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[Dr.Fiero]

I've got the dial cranked right to max (turn it to 11 baby!).
Walk up the driveway, or pull in with the car - nadda.
Yet I can go right in line with it, jump up and down waving my arms (wtf, neighbors already think I'm a nut job)....  then usually it'll trip.

I have zero issue with executing a remote 'on' from AHP.

It's on a post with a rain lid, about 8ft up. 
I've got it angled down at roughly a 45* angle (exactly where my 15 year old non-X10 motion sensor was that would pick up a cat walking past!).

Are they all just this 'blind'?

I'm thinking of sticking an MS10 down low on the pole, and have THAT do the motion sensing.

[dave w]

PIRs have trouble seeing warm bodies coming directly towards or directly away from the sensor. They are more sensitive to movment across their field of view. Look at the diagram in the PR511 instructions. You might try tilting the head more up or down.

[HA Dave]

It's on a post with a rain lid, about 8ft up. 
I've got it angled down at roughly a 45* angle (exactly where my 15 year old non-X10 motion sensor was that would pick up a cat walking past!).

There is no standard on how these devises function. The X10 floodlight sensor (PR511) already "looks down". Pointing the sensor downward (45 degree angle) is making it look more at the post it is on.... than the driveway. I think the instructions say point it to the level of the horizon.

[Dr.Fiero]

I'll go out and give it a 'poke' upwards and see how it goes.

I just set it where the other one was since it worked so well! 


Thanks guys.

[Dr.Fiero]

Update...

I ordered another PR511 (sucker for punishment?).  Guess the first one I got was/is screwed for it's motion sensing ability, as the other one I got works great. 
So great in fact, I'm going to have to turn DOWN the sensitivity!  Big bugs trip it.

I checked on freight rates back to the states, and it was nuts - so the lady at X10 gave me a smoking deal on another one.

At least I've got one good one, and one that pretty much just works with on/off commands.

[dave w]

No QC.

[nybuck]

Is it time for another one of my famous "Check out this deal" posts?  

How about:
http://www.x10.com/whatsincluded/PR511-ED-INTALERT-UNDER50.html

$17.99 for a PR511 with a warning sticker guaranteed to prevent break-ins for life*

* (Guarantee not available in all areas.  'Life' refers to the lifetime of the sticker, not your lifetime.  Actual results may vary.  Guarantee not valid if sticker is not properly displayed.  See back of sticker for actual terms and conditions.)

[leoaln]

Here's another good deal on the PR511 and a Socket Rocket for $19.99
http://www.x10.com/promotions/pr511_ed_alert_1m_promo.html

[Dr.Fiero]

Yeah, she gave me some deal with the stickers (round file!) and the PR511.  It was the same price as me shipping the old one back (!).
Sealed the deal by tossing in a free MS14A (which I mounted to the pole that the light was on, set to the same code!).

Now the ms14a does the motion sensing, and turns on the light.  Round about, but...  problem solved!   

[nybuck]

That'll be good until the batteries die in your MS14A...   

The thing I like the most about the PR511A or the Floodcam is that they run on good ol' AC!   

[Dr.Fiero]

Yup - agree!  And if good ol' AC was doing it's job flowing in and out of the dud PR511...  all would be good.

But, as an alternative to tossing out a 1/2 working light, I'll just replace some duracell's every year or so.