A friend of mine has a few outdoor motion sensor activated lights (for
example, at her front door), and seems to be having trouble with them.
1)Is there an easy way to test the sensor/light? I have tried turning it on
at the light switch (inside the house) and going out the door. When I do
this, it seems to work properly, but we are unsure that it is working
correctly all night. Does it come on for no reason? Sometimes it doesn't
seem to activate until you're really close to the door.
Is there some way to test the light functionality?
A. Usually there are several controls under the unit, you need to read the
instructions first to see what they do. Some have a "daylight" program for
helping with setting up, some have a timer to set how long it goes on for,
set this to the shortest period when setting up. Setting "how dark it must
be" is a fiddle. The manual is a must really...
2) Also, in the light fixture at her front door, she put in a CFL bulb at
one time and the light was having trouble functioning. Is it recommended
that a CFL not be using in a motion sensor activated light fixture?
I have read online that it may or may not be alright. Don't know?
A. Some of the Triacs used in such units (usually cheap ones) are simply not
man enough for the job of starting any CFL as the CFL take a heavy charge of
current at switch on time, that can overload and destroy the Triac within a
week or two...if not instantly.
3) I would like to make sure the front door, motion sensor light is working
correctly without camping out in front of front door. ;-)
A. As I said before, there is usually a setup method detailed in the manual,
if the manual has been disposed of look online and/or ask the shop for a
photocopy.....
Any input or feedback would be appreciated.
Frank P.
Regards
Andy
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