Talk:Daylight Detector

I've always thought that with all the similarities of redstone dust and glowstone dust would mean something, I would probably suggest this as the daylight detector. Creeperlunatic 01:32, 6 December 2012 (UTC)

Grammar, please! I can't understand what you're writing. --96.237.54.85 02:49, 5 January 2013 (UTC)

That actually looks like perfect grammar. HotdogPi ⑬㊲ 22:33, 23 January 2013 (UTC)

Needs to omit the word 'with' in the first sentence and change the first 'would' to 'should'. 81.98.20.230 08:18, 18 March 2013 (UTC)81.98.20.230 08:19, 18 March 2013 (UTC)

Jens has also stated that there would be an Allocator block(with a different name) capable of transporting items into Chests and similar containers. I couldn't think of a better place to suggest this, but how about a page on that? 62.195.80.189 12:23, 19 December 2012 (UTC)

It's a bit early to create such a page, given that we know almost nothing about it beyond what you just said. Once it appears in a snapshot, or if he provides more details of how it will work, a page should be created. -- Orthotope 13:04, 19 December 2012 (UTC)

Isn't that the hopper? MINEBLEMONE 04:57, 8 January 2013 (UTC)

That would be correct, but these people posted their comments before the hopper was released in 13w01a. --Keithicus420 03:29, 10 January 2013 (UTC)

Through testing, i have found Daylight detectors to detect normal light (from torches, glowstone etc.) BUT ONLY if it is not exposed to ANY skylight whatsoever, (even light from nighttime, which makes the device output no signal, will overwrite the light from the torches/glowstone) Will post pictures ASAP --204.14.13.53 12:56, 4 January 2013 (UTC)

EDIT: Never mind, i think its because it inverts the signal when you cut it off from sunlight --204.14.13.53 15:05, 4 January 2013 (UTC)

No, the daylight sensor does not invert when you cut it off from sunlight. It simply glitches. MINEBLEMONE 04:56, 8 January 2013 (UTC)

I must note that in 1.7.10 it certainly can detect light from furnace if isolated from other light sources. I just finished building charcoal autosmeltery that uses this feature. So I guess it does measure other things than skylight. --46.42.18.81 16:06, 24 July 2014 (UTC)

I'm guessing you had the daylight sensors under the furnaces. The daylight sensors aren't detecting the block light from the furnace, they're detecting the sky light through the active furnaces (furnaces are transparent to block and sky light when active, like redstone lamps and redstone ore -- I think it simplifies the light code to make them transparent when producing light). Try completely covering your furnaces so sky light can't get through them and you'll see the daylight sensors no longer react. —munin · 👁 Image
👁 Image
· 17:37, 24 July 2014 (UTC)

Negative, I have my light sensor in front of the furnace, surrounded by regular solid blocks (with furnace acting as one of them), and it gives off power when and only when furnace is active. All tests were done at noon with daylight cycle stopped. To clarify: place a light sensor, a bit of redstone, a furnace so it faces the sensor, and surround it all with blocks until you get 3x4x3 box. You will be able to get readings from the block redstone points at. MCEdit Schematics file can be found at goo.gl/AnvMJs
EDIT: Though your idea is interesting. I'll try and surround the whole contraption with solid box. --46.42.18.81 06:27, 25 July 2014 (UTC)

Just to check (I don't use MCEdit), a 3x4x3 box won't completely cover a furnace, daylight sensor, and redstone dust (you'd need a 3x5x3 box). If you're using the furnace as one of the box blocks, then sky light can get through it to the daylight sensor when the furnace is lit. —munin · 👁 Image
👁 Image
· 07:21, 25 July 2014 (UTC)

Okay, it seems encasing the whole thing glitches it, so it's indeed because of external light source. Though simply making a roof over doesn't seem to affect the machine... Why couldn't they just use blocklight value is beyond me. =\ -- 94.25.230.70 08:57, 25 July 2014 (UTC)

Sky light can travel sideways just like block light. Sky light 15 can affect things up to 14 blocks to the side, so your roof would need to go out 14 blocks on every side from the furnace (obviously encasing is easier). The only differences between block light and sky light is that sky light 15 propagates downwards without change through most fully-transparent blocks but block light would lose 1 level per block, and some block updates only occur with direct exposure to sky.

