Fix a Dusk to Dawn Light Fixture
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How to Repair a Dusk to Dawn Light or Motion Detector Light Fixture: The Security Light Fixture TEST Setting Functions, Replacing a Motion Detector Head on a Dusk to Dawn Fixture, Testing a Photo Cell. © By: Dave Rongey |
What To Do If Your Dusk To Dawn Fixture is Erratic
Electrical Project #1: My dusk to dawn light has become erratic, coming on at dusk, staying on a while, going out, coming back on for a few minutes, going out, coming on for a while, going out.
- The security light fixture has worked perfectly for several years.
- Should I change the light bulb, sensor or the whole light?
Thanks.
This electrical wiring request came from: Rick who is a Handyman from California.
Electrical Project #2:
- My next door single lady has two great hard to reach motion detector lights facing our shared driveways.
- They have worked well for some time, but have decided either to be on or off.
- She said she accidentally turned the inside single switch which operates them and now can not get them to turn on only at night when motion is detected.
- She says she had the instructions how to activate them properly from the single interior switch, but can not find them.Thanks for your help, Dave!
This electrical wiring question came from Chuck, a Handyman in Missouri.
Dave’s Reply:
Thank you for sharing your electrical projects.
Repairing a Dusk to Dawn or Motion Detector Light Fixture
Application: How to Repair a Dusk to Dawn Light Fixture.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate. This electrical project is best performed by a Licensed Electrician or Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required: Basic Hand Tools and Safe Ladder.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal experience, the light fixture and access to the light fixture.
Precaution: Identify the light fixture circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Notice: Replacement parts for the security light fixture should be compatible with the type of fixture that has been installed.
Security Light Fixture TEST Setting Functions
- Be sure that the setting on the motion detector head is not switched into the TEST setting.
- The TEST setting will over-ride the photo cell and will cause the fixture to trigger the lights to come on when any movement is sensed at any time.
Replacing a Motion Detector Head on a Dusk to Dawn Fixture
- If necessary the motion detector head may be purchased to replace the defective motion detector head.
- You will notice that there are a variety of sensing capabilities available, and the more sensitive the head the higher the price.
- You may also want to compare the price of the motion detector head all by itself compared to a whole new light fixture.
- Replacing the motion detector head typically involves the following three wires:
- Black wire for the incoming power.
- Red wire for the outgoing power to the light bulb sockets.
- White neutral wire, which is typically spliced together with the white wires of the incoming power source neutral, and the white wires to each light socket.
Testing a Photo Cell
- If the outdoor light fixture does not have a standard motion detector head with a TEST switch option, and you need to test the photo cell, then follow the example in the following process:
- Locate the photo cell on the light fixture, or the external photo cell control.
- Typically the actual photo cell is inside the unit behind a round clear plastic lens, which may be located on the bottom of the motion detector, or the front side.
- With the power on to the light fixture, place a small strip of black electrical tape over the photo cell to block the light.
- Depending on the photo cell it may take about 30 seconds for the photo cell to turn on.
- If the photo cell and control circuitry is functioning properly, and the light bulbs are good the fixture should light up.
- After testing the photo cell be sure to remove the black electrical tape which will place it back into the automatic mode of operation.
Reset a Motion Detector Light
- Most motion detectors are activated into the Off, On or Auto mode using the power source, which in this case is the wall switch. To do this turn the switch Off, then wait about 6 seconds, and then turn it back On. Each time this is done the motion detector will toggle into the next mode of operation.
- NOTE: Some motion detectors come with small switches on the bottom that will activate these settings as well.
Part Reference: Dusk to Dawn Light
More about Wiring Motion Detectors and Dusk to Dawn Light Fixtures
Wire a Dusk to Dawn Light Fixture and a Motion Detector
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Installing Motion Detector and Security Light Fixtures
- Installing motion detector outdoor lighting fixtures provide security and energy savings and they can easily replace an existing exterior wall fixture.
The following may also be helpful for you:
Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.
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Larry, Make sure the photocell is in total darkness at night, because a small amount of light can prevent the light from turning on. Some photocells have adjustable covers that slide over the surface to increase the sensitivity and turn of the light earlier in the evening. If your sensor does not have this feature perhaps covering a portion of the sensor with black tape may solve the problem. Of course, you may have a defective photocell that needs to be replaced.
I hope this helps you,
Dave
I have a dusk to dawn pole light that does not come on at night unless i put my thumb over the sensor for a few seconds then it comes on and stays on all night. The light does go off in the morning just not back on in the next night. The next night it will not work unless the thumb is put on the sensor. Why does the light not work the next night?
Hi Randy,
The motion sensor could be faulty and need to be replaced, but before you do that make sure to cycle the power to the unit off and back on and see if that resets the motion detector. Some units have a manual over ride option where the light could be set to be On simply by turning the power to the unit off and back on again.
I hope this helps you.
I have a flood light dusk to dawn fixture with a movement sensor but it stays on all of the time. It worked fine for a couple of years. I have 2 LED flood lights on it. I think it is the light sensor but not sure.
Hi Nilesh,
The extra wires of the dusk to dawn light fixture that stays on all the time require identification for their specific connection to obtain automatic control. Also, if the light fixture is equipped with Setup Switches make sure they are not set into a Test or Bypass position which can override the automatic control features. The setup switches are used when adjusting the range and sensitivity during daylight, however once the adjustments are complete the switches must be returned into the automatic position to allow the dusk to dawn operation.
