Life Home Improvement guys - Motion sensing lights or no?

Silock · 11-15-2013, 05:11 AM

Here's my dilemma:

My back porch light bit the dust. Not the light bulb, but the light itself. It is a motion sensing light put in by the previous owner, but it never worked well at all. Even with the sensitivity at the highest setting, it never detected motion unless I stood in front of it for a minute waving my hands trying to get it to turn on.

Should I just replace it with a regular old switch light? Seems like it's less hassle. I'm not really worried about intruders at the back door, whether that's wise or not. I don't think a motion sensing light is going to deter anyone that wouldn't be deterred by my alarm system and alarm system stickers, anyway.

Thoughts? Should I get another motion sensing light? A better brand perhaps?

TOUCHDOWN!!! KC · 11-15-2013, 05:36 AM

I'd go back with the sensor light. It's going to cost more. My two reason's are.
1) Sometimes you arrive at home and the lights are off. It's hard to see the keyhole. (Was going to say that my wife and I both use the back door, but I know where that sentence ends up.)
2) I personally think someone trying to break into your house is going to be more deterred by the lights than the alarm system stickers.

I'm planning on putting in a motion detector light on the side of my house so that it's easier to get around back.

Silock · 11-15-2013, 06:11 AM

1) I don't enter the house through the back door, so that's not a factor.

2) Why would they be? Surely they'd realize that it's just a motion sensing light and not a person turning on the light, but maybe I'm giving them too much credit. The neighbors can't see the back door, anyway, even with the light on. I'm surrounded by fences, so they'd have to walk past the floodlight over the garage (which is motion-sensing -- stays on low all night, but goes to crazy high sunlight bright mode if anyone sneezes near it).

**TribalElder** · 11-15-2013, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silock

Here's my dilemma:

My back porch light bit the dust. Not the light bulb, but the light itself. It is a motion sensing light put in by the previous owner, but it never worked well at all. Even with the sensitivity at the highest setting, it never detected motion unless I stood in front of it for a minute waving my hands trying to get it to turn on.

Should I just replace it with a regular old switch light? Seems like it's less hassle. I'm not really worried about intruders at the back door, whether that's wise or not. I don't think a motion sensing light is going to deter anyone that wouldn't be deterred by my alarm system and alarm system stickers, anyway.

Thoughts? Should I get another motion sensing light? A better brand perhaps?

Get a programmable timer light. Fits in the light switch.

Lowes.com search
Utilitech*15-Amp 0-Outlet Digital Residential Hardwired Lighting Timer
Item #: 141224*|* Model #: TM-029-1

Silock · 11-15-2013, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribalElder

Get a programmable timer light. Fits in the light switch.

Lowes.com search
Utilitech*15-Amp 0-Outlet Digital Residential Hardwired Lighting Timer
Item #: 141224*|* Model #: TM-029-1

Why would I want that? Serious question. I don't see the advantage. I don't want it on unless I'm out there or the dogs are out there. What am I missing?

Ace Gunner · 11-15-2013, 06:47 AM

BACK DOOR MAN FTW!!!!

**TribalElder** · 11-15-2013, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silock

Why would I want that? Serious question. I don't see the advantage. I don't want it on unless I'm out there or the dogs are out there. What am I missing?

You don't. What I showed you was for setting a on off schedule which would provide the appearance of someone turning the lights on or off just as much as a motion light coming on or going off.

Difference is my solution would run your electric bill up higher.

If your motion light sucks get a new one, like 30 bucks

I like the programmable because I leave the light on all night

It does the on off part for me

Edit

That one above

Also, when you are out of town you can stagger the times it turns off and on if anyone is watching you place as an alarm supplement

TOUCHDOWN!!! KC · 11-15-2013, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silock

1) I don't enter the house through the back door, so that's not a factor.

2) Why would they be? Surely they'd realize that it's just a motion sensing light and not a person turning on the light, but maybe I'm giving them too much credit. The neighbors can't see the back door, anyway, even with the light on. I'm surrounded by fences, so they'd have to walk past the floodlight over the garage (which is motion-sensing -- stays on low all night, but goes to crazy high sunlight bright mode if anyone sneezes near it).

With these new factors. Just go with the plain old outdoor light.

Ace Gunner · 11-15-2013, 06:51 AM

I would just go with the switchable light. I use motion lamps in areas where I want security light.

Rukdafaidas · 11-15-2013, 06:53 AM

I would buy another motion sensor light. Most motion sensor lights will also work just like a regular light. All you have to do is turn it on, then off, then back on quickly and the light will stay on until you flip the switch off...no motion required.
To get the light back to the motion setting, the light needs to be off for 5 minutes before turning back on.

Silock · 11-15-2013, 06:59 AM

Yeah, mine did that. I just had a problem with it actually sensing the motion. Are the new ones better about it? I don't know how old this particular one is.

