Motion Flood Lights

[Matt M PA]

A few years ago, I installed a pair of motion flood lights for my Mother. Well, they're not working now. The sensor LEDs flash when motion is present...but the flood lamps do not illuminate.

I put one on "test" mode and it lit....but doesn't light any other way.

Flipping them on and off does not trip them on manually like it used to, either.

What has me confused is that both units quit at the same time.

Anyone have a thought before I replace 'em?

Thanks!

 

[Falcon67]

Lowest price units? Try some more. I have three $40 units on the building, had to buy four to get there. I converted the bad one to a switched flood. I still can't turn them off at night because when you turn them on, the one on the SW corner starts to cycle on and off at 1 minute intervals. Turn then on in daylight - no problem. These are all Heath-Zenith units.

 

[Gary S]

That isn't unusual for Chinese electronics. Save yourself a lot of headaches and just buy a new fixture.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Maybe a power surge zapped both?

 

[maxspeed]

A storm with lightening will take them out, the flash can burn the sensor board on both leaving them useless. It would be best to replace them since they are a few years old. Newer technology lights are more dependable just make sure that you get the right degree width range for your application. BTW the new LED's (expensive) and most CFL's are horrible for motion activated flood lights.

 

[Matt M PA]

Thanks guys...I figured I'd wind up replacing them both.

Of course, at 81 and on her own....everything needs to be done immediately as its a safety hazard. I'm glad she's still living I her own place, etc....I'll get 'em swapped out.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

Nobody has said it yet so I will: Did ya check the bulbs??

I have had mixed luck with those things, No matter the quality/cost I end up replacing my mother's every three years like clock work. The ones on my house however, are just fine. Go figure...

BTW I had a guy ask me over to see if I could fix a patio light he installed 6 years earlier. He said it never worked for him, he tried everything and decided doing home electrical work wasn't for him. First thing I did was replace the bulb and it worked. He made me promise not to tell his wife!

 

[Gary S]

I put one on "test" mode and it lit....but doesn't light any other way.

!

Yes, in his original post he says they work in test mode.

 

[camarotoolman]

mine, the bulbs were burned out and the sensor was shout! Had to replac both.

 

[CoconutPete]

Did you recently have rain? Mine started behaving like you describe after a rainstorm and I found water in the sensor.

 

[Matt M PA]

Well, it turns out that possibly...they were both fine. After replacing one...with new bulbs...it didn't work. Turns out there is a switch at the front door....and the side door...that control the lights. Seems that both work with one switch...just one with the other. Even stranger...with the breaker off...the power is killed to only one lamp.

Well, put both new fixtures in and on my way out....one of them is flickering. I took it down and will swap it out at Lowes. I put the same ones on my age years ago and they've been fine.

 

[barks]

Hook the entire house up to the post where the light works even with the breaker off. Should save on electricity costs.