I hope this helps you,
Dave
I have a dusk to dawn fixture. There is 1 switch which controls 3 lights (they’re LED light fixtures). However, one light always remain on, when the switch is ‘ON’ the other 2 lights work as expected (when it’s bright, they go ‘OFF’, when it becomes dark, they’re ‘ON’). I’ve tried replacing the light fixture which always remains ‘ON’ without any luck. The only difference I see with the light fixture that remains ‘ON’ always is, it has 5 wires (2 +ve’s and 2 -ve’s and 1 ground), where as the other 2 lights have only 3 wires (1 +ve, 1-ve, and 1 ground). I tried just 2 wires (1+ve and 1-ve), and the light would not go ‘ON’ at all. What is going on here?
We have a dusk to dawn yard light that quit working. We found the sensor was partly melted, we figured from a lightening storm. We replaced the sensor. The light worked but did not turn off after a week or so, now the light does not work again.
Hi Tom,
Here are a few possibilities that would cause a dusk to dawn light to buzz:
Loose connection of a bulb in the lamp socket.
Moisture inside the light fixture or detector head.
Loose wiring connection in the light fixture.
The circuit for the light fixture should be turned off so these items may be inspected and apply the repairs as needed.
I hope this helps,
Dave
I have a dusk to dawn light that buzzes when it comes on and keeps buzzing when it is on. what is the problem?
They were manufactured as led. There is no bulb to screw in, there are about 40 small led on the light, and they just strobe all day.
Hi Fred,
Make sure the lamps are the right type as specified by the light fixture manufacturer. For example: If the lamps are supposed to be incandescent or halogen, and CFL or a non compatible lamp is installed then it may cause the dusk to dawn fixture not to work normally.
I hope this helps,
Dave
I have a dusk to dawn led light that comes on perfectly at night, but during the day it strobes all day. It blinks all day and then comes on at night. At dusk it looks like a disco ball until it comes completely on. What could be the cause of this?
Hi Suzy,
From what you have described it sounds like you have installed lamp socket adapters that have a photocell in each unit, therefore the first unit will go on and produce light that will cause the other two photocells to sense the light and react as if it were daylight. To fix this problem you may consider removing the adapter units and purchase a single photocell that would fit onto the base of the light fixture. Installing the photocell will require drilling a hole to into the light fixture and connecting the light fixture power wire through the photocell control.
I hope this helps you,
Dave
I have dusk to dawn sensors in the lamps outside of my garage. The lamp has 3 lights. Each light has a dusk to dawn sensor screwed into the socket, but only one light will burn at a time. When one burns out, it has to be replaced before the light will work. I don’t understand first of all why all three do not burn at the same time and secondly, why don’t the other one start coming on if one burns out?
Hi Buddy,
From what you have described it sounds like you have a separate photocell that controls the power to the dusk to dawn light fixture. In any case, it may be helpful to know that most motion detector controlled light fixtures or dusk to dawn light fixtures typically operate with a continuous power supply. Many of these light fixtures have the ability to manually toggle into a Manual On or into the Automatic mode when the power supply has been toggled on and off. This could also occur when a photo cell has been installed ahead of the dusk to dawn light fixture. Therefore, it would be best to control a standard light fixture with a photocell, or have a dusk to dawn light fixture with the typical motion control module that has a constant power source.
I hope this helps, let us know what works best for your application,
Dave
Hi, my dusk to dawn lights are staying on all the time. There are four all on same photo cell. I replaced the photo cell and still the same thing. I replaced the receptacle that the photocell plugs in to as well and I still have the same problem. I know the wiring is correct because they have worked for years up to this. Any suggestions as to what this might be?
Hi Peter,
Try searching for the fixture at home depot, Lowes, pottery barn, or any other light fixture supplier.
An image search for Lantern Light Fixture using any search service may be very helpful as well. If you locate the light fixture and does not have the dusk to dawn control you might be able to adapt the control to the fixture, or install a dusk to dawn control into a separate fixture box.
I hope this helps,
Dave
I have a dusk to dawn half lantern with high low sensor that is now broken down and I can’t find one like it anywhere. Ive been searching on internet three days, any ideas? Thanks Peter
Thanks, Dave we will try what you suggest. The dusk-to-dawn light is on front of the garage and on a separate fuse box.
Hi Joyce,
Check the settings on the eye to make sure they are correct. Make sure the lamps are compatible with the light fixture, and just in case, make sure there is not a switch in the home that controls the light fixture that is getting turned off.
I hope this helps you Joyce,
Dave
I have a dust-to-dawn light that is working improperly. We replaced the eye about 3 months ago and the light would come on for a few seconds and shut off. Today, we replaced the bulb and now it does not come on at all. What do we need to do next?
Hi Judy,
More information would be helpful, however you may start by having the wiring to the light examined to make sure it has been installed properly.
I hope this helps,
Dave
Our light goes out when we open our garage door.
Hi Susan,
Make sure you are testing the dusk to dawn light fixture with the switches in the “TEST” position if you are working with the fixture in the day time. This will over ride the photocell and allow you to test the motion sensor directly. Typically the black wire of the motion detector head is connected to the incoming circuit power which is usually black, and the red wire of the motion detector is connected to the wires leading to the lamp holders, and then the white wires are all spliced together. Sometimes the motion detector head can go bad and quit working, especially if moisture gets inside the unit. In that case the motion detector head will need to be replaced with a new one, which is available from most hardware stores.
Make sure the circuit power is off before checking any wiring connections.
I hope this sheds some light on this,
Dave
I have a dust to dawn light that quit working. I replaced the light bulb twice and the sensor on top has power coming into all the areas but the light still will not work. Is there anything else I should replace?