Light pole sensor

[dblwyr]

I am not looking for an contractor or anyone to do any work. I just wonder if anyone can tell me what sensor is used in the light poles....thanks.

[Fredster]

Ace on Wedgewood has them!

[retiredguy123]

ACE Hardware sells the replacement light pole sensors for The Villages. I would suggest that take a photo of it to take with you to the store.

[villagetinker]

Make sure the power is OFF before you try to remove the sensor, TURN THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OFF.

[dblwyr]

Thank you!

[village dreamer]

Lowes has them in the ele dept, its a tork rkp301 button photocontrol $11.48 ,

[gatorbill1]

Lowes, Home Depot or Ace Hardware all have them. Real easy to change out. Previous post to make sure power is off is real important, wires are close together..

[William MacEntee]

Ace hardware in Wildwood or Southern trace has them for about $10. Easy install, they will take you by the hand, you do not even need to have your old sensor with you.

[Cheapbas]

Just get a dusk to dawn bulb from Amazon or the larger diy stores. Why fuss with the electronics, you’ll have to change the bulbs eventually anyway.

[thevillagernie]

ace hardware carries them

[reidop]

Amazon has them for $6.78. Look for Woods 59408WD.

[willbush]

ACE Hardware sells the replacement light pole sensors for The Villages. I would suggest that take a photo of it to take with you to the store.
Lowes has the part as well as ACE - When you go to replace take a picture with your phone or a camera of how the wires are hooked up even if you feel you will remember how they hook up because sometimes you have several black or white wires along with red & green. Easy to replace.

[dblwyr]

Thanks! I like that idea!

[EddieUA]

They have them at Ace Hardware on 466 Southern Trace.
Amertac Black Photoelectric Eye Light Control 1 pk Item no.3427473 |758CTC-4

[bigallis1]

ACE Hardware in Wildwood has them also. Two different types. Both will work.
Also have bulbs with sensors built in.

[Alicat5977]

As does Ace in Spanish Springs

[G.R.I.T.S.]

I am not looking for an contractor or anyone to do any work. I just wonder if anyone can tell me what sensor is used in the light poles....thanks.

I went to anixter on rolling acres. They sell the fixtures used in TV.

[bigallis1]

Lowes has the part as well as ACE - When you go to replace take a picture with your phone or a camera of how the wires are hooked up even if you feel you will remember how they hook up because sometimes you have several black or white wires along with red & green. Easy to replace.

Another suggestion. Remove one set of wires at a time.
Dont forget to turn power off at main circuit breaker in garage.

[mike234]

yes indeed. just go into ace with that bewildered look. they will know you are a villager immediately. say light pole and stop and follow the guy. just take it and leave. find someone who will install it for you. I am bewildered and did it myself

[jchad1]

The photo cell is an 8$item at home depot

[Zebra]

I like the replies to this. Very informative and appreciated.
I think I will add a toggle on/off switch in front of the sensor to better control when or if I want the light to operate.

[Guitarman1951]

Home depot or Lowes has them. Not expensive and very easy to replace. Just make sure you turn off the circuit breaker to your lamp.

[retiredguy123]

I like the replies to this. Very informative and appreciated.
I think I will add a toggle on/off switch in front of the sensor to better control when or if I want the light to operate.
Or, use the lazy way. Put a piece of duct tape over the sensor when you want the light to come on. It may take a few minutes.

[Sunflower33]

You can buy them almost anywhere. Lowe’s Home Depot Ace and they are easy to put in yourself

[Warren]

Make sure the power is OFF before you try to remove the sensor, TURN THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OFF.

Very good advice. Now try and find the circuit breaker in the box. Can't promise your box is wired like mine, but i finally found it on the same circuit as the irrigation . If the photo cell is bad, which it probably is, and you replace it with a new photo cell bulb, it may not work until you remove the bad photo cell,...........then you may as well put in a new photo cell. Probably cheaper than the bulb with that feature on it.

[spiritduo7@comcast.net]

I just replaced mine last week and I purchased it at Lowe's

[cherylncliff]

Sparr has them. Make sure you get the kind that turns off in light and on in dark. 120 volt. Turn off breaker before replacing.

[Kgcetm]

“Ace is the place”..

[richl]

Remove the sensor and bring it with you to one of the stores - easy task after you shut electric to the pole - while you are there get LED light bulbs for your fixture - they have > 10 year life and will use less electricity in the long run

[bobb1212]

I am not looking for an contractor or anyone to do any work. I just wonder if anyone can tell me what sensor is used in the light poles....thanks.
Replacing a sensor in an outside light pole is not as easy as it looks. A good moisture/waterproof sensor will cost around $20. The always on power for the light pole sensor is usually controlled from the garage. My suggestion for an easy fix is: As long as the power is constantly on to the pole, go to Home Depot and buy a "Dusk to Dawn" light bulb (about $7.00)with the sensor built right into the bulb. Your pole light will go "On At Dusk" & "Off At Dawn". Problem solved in 2 minutes.

