Outdoor motion detector lights

[Sunshine Flock]

We had to have our entire house rewired a few months ago. Frustrating but I'm sleeping better because of it.

The electrician did some side projects and installed an exterior mount for a wired motion detector light on the driveway side of our home. Some homesteaders like RAB lights, but we're kind of stumped.

As a temporary fixture we bought a $40 brown one from Lowe's, and it didn't work out of the box. We returned it and never followed through on buying a new one.

Do you have a motion detector light you really like? We want brown or black, with removable LED floodlights (not hardwired to the fixture), with a long detection range. For Christmas we were given a $100 Amazon gift certificate, so we can finally afford to make this happen.

We'd love some suggestions.

We're also interested in solar powered options for the wood barn and a few other areas. Tree coverage is a concern, but a few locations receive lots of light.

ETA: I'm going to measure the height of the fixture mount from the ground. The higher the mount, the smaller the detection distance.

 

[cavemanrich]

Every time we cross paths, I help if I can.
Here is what I use and why. I have tried the motion sensor type and found them to be aggravating. It was also when low power bulbs like LED were not around. I use it with a LED flood lite that consumes like 9 watts. The photo controlled screw in device cost I think $8. It goes on at dark and off at dawn. I can take a pix in the day if you want to see my setup. Its really a no brainer to do. The electric consumption of this light is equivalent to a fart in a hurricane.

For your shed, maybe this would work

Its from Harbor Freight. $40
https://www.harborfreight.com/60-LED-Solar-Security-Light-69643.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiMTcyMjg5ODAiLCJza3UiOiI2OTY0MyIsImlzIjoiMzIuOTkiLCJwcm9kdWN0X2lk IjoiODc2MyJ9

Another one for $22 but less power.
https://www.harborfreight.com/36-LED-Solar-Security-Light-60498.html

 

[Sunshine Flock]

I keep forgetting about Harbor Freight. Thanks, Cave Person!!

I'd welcome learning more about the light bulbs socket thing you use. Are you saying you can screw it into any light socket, and then a bulb goes into that, and that's that? No fancy $110 prepper/homesteader recommended RAB super duper light like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...og-20&linkId=cc2aaf1b7d7dce97094edecaff9b4844

Here's another one I'm considering. But the entire unit is garbage when the bulbs stop working. You can't replace them, unlike with the RAB unit. I also prefer warm lighting. With the RAB I can choose the light quality myself.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSMMTDV/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

And there's this guy. But I question the waterproofness of all but the RAB.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ANHX95C/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

Honestly I think you showed up just as I'm researching motion detector lights, because I'm listening to Carlos Nakai again.

As for a fart in a hurricane, my husband dropped a bomb in front of a fan during summer, and the thing instantly blasted all over me. In a hurricane with him around I'm a goner.

 

[cavemanrich]

As for a fart in a hurricane, my husband dropped a bomb in front of a fan during summer, and the thing instantly blasted all over me. In a hurricane with him around I'm a goner.
For your safety, just don't smoke any cigarettes then...

Looks like we got each-others' vibes........ I'm listening to ez tunes as well.
I looked at those links and see them as expensive options. I always like to find value priced items. My setup is working fine even in my climate which is slightly cooler than yours.. (I think) 10 F now was -2 F this morning. I will post a pix tomorrow of my setup so you know I'm not LION. If I don't forget.

 

[cavemanrich]

Here it is at Walmart. Most hardware stores and home-centers carry these. $10. The LED bulbs are Very reasonably priced if you don't choose the Designer Brand. They last a long time.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/AmerTac-...n-Floodlight-Control-Photocell-150-W/21797431
Here is another one . Different brand. $9
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Woods-59...t-Control-Socket-with-Photocell-Grey/42901595

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Here it is at Walmart. Most hardware stores and home-centers carry these. $10. The LED bulbs are Very reasonably priced if you don't choose the Designer Brand. They last a long time.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/AmerTac-...n-Floodlight-Control-Photocell-150-W/21797431
Here is another one . Different brand. $9
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Woods-59...t-Control-Socket-with-Photocell-Grey/42901595

Some guy named Buzz says the one sold at Walmart "works well" — a two word review and the only review.

 

[cavemanrich]

They sell the same beast on Amazon for similar price. There are many reviews there, Some good and some bad. I think many peeps don't read instructions and manhandle these things too rough. Maybe over tighten things trying to get into certain position or such. Again remember that these are mass produced and are not made to make the Journey To Mars.
https://www.amazon.com/Hemco-OLC5CF...show_all_btm?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews

There are also on that page items Cutomers also viewed these items..
I think mine is the this one. I purchased it at Menard's Home center. Cash and carry.
https://www.amazon.com/Woods-Outdoo...00GAUULS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_sims?ie=UTF8

No matter what the item, you will always find mixed reviews everywhere. I read them also and take my chances.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Every time we cross paths, I help if I can.
Here is what I use and why. I have tried the motion sensor type and found them to be aggravating. It was also when low power bulbs like LED were not around. I use it with a LED flood lite that consumes like 9 watts. The photo controlled screw in device cost I think $8. It goes on at dark and off at dawn. I can take a pix in the day if you want to see my setup. Its really a no brainer to do. The electric consumption of this light is equivalent to a fart in a hurricane.

For your shed, maybe this would work

Its from Harbor Freight. $40
https://www.harborfreight.com/60-LED-Solar-Security-Light-69643.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiMTcyMjg5ODAiLCJza3UiOiI2OTY0MyIsImlzIjoiMzIuOTkiLCJwcm9kdWN0X2lk IjoiODc2MyJ9

Another one for $22 but less power.
https://www.harborfreight.com/36-LED-Solar-Security-Light-60498.html

But how do they work? Well or crappy? I find lots of their stuff is junk. Like their wood burning tool cracked after 2 uses, pneumatic staple gun crapped out early, driveway motion detector worked less than a week etc.

 

[cavemanrich]

But how do they work? Well or crappy? I find lots of their stuff is junk. Like their wood burning tool cracked after 2 uses, pneumatic staple gun crapped out early, driveway motion detector worked less than a week etc.

If the items broke very early on , return for refund or replacement.
Harbor Freight is a Store, not the Manufacturer. They carry a variety of things and some are lesser quality than others. If the item looks weak and flimsy then maybe it is such. All their hand tools have LIFETIME WARRANTY. I have broken some and they replaced with no question.
I also have Craftsman and Snap-on hand tools that carry Lifetime warranty. With Craftsman it was easy to get replacement by simply going to Sears. With Snap-on, you had to track down a mobile dealer, unless he visited your garage on an ongoing basis. Snap-on does not have a walk-in store.
Harbor Freights' power tools can be purchased with additional extended warranty. I never took that and my power tools served me sufficiently.
Bottom line. If you are a professional mechanic, and using a POWER TOOL all day long then you buy a Snap-on for $1000. Eventually it wears out. Myself using same type of tool once a week and for only $200 makes it possible for me to have one.

 

[cavemanrich]

As promised here is the pix.

The light fixture was always there. I just added the photo-electric control. Don't have to remember to turn on and off anymore.
Here is another option. Add this to any outdoor fixture. You have to wire it in to outdoor box. Use whatever outdoor Flood-lite holder you want.
If you ask the Store Electrical department Head, they can guide you to best setup.

This one is from Home Depot.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/TORK-120-Volt-LED-CFL-Swivel-Mount-Photo-Control-2129A/207151790