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Reasonably priced motion detector/sensor fixtures. terry 09-19-2007
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Posted by terry on September 19, 2007, 12:13 pm
Have recently installed some additional motion/photo-cell sensor
operated outside fixtures.

The sensors are rated to control up to 300 wattts. We have equipped
them with two regular 75 watt flood lamp bulbs each. (150 watts).

The literature clearly says "Use only incandescent bulbs".

But has anybody actually tried, probably at risk of ruining the sensor
module? a CFL or CFLs.?????

Another reason for asking is that am going to try using a very small
115 volt transformer in parallel (low reactance hopefully) with the
bulbs; thus the low voltage from the transformer run to another
location then used to sound a buzzer etc. As a warning that the lights
have operated for some reason (usually unexpected human activity)
outside the house!

PS. You can set the sensitivity of these things so that not every
prowling cat or varmint operates the sensor. Only larger bodies such
as humans!

Be interested in any comments or ideas. TIA


Posted by Robert Barr on September 19, 2007, 1:37 pm
There must be some reason they specify incandescent, but every motion
sensor I've dissected used a relay to switch the load on and off. I
have no idea why a relay would be sensitive to the type of load, except
if there's some excess initial current draw.

Both of my current detectors emit a nice loud 'click' when they trip,
and it's pretty much certain that it's a relay operating.

I'd say -- go ahead and screw in a CFL. If it blows up, it's cheap
entertainment. If not, you're all set.


terry wrote:
> Have recently installed some additional motion/photo-cell sensor
> operated outside fixtures.
>
> The sensors are rated to control up to 300 wattts. We have equipped
> them with two regular 75 watt flood lamp bulbs each. (150 watts).
>
> The literature clearly says "Use only incandescent bulbs".
>
> But has anybody actually tried, probably at risk of ruining the sensor
> module? a CFL or CFLs.?????
>

Posted by Bob F on September 19, 2007, 1:53 pm
I've been using CFLs on one such detector for years with no problem.

Bob

> There must be some reason they specify incandescent, but every motion sensor
> I've dissected used a relay to switch the load on and off. I have no idea why
> a relay would be sensitive to the type of load, except if there's some excess
> initial current draw.
>
> Both of my current detectors emit a nice loud 'click' when they trip, and it's
> pretty much certain that it's a relay operating.
>
> I'd say -- go ahead and screw in a CFL. If it blows up, it's cheap
> entertainment. If not, you're all set.
>
>
> terry wrote:
>> Have recently installed some additional motion/photo-cell sensor
>> operated outside fixtures.
>>
>> The sensors are rated to control up to 300 wattts. We have equipped
>> them with two regular 75 watt flood lamp bulbs each. (150 watts).
>>
>> The literature clearly says "Use only incandescent bulbs".
>>
>> But has anybody actually tried, probably at risk of ruining the sensor
>> module? a CFL or CFLs.?????
>>



Posted by charlie on September 19, 2007, 2:12 pm

> There must be some reason they specify incandescent, but every motion
> sensor I've dissected used a relay to switch the load on and off. I have
> no idea why a relay would be sensitive to the type of load, except if
> there's some excess initial current draw.
>
> Both of my current detectors emit a nice loud 'click' when they trip, and
> it's pretty much certain that it's a relay operating.
>
> I'd say -- go ahead and screw in a CFL. If it blows up, it's cheap
> entertainment. If not, you're all set.
>
>
> terry wrote:
>> Have recently installed some additional motion/photo-cell sensor
>> operated outside fixtures.
>>
>> The sensors are rated to control up to 300 wattts. We have equipped
>> them with two regular 75 watt flood lamp bulbs each. (150 watts).
>>
>> The literature clearly says "Use only incandescent bulbs".
>>
>> But has anybody actually tried, probably at risk of ruining the sensor
>> module? a CFL or CFLs.?????

possibly because a cfl can take minute to produce the rated light,
especially if it's cold.



Posted by RickH on September 19, 2007, 1:56 pm
> Have recently installed some additional motion/photo-cell sensor
> operated outside fixtures.
>
> The sensors are rated to control up to 300 wattts. We have equipped
> them with two regular 75 watt flood lamp bulbs each. (150 watts).
>
> The literature clearly says "Use only incandescent bulbs".
>
> But has anybody actually tried, probably at risk of ruining the sensor
> module? a CFL or CFLs.?????
>
> Another reason for asking is that am going to try using a very small
> 115 volt transformer in parallel (low reactance hopefully) with the
> bulbs; thus the low voltage from the transformer run to another
> location then used to sound a buzzer etc. As a warning that the lights
> have operated for some reason (usually unexpected human activity)
> outside the house!
>
> PS. You can set the sensitivity of these things so that not every
> prowling cat or varmint operates the sensor. Only larger bodies such
> as humans!
>
> Be interested in any comments or ideas. TIA

Yeah as other poster said, if it clicks then you can probably use the
CFL just fine because it's a relay, if it doesn't click then that
means it's being switched with a triac and for some reason they dont
want you to use a CFL. But I understand some newer CFL's are made to
be switched with triacs, they are called "dimmable" CFL's, maybe use
one of those.



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