"…Why couldn't they just use blocklight value…" -- because it's a daylight sensor? : )

Before daylight sensors we used to build light sensors with the dirt-grass or water-ice changes, but that's slow and not so reliable. Tall grass and flowers planted by bone meal dispensers might be faster now (though I've lost track of in which versions they uproot in darkness). —munin · 👁 Image
👁 Image
· 16:56, 25 July 2014 (UTC)

The page for this block states to invert the signal you can use a NOT Gate using a redstone torch, however this inverts the digital signal. To invert the analog signal one can use two comparators in subtraction mode with a lever or other high signal redstone device attached to input A and the Daylight Sensor attached to input B. In this form the output will be high during the night and gradually lower during the day until it reaches 0 at noon and then will ramp back to high towards the night again. Here's a video showing how this works Minecraft 13w01b Analog Test 2 (Don't link this video on the main page as it's unlisted on youtube and I plan on moving it to a different channel) Antiroot 14:40, 5 January 2013 (UTC)

I have tride using pickblock to pick up inverted daylight detectors and have succeeded. I would like someone to do some experimenting on it. StevenK (talk) 02:41, 7 January 2026 (UTC)

sorry,spelling error,"tride" should be "tryed" StevenK (talk) 02:42, 7 January 2026 (UTC)

This line in the trivia, "Despite most of minecrafts technology appearing from around the 18th century, the Daylight Sensor is a more modern thing." is worded horribly. Can't think of ways to fix it right now, but it just looks really bad. Zachman3334 00:52, 8 January 2013 (UTC)

That and substances that respond to sunlight aren't necessarily modern. If anything, Nether Quartz and Redstone might theoretically make this magical. Cobalt32 23:02, 9 January 2013 (UTC)

Redstone is like electricity, and electricity was found in the mid-19th century. It's slightly later, but not very modern. HotdogPi ⑬㊲ 22:33, 23 January 2013 (UTC)

I dont think minecraft is based around any time period but combines things from all time periods e.g. modern circuitry and older style weaponry. Rolding 10:17, 5 February 2013 (UTC)

These can be useful for jails. You must get in at day and can get out at night. The problem is that can daylight sensors be placed onto iron doors? I'm trying to make a server so plz help. Thanks: :) ppaxson

Hold shift, then click on the iron door and you can place a block. However, I don't know if you're still active. Sign your comments with ~~~~. HotdogPi ⑬㊲ 22:33, 23 January 2013 (UTC)

The description says the output varies with light level; however, the charts indicate that output actually varies based on time and weather. Because different conditions can produce identical outputs, the suggested devices such as "daylight indicator" would not be reliable. In reality, this is a modified clock, not a light sensor, and it's far less versatile than it could be with minor changes. For example:

• If the output levels were discrete between weather conditions and time (i.e. 1-5 for clear skies indicating night, sunrise, morning, noon, afternoon, and sunset respectfully; 6-10 for rain or snow; 11-15 for thunder; and 0 for no sky) we could have created both weather and time of day based devices.
• Better still, if this were three separate devices: a true light sensor, an output clock, and a hot/cold/wet/dry sensor; we could have built circuits to indicate mob/plant/ice conditions, easier mechanical clocks and time alerts, and fire/lava/ice/snow/water/rain detectors.

-- KADC - "Be unreasonable." 02:01, 23 February 2013 (UTC)

I have been trying to hook daylight sensors to NOT Gates to invert the signal so it will provide electricity when there is less light, with no success. Can anyone tell me how to do this? A picture would be best.

