Reliable security lights?

[RM84]

Roughly 2 1/2 years ago upon recommendations I bought x4 Steinal XLED Pro 240’s. They were sourced from a local electrical wholesaler and supplied direct to them from Steinal in Peterbourgh, then fitted by a local electrician. They have been wired so that when one of the PIR’s is triggered, they all come on. Initially upon collecting the lights I was quick to pull them from the box and see what my well over £100 for each light was getting me. My initial impression wasn’t great, none of the electrical connections have any form of water ingress protection, driving rain could quite easy get past the plastic casing and in to the fitting in my opinion. As can be seen in the photo below. I raised my concern with the electrician who didn’t seem that worried about it and booked a fitting date.

Soon fitting after we had strong wind (50-60mph gusts), all 4 lights folded themselves forward so they were facing the ground. I called Steinal to express my discontent at this, and the lack of ability to fix the lights in position. For which I was met with a shrugging of the shoulders type response and actually seemed to be questioning me as if I was talking nonsense, until I offered to send the CCTV footage from the camera which sits over one of the lights.

Putting aside the aforementioned annoyances the lights had continued to work flawless until this week. I noticed an increase in the lights triggering for no reason over the last week and last night they just stayed on and now won’t go off. This morning I went to the consumer unit for and flicked the breaker off, gave it a few mins and they powered back on. The lights came straight back on and remained on since. I have been in touch with the wholesaler this morning who are going to take care of it as they’re still in warranty.

However, I do need more security lights for another building which I’ve just finished and I’m loathed to spend a fortune with a company who seem to have no interest whatsoever in customer feedback and have ultimately proved unreliable. Can anyone recommend lights that will function as the Steinal’s do (powering the others on when motion is detected) and actually last? I’ve always bought what I am told is the best and increasing finding even the ‘best’ is in reality a lump of poo. Something I am growing ever more frustrated about. Any suggestions would be great.

 

[ericmark]

Clearly, no point having a security light in the same spectrum as human eyesight, they would help intruders rather than hinder them, so likely looking at ultraviolet or inferred and these will need to match the cameras used, so best buying them both as a package, to ensure they work together.

 

[Scally-Ho]

Clearly, no point having a security light in the same spectrum as human eyesight, they would help intruders rather than hinder them, so likely looking at ultraviolet or inferred and these will need to match the cameras used, so best buying them both as a package, to ensure they work together.

A very sensible and well thought out reply

 

[foxhole]

I believe the purpose of security lights is to illuminate the burglar to scare them away at least that’s what the police tell you.
Any self respecting burglar carries a torch.

 

[morqthana]

... ultraviolet ...

Seriously would not advise that.

 

[ericmark]

I would think anyone who does not know my house, would likely injure themselves trying to get in at night, there are some 4 foot sheer drops, I want lights to assist me, but that is nothing to do with security, I have set in security huts watching people trying to break in, having a good laugh with the security guards, at places where I have worked, I would assume inferred lighting, one can only see what is going on with the cameras, all I know not in the spectrum of the human eye.

The cameras clearly matched the light, and sure they were got as a package, I don't think they had motion sensors, but may be wrong.

 

[flameport]

Can anyone recommend lights that will function as the Steinal’s do (powering the others on when motion is detected)

Separate PIR sensor(s) and lights.
Then you can have the sensors in the optimal locations for those, which is rarely where the lights are.

 

[RM84]

Clearly, no point having a security light in the same spectrum as human eyesight, they would help intruders rather than hinder them, so likely looking at ultraviolet or inferred and these will need to match the cameras used, so best buying them both as a package, to ensure they work together.

I would wholly disagree with on having lights not on sensor. I’ve designed my CCTV work with the lights and have a mixture of Darkfighter and Colorvu cams (both types run AI on the front end). The lights did their job fairly early on. I had 3 masked me walk up the road, headed straight for my gate. Once they got in range of the PIR the house lit up, as too did the cameras. They immediately about turned and left, it made sobering viewing the next day. The only thing I did look at was using the alarm outputs on the cameras to trigger lights, but this option worked out far easier.

 

[RM84]

A very sensible and well thought out reply

I would think anyone who does not know my house, would likely injure themselves trying to get in at night, there are some 4 foot sheer drops, I want lights to assist me, but that is nothing to do with security, I have set in security huts watching people trying to break in, having a good laugh with the security guards, at places where I have worked, I would assume inferred lighting, one can only see what is going on with the cameras, all I know not in the spectrum of the human eye.

The cameras clearly matched the light, and sure they were got as a package, I don't think they had motion sensors, but may be wrong.

Funny enough my garden is also like walking around an assault course. However, we also had a break in prior to having any lights on PIRs being fitted (initially lighting was switch only). After that I went OTT with security. Which saw off a group of masked guys in the night not too long after being fitting. I felt it a worthwhile investment at that point.

 

[RM84]

Separate PIR sensor(s) and lights.
Then you can have the sensors in the optimal locations for those, which is rarely where the lights are.

That could be an option, in a bizarre stroke of luck all the lights have gone where I wanted them while retaining all the trigger locations I wanted to cover. Doing it that was still leaves me with the question of which lights to fit alongside an external PIT? I’ve had multiple sour experiences with likes of the rubbish screwfix sell.

 

[RM84]

I believe the person of security lights is to illuminate the burglar to scare them away at least that’s what the police tell you.
Any self respecting burglar carries a torch.

You say that, but I’ve got footage of 3 masked men doing an about turn once they saw the house and cameras all light up. The numpties who broke in before I had decent security just had their phone, which oddly plod weren’t that interested in.

 

[foxhole]

You say that, but I’ve got footage of 3 masked men doing an about turn once they saw the house and cameras all light up. The numpties who broke in before I had decent security just had their phone, which oddly plod weren’t that interested in.

You agree with me then but in a way which doesn’t?

 

[morqthana]

The numpties who broke in before I had decent security just had their phone, which oddly plod weren’t that interested in.

Difficult to make a charge of "going equipped" stick for a phone....

 

[blup]

Cheap Amazon lights work fine

 

[RM84]

I can only go based on my experience. This lot soon naffed off when they got lit up……without cameras and lights there would have been another court case for a householder seriously injuring a burglar. Safer for all parties I feel.

You agree with me then but in a way which doesn’t?