[villagetinker]

I like the replies to this. Very informative and appreciated.
I think I will add a toggle on/off switch in front of the sensor to better control when or if I want the light to operate.

Please do not do this. IMHO, your proposal will not be legal under electrical building codes, and the typical toggle switch is not water proof which means you will be constantly replacing the switch. You may actually be creating an electrical hazard with your proposal.

[Mosca82]

Find instructions in Youtube video. it is simple to do. Get sensor at ACE, Lowe's, Home Depot. Takes 10 minutes or less to do.

[retiredguy123]

Find instructions in Youtube video. it is simple to do. Get sensor at ACE, Lowe's, Home Depot. Takes 10 minutes or less to do.
Or more. Nothing involving connecting wires takes 10 minutes or less.

[philoret]

Caution: there are two versions one cheap around $10 which has been found not durable; look for the one more expensive around $13. Both were in Ace hardware stores (in the Villages, where they are used, e.g. next to Publix on 466 opposite the High School).
Store clerks know the part for The Villages light poles.
You might need a volt meter to identify the correct breaker if not labeled on the box, unless checking at night when the lamp is on -- it is usually not possible to test these sensors during the day, as light leaks by and there is time delay.

[retiredguy123]

Caution: there are two versions one cheap around $10 which has been found not durable; look for the one more expensive around $13. Both were in Ace hardware stores (in the Villages, where they are used, e.g. next to Publix on 466 opposite the High School).
Store clerks know the part for The Villages light poles.
You might need a volt meter to identify the correct breaker if not labeled on the box, unless checking at night when the lamp is on -- it is usually not possible to test these sensors during the day, as light leaks by and there is time delay.
Most inspectors use duct tape or and piece of putty to cover the sensor. The light will come on in a few minutes if the sensor is covered.

[michtofla]

Make sure the power is OFF before you try to remove the sensor, TURN THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OFF.
I’ve never been able to find a circuit breaker for the yard light!

[retiredguy123]

I’ve never been able to find a circuit breaker for the yard light!
Have you tried the "garage GFI" circuit in the panel?

[chas39]

Go to Lowe’s that’s where I bought my last pole light sensor ask them.

[dblwyr]

Lol! Thanks!

[dblwyr]

Yes—-no result.

[retiredguy123]

Yes—-no result.
Have you tried the "golf cart" circuit? If that doesn't work, I would try all other circuits that have GFI outlets on them.

[Bilyclub]

Caution: there are two versions one cheap around $10 which has been found not durable; look for the one more expensive around $13. Both were in Ace hardware stores (in the Villages, where they are used, e.g. next to Publix on 466 opposite the High School).
Store clerks know the part for The Villages light poles.
You might need a volt meter to identify the correct breaker if not labeled on the box, unless checking at night when the lamp is on -- it is usually not possible to test these sensors during the day, as light leaks by and there is time delay.

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/lighting-and-electrical/timers-and-lighting-controls/photoelectric-sensors/3426186

[photo1902]

Typically lamppost lights are not on a GFCI circuit. Hence the reason when adding a receptacle on the pole (for holiday lights, etc) its important, as well as required by code, to use a tamper resistant GFCI outlet.

And depending on who did the initial wiring, some electricians were good about writing Post Lamp/Light on the affected breaker.

I’ve also seen many cases of homeowners adding additional outlets in the garage by tapping into the Arc Fault breakers. Also a no-no.

[eremite06]

My lamppost is in the shade of my oak tree and the light stays on constantly. So, the bulb stays powered. If I put a dawn to dusk bulb in, will it go off during the day?

[photo1902]

My lamppost is in the shade of my oak tree and the light stays on constantly. So, the bulb stays powered. If I put a dawn to dusk bulb in, will it go off during the day?

I would replace the sensor. Unless it is literally covered by limbs and leaves, it should still function as dusk to dawn. Just my two cents.

From my experience, when sensors fail, most stay in the on position. Next time your driving through The Villages during the day, note the post lights that are on.

[photo1902]

Most inspectors use duct tape or and piece of putty to cover the sensor. The light will come on in a few minutes if the sensor is covered.

Exactly right. And depending on the brand of the sensor, some can take up to 4 minutes (once covered) before they activate. Others activate almost immediately. This is to prevent nuisance trips when it’s cloudy during the day.

I’ve literally replaced dozens of these for people, and I learned early on, to NOT wrap the tape around the entire post, especially in the summer. You end up pulling off paint from the post :)

I’ve fashioned a pvc pipe cap and bungee cord for testing purposes.

[jarodrig]

And for those who have suggested to simply use a light bulb with a built in sensor.......

IF the sensor on the post is NOT working, then simply replacing your bulb with built in sensor WILL NOT WORK !!!!

Why ? Because IF the pole sensor is defective, there will be no current supplied to ANY bulb that is placed in the fixture......

[dblwyr]

Thank you!