After a North Sound winter, spring is the right time to walk your yard and check that your outdoor lighting system is performing the way it should. Bulbs may be dimmer than they used to be, fixtures may have collected grime and spider webs, and the occasional bulb will have reached the end of its life. The good news: replacing bulbs in most professional low-voltage landscape lighting fixtures is straightforward — if you know what you're looking for.
Watch Rob walk through each fixture type in the video below.
Before you start: turn the power off
Before pulling any bulb from any fixture, turn off the power at the transformer. This protects both you and the system — disconnecting a live bulb can trip the circuit breaker unnecessarily. Once the power is off, give the fixtures a few minutes to cool before handling them.
Path light bulbs: the G4 bipin
Path lights are the most common fixture in North Sound residential landscape lighting systems, and they're also the easiest to service. Simply unscrew the top of the fixture (some have a small set screw — check before forcing it), and the bulb pulls straight out.
What to look for when buying a replacement G4 bipin bulb:
- **Wattage:** 3 to 4 watts is standard for path lights
- **Color temperature:** 2700K to 3000K — the warm, amber-toned light that looks natural in a Pacific Northwest garden setting; avoid 4000K+ which looks harsh and blue outdoors
- **Bulb construction:** look for a gel-type coating over the LED elements — this protects the electronics from moisture, critical in the North Sound's rainy climate
While the top is off, wipe down the reflective surface inside the fixture and clean the glass lens. Winter leaves behind spiders, grime, and debris that reduce light output significantly.
Accent light bulbs: the MR16
Accent lights use an MR16 bulb and are slightly trickier to open because they're sealed with O-rings to keep moisture out. Unscrew the top, pull the bulb, replace, and reseal.
What to look for when buying a replacement MR16 bulb:
- **Wattage:** 4 to 5 watts standard
- **Color temperature:** 2700K to 3000K
- **Beam angle:** 15–30° narrow (ideal for tall slender trees like the cedars and Douglas firs common across Snohomish County); 60° medium (for walls and large shrubs); 100° wide (for broad tree canopies like Japanese maple)
When reassembling, push the top down firmly past the O-rings before turning. Don't let the O-rings fall off — they're what keep moisture out of the housing.
Integrated fixtures: contact a professional
A growing number of North Sound installations use integrated LED fixtures — uplights where the LED elements are built directly into a module inside the fixture. These are not DIY-serviceable. If an integrated fixture fails, the LED module needs to be sourced from the manufacturer and reconnected properly. Give us a call — we carry replacement modules for the fixtures we install.
Solar lights: know when to let go
If replacing the batteries in a solar fixture doesn't restore function, it has likely reached the end of its service life and cannot be repaired further. When disposing, remove the batteries and electronics before recycling. The plastic housing of most solar fixtures is not recyclable and should not be put in general waste.
When a spring checkup reveals bigger issues
If your spring inspection turns up more than burned-out bulbs — corroded connections, cracked housings, a struggling transformer — our team is available for service calls across Everett, Snohomish, Marysville, Mukilteo, Bothell, Mill Creek, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and surrounding North Sound communities. We service all low-voltage systems regardless of who originally installed them.
Need professional help with your system?
Call us at (425) 428-6309 or schedule a service visit at outdoorlights.com/north-sound
Frequently asked questions
What kind of bulb does a low-voltage path light use?
Most professional low-voltage path lights use a G4 bipin LED bulb, typically 3 to 4 watts with a color temperature of 2700K to 3000K. Look for a bulb with a gel or resin coating over the LED elements to protect against moisture — especially important in the rainy North Sound climate.
What is the difference between MR16 beam angles and which should I use?
MR16 bulbs come in beam angles ranging from about 15° to 100°. A 15° to 30° narrow beam is best for tall, slender trees like the cedars common across Snohomish County. A 60° beam works well for washing a wall or large shrub. A 100° wide beam is ideal for lighting the full canopy of a broad, spreading tree. Always check what was originally in the fixture before ordering a replacement.
Can Outdoor Lighting Perspectives service my system if they didn't install it?
Yes. We service and repair low-voltage outdoor lighting systems across the North Sound area regardless of the original installer. Whether you need bulb replacement, fixture repair, transformer service, or a full system inspection after the winter, give us a call at (425) 428-6309.