Rukdafaidas · 11-15-2013, 07:04 AM

If you turn it on, off, then on, you don't need motion.

**Dave Lane** · 11-15-2013, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silock

Yeah, mine did that. I just had a problem with it actually sensing the motion. Are the new ones better about it? I don't know how old this particular one is.

Yes and do it.

OrtonsPiercedTaint · 11-15-2013, 08:46 AM

Just because you have the super power of evading motion sensors. Does not mean everyone does, or they wouldn't make them. How can you use this new found power for good?

Radar Chief · 11-15-2013, 09:45 AM

Is your wiring easily accessible? If so, put a switch on the power line and run a standard outdoor fixture. If not, I’d probably just go with a motion sensing one like you’ve got just so I didn’t have to tear out a section of sheetrock to get to the wiring.

11-15-2013, 05:11 AM
Silock MVP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10020882	Home Improvement guys - Motion sensing lights or no? Here's my dilemma: My back porch light bit the dust. Not the light bulb, but the light itself. It is a motion sensing light put in by the previous owner, but it never worked well at all. Even with the sensitivity at the highest setting, it never detected motion unless I stood in front of it for a minute waving my hands trying to get it to turn on. Should I just replace it with a regular old switch light? Seems like it's less hassle. I'm not really worried about intruders at the back door, whether that's wise or not. I don't think a motion sensing light is going to deter anyone that wouldn't be deterred by my alarm system and alarm system stickers, anyway. Thoughts? Should I get another motion sensing light? A better brand perhaps?
Posts: 19,908

11-15-2013, 05:36 AM	#2
TOUCHDOWN!!! KC Semper Fi Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $10004902	I'd go back with the sensor light. It's going to cost more. My two reason's are. 1) Sometimes you arrive at home and the lights are off. It's hard to see the keyhole. (Was going to say that my wife and I both use the back door, but I know where that sentence ends up.) 2) I personally think someone trying to break into your house is going to be more deterred by the lights than the alarm system stickers. I'm planning on putting in a motion detector light on the side of my house so that it's easier to get around back. __________________ OH YEAH!!!
Posts: 87

11-15-2013, 06:11 AM	#3
Silock MVP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10020882	1) I don't enter the house through the back door, so that's not a factor. 2) Why would they be? Surely they'd realize that it's just a motion sensing light and not a person turning on the light, but maybe I'm giving them too much credit. The neighbors can't see the back door, anyway, even with the light on. I'm surrounded by fences, so they'd have to walk past the floodlight over the garage (which is motion-sensing -- stays on low all night, but goes to crazy high sunlight bright mode if anyone sneezes near it).
Posts: 19,908

11-15-2013, 06:47 AM	#6
Ace Gunner First Overall Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: kcmo Casino cash: $10007271	BACK DOOR MAN FTW!!!! __________________ The Greatest
Posts: 10,580

11-15-2013, 06:51 AM	#9
Ace Gunner First Overall Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: kcmo Casino cash: $10007271	I would just go with the switchable light. I use motion lamps in areas where I want security light. __________________ The Greatest
Posts: 10,580

11-15-2013, 06:53 AM	#10
Rukdafaidas lifelong Chiefs survivor Join Date: Mar 2003 Casino cash: $4869900	I would buy another motion sensor light. Most motion sensor lights will also work just like a regular light. All you have to do is turn it on, then off, then back on quickly and the light will stay on until you flip the switch off...no motion required. To get the light back to the motion setting, the light needs to be off for 5 minutes before turning back on.
Posts: 2,671

11-15-2013, 06:59 AM	#11
Silock MVP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10020882	Yeah, mine did that. I just had a problem with it actually sensing the motion. Are the new ones better about it? I don't know how old this particular one is.
Posts: 19,908

11-15-2013, 07:04 AM	#12
Rukdafaidas lifelong Chiefs survivor Join Date: Mar 2003 Casino cash: $4869900	If you turn it on, off, then on, you don't need motion.
Posts: 2,671

11-15-2013, 08:46 AM	#14
OrtonsPiercedTaint MVP Join Date: Dec 2012 Casino cash: $10004980	Just because you have the super power of evading motion sensors. Does not mean everyone does, or they wouldn't make them. How can you use this new found power for good?
Posts: 5,994

11-15-2013, 09:45 AM	#15
Radar Chief Wearing ballistic dog goggles. Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: In the box. Casino cash: $5271503	Is your wiring easily accessible? If so, put a switch on the power line and run a standard outdoor fixture. If not, I’d probably just go with a motion sensing one like you’ve got just so I didn’t have to tear out a section of sheetrock to get to the wiring. __________________ Like "Cool Hand" Luke I'm busting rocks. __/\|_/[___] \|/ \\_\| ---OllllO _( ))~-( ))-0--))
Posts: 25,231