24.153.55.252 21:18, 15 March 2013 (UTC)

👁 Image

Sir, this is what I use for properly controlling groups of lights at night: It uses two daylight sensors (but one can be used with slightly less accuracy), two comparators, two dust, and one torch. It uses a 2x3x2 footprint so it is very compact. The lights will turn off and on when the light level is above or below 8, which is when daylight is bright enough to shine indoors even on the 'moody' setting.

To explain, the rear comparator is in subtraction mode. The torch behind it is inputting a level 15 signal. The front comparator is in comparison mode, and both comparators are receiving the same amount signal from the daylight sensors. What happens, is when the daylight sensors reach level 8 signal (thus level 8 lighting) the rear comparator does this math: 15 - 8 = 7, which then means the front comparator sees 7 < 8 and therefore cuts the signal. This particular design will not work for any light level other than 8, however for automated lamps, those levels are most comfortable to switch from synthetic light to natural light during.

Steven archer (talk) 16:38, 20 December 2013 (UTC) steven_archer

The daylight sensor currently is a half block which does not allow for upside down placement, this prevents running Redstone wires underneath the sensor so as to power them from a distant source. It also keeps us from placing them flush with the ground, or flush with elevated half blocks for purposes of decoration and roofing.–Preceding unsigned comment was added by 99.88.186.46 (talk) at 17:53, 1 April 2013‎ (UTC). Please sign your posts with ~~~~

That belongs on the Forums. -- Numbermaniac - T - C 23:00, 1 April 2013 (UTC)

The daylight sensor, when surrounded by solid blocks on all four(4) sides, during a period in the night it will emit a 1 block current for short bursts of time around it, or pulse. This is useful when you surround it in RedStoneLamps since they will be powered by the pulsing sensor. This seems to work only between 14300 to 21640 at night. This means only during that time does it emit this pulsing signal, and during the day it is off. This also doesn't seem to be affected by rain. Also unaffected by being covered in shallow water or more solid blocks, seemingly unaffected by light levels at all. Its almost like a caution light, for the worst time of night when the mobs spawn.

I hope this isn't a bug, its pretty cool and I look forward to implementing it in future projects.

--71.168.223.175 20:38, 1 May 2013 (UTC) MC In-Game Name : BobRaygen

It is said that when hooked up to a NOT gate, "it will output a signal when the light level is LESS than 4". Anyone has an idea why it is specifically 4? I always thought NOT gates will only invert signal strengths of 0 into a "full" signal? --87.169.182.248 16:05, 21 May 2013 (UTC)

Confused signal strength and light level, never mind... --87.169.182.248 16:10, 21 May 2013 (UTC)

Snippet from the article:

As a Weather Monitoring Station

Using an old fashioned redstone clock that is synchronised with the Minecraft day that is broken up into segments according to the daylight sensor power output schedule, it is possible to use many daylight sensors to build a rainstorm and thunderstorm detector. Use a comparator to reduce the redstone clock's signal strength to below that of the daylight sensor's clear day output. Wire this into the side of another comparator that has a daylight detector wired to the back. The wire coming out of the end of the comparator will deactivate whenever there is a storm. Using this you can detect both rain and thunderstorms using two lines with adequate comparator sensitivity. Using this you can signal an alarm whenever there is a storm, count the number of storms, count the duration of the storms using another clock and some type of memory, and even all three.

Could someone post an example of this or describe exactly how to build one? This could be really useful to me. I'd like a circuit that can control a group of lamps, by turning them on at night, but also turning them on during daytime-rain without turning them on in daylight alone.

Steven archer (talk) 16:49, 20 December 2013 (UTC)steven_archer

Two issues...

• 1: Would "trigger" at night.
• 2: Even with an added "Encased Daylight Sensor" (aka 'night sensor'), it would be rendered useless at night and have 2 brief periods where it would trigger: the time when both sensor-types are normally at zero-power.

