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

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

I'm pretty sure my electric eye has gone bad. The only part showing is the the eye on the pole. The box that has the guts is in an attached box inside the pole. What are the steps to put in a new one?

Thanks

I bought one at Anixter (on Rolling Acres) the original supplier, to be assured of a perfect fit. I used fishing twine to keep wires and hardware from falling through the post.

[jmsturm]

Don’t know how to do it but watched an electrician do it while changing my exterior lighting. Part cost $20 and it took him less than 5 minutes after removing light! I was surprised! Good luck.

[nn0wheremann]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

I'm pretty sure my electric eye has gone bad. The only part showing is the the eye on the pole. The box that has the guts is in an attached box inside the pole. What are the steps to put in a new one?

Thanks

I bought a receptacle with a photocell switch at WalMart for about $5 and screwed it in to the light bulb socket, then screwed the light bulb into it. No muss, no fuss, no problems at all. Works perfectly.

[MrFlorida]

I've changed my sensor a few times already, and a few of the neighbors as well. Not hard to do, just make sure the breaker is off.

[MrFlorida]

ACE carries the same sensor that we use here in the Villages.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by nn0wheremann

I bought a receptacle with a photocell switch at WalMart for about $5 and screwed it in to the light bulb socket, then screwed the light bulb into it. No muss, no fuss, no problems at all. Works perfectly.

I just brought the photo cell light bulb for 3 bucks and screwed it in.

[Maker]

Originally Posted by pokeefe45@aol.com

Shut the circuit breaker off, unscrew the existing one, cut the wires with scissors or a wire cutter- get a few 'nut caps' and tie and cap the existing wires-and then put the one at the link below right on the post. It's solar powered and darkness activated. Unless we enter a period of extreme darkness here in TV, it will be on like clockwork most nights and last longer than most of us. Trust me, it's not that tough to do-I was a liberal arts major

"Shut the circuit breaker off" ... How does someone verify power is 100% off? Assuming wrong generally is not good.

"scissors"... no. Great way to get hurt.

"nut caps" ... do you mean wire nuts? Do you know how to install them properly? What is the strip length? How many twists are done to the bare copper? How do you determine the wire gauge to pick the correct size? Is bigger better? What if it gets wet?

"and tie and cap" wires ... do you mean together or apart? One will entertain the neighborhood for a moment. If the post is sitting in concrete (not grounded) and you tie hot to post ground lead, someone touching to pole could be electrocuted. Not likely, but your vague advice could help make that more likely to happen.

Ever hear of a WAGO connector?

Sorry, but when someone does not know how to do electrical work properly, they should not be advising others how to do it either. Guessing wrong can be fatal. Being "close enough" doesn't count as doing it right.
Using that first "successful" wiring attempt from the lamp post project may provide confidence to try something else inside the home. Maybe a new light fixture, or new outlet. Making an improper connection generates heat as current flows through that bad junction. Heat causes a fire. Yes, it happens.

This is an easy project but ONLY IF you know what you are doing.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by sdeikenberry

When photcells fail, they fail in the on position, meaning the light won't go off during the daytime. Simple fix is to by a bulb with a built in photocell, leave the old post photocell in place, and go on with your life. Couldn't be easier.

Bingo!

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by rhood

Our circuit is not GFCI protected. It's on a regular breaker along with the doorbell.

My house over 20 years old now and it’s on GFCI circuits. I bet it you have GFCI circuits in your house it’s on one somewhere?

[daca55]

Originally Posted by La lamy

I did the same. That bulb works great and lasts a loooooooong time.

Hi, where do you get those bulbs? Sounds much easier then replacing photo cell. Also when it is out you know it is the bulb.

Bob

[LonnyP]

There are YouTube videos out there. It really is simple. I did mine and I am not an electrician.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

I'm pretty sure my electric eye has gone bad. The only part showing is the the eye on the pole. The box that has the guts is in an attached box inside the pole. What are the steps to put in a new one?

Thanks

Foolish perhaps. I would do the most easy thing first which is to be sure the bulb is not blown and the circuit breaker has not been tripped. Our neighbor with a background as a handyman, changed his out and then discovered the bulbs were blown.

[Josephjmarchese]

After checking bulb and circuit breaker. Go to Hardware store and buy a screw in photo electric sensor. Screw it in, then screw in new bulb. Hopefully the existing sensor is in “on” position. Check at night to see if it is on. Did this for my neighbor and it fixed this problem quick

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by MrFlorida

I've changed my sensor a few times already, and a few of the neighbors as well. Not hard to do, just make sure the breaker is off.

Interesting-a few times. Ours it ten years old and still works. Perhaps, there is a reason why yours keeps failing.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Josephjmarchese

After checking bulb and circuit breaker. Go to Hardware store and buy a screw in photo electric sensor. Screw it in, then screw in new bulb. Hopefully the existing sensor is in “on” position. Check at night to see if it is on. Did this for my neighbor and it fixed this problem quick

No need for a separate screw in sensor. You can buy a bulb that has a built in sensor.