Question re: automatic porch lights

[jskudera]

I've been able to find some great information on this forum in the past, so I'm hoping my question will be relevant on here!

My wife and I purchased our first house in June and we love everything about it. I realized that I need WAY more tools than I already have! Anyway, our front porch has two lights on the side of the door which are supposed to be automatic based on the sun (I guess). I don't know how they work because I looked for sensors with no luck. The light switch is inside the house and we would always keep it on so they would automatically turn on at night, and turn off in the morning.

Right now, only one of them are working properly. They both turn on at night, but during the day, only one turns off. Here's a picture to give you an idea of the style.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2uepc9w.jpg

Does anyone have experience with these? How should I go about fixing it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[rlitman]

I can't really tell from the picture. Is that a light sensor near the bottom of the wall plate?

 

[NHBandit]

Mine are security lights and they are possessed by demons. Sometimes they don't come on at all no matter what, Sometimes the wind will blow and they come on and stay on all night, and every now & then out of the blue they will work correctly. They don't seem to care if the switch in the house is on or off and no matter what I set them on with the switch on the light itself I can't just turn them on and leave them on like when I know company is coming. My thought is that they would make great targets to try out my new .22 rifle and I'll go buy some normal regular porch lights and call it a day. Oh and welcome... I didn't click on your link because it common for spammers with one post to pop in here, not do an introduction, and try to sell us **** we don't want or need..

 

[2Big2Ride]

We have gone to using a programable, self-adjusting astronomic switches for the outdoor lights. Set to turn on at dusk, off at a set time, on again pre-dawn and off at dawn. Great to come home and the lights are on - don't have to get inside to turn on your lights. Also used on the detached shop, can go down after dark and find your way around.

 

[jskudera]

I took another picture below...it does appear to be a sensor

http://i40.tinypic.com/28veo3k.jpg

I guess that means the sensor is likely bad? Is this something that can typically be replaced or would I have to change the entire light fixture?

 

[Gary S]

Take the fixture apart and have a look at the sensor. If it is a separate piece that operates off 120v, you might be able to find a replacement. If it is integrated into some kind of circuit board, you are probably best off junking the fixture and buying a new one.

 

[jskudera]

Looks like it's a separate piece. I'm heading to Lowes to see if I can find a replacement.