"Bob F" wrote:
DerbyDad03 wrote:
*** Vent Mode On ***

I bought a Portfolio (Lowe's brand) Motion Sensing light fixture the
other day and was RTFM to make sure there was nothing strange about
the installation/set up that I should be aware of. When I got done
RTFM, I realized that they didn't mention anything about how to
override the motion sensor and turn the fixture on manually. We use
that feature with our existing fixture and didn't want to lose it.

I called their Customer Service department and the rep told me that he
wasn't sure if the model I bought has that feature. He mentioned that
for the models that specifically include that feature, the override
method was a rapid toggle of the power switch Off-On-Off-On. I was
free to try that if I wish.

I took the fixture down to workshop, plugged my suicide cord into a
power strip, and tested the motion sensor, timer, etc. Once I was
sure that everything work properly, I toggled the power strip
Off-On-Off-On. The fixture flashed 3 times and then stayed on way
past the timer setting. I then manually toggled the power strip
Off-On to reset the fixture to Motion Sensing mode.

None of the above steps were even hinted at in the manual. Since the
engineers obviously built the override logic into the circuitry, even
including a "flash 3 times" indicator, you would think that the tech
writers would have included the instructions in the manual.

*** Vent Mode Off ***

If they put all the features in the manual, they'd have to print a new manual
for the next one that has different features?

If that were the reason, then they've committed themselves to the 3 model
numbers printed on the cover, the fixture design based on the picture on
the cover, the timer choices (4 or 10 mins), the number of seconds the
light remains on when power is applied (45), the operating temperature
range and many other specific features that *are* listed in the manual.

Since I have other motion sensor fixtures with different values for some of
the items listed above, i know that they are not 'fixed' values across all
vendors. I doubt they've forced themselves to remain with one vendor of the
sensor circuitry just to save printing costs.

If I'm not mistaken, the manual override for the motion sensor is a common
feature across all of my motion sensors, although the method to activate it
differs slightly. I'm guessing that reprinting the manual is not the reason
they omitted any mention of the manual override feature.