Porch Light Issue

Hello:

House wiring can be difficult. Being an electrician now for 46 years there must be an answer here. Not being able to see your hook up at the switch I have to assume a few things.

First, both of the lights worked with the old switch before you installed your timer.

Second, having one light work, part of your connection is correct.

Third, you have power at the timer, and in the switch box.

You talk about having two black wires but do not say you have them both attached or not.

Is this a two switch or more box?

is this a single switch box?

Do any other switches control these two lights?

So lets go over basic electrical

Both lights must have a neutral to work.

Both lights must have a source of power to work

The switch or timer takes power and switches it to both lights.

1. The lights are wired, from one switch to the first light then on to the second light.

2. The lights are wired from the switch, out to the lights on separate wires.

These are common wiring methods, but there are more methods using three wires, white, red, black, is one. Power comes from one of the lights. Power comes from the box the switch is in.

You do not have wiring method 1. as one black wire would be in one light then connected on to the second light. You only have one light working.

Wiring method 2. is your probable method.

In this case you have one black wire that is the power in. Then two other black wires. one for each light.

To solve your trouble you need to combine the both black wires in a wire nut along with a short piece of black wire in the same wire nut. Then this single jumper goes on the load side of the timer in effect supplying both lights power from the timer.

Last but not least to think about is, did you disturb the wiring as you removed the old switch. Check if all your neutrals are connected together try and pull the wires out of the connections, also do this for the black wires. You may just be the hero here and discover the problem.

NOTE:

One last word and this is important. Do not work on this or any other electrical work with out first turning off the power for the circuit.

Be safe

Alton

I got light sensors that just screw into the socket, then the bulb into that....on Amazon.

I think they cost $8 each...you program them to either stay lit when it is dark, or to stay on for 4 or 8 hours. Theory work fine.

Just make sure they are marked for outdoor use

My handyman was already to do extra wiring to put a timer in...