The light buld stays on 24 hours a day The sensor is supposed to turn it off in the AM and turn it on in the PM. It stays on forever. What and how can I repair it I'm alone and handicapped. Usually fairly good at caring for myself but I don't know anything abt. the sensor where it is or how to replace it thank you
IMHO, you might have dirt on the sensor, making it appear dark.
later,
tom @
Sounds like you have a photocell in the circuit. The light should be on from dusk to dawn if you do. If its a steel post, its a small round eye that generally sits inside the post just below the fixture. To get to it you have to remove the fixture first. There is another type of photocell that screws into the fixture socket, then the bulb screws into it. If you have one like that, you'll see it by removing the bulb
the photoelectric sensor could be anywhere connected by wires on an electrical box. it might be hiding in plain view on the post fixture blocked with dirt to fool it into darkness. its 3 wires could be white common, black hot, red switched hot. if there is another outdoor or porch light behaving the same way then a sensor on the building is misbehaving. once you locate it the replacement can be found easily. avoid the impulse to modify the bulb with an indoor lamp sensor, since these are not rated for outdoor use and can cause a cycle of blinking on/off due to seeing the light reflection inside a glass enclosure. you may have a voltage drop if the photoeye is defective so repair/replace it. most flourescent twist bulbs are not outdoor rated and are not for enclosures. read the packages carefully.
jeank wrote:
If a single light is controlled , the sensor is normally very close to the light . It is also shielded from the light itself.
These sometimes fail , or get very dirty and simply need cleaning .
You need to find someone who can climb up to the light and check it out for you if you cant do it yourself.
A neighbor, lions club, veterans group, church are all possibilities for assistance.
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