drill the Top Entry Hole
Using a wood auger bit, drill straight down into the top of the post. This hole will serve as the entry point for your landscape wire. Drill deep enough so that the hole can connect with the side hole you will drill in the next step. Take your time here to keep the bit straight and the hole clean.
Drill the Side Exit Hole
Using the wood auger bit, drill a hole from the back side of the post at a slight angle toward the vertical hole you just drilled. The goal is for the two holes to meet inside the post, creating a channel the wire can pass through. Drilling at a slight angle helps the two holes connect cleanly.
Feed the Wire Through the Post
Use a fish tape or a stiff pull wire to guide the landscape wire down through the top hole and out through the side exit hole at the back of the post. Feed enough wire through so you have plenty of slack to make a clean connection to the fixture without pulling the wire tight.
Connect the Wire to the Fixture
Strip the ends of the landscape wire and connect them to the fixture leads using waterproof wire connectors. Match the positive lead to the positive wire and the negative to the negative. Twist the wire connectors on firmly to ensure a secure, weatherproof connection that will hold up outdoors.
Mount the Fixture to the Post
Tuck the wire connection neatly behind the fixture and position the deck light over the pencil marks you made in Step 1. Drive the mounting screws into the post to secure the fixture in place. Make sure the fixture sits flush and straight against the post before fully tightening the screws.
Connect to Your Landscape Lighting System
Run the wire from the back of the post along the underside of your deck structure to your main landscape wire run. Connect it to the system using a direct burial wire connector, then connect the run back to your low voltage transformer. Keep wire runs hidden and protected wherever possible for a clean finished look.
Power On and Test
Turn on your transformer and confirm the deck light powers on as expected. Check that the fixture is seated properly on the post and that no wire is exposed or pulling. If anything looks off, power down and revisit your connections before leaving the installation complete.
VOLT® deck lights are constructed of solid brass and backed by a lifetime warranty. They are designed to handle outdoor conditions including moisture, heat, and UV exposure, so once installed they require very little maintenance. If you are installing multiple deck lights on posts, run all your wire first before mounting any fixtures to make the process faster and cleaner.
There we have our finished deck light. If you have any questions about this installation or how to install other types of VOLT® landscape lighting fixtures, please call us at (813) 978-3700.
