Issues with dusk to dawn lights

[vw754]

The lights were working perfectly for over a year , then noticed that one of them wasn't working , so turned off at the mains switch , the light came back to life and was working fine for maybe 30-40 + minutes , then back to the same..... only one working , and idea what this is and how to fix as I can't seem to find the same light anywhere.

 

[ericmark]

My dusk and dawn functions I think come from the internet, so a car parked slightly different, stopping the Wi-Fi signal could mess them up.

 

[vw754]

Mine are hard wired , today after a reset they are still working 2 hours+

 

[morqthana]

My dusk and dawn functions I think come from the internet, so a car parked slightly different, stopping the Wi-Fi signal could mess them up.

You can get ones which detect actual dusk and actual dawn.

I believe they use something called a "photocell", and they aren't confused by parked cars.

 

[ericmark]

Dusk and Dawn are fixed times each day,

my outside light is set to turn on at 5 am and off at dawn, plus an off at 9 am to allow for this time of year, 4 days a week that lines up with my milk deliveries.

I have somewhere it is set in the bulb, and other set in the switch, I do have one PIR lamp, but that has nothing to do with dusk or dawn it works purely on light levels. There were mechanical switches, ⁣but

these have been in the main superseded with electronic switches. You can get bulbs

with photocells built-in and sensors

which in some cases are built into the lamp, but these work on light levels, not times.

 

[bernardgreen]

You can get ones which detect actual dusk and actual dawn

Now that is a good idea, What on earth did we do before the Inter-net took over our lifes

I believe they use something called a "photocell

which is not a room for naughty photographers

 

[vw754]

I have a light either side of the door , one works one won't come on even if it's pitch black unless I turn mains off then on

 

[pete01]

Replace the photo cell in light that doesn't work or if that isn't possible override them both (disconnect inside the lights) and fit a new photocell to control both.

 

[vw754]

Replace the photo cell in light that doesn't work or if that isn't possible override them both (disconnect inside the lights) and fit a new photocell to control both.

Any idea where I can get new photocell

 

[vw754]

This is the light

 

[pete01]

Any idea where I can get new photocell

You can get a stand alone one from screwfix, not sure what type are fitted in your lights or if they even can be replaced

 

[FrodoOne]

The lights were working perfectly for over a year , then noticed that one of them wasn't working , so turned off at the mains switch , the light came back to life and was working fine for maybe 30-40 + minutes , then back to the same..... only one working , and idea what this is and how to fix as I can't seem to find the same light anywhere.

Of course, you did not state the Brand/Model of the Dusk to Dawn sensor concerned.

However, such devices utilize some type of Photo-Sensor,
which usually Fail/Deteriorate - within about ten years.

If the Photo-Senser is integrated within the device,
the entire device needs to be replaced.

One should never utilize a device with an integrated Photo-Sensor - because of this reason.
Always have a separate Photo-Sensor to control any such device.
In that way,
when the Photo-Sensor fails (as it will) it is necessary only to replace IT.

 

[vw754]

Thanks

 

[ericmark]

I use a smart switch, "Tapo"

it does need a hub as well, uses a battery so does not require a neutral or a load, and it supplies the old PIR lamp outside, so it only works dusk to 10 pm I could set up dawn, but there are other outside lights. And on the odd time I am late home, I can turn on lights before leaving the car.

It has dusk and dawn built into the switch, and timers. The tapo hub

doubles as a doorbell, with a button,

it was not got to do that job, it was to turn bedroom lights on/off, but wife uses Google Nest Mini's and voice commands, so it was not being used.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Now that is a good idea, What on earth did we do before the Inter-net took over our lifes

If you wanted dusk to dawn, you used a photocell. If you wanted on at dusk, off at a set time - then you used an expensive, complicated, Sangamo solar time-clock. Wifi smart switches/plugs, make either process so much easier, and cheaper to implement.