Security Light Problem

[kirkie]

Ever since we had a power cut a few days ago my Security light has gone a a little strange.

1st of all it blow the bulb so I have changed this and I thought everything was OK, however it wasn't.

The problem I have is that during darkness the light flashes on and off at very regular intervals basically every second...I thought maybe the PIR had gone so I covered this with a sock and the light stayed on however not as bright.

The light was purchased from B&Q, not sure how long ago and is only valued at £20. I no longer have the instructions and don't think that they stock them anymore.

I think it is called something Sirius, but don't think it is there own brannd...

Thanks in advance....

[gib_goblin]

Did you loose any other bulbs or have any other electrical problems after the powercut? If you can show damage due to the powercut you could claim on insurance.

If it was the powercut that blew the bulb then a spike or surge has probably damaged the electronics in the unit, in which case your best choice is to get a replacement as the cost of repair is likely to be more than the replacement price.

"thelightworks" is a good online business I've used for Security lights, the sell micromart Security floodlights with WIRELESS PIR - These are great becuase you have several lights &/or several PIR so you can illuminate a large are from one or more sensor...The Wireless PIR are also battery powered so no chance of another powercut frying the sensor!

[kirkie]

Great...Thanks for that. For the sake of £20 it isn't worth claiming as the excess wouldn't cover it. I will take a look at the site too...

[ultimatehandyman]

You have not use a low voltage lamp in the security light have you?

They need to pass a small amount of electricity through the lamp for them to be able to work, this can make them flicker and they won't last long at all!

[kirkie]

You have not use a low voltage lamp in the security light have you?

They need to pass a small amount of electricity through the lamp for them to be able to work, this can make them flicker and they won't last long at all!

I am using General Electric Halogen Linear 240V START 150W R7s....

If that means out to you....

[ultimatehandyman]

I meant a low wattage lamp not a low voltage one

I was in a hurry and had to rush out.

Your lamp is obviously not a low wattage one, perhaps one of the sparks will know what is wrong with it?

[kirkie]

Would it be safe to plug this sort of light into a 13amp plug?

[Rich-Ando]

this might not be what you want to hear but 100% honest with my opinion: -

i never buy sensor lights from B&Q or any other DIY place. they are literally cheap crap!!!
if i am asked to fit one that a customer has already bought i simply let them know of the common problems they come with and also they short life they have. one thing i find incredibly funny is that they work on infra red (heat movement but those fitting will go off if a bush blows in the wind.

use seperate sensors, costs a bit more but will last longer and work better. that's just my opinion though, i have a pet hate of the cheap all-in=one sensor lights from the likes of B&Q because i have spent more time changing new ones out of the box that people have bought because they don't work from scratch.
worst i had was 4 of them in a row. i kept telling them customer it was costing him each time i had to go and change it but he wanted the one that B&Q were doing. the cheeky ba**ards at B&Q even said to me "are you sure you're connecting them right?"

B&Q: - full of people that know little to nothing about everything they sell. they also seem to have a fantastic knack of opening 5 tills when the store has 4 customers waiting to pay but when it's a Wednesday (pensioners discount day) they close tills, leave just 2 open and have q's of 20+

[Stoday]

I sympathise with you R-A.

It's the same with luminaires. Domestic luminaires are crap; just have to pay the extra for commercial.