Minecraft: How To Craft (& Use) A Daylight Detector

The Daylight Detector is a block in Minecraft that functions similarly to a real-world solar panel by outputting energy or a Redstone signal based on sunlight. It can be used to power various Redstone mechanisms such as trapdoors, hoppers, pistons, or Redstone Lamps. For Bedrock users, the Daylight Detector functions the same as on PC. The only two differences between Bedrock and Java are its name in Bedrock, "Daylight Sensor," and an activated piston can't move the block in Java Edition.

The Daylight Detector is obtained only through crafting in Minecraft, as it doesn't naturally generate in any biome. To make a Daylight Detector, players will need Glass ×3, Nether Quartz ×3, and wooden Slabs ×3. Glass blocks are easily acquired by smelting Sand within a Furnace, and Slabs are made by placing Wooden Planks ×3 horizontally on the crafting grid, producing Slabs ×6. On the other hand, Nether Quartz is a bit trickier to collect.

Related: Minecraft: How to Get Dripleaves (& What They're For)

To get Nether Quartz in Minecraft, players must travel into the Nether Realm. In areas covered with Netherrack, Nether Quartz Ore veins will generate between elevation levels Y: 10 and Y: 117. However, in Basalt Deltas of the Nether, the ore veins will spawn less frequently but in larger clusters, as there's less space on which the block to generate. Additionally, Piglins, natural inhabitants of the Nether, may barter 5-12 Nether quartz when a player gives them a Gold Ingot.

How to Get a Daylight Detector in Minecraft

Once Minecraft fans gather the necessary Glass, Nether Quartz, and Slabs, they can craft a Daylight Detector. Depending on the time of day and weather, Daylight Detectors can produce higher levels of power. For instance, the blocks naturally generate the most energy when the sun is at its peak in a clear sky. However, by using the "Use" key or button on a placed Daylight Detector, players can invert it, effectively reversing the power levels produced by sunlight. So, although the detector won't create as much power as when it's under the sun in Minecraft, players can still use it in innovative ways, such as an inverted sensor-powered Redstone street lamp that only turns on at night.

By using Redstone Dust, players can connect a Daylight Detector to different devices as a power source. However, keep in mind that as a sensor's strength diminishes from lack of sunlight or inverted daylight, its reach via Redstone Dust will also decrease. Therefore, players shouldn't place their Redstone mechanisms too far away from a Daylight Detector if they wish to have a reliable current during the day or night.

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Next: Minecraft: How to Get (& Use) Lightning Rods

Minecraft is available on PC, Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.