More bathroom mirrors

[Tim Lamb]

Anyone had the misfortune to purchase a Sensio Kai IP44 LED mirror? (Toolstation)

I don't doubt the IP44 bit but the infra red sensor used as an on/off device is crap!

Works fine if you happen to have a tungsten filament lead lamp to hand but waving any part of your body near it achieves nothing.

Bit late to return it as I cut a large hole in the back to accept the incoming mains feed.

3 wire plug in sensor. Is this likely to be available as a spare this side of the world?

Alternatively could I replace it with a couple of fixed resistors and shunt one with a pushbutton?

Take up smoking? Hang a small torch next to the mirror?

[Roger Hayter]

Probably not applicable, but when I had a problem with a through-mirror IR sensor it responded to thorough cleaning and degreasing of the mirror over and a few inches around the sensor. I was surprised, which is why I mention it.

[Tim Lamb]

This particular sensor is fitted to the lower edge of the casing and glued (I think) into a threaded plastic bush. I plan to contact Tool station tomorrow to see if they can offer any sort of fix.

Failing that I'll strip the cell out and have a careful check for surplus glue etc. masking the face.

An LED torch does not trigger the cell. Claimed to be infra red so perhaps it is!

[Andrew Gabriel]

Cutting a hole to route the cable through doesn't prevent you taking back a product that doesn't work for repair or replacement (providing that in itself didn't cause the breakage).

It only stops you taking back a product you decided you don't want.

[Tim Lamb]

In message <q2cdio$d8i$ [e-mail], Andrew Gabriel [e-mail]> writes

Yes. Confirmed by a call the Toolstation this morning. They marked the order acknowledgement to allow a no charge exchange from my nearest outlet with stock. They also gave details of their supplier. Technical advice from them was that mounting the sensor within 150mm of an object (particularly something shiny) might lead to switching problems. Apparently, there should have been a sticky label warning of this issue.

For aesthetic reasons, I had edged the mdf grooved wallboard specified by the likely user with a white painted wooden strip. Not directly below but certainly within 150mm.

The cure ...... tilt the sensor and secure with an agricultural quantity of Stixall:-)