[PatFlemming]

My driveway pole lights stopped working. I used a voltage tester and no power was feeding the lights. I figured my photocell sensor was defective so I replaced it and added new bulbs. It seemed to have worked. The lights came on at dusk but turned off after about 1 hour. Although it's dark out, I put tape on the sensor just on case there was light reflecting from something. Still didn't work.

Any ideas on what could be the issue?

Not sure if it matters but the old photo cell was rated 120V, 8.3 AMP, 1800W. The new sensor is rated 120V, 4.2 AMP, 500W. Could that be what's causing the problem?

 

[Oldmaster]

I guess it possible your "new" photo cell could be bad. Bypass the photo cell and see if light works

 

[PatFlemming]

I guess it possible your "new" photo cell could be bad. Bypass the photo cell and see if light works

What's strange is that the new photocell worked for about one hour after the sun went down. Now, it doesnt work. Could it have been overloaded?

 

[Oldmaster]

Hard to believe your light is over 500 watts

 

[Missouri Bound]

What's strange is that the new photocell worked for about one hour after the sun went down. Now, it doesnt work. Could it have been overloaded?

After you turn off the breaker:
Check the connections of your new installation. Make sure everything is tight.
If all seems proper, disconnect the photocell and wire the lights bypassing the sensor entirely. See if they stay on.
If they do, your photocell was bad....sh*t happens.
If they don't, double check your wiring and check the sockets.
Be careful.

 

[PatFlemming]

Now, it it possible I didnt wire the new sensor correctly? It is possible for the lights to have turned on a for a short while even if the wire connections were reversed? I'm getting a bit paranoid.

 

[Oldmaster]

Anything is possible. Wouldn't hurt to check your wiring.
.

 

[Jim Port]

What is the load on the photocell?

 

[Let it Snow]

Check your connections:
Three wires on Photocell
Black = Line / Hot
White = Neutral, ALL white wires connected together.
Red = Load / Lights

 

[PatFlemming]

Update: I replaced the "new" photocell with a another new one (same kind). No dice, nothing works. What could be going on? All connections seem to be correct: red to red, white to white, black to black.

What drives me crazy is that it worked yesterday at dusk for about an hour. Now nothing seems to turn them back on, even with another new photocell. Light bulbs are new too.

 

[darren]

Have you tried connecting your light directly and bypassing the photocell? This will confirm your light is working and the problem is the photocell.

What photocell did you get?

 

[PatFlemming]

Have you tried connecting your light directly and bypassing the photocell? This will confirm your light is working and the problem is the photocell.

What photocell did you get?

These are the ones i got: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B073WNY39V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm thinking of trying this one since it's more heavy duty with 1800watts: https://tinyurl.com/yct2fdpt


How do I bypass the photocell? relatively easy?

 

[Jim Port]

To bypass the photocell connect both blacks together at the photocell location leaving the black and red from the photocell out.

I think your problem is upstream.

 

[PatFlemming]

To bypass the photocell connect both blacks together at the photocell location leaving the black and red from the photocell out.

I think your problem is upstream.

You mention 2 blacks. I have a black, red and white feeding the box. Which do I connect and which do I leave unconnected?

 

[Jim Port]

Whatever two went to the black and red of the photocell get connected.

 

[PatFlemming]

And I would leave the white wire unconnected? (Just making sure... don't want to burn down the house)

 

[Kevin_Essiambre]

And I would leave the white wire unconnected? (Just making sure... don't want to burn down the house)

Correct, don't need to do anything with the white to bypass the photocell.

Sent from my new phone. Autocorrect may have changed stuff.

 

[Missouri Bound]

You said "lights"
How many and what kind of bulbs are in them?
You can total up the wattage and you will know right away if your photocell was too small. Considering it did work for an hour it is quite possible you did burn something up....the photocell....a wire....who knows.

 

[seharper]

These are the ones i got: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B073WNY39V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There's your problem right there. "Sold by <jackasses> and Fulfilled by Amazon".

I'm acquainted with uxcell; they're hardly the worst of the chinese junkstream coming off Alibaba, and I use their stuff for low voltage... but they definitely don't have any business selling components that get used in AC mains wiring. Welcome to the world of cheap online junk.

Generally things "Sold by and ships from Amazon.com" are a step in the right direction, but they have a ginormous counterfeit problem because of commingling (Amazon commingles their own stock). You're really better off buying UL listed products at the local home store, or online *from* the local home store.

 

[Kevin_Essiambre]

There's your problem right there. "Sold by and Fulfilled by Amazon".



I'm acquainted with uxcell; they're hardly the worst of the chinese junkstream coming off Alibaba, and I use their stuff for low voltage... but they definitely don't have any business selling components that get used in AC mains wiring. Welcome to the world of cheap online junk.



Generally things "Sold by and ships from Amazon.com" are a step in the right direction, but they have a ginormous counterfeit problem because of commingling (Amazon commingles their own stock). You're really better off buying UL listed products at the local home store, or online *from* the local home store.

Heres one that would work for OP... https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000P0HBJS/

I've installed plenty. They work great, and it's even a prime item, so OP can have it tomorrow!

Sent from my new phone. Autocorrect may have changed stuff.