Frank-
I can only speak from my own experience, but:
The motion sensor I use for the light on the outside of my garage is a Infa-red motion sensor with two controls: 1) range, adjust to get the distance you want it to come on at and 2) test or run. The range sets up initially but as time (months) progress it looses some of its sensitivity. I replace the unit about every two years. (must have this one because of its color and relatively obscure appearance, wife thing) The angle that it is directed in also is an important factor, too high and it doesn't see things on the ground and too low and it doesn't see anything but at close range. The test or run is so you can test it in day light without having the light come on.
I also cover the sensor during the day if I want to simulate darkness.
CFL's are very temperature sensitive. The colder it is the longer it takes them to "ignite" just like regular flourescents. Often times this is most noticable below 40F and especially below 30F. For example inside my garage I have 40w rapid start lamps and below 30F they sill often take at least 30 sec to come on. Below 20F it is a minute or more, more often more.
Have you contacted the manufacturer with your problem? Have you tried replacing the CFL with an incadescent in order to eliminate one test variable?
Good Luck, Bill
--- In Electronics_101@yahoogroups.com, "Andrew Mathison \(Alice\)" <mathison@...> wrote:
>
> 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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