Floodlight clicking

Kevfreeston · Mar 7, 2012

This morning when I put the rubbish out for the refuse collectors, my floodlight came on to illuminate my path (the reason i bought it), however it was already light so i went back to switch it off, on returning to the path a strange clicking noise was coming from the floodlight and wouldn't stop until i turned off its main feed, there doesn't seem to be any water in it..............any ideas?

ackbarthestar · Mar 7, 2012

It sounds like the PIR has thrown a wobbly. They do from time to time.
They usually
1/ Stay on permenantly
2/ Click on and off without turning the light on
3/ Click on and off without turning the light off

You could switch it off and on to override the PIR function or/and then trying fiddling with the time and light pots and see if that makes a difference otherwise its time to replace it.

I found that atmospheric disturbances and other intermittent over-voltages will cause them to loose their way.

HandySparks · Mar 7, 2012

External PIRs; one of the more unreliable bits of electrical kit.

As ackbar says, probably time to replace.

telectrix · Mar 7, 2012

sounds like the PIR relay clicking. if you look closely, you might see the floodlight flicker at the same time.

Kevfreeston · Mar 8, 2012

Many thanks for that

ackbarthestar said:
It sounds like the PIR has thrown a wobbly. They do from time to time.
They usually
1/ Stay on permenantly
2/ Click on and off without turning the light on
3/ Click on and off without turning the light off

You could switch it off and on to override the PIR function or/and then trying fiddling with the time and light pots and see if that makes a difference otherwise its time to replace it.

I found that atmospheric disturbances and other intermittent over-voltages will cause them to loose their way.

mogga · Mar 8, 2012

Mine has started doing the same Back to the big orange shed for me tonight GGGRRRRR I hate "Decorative" fittings ffs her indoors wouldnt let me put a spare 400 flood I had lying around lol

telectrix · Mar 8, 2012

i have fitted about 6 of the b&q ones at £8.99. all have failed within a year or so. absolute crap.

cbw · Mar 8, 2012

Tel, Me to, cost me a small fortune in warranty work, all from the same batch!!!!

ackbarthestar · Mar 8, 2012

B&G cheapos at £8.99 is good value for that rubbish.
I installed the first one on a client's wall about a year ago and then a week later replaced it with another. So far that one hasn't failed. It's most likely a batch thing, unfortunately.
There is a lot of legitimate imported rubbish coming into this country so we must expect a change of installation methods. Buy twice and install twice and charge a single price with an added supplement for contingencies.