Security sensor light switches

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Loismustdye

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#287111 7-Jun-2021 10:10

Our place has a std issue security light above the garage, supposed to come on with movement etc. However it never has, it is either off or on, which I think is a direct result of the switch used to control it.

the switch has 3 positions, manual, off (in the middle) and auto. With both the auto and manual position leaving the light on.

im wanting to swap out the light for a ring floodlight or similar, however I want to figure out the switch prior to doing so, to see if I’ll be left in a similar position with the new light.

asides from the sensor potentially being stuffed anyone have any magic ideas on what could be going on?
otherwise I will just have to get a sparky in.

cheers

dt

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#2720104 7-Jun-2021 10:59

maybe stating the obvious but have you tried switching it to auto and seeing if it turns off after x seconds?

my security lights outside have the same switching position and when they are switched to sensor they all turn on for about 20 seconds before switching back off

k1w1k1d

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#2720109 7-Jun-2021 11:18

My 2c.

Possibly the sensor was faulty from new, not adjusted correctly, incorrectly wired, you haven't waited long enough for auto to set, etc.

Do you happen to know the make and model?

Loismustdye

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#2720111 7-Jun-2021 11:26

No clue as to the make.

as for the auto setting, we’ve had them sitting on that overnight and they stay on all night, and all day if we don’t switch it off. They’ve never “timed out” in the 2 years we have been here.

I’ve altered the settings manually on the dials on the unit to reduce/increase sensitivity, timing etc but to no avail. Wiped down the sensor with a damp cloth as well to see if that improves things but makes no difference to things either.

Rikkitic

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#2720113 7-Jun-2021 11:40

Where is the switch located? Is it part of the sensor unit and light fitting, or wired separately somewhere? How was it originally installed? If it is separate from the unit, it is possible it could have been incorrectly wired. If the sensor is faulty, you will have the same issue with any light.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

richms

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#2720160 7-Jun-2021 13:14

Those switches are normally done with a run of single red TPS up to the sensor as well sending power to the output side when on manual mode. Chances are the sensor is just stuffed because they seem to only last a few years outside anyway.

Richard rich.ms

Loismustdye

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#2720918 8-Jun-2021 21:55

richms:
Those switches are normally done with a run of single red TPS up to the sensor as well sending power to the output side when on manual mode. Chances are the sensor is just stuffed because they seem to only last a few years outside anyway.

This seems the more likely culprit that the sensor is likely rooted. Think ill get a sparky in or at the minimum grab a cheap floodlight from bunnings, hook it up and see if it works with the switch

elpenguino

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#2720981 8-Jun-2021 22:55

Some of them also have a mode where, if you switch them off and then on within a few seconds, they stay on.

To get into auto mode again you must switch off for 30-60 seconds, then on again.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

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rogercruse

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#2721021 9-Jun-2021 08:44

We had a security light installed but like your light it never comes on as the street-lighting is too bright for the sensor!

We did attempt to alter the sensitively but is either stays off or stays on.

rp1790

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#2721094 9-Jun-2021 10:30

I've installed four of the Grid Connect security lights around home as they can be controlled via an app as far as all the motion sensitivity, duration settings all go. Saves a lot of getting up on ladders and twiddling with all those tiny little knobs on most security lights.

Very bright and cheap as well. https://www.bunnings.co.nz/arlec-20w-grid-connect-smart-security-light-with-movement-activated-sensor_p0223575

frankv

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#2721117 9-Jun-2021 11:23

PIR sensors typically have a couple of screws to adjust sensitivity & duration. If it is set too sensitive and with too long a duration, it will stay on all the time. Try adjusting those screws before replacing it. (You'll probably want to adjust the settings on the replacement anyway).

duckDecoy

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#2721120 9-Jun-2021 11:26

elpenguino:

Some of them also have a mode where, if you switch them off and then on within a few seconds, they stay on.

To get into auto mode again you must switch off for 30-60 seconds, then on again.

That's how mine ones work. I turn the switch off for 60 secs, then turn on. The light turns on for a bit and then off as it enters auto mode. Perhaps try that?

qwertee

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#2721123 9-Jun-2021 11:32

duckDecoy:

elpenguino:

Some of them also have a mode where, if you switch them off and then on within a few seconds, they stay on.

To get into auto mode again you must switch off for 30-60 seconds, then on again.

That's how mine ones work. I turn the switch off for 60 secs, then turn on. The light turns on for a bit and then off as it enters auto mode. Perhaps try that?

As above, the sensors in a rental we used to live in, operate in that manner.
PIRs if they are switched off (no power), take a minute to settle after power on. Atleast for some that we use at work

FineWine

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#2721126 9-Jun-2021 11:40

rp1790:

I've installed four of the Grid Connect security lights around home as they can be controlled via an app as far as all the motion sensitivity, duration settings all go. Saves a lot of getting up on ladders and twiddling with all those tiny little knobs on most security lights.

Very bright and cheap as well. https://www.bunnings.co.nz/arlec-20w-grid-connect-smart-security-light-with-movement-activated-sensor_p0223575

Got to love the contents listing on the side of the box:

- Hardwire Sensor
- Mounting Accessories
- User Manual
Smartphone not included

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

richms

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#2721302 9-Jun-2021 17:04

rp1790:

I've installed four of the Grid Connect security lights around home as they can be controlled via an app as far as all the motion sensitivity, duration settings all go. Saves a lot of getting up on ladders and twiddling with all those tiny little knobs on most security lights.

Very bright and cheap as well. https://www.bunnings.co.nz/arlec-20w-grid-connect-smart-security-light-with-movement-activated-sensor_p0223575

Good to see they have improved the aweful first design. I bought 4 of them ages back and they were useless and the sensor was just controlled by a module, so I returned the 3 that I had not installed because they were so useless back then.

I ended up going with the brilliantsmart one which has integrated LEDs and can change the colour and CCT of the lighting, but a big limitation of the tuya platform with them is that I cant group sensors together with the automations and have them all retrigger the same timer, so if you walk infront of one light and it fires and starts its timer, and then move to another area and are constantly resetting its timer, when the first one times out the lights will go out, but then because the second one is "on" and is being retriggered all the time it will not turn the lights back on until it times out and then gets triggered and starts its timer.

Richard rich.ms

richms

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#2721303 9-Jun-2021 17:05

frankv:

PIR sensors typically have a couple of screws to adjust sensitivity & duration. If it is set too sensitive and with too long a duration, it will stay on all the time. Try adjusting those screws before replacing it. (You'll probably want to adjust the settings on the replacement anyway).

Also if the lights are in the field of view of the sensor they can overload it and it will never trigger or always trigger. Need to keep the lights above the viewing angle of the PIR.

Richard rich.ms