Takkun324 (talk) 19:16, 7 August 2015 (UTC)

The daylight sensor measures a combination of three values:

• TOD: A signal based on the time of day, cos( 2π * (t + 0.2 * (t < .5 ? -t : 1 - t) ) ) where t ranges from 0 to 1 over the course of the day (roughly t = (T-6000)/24000 where T is the value used by "/time set", although the real function has a bit of a curve to it). Note this goes negative for most of the night.
• D: The current sky "darkening" level, i.e. 15 minus the current brightness of the sky light. More specifically, it's 0 during the day and 11 at night with intermediate values near sunrise and sunset. Rain raises the day level to 3 and thunderstorms to 5, again with intermediate values as the rain/storm is starting and stopping.
• SL: The "sl" value at the daylight sensor.

The output of the daylight sensor is round( (SL - D) * TOD ), where values over 15 or below 0 are taken as 15 or 0 respectively. For a daylight sensor with a view of the sky, SL is 15 so "(SL - D)" is the same as the current brightness of the sky light. For a completely covered daylight sensor, SL is 0 so "(SL - D)" ranges from 0 to -11; at night, the negative values cancel with the negative TOD giving the "night sensor" behavior. But this also implies (and I've confirmed in-game) that if SL is greater than 0 and less than 11 then you'll get some signal during both day and night. A sensor with SL=5 will give a signal with strength 5 at both noon (during clear weather) and midnight. 98.26.128.215 19:00, 23 April 2014 (UTC)

I've been trying to go through the data table in 2.1.1, but there appears to be some missing information. It lists values like "536–933 (397 Gtk/19.85 sec)", without specifying what units "Gtk" stands for. Couldn't be gameticks per seconds, since that would always be 20, and the gametick duration in that example would be the "536–933" values. Jshox (talk) 03:52, 20 January 2025 (UTC)

"Gtk" appears to stand for game tick; the part in parentheses is the length of the interval in game ticks and seconds. For your example, the table should be read to say that a daylight detector has a power level of 9 from game tick 536 to 933. The duration of that interval is 397 game ticks, or 19.85 seconds. Perhaps "Gtk" should be changed to "tick" or "game tick"; I don't really remember seeing "Gtk" used in other articles. Rampage455 (talk) 04:20, 20 January 2025 (UTC)

Not on Java. Gwen Stacy (talk) 09:18, 4 June 2025 (UTC)

Check the history, it has been changed. Gwen Stacy (talk) 09:19, 4 June 2025 (UTC)

It is mentioned in the section below the Overworld table, but I’ll phrase it here for clairty:

In the Nether on Java, the regular daylight detector does not produce a signal, but when inverted, it produces a signal of 15.

In the End on Java, the regular daylight detector produces a signal of 15, and when inverted, it works similary to the Overworld.

In Bedrock Edition, the daylight detector does not work in either dimension, whether it is inverted or not.

BDJP ^(t|c) 17:49, 19 February 2026 (UTC)

The caption for the time/signal strength chart says "The red vertical line denotes the player sleep time, at 12,523." But my testing in the current bedrock version shows the sleep time being 12,542. I turned off daylight cycle, and used commands to set the time until it let me sleep. Is 12,523 the java time and bedrock is different? Or is there another mechanic at play that I'm unaware of? Thetoiletslayer (talk) 17:25, 15 March 2026 (UTC)

Upon further testing, 12542 is the clear weather sleep time. 12010 is the rainy weather sleep time. The wiki is wrong about both of these numbers Thetoiletslayer (talk) 17:32, 15 March 2026 (UTC)

Then fix anything that you find to be incorrect. ‑‑MinecraftExp123^{(talk|contribs)} 23:39, 15 March 2026 (UTC)

Retrieved from "https://minecraft.wiki/w/Talk:Daylight_Detector?oldid=3479189"