Outside Garage Search Light

[rdobbs]

Search Light is about 30 yrs old. Light comes on for
about 15 minutes and goes off, then after a while
will come back on. Changed the eye and bulb, but
get the same results. Could I have a bad ballast?

 

[yatg]

Something could be reflecting light back onto the eye so it cycles.
Tape over the eye and test.

 

[MadMechMaster]

Possum, Racoon?

 

[Zeke]

Something could be reflecting light back onto the eye so it cycles.
Tape over the eye and test.

Then it won't come on at all. I think I'd change the sensitivity.

 

[BillK]

Is it a motion sensing light or just one with a photocell that turns it on when it gets dark out ?

 

[rdobbs]

Is it a motion sensing light or just one with a photocell that turns it on when it gets dark out ?

 

[rdobbs]

It is a photocell and only comes on at dark.
It is attached to my garage 14 feet off the
ground. Never had a problem before, except
maybe a eye or bulb.

 

[Zeke]

If it's only photocell and no motion and yet it goes out after 15 minutes it's either a reflection or a bad internal circuit. First move the light angle and if it still misbehaves, replace it. You could test the bulb depending on what type and if you have another fixture that will accept it.

Tip: on the halogens I used to install I took the 100 watt lamps out and replaced with 60's. They last forever. It gets hot in the enclosure. That might be your problem as well if it's a halogen.

 

[kbuhagiar]

Search Light is about 30 yrs old. Light comes on for
about 15 minutes and goes off, then after a while
will come back on. Changed the eye and bulb, but
get the same results. Could I have a bad ballast?

Thought you meant one of these...

 

[Zeke]

I remember when they used to park those in front of the movie theater and run them in constant circles shooting almost straight up. You could see the beam for a couple miles. It was a column of light bouncing off the pollution in the air. Even better if there were low clouds. This was in the 50's.

 

[BillK]

It is a photocell and only comes on at dark.
It is attached to my garage 14 feet off the
ground. Never had a problem before, except
maybe a eye or bulb.

Sounds like the same type I have, looks like an old streetlight ? Metal Halide bulb ? You could try just bypassing the photocell. If it still does it then it is probably the ballast. If you dont want to replace the entire light I think they make LED conversion bulbs but you will probably have to bypass the ballast.

 

[BillK]

I remember when they used to park those in front of the movie theater and run them in constant circles shooting almost straight up. You could see the beam for a couple miles. It was a column of light bouncing off the pollution in the air. Even better if there were low clouds. This was in the 50's.

The car dealers around here used to have them to attract attention to sales etc.

 

[yatg]

This can be yours for $12,000.

1942 General Electric Carbon Arc Searchlight

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Seen it pop up for the last couple of years.

 

[rdobbs]

Sounds like the same type I have, looks like an old streetlight ? Metal Halide bulb ? You could try just bypassing the photocell. If it still does it then it is probably the ballast. If you dont want to replace the entire light I think they make LED conversion bulbs but you will probably have to bypass the ballast.

I decided to replace the entire light. Thanks to all who replied.
R Dobbs