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[randy]

After installing the PR511 all it does is
keeps the lights on. It doesnt matter what
settings i select.

[dom]

Yes, this is what mine do as well. The
procedure that is supposed to fix it does
nothing. It seems as though the relay is
closed permanently. only using 2x60w bulbs!

[willy]

We have a problem with deer eating the
flowers next to the house.  This is done
mostly at night.  Do you make flood lights
that will pop on if motion is only 10 feet
away?  Can it also have some kind of sound
as it pop's on?  What degree arc do the
mothion sensors have?  Can the lights be
turned off after 10 seconds?  This would not
only scare the deer but also blind it for a
short time.  Any help on this would be
appreciated.

[noeljb]

I have