Adding dusk to dawn sensor to exterior light fixture
#1
10-14-20, 11:54 AM
Member
Thread Starter
Adding dusk to dawn sensor to exterior light fixture
Need to add a Dusk to Dawn sensor to a new LED integrated exterior light fixture. On the sensor, white wire connects with source white neutral, black wire connects with source hot black, and red connects to fixture's black; correct? Then I can just glue the sensor facing downward, yes? Can you recommend a good sensor on Amazon?
Thought the fixture had a sensor.
thanks!
Thought the fixture had a sensor.
thanks!
Popular Reply
10-15-20, 07:13 AM
Member
Hi, this may be an option, although it will move the lamp further down in the fixture.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-...9BCD/300440744
Is that a new fixture? if so why not return it and get the right one.
Geo🇺🇸
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-...9BCD/300440744
Is that a new fixture? if so why not return it and get the right one.
Geo🇺🇸
#6
10-14-20, 06:39 PM
Member
Thread Starter
so here are three views of the fixture. It's a metal fixture with no threaded knockout; rather not drill a hole in the fixture cuz it's heavy steel. Was thinking of attaching the dusk to dawn sensor to the aluminum siding underside of the window sill siding above, so it gets some protection from the elements; then running the black, white, and red wires along the siding then into a hole drilled into the plastic box. Don't want to swap the fixture itself, as it's rare in that the LED light goes downward instead of bathing our neighbor's house with light. The fixture is about 15 feet from our neighbor's house; very close. Most other fixtures have been lighting upwards and probably bugging our neighbors; so this replacement is ideal. Who knew it didn't come with its own dusk to dawn sensor.
#7
10-14-20, 06:50 PM
Group Moderator
If you had bought a light with a built in sensor.... it would usually be in the section above the light.
The sensor in the link below is the one that would be used there.
Can't tell from the picture if there's enough room in that fixture.
Photocell at amazon
Photocell at depot
The sensor in the link below is the one that would be used there.
Can't tell from the picture if there's enough room in that fixture.
Photocell at amazon
Photocell at depot
pdoyle voted this post useful.
#8
10-14-20, 06:52 PM
rather not drill a hole in the fixture cuz it's heavy steel.
Was thinking of attaching the dusk to dawn sensor to the aluminum siding underside of the window sill siding above
You can attach weatherproof box and run cable to existing junction box to accomplish this.
Another option is to replace switch for the light with a timer.
pdoyle voted this post useful.
#9
10-14-20, 07:43 PM
Member
Thread Starter
I don't believe the section above the light is accessible. I don't know that the sensor will fit inside the very narrow back. The plastic junction box is shallow, but it may fit inside and I could drill the 3/8" hole in the box
#10
10-14-20, 07:47 PM
Group Moderator
On the amazon link page..... there is another photocell listed that has a separate eye.
That may be easier to use.
That may be easier to use.
#11
10-14-20, 08:55 PM
Member
Thread Starter
This would allow the control unit to be place in the junction box; and the sensor itself to be installed in the light fixture, yes?
https://www.amazon.com/Morris-39069-...F2H7ZD6WFKNANR
https://www.amazon.com/Morris-39069-...F2H7ZD6WFKNANR
#12
10-15-20, 12:10 AM
Group Moderator
#14
10-15-20, 07:13 AM
Member
Hi, this may be an option, although it will move the lamp further down in the fixture.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-...9BCD/300440744
Is that a new fixture? if so why not return it and get the right one.
Geo🇺🇸
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-...9BCD/300440744
Is that a new fixture? if so why not return it and get the right one.
Geo🇺🇸
#15
10-15-20, 08:18 AM
Member
Thread Starter
thank you, but that won't work; LED is a panel integrated into the fixture, so there's no traditional socket for a bulb. When light burns out from age; have to replace the fixture itself.
#16
10-15-20, 08:22 AM
Member
Thread Starter
I may regret this; but as seen in the second pic, this fixture is unique in that the LED is positioned to only throw light downward. As it's quite bright, this avoids bathing my very close nieghbor's house (only 15 feet from the fixture) in bright light all night, every night. Only one I could find that did that. So if adding a sensor works, I'll be quite happy!
#17
11-09-20, 09:51 AM
Member
Thread Starter
great news; the photosensors were 'easy' to install. Only tricky part was finding space for wires in the fixture. Module being separate from the actual photosensor makes it ideal for tight spaces. Thanks to all!
