pir security lights- better than diy store ?

[steveo3002]

had a few of the diy store £10 pir lamps and they fail every couple of years , is there a better brand i can try without spending 6 times the price?

looking for something around 150watts output

 

[daleyd]

when you say "fail" do you mean the bulb goes or the pir unit fails? What type of light fitttings - floodlight type or wall light?

I've had a few from the usual b and q/Homebase and other than replacing bulbs they have been fine. We have a wall mounted lantern type out front and it must have been there 10 years - that was a cheap home base one.

The last few pir floodlights I've put up when we had our extension done have beeen led ones and they are ok (good light and much more efficient than halogen ones) , got them from a local electrical wholesaler (can't remember their name at the moment sorry).

 

[steveo3002]

just the standard black floodlight with a pir underneath

fail- they start pulsing and coming on at half brightness etc , in fairness i spose its ok for like £8 , id just like something a litle better

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

The only time I have had a DIY store PIR light fail was due to a Muppet not ensuring the eal was fitted correctly and water got in.

I recently upgraded In laws halogen lights to LED. I fitted the original ones back in 1992. The only issue was the paint.

I would look into what is making the lights fail.

 

[steveo3002]

think theyre just crap and water/damp gets in the sensor , will do a post mortem on this one but theyre all glued together so no chance to repair em

what led did you go for ...cant seem to find out what would be a true equivelent of 150watts or so ,cant go lower as this is just about right to light the garden without lighting up next doors windows

 

[rtbcomp]

just the standard black floodlight with a pir underneath

fail- they start pulsing and coming on at half brightness etc , in fairness i spose its ok for like £8 , id just like something a litle better

If they're LED bulbs those are the symptoms of the bulb failing. If so, just fit better bulbs.

 

[steveo3002]

nah the current one is halogen

 

[daleyd]

I'd certainly recommend the led type if yours are currently halogen - try screwfix or a local electrical wholesalers. Ours are 30w and very bright - probably equivalent of 300w or so I'd guesstimate (might be way off though!!). It sounds as though there is perhaps damp getting in and giving a bad contact in your current ones - any sign of corrosion in the ends where the bulb sits?

I've never bought any off the web but there are some stories of unscrupulous sellers palming off sub standard ones, so I've tended to stick buying from shops for these, though others may be able to point you to a reputable online source.

 

[Member 66061]

had a few of the diy store £10 pir lamps and they fail every couple of years , is there a better brand i can try without spending 6 times the price?

looking for something around 150watts output

I prefer to fit a separate lamp and sensor. These are the sensors i use - http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-140-standalone-pir/11291
Ive had security lights fail too many times, and its always the sensor. I thought its easier just replacing the sensor than the whole light.

 

[Mee]

I'd certainly recommend the led type if yours are currently halogen - try screwfix or a local electrical wholesalers. Ours are 30w and very bright - probably equivalent of 300w or so I'd guesstimate (might be way off though!!). It sounds as though there is perhaps damp getting in and giving a bad contact in your current ones - any sign of corrosion in the ends where the bulb sits?

I've never bought any off the web but there are some stories of unscrupulous sellers palming off sub standard ones, so I've tended to stick buying from shops for these, though others may be able to point you to a reputable online source.

It's true hard work never killed anyone, but why take a chance?

Guy on You Tube does testing of these cheaper electronics and highlights the issues, maybe worth a look.

I prefer to fit a separate lamp and sensor. These are the sensors i use - http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-140-standalone-pir/11291
Ive had security lights fail too many times, and its always the sensor. I thought its easier just replacing the sensor than the whole light.

This is always an option and a good one, buying a decent sensor ensures it will last and you need not replace a light for a faulty cheap sensor.

 

[dobbslc]

I use these at work, Tamlite from CEF.


They are often badly installed ( not by me! ) and take a fair beating but seen to last OK. That box is for the 30w one and it's pretty good at lighting up work areas, it's roughly equivalent to a 200w halogen floodlight.
No pir but as above you can get a decent separate one and wire it up.

 

[normspanners]

Guy on You Tube does testing of these cheaper electronics and highlights the issues, maybe worth a look.

this the guy?
https://www.youtube.com/user/bigclivedotcom

 

[Mee]

He is one of them Norm.

 

[brightspark]

I fit these cheap and easy to set up. never had any go wrong in years and ive fitted loads http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-140-standalone-pir/11291these have 3 year warranty on them there good http://www.screwfix.com/p/luceco-led-slim-floodlight-20w-black/3488k

 

[steveo3002]

haha decided sod it and get another b&q one as the fittings would be the same....lasted one night !!

 

[daleyd]

haha decided sod it and get another b&q one as the fittings would be the same....lasted one night !!

Even a cheap b and q special should last longer than that! You must be doing something odd to have them fail so quickly??

 

[steveo3002]

not being a smart a$$ its only 3 wires to join on ...hasnt even rained lol

reviews on all the diy sites suggest theyre often dud in the box

 

[ukracer]

haha decided sod it and get another b&q one as the fittings would be the same....lasted one night !!

Some things is not right. Mine is still up after 24 years. Lol

 

[Member 66061]

I would take the sensor off the lamp and wire the separate sensor to it, saves having to buy another lamp.
I took the sensors off the last two £10 security lights that failed and wired plugs to them, ones used to light up the stick shed and the other i made into a crappy but free work lamp. http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/the-lamp.62776/
I would never buy another security light with the sensor attached. The last one that failed was a £40 odd double light unit with dome sensor from Homebase. I was walking away from it and it didnt light up, so i waved my arm and it came on, then promptly popped loudly and went out. I took it apart and one of the components on the sensor was blown leaving most of the board scorched. I put it back up with the separate sensor wired to it.

 

[steveo3002]

yeah will try a seperate sensor , then i have the option to upgrade to led /other lamps when it suits