Security Light Woes

[bruce5781]

Spent the afternoon trying to replace the old flood lights with some new fangled LED security lights. I am no master electrician, but I do know to hook black to black, white to white, and green to ground. The first light I tried to replace had not worked in a few years due to bulbs.
We live out in the country and the flood lights have just not been a major concern, the Mrs. has been more concerned lately due to the influx of people across the border.
I hooked a new light up to the one that was not working first, and the new light would not work. Figured it was a dud, so I pulled another one out of the box and hooked it up. It did not work either. Scratched my head, re-read the instructions and could see n reason why it shouldn't work. I then read an article on polarity for LED and it said if the polarity was wrong, just switch the wires, so I hooked white to black, black to white, and still it would not work.
I then went to a light that I knew was working, and replaced it. White to white, black to black, green to ground. Still no light, on a box that I know works.
I am at my wits end. Is there some sort of trick to installing these newfangled LED lights ?

Regards,
Bruce

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[bigwheelzip]

I've seen issues having two or more sensors, photo and/or motion, on the same circuit.

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[bruce5781]

I've seen issues having two or more sensors, photo and/or motion, on the same circuit.

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Thank you, but these are straight lights. No photo or motion.

Regards,
Bruce

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[snubbyfan]

I had a similar problem. Bench tested the light and it was fine. The problem was a lose connection in a junction box between the switch and the fixture.

 

[swsig]

Did you check your circuit breaker?

And with that, I've hit the limit of my knowledge.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Sounds like the line to the light is dead. I'd hazard a guess that some critter has gnawed through a wire somewhere, especially if everything else on that circuit is OK. Presumably the other light wired up OK?

 

[bruce5781]

Thanks for the responses. The second time, I removed a working light to check the new lights, so I don't believe it to be a loose wire at junction box or breaker being off.

Regards
Bruce

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[THE PILGRIM]

Did you measure voltage on the wires at the light?
Did you test the new light on a known hot circuit?
You need to establish if you have electricity at the hook up and does this new Gee whiz probably made in China light work.
One time down in Mexico, I was attempting to install a Heat Pump to replace a dead AC.
Looked like a regular 115V circuit.
But the breaker on the unit keep blowing.
So I go out to my truck and got my meter.
*** ! This is a 220 circuit hooked to a 115 Receptacle.
Later the house owner lady fired me and married another guy.
Lucked out again!

 

[bruce5781]

I did not measure voltage at the first box, but I did try it on a box that I know works. At least it was powering the flood light that was on it.

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[TX-Dennis]

Well, that sorta points to the new lights being bad out of the box. Not common, but it happens.

Double check the packaging to make sure the new lights are rated for 110v 60 hz rather than some other voltage.

 

[bruce5781]

Well, that sorta points to the new lights being bad out of the box. Not common, but it happens.

Double check the packaging to make sure the new lights are rated for 110v 60 hz rather than some other voltage.

Box says 120v.

Thanks,
Bruce

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[bigwheelzip]

Thank you, but these are straight lights. No photo or motion.

Regards,
Bruce

The photo you posted has a graphic that says "Dusk to Dawn". That means it has a built-in photo cell which senses light.

Perhaps there is another sensor in the same circuit your trying it on, as is often the case for "Security" lights.

Or, perhaps the photocell is already engaged, and it's not dark enough. If so, sometimes it will flash a few times when first powered, then turn off until dark.

Good luck


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[IronSkillet]

Recently replaced 3 of 4 older styled screw in spotlight with motion sensor fixtures, corner lights in the soffit around the house. One of the new LED fixtures simply did not work out of the box. Like the OP my electrical skills are somewhat entry level. At first believed it was something I was doing wrong. One of the blue vest wearing associates at the big box store advised me to stay away from the dusk/dawn version of this light significant failure rate with them, this one that didn't work was a regular non-sensors fixture. One of the things i noticed shopping both the spot and flood light screw in bulbs and fixtures are being replaced with dedicated fixtures, no more just replacing the spotlight going forward when it burns out.
As if being 12' up on a ladder changing out the lights isn't challenging enough, light #3 the one that had to be exchanged a Eastern Rat snake slithered down to see what i was doing, like 6" from my big nose!

 

[bruce5781]

The photo you posted has a graphic that says "Dusk to Dawn". That means it has a built-in photo cell which senses light.

Perhaps there is another sensor in the same circuit your trying it on, as is often the case for "Security" lights.

Or, perhaps the photocell is already engaged, and it's not dark enough. If so, sometimes it will flash a few times when first powered, then turn off until dark.

Good luck


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Thank you.
You are able to turn off ( cover ) the photo cell and set it to come on any time the switch is flicked. I also covered the sensor with my thumb, which is how I have always been able to check them in the past.
Didn't make any difference.

Thanks,
Bruce

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[NYlakesider]

Any chance there is a GFI circuit between where the power is and where you need it.

Especially in a older house their might be one that is in a outlet box and not the power panel.

 

[bamabiker]

How long did you cover the sensor? I replaced one at my daughter's house and covered it with my finger and it did not come on. Probably kept it covered for 3 minutes or so. I went ahead and left it and that night it came on as it should.

 

[jeffrefrig]

First & foremost, get an electric meter/tester and make sure you know how to use it. Then if no power, you have to follow the the wire back to the source (main panel.) If you have to pull the cover off any boxes, turn the breaker off and recheck all the connections. If at any of these boxes you can check for power, turn the breaker and light switch back on and check for power. You said the one you started on didn't work because of bulbs. Those regular flood lights should last at least a year or so with regular use. It sounds like a power issue to me. Mice & squirrels like to chew on wiring insulation. If you really want to all kung fu on it, pull the breaker box cover off and check whatever you can for abnormalities. If you still have fuses instead of breakers, all the wiring is probably pretty old. Time to bite the bullet and call an electrician.
Also, what bama biker said.