Dusk to Dawn Light

[PAkev]

I have a freestanding (on a lamp post)dusk to dawn light that stopped working about a year ago. Before petering out completely it worked sporatically off and on for about two or three months. Upon a brief examination it appears the bulb filament is intact. I was at Lowes the other day checking on what it would take to fix it and found the replacement bulbs are in excess of $35. I have no problem paying that if it is indeed the bulb that needs replacement. Due to the way it stopped working, I have a feeling it can be the sensor that needs replacement. <br /><br />Is there anyway of telling if the dusk to dawn sensor is faulty and/or needs replacement.<br /><br />Helpful advice appreciated<br />Kevin

 

[divo]

Re: Dusk to Dawn Light

sounds like a high pressure sodium or mercury vapor fixture. Locate the photo-eye on the fixture and cover it with black tape. It has to be covered up really good. Wait a few minutes. Put your ear up to the fixture body and you should hear the ballast humming trying to start the lamp. If you dont hear anything...its the photo-eye or the ballast..if you do..its the lamp. Before you do any of that check to make sure there is power there. Can you describe the fixture?

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Dusk to Dawn Light

Need more info about exactly what you have to determine this for sure....but possibly for about the same price as your bulb, you could replace the whole unit with a newer flourescent light. If indeed it is sodium of mercury, it likely is rated at about 175W, the new flourescents will consume only 60W for the same amount of light all night. You'll not only save the hassle of fixing the old light, but you'll save money in the long term on your electric bill.

 

[PAkev]

Re: Dusk to Dawn Light

It is a mercury bulb. The sensor is independant of the bulb on the top outside of light. Not a normal socket that I can try the bulb to verify if it works. Also looks like some kind of transformer between the sensor and the bulb.<br /><br />Thanks <br />Kevin

 

[PAkev]

Re: Dusk to Dawn Light

It is a mercury bulb. The sensor is independant of the bulb on the top outside of light. Not a normal socket that I can try the bulb to verify if it works. Also looks like some kind of transformer between the sensor and the bulb.<br /><br />Thanks <br />Kevin

 

[PAkev]

Re: Dusk to Dawn Light

It is a mercury bulb. The sensor is independant of the bulb on the top outside of light. Not a normal socket that I can try the bulb to verify if it works. Also looks like some kind of transformer between the sensor and the bulb.<br /><br />Thanks <br />Kevin

 

[divo]

Re: Dusk to Dawn Light

A flourescent wont come any where near the light output on a sodium or mercury vapor. stick with what you have. Mercury vapor gives off a nice white light and if at the correct height will light a large area and is not affected by cold weather. If it turns out to be the lamp make sure you replace with the same, or less wattage.

 

[Ron G]

Re: Dusk to Dawn Light

Does it have a srew in starter on top ?srews like in like a 4 prong plug.mine lasts about a year and half just screw it out and install new one,they do look like the sun at night.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Dusk to Dawn Light

Originally posted by divo:<br /> A flourescent wont come any where near the light output on a sodium or mercury vapor. stick with what you have. Mercury vapor gives off a nice white light and if at the correct height will light a large area and is not affected by cold weather. If it turns out to be the lamp make sure you replace with the same, or less wattage.

I disagree. I replaced my high pressure sodium light with a flourescent about 5 years ago. It warms up and gets bright faster, works great even when it's below zero degrees outside, it has a reflector that directs all the light down instead of all over the place...and it actually lights a larger ground area than my old one. There's much less light pollution because it's directed light so I can see the stars better and it's less intrusive for neighbors, and all that for 1/3 the energy of the old light. It's been trouble-free and I very much prefer the way it lights my lot over the old one. I believe I paid about $30 for it back then and I'd do it all over again.<br /><br />So now I have an unused but functional sodium light here if someone wants it...maybe I should Ebay that thing, too.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Dusk to Dawn Light

Originally posted by craze1cars:<br />I disagree. I replaced my high pressure sodium light with a flourescent about 5 years ago. It warms up and gets bright faster, works great even when it's below zero degrees outside, it has a reflector that directs all the light down instead of all over the place...and it actually lights a larger ground area than my old one. There's much less light pollution because it's directed light so I can see the stars better and it's less intrusive for neighbors, and all that for 1/3 the energy of the old light. It's been trouble-free and I very much prefer the way it lights my lot over the old one. I believe I paid about $30 for it back then and I'd do it all over again.

So you replaced a crappy HID light with a good quality fluorescent. That is not a fair comparison. All types of HID lights produce about 50% more light per watt than fluorescent. HID is better in every respect when compared in equal quality fixtures except for the slightly quicker warm up time of fluorescent. That is exactly why you never see a fluorescent street light.