I want to replace an outdoor security light for use at the driveway and
front door. Just one unit is needed in my layout.

This will replace one that has a mind of its own. It may come own when the
sun is still out though it is in a shaded location and it might not come on
at night even if I drive in, get out of the car and walk to the front door.

The one I have uses an infrared sensor. I have been looking at the new ones
and find that they don't tell what the sensor technology is. It seems that
they tout "pulse count technology" A Google search didn't help as far as the
technology being used.

At the risk of a bad pun, can anyone shed some light on the way these work
and are there any reasonable alternatives to infrared?

Charlie

I don't think it so much the infrared as the lack of a photocell in
some of the units. I have a few with no photocell, and they behave as
you say yours does. I've pulled them down and use them in my shop to
keep me from killing my self when I go in there at night. They still
suck, but in the shop, it really doesn't matter. Get a good premium
motion sensor and it will do the job. I have one in my carport that is
just great, it comes on at night and lights things up when I drive in
or even let the dog out.

"Eric in North TX" wrote in message
oups.com...

I don't think it so much the infrared as the lack of a photocell in
some of the units. I have a few with no photocell, and they behave as
you say yours does. I've pulled them down and use them in my shop to
keep me from killing my self when I go in there at night. They still
suck, but in the shop, it really doesn't matter. Get a good premium
motion sensor and it will do the job. I have one in my carport that is
just great, it comes on at night and lights things up when I drive in
or even let the dog out.

The old one has a photocell. It used to work. Its eight years old now and is
ready to be retired.

Charlie

"Charlie Bress" wrote in message
...
I want to replace an outdoor security light for use at the driveway and
front door. Just one unit is needed in my layout.

This will replace one that has a mind of its own. It may come own when the
sun is still out though it is in a shaded location and it might not come
on at night even if I drive in, get out of the car and walk to the front
door.

All motion detectors have difficulty "seeing" motion when it is heading
directly _toward_ the sensor. They are very sensitive to motion _across_
their field of view, however. This may be part of your problem. Replacing
the sensor won't really fix this problem, motion detectors for alarm systems
have the same problem.

Charlie Bress wrote:
I want to replace an outdoor security light for use at the driveway and
front door. Just one unit is needed in my layout.

This will replace one that has a mind of its own. It may come own when the
sun is still out though it is in a shaded location and it might not come on
at night even if I drive in, get out of the car and walk to the front door.

The one I have uses an infrared sensor. I have been looking at the new ones
and find that they don't tell what the sensor technology is. It seems that
they tout "pulse count technology" A Google search didn't help as far as the
technology being used.

At the risk of a bad pun, can anyone shed some light on the way these work
and are there any reasonable alternatives to infrared?

You could just replace the sensor itself. They're usually easily
replaceable. A home center or good hardware store will have them.

R

Charlie go with a PREMIUM motion sensor light package. The cheapo's
don't work well or for long- like you say they can have a mind all
their own...

A good quality 2 head unit with adjustable sensor will run over 100$
but is well worth it.

Glenn
http://www.goalelectrical.com

RicodJour wrote:
Charlie Bress wrote:
I want to replace an outdoor security light for use at the driveway and
front door. Just one unit is needed in my layout.

This will replace one that has a mind of its own. It may come own when the
sun is still out though it is in a shaded location and it might not come on
at night even if I drive in, get out of the car and walk to the front door.

The one I have uses an infrared sensor. I have been looking at the new ones
and find that they don't tell what the sensor technology is. It seems that
they tout "pulse count technology" A Google search didn't help as far as the
technology being used.

At the risk of a bad pun, can anyone shed some light on the way these work
and are there any reasonable alternatives to infrared?

You could just replace the sensor itself. They're usually easily
replaceable. A home center or good hardware store will have them.

R

Charlie go with a PREMIUM motion sensor light package. The cheapo's
don't work well or for long- like you say they can have a mind all
their own...

A good quality 2 head unit with adjustable sensor will run over 100$
but is well worth it.

Glenn
http://www.goalelectrical.com

RicodJour wrote:
Charlie Bress wrote:
I want to replace an outdoor security light for use at the driveway and
front door. Just one unit is needed in my layout.

This will replace one that has a mind of its own. It may come own when the
sun is still out though it is in a shaded location and it might not come on
at night even if I drive in, get out of the car and walk to the front door.

The one I have uses an infrared sensor. I have been looking at the new ones
and find that they don't tell what the sensor technology is. It seems that
they tout "pulse count technology" A Google search didn't help as far as the
technology being used.

At the risk of a bad pun, can anyone shed some light on the way these work
and are there any reasonable alternatives to infrared?

You could just replace the sensor itself. They're usually easily
replaceable. A home center or good hardware store will have them.

R

On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 19:05:24 -0500, "Charlie Bress"
wrote:


"Eric in North TX" wrote in message
roups.com...

I don't think it so much the infrared as the lack of a photocell in
some of the units. I have a few with no photocell, and they behave as
you say yours does. I've pulled them down and use them in my shop to
keep me from killing my self when I go in there at night. They still
suck, but in the shop, it really doesn't matter. Get a good premium
motion sensor and it will do the job. I have one in my carport that is
just great, it comes on at night and lights things up when I drive in
or even let the dog out.

The old one has a photocell. It used to work. Its eight years old now and is
ready to be retired.

Charlie



8 years, not unusual. Many electronics are only designed for 10
years. NFPA recommends replacement of even smoke detectors every 10
years.

later,

tom @ www.WorkAtHomePlans.com

galacon wrote:
Charlie go with a PREMIUM motion sensor light package. The cheapo's
don't work well or for long- like you say they can have a mind all
their own...

A good quality 2 head unit with adjustable sensor will run over 100$
but is well worth it.

Glenn
http://www.goalelectrical.com

RicodJour wrote:
Charlie Bress wrote:
I want to replace an outdoor security light for use at the driveway and
front door. Just one unit is needed in my layout.

This will replace one that has a mind of its own. It may come own when the
sun is still out though it is in a shaded location and it might not come on
at night even if I drive in, get out of the car and walk to the front door.

The one I have uses an infrared sensor. I have been looking at the new ones
and find that they don't tell what the sensor technology is. It seems that
they tout "pulse count technology" A Google search didn't help as far as the
technology being used.

At the risk of a bad pun, can anyone shed some light on the way these work
and are there any reasonable alternatives to infrared?

You could just replace the sensor itself. They're usually easily
replaceable. A home center or good hardware store will have them.

R

I have one that I paid in the $10 range around 30 years ago. It is
still ticking and is mounted on my South gable with no shade.

Harry K