Slightly off topic: Motion Det. Lights

[Charles Schuler]

This is a security issue since motion-triggered outside lighting is a
first-line deterrent.

Why don't the darned things work reliably? My home is on its fourth unit
(in 4 years). I am about to give up. They work for a while and then get
goofy. Stay on, quit entirely, cycle, false trip, and so on.

My latest unit has a battery-powered, remote sensor and that was great for a
while ... no false tripping and no lock-ups or cycling. Now, it too has
gone goofy after 6 months. Yes, I put in new AAs.

Checking with neighbors who also have motion activated lights reveals the
same complaints.

Thought that I'd ask here as you folks have lots of experience with this
kind of technology.

 

[Crash Gordon]

Maybe they're junky ones? The ones I have (for 8 years) work fine, but they
don't have batteries, so not sure which ones you're talking about.



| This is a security issue since motion-triggered outside lighting is a
| first-line deterrent.
|
| Why don't the darned things work reliably? My home is on its fourth unit
| (in 4 years). I am about to give up. They work for a while and then get
| goofy. Stay on, quit entirely, cycle, false trip, and so on.
|
| My latest unit has a battery-powered, remote sensor and that was great for
a
| while ... no false tripping and no lock-ups or cycling. Now, it too has
| gone goofy after 6 months. Yes, I put in new AAs.
|
| Checking with neighbors who also have motion activated lights reveals the
| same complaints.
|
| Thought that I'd ask here as you folks have lots of experience with this
| kind of technology.
|
|

 

[Jim]

This is a security issue since motion-triggered outside lighting is a
first-line deterrent.

Why don't the darned things work reliably?  My home is on its fourth unit
(in 4 years).  I am about to give up.  They work for a while and thenget
goofy.  Stay on, quit entirely, cycle, false trip, and so on.

My latest unit has a battery-powered, remote sensor and that was great for a
while ... no false tripping and no lock-ups or cycling.  Now, it too has
gone goofy after 6 months.  Yes, I put in new AAs.

Checking with neighbors who also have motion activated lights reveals the
same complaints.

Thought that I'd ask here as you folks have lots of experience with this
kind of technology.

I live in the Northeast, big range of temperatures ..... I don't seem
to have trouble with mine. One thing I will say though. Both of mine
are mounted under the soffets. Not exposed and not facing south.
Another thing .... anything that is exposed to the weather and has a
battery in it .... isn't going to last too long, regardless what you
pay for it.

When I do get a motion detector, I try to get the most expensive one
they have .... that fit's my needs...... which usually isn't that
expensive.

 

[Crash Gordon]

We've been having good luck with ones from Home Depot...about 50 bucks for
double halogen with auto dim (which is nice). If they can stand up to a
couple of years in desert sun they're ok in my book. Out here you're lucky
to get 2 years on a car battery no matter what they're rated at!

This is a security issue since motion-triggered outside lighting is a
first-line deterrent.

Why don't the darned things work reliably? My home is on its fourth unit
(in 4 years). I am about to give up. They work for a while and then get
goofy. Stay on, quit entirely, cycle, false trip, and so on.

My latest unit has a battery-powered, remote sensor and that was great for
a
while ... no false tripping and no lock-ups or cycling. Now, it too has
gone goofy after 6 months. Yes, I put in new AAs.

Checking with neighbors who also have motion activated lights reveals the
same complaints.

Thought that I'd ask here as you folks have lots of experience with this
kind of technology.

I live in the Northeast, big range of temperatures ..... I don't seem
to have trouble with mine. One thing I will say though. Both of mine
are mounted under the soffets. Not exposed and not facing south.
Another thing .... anything that is exposed to the weather and has a
battery in it .... isn't going to last too long, regardless what you
pay for it.

When I do get a motion detector, I try to get the most expensive one
they have .... that fit's my needs...... which usually isn't that
expensive.

 

[ssokoly]

We've been having good luck with ones from Home Depot...about 50 bucks for
double halogen with auto dim (which is nice). If they can stand up to a
couple of years in desert sun they're ok in my book. Out here you're lucky
to get 2 years on a car battery no matter what they're rated at!




I live in the Northeast, big range of temperatures ..... I don't seem
to have trouble with mine. One thing I will say though. Both of mine
are mounted under the soffets. Not exposed and not facing south.
Another thing .... anything that is exposed to the weather and has a
battery in it .... isn't going to last too long, regardless what you
pay for it.

When I do get a motion detector, I try to get the most expensive one
they have .... that fit's my needs...... which usually isn't that
expensive.

http://www.rabweb.com/product_line_detail.php?prodline=STL Used them for
years never have had a problem other than the occasional defective unit
which has maybe happened 2 times in 20 years of using them.