Knackered flood-light

[Captain Jack]

Hello,

A non-car related question, unless you count that the flood light above my garage is knackered and doesn't light up my car when I arrive. Basically, this PIR motion activated sensor flood-light suddenly stopped working. Judging by the rusted screws on the unit, I'd say that it's quite old but the bulb is fine as it lights up when I bypass the sensor wiring.

I've looked online but I cannot find a PIR light sensor to buy on its own for some reason. Only a complete unit. As I don't want to spend unnecessary money on a whole new light, is it possible to buy one of these separately? It says "Smiths" on it if that helps? Though I guess any will do....

[Welly]

You can get separate Lux Level sensors and PIR's but that's a right ball ache.

I'd recommend Screw Fix for an all in one flood, I've got 3 of there's and they're very reliable (apart from eating Halogen bulbs) in fact today I've been trying to source an LED floodlamp bulb, might try one.

[Doggy]

Always worth trying Tool Station, (frequently cheaperer than Screwfix), maybe even Maplins.

[steve_earwig]

If you could find one with the same innards... Oh look, there's Lord Lucan.

...in fact today I've been trying to source an LED floodlamp bulb, might try one.

They have one in the vet's here above the inpection slab, looks pretty powerful to me but that's indoors, so it might not be all that out.

[teamster1975]

Have a look in Wickes if you've got one close CJ, their PIR floods are very reasonable.

[Captain Jack]

Thanks all! Have Wickes and ScrewFix nearby, so will investigate.

[Welly]

Here's a piece of interesting information; I fitted a Screwfix high/low bulkhead fitting in front of my Garage in 2003 - it has a 'normal' filament bulb (remember those?) rated at 60W. At dusk the lamp comes on at about 25% power unless something trips the PIR when it'll go 'full power' for an allotted time (30 seconds or so).

Here's the really cool bit: I thought to myself t'other day "I have NEVER changed that bulb and it still workies"......which got me thinking.........and thinking........and googling "average hours of darkness UK".........and I conclude the bulb has given approx 38,000 hours of service

(I should really get out more).

[steve_earwig]

Do Wickes still exist? I still have a Wickes tape measure...

Welly dear boy, they could make light bulbs that last forever (they did once, guess what they're doing ), the manufacturers soon realised they'd put themselves out of business so they're regulated to only last a certain amount of time. In other words, the fact that that one's still going means it has failed. Failed to fail that is.

[Welly]

I understand although in this particular case I wonder if it is not to do with the soft-start of the bulb i.e. it initially comes on to 25% and then only steps up a gear once the filament is already in service. In other words the filament does not receive that 'shock' (pardon the pun) of a normal lamp being switched on.

Cap'n I'd consider an LED fitting if you can, I believe these high-power Halogens (although good) are a massive drain on the electrickery - and you'd be doing your bit for the Planet, albeit bathed in a wishy-washy and slightly creepy level of Lumenage.

[Doggy]

Wickes still exist, but in marketing parlance the brand has been re-positioned, (they're now naffing expensive). Interestingly we now have a new Wickes across the road from where I work, which includes a branch of Tool Station, (presumably for tight-fisted sods like me).

BTW Welters, old chap, have you calculated how much energy said bulb has consumed in it's surprisingly long life? (and more to the point, how much of a dent it's made in your shiny suspension / winter boots / detailing budget)?

[steve_earwig]

I understand although in this particular case I wonder if it is not to do with the soft-start of the bulb i.e. it initially comes on to 25% and then only steps up a gear once the filament is already in service. In other words the filament does not receive that 'shock' (pardon the pun) of a normal lamp being switched on.

It could very well be that, yes. Don't tell the bulb manufacturers though

Cap'n I'd consider an LED fitting if you can, I believe these high-power Halogens (although good) are a massive drain on the electrickery - and you'd be doing your bit for the Planet, albeit bathed in a wishy-washy and slightly creepy level of Lumenage.

Halogens don't actually take much less than a normal phillyment blub, 'cos that's what they more-or-less still are.

I used to live across the road to a Wickes, damn handy for the keen DIYer that was (and North London's best take-away curry house. Oh, and an all-night Greek Deli. Blimey, them were the days, I was in a DIY store here today: in the unlikely event of them actually selling what you're after, you'll spend half an hour tracking it down to find an empty shelf, or every size except the one you want. The only thing Croats know about olives is some are green and some aren't. As for an Indian take-away, only if they have a 1,000 mile delivery policy from the UK because there aren't any at all here )

Anyway, back on topic, I'm very keen to give LEDs a chance because everything else is just plain stupid. Mate of mine here got some via Amazon and the light they give out is very bright and would be excellent if it wasn't for making everything blurred and the odd colour. Ah well, keep trying guys, it's that or mutant fish knocking on our doors.

[rwb]

Are LED bulbs any good these days.
Last time I saw one in a domestic fitting was a few years ago and all they could muster was a dim blue light. It was in a kitchen and you certainly couldn't wash up by it.

[steve_earwig]

I can't remember the make of the ones my mate has but they're pretty good, much better than all the rubbish available to me here. I think the problem with them is they don't have any defusers so you can actually see the SMDs inside, so consequently everything has a mass of shadows as it's like being lit by lots of bulbs. Either that or my eyes are completely screwed. There were 4 of them over his card table, in a wheel with no shade or anything, he's replaced 2 with normal bulbs and the light is perfect. Kind of defeats the object but it's just over half price light.

That took me ages - these http://www.litecraft.co.uk/light-bulbs- ... light-bulb (I think)

[Bailes1992]

These days LEDs are fantastic and only going to get better!

I'm fitting Recessed fittings about 300mm in diameter. They have one tiny SMD led in them and let out massive amounts of light! Il have to try get a picture tommorow.


Anyway Jack, remove the PIR that's on the fitting and replace it with any outdoor PIR. It will be fine!
Or replace the whole unit, they are cheap enough.

[Welly]

In my Kitchen I've got 9 x GU10 50 watt dichroic downlighters and I am desperate to find an LED alternative that actually works properly. I tried just one a few months back; it was marketed as the 'mother of all LED's' and sported 4 x 'things' in a cluster anyhoo it was the usual light output you'd find in the Toilet of a Greek Taverna and it lasted 1 HOUR before we heard an impressive 'POP' and the smell of an electrical failure.