Motion detector yard light

Van Chocstraw

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Dec 22, 2009, 9:49:58 PM12/22/09

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My yard light won't go off any more. I block the detector wait 60
seconds and I hear the relay click off but the light now stays on when
it used to go off. It clicks again when I block the detector, it times
out and clicks again but the light never goes out.

Tony Hwang

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Dec 22, 2009, 10:06:49 PM12/22/09

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Hi,
Sounds like S.S. relay failed closed(short).

Van Chocstraw

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Dec 22, 2009, 10:17:53 PM12/22/09

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Wonderful. It near zero weather lately.

Bob F

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Dec 22, 2009, 10:28:31 PM12/22/09

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The (mechanical) relay probably has a contact welded. If you can get it open,
cleaning the contact with a thin file or sandpaper might restore it, at least
for a while.

AZ Nomad

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Dec 22, 2009, 10:31:35 PM12/22/09

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If it clicks, then it doesn't use a SS relay.

Tony Hwang

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Dec 22, 2009, 11:17:24 PM12/22/09

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Hmmm,
Really? small relay controls S.S. relay gate.
Mine does that.

hr(bob) hofmann@att.net

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Dec 22, 2009, 11:42:57 PM12/22/09

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On Dec 22, 10:17 pm, Tony Hwang <drago...@shaw.ca> wrote:
> AZ Nomad wrote:

> > On Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:06:49 -0700, Tony Hwang<drago...@shaw.ca> wrote:
> >> Van Chocstraw wrote:
> >>> My yard light won't go off any more. I block the detector wait 60
> >>> seconds and I hear the relay click off but the light now stays on when
> >>> it used to go off. It clicks again when I block the detector, it times
> >>> out and clicks again but the light never goes
>
> >> Hi,
> >> Sounds like S.S. relay failed closed(short).
>
> > If it clicks, then it doesn't use a SS relay.
>
> Hmmm,
> Really? small relay controls S.S. relay gate.
> Mine does that.

I would take the unit apart and locate the relay. If you can pry the
cover off, you will likely find the contacts are stuck. I usually use
an emery stick from my wife to smooth the contact surfaces when I run
into a situation like this.

ransley

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Dec 23, 2009, 6:57:23 AM12/23/09

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On Dec 22, 8:49 pm, Van Chocstraw <boobooililili...@roadrunner.com>
wrote:

try to reset by turning of power,, if that wont work in daytime tap it
with a stick- broompole, thats what I used to do with a stuck relay
until it just would not unstick. Mine used to go bad alot, now I only
use 25-50% of rated load for bulbs.

willshak

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Dec 23, 2009, 9:00:24 AM12/23/09

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hr(bob) hof...@att.net wrote the following:

...then apply dielectric grease to the contacts to 'help' prevent future
sticking and corrosion.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

Van Chocstraw

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Dec 23, 2009, 10:40:05 AM12/23/09

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Did anybody mention frost or ice on the contacts? I took the assembly
off the garage and took it down to my nice warm workbench by the wood
boiler. At first it still was stuck on. Then I went and made myself a
coffee and when I came back it was functioning normally. Simulate night
time and it went on 1minute and off again with motion. Simulate daytime
and it was off (before it was stuck on). I guess when it warmed up it
started working again. Put it back on the garage and will see tonight
what happens. Did not see any way to open it without a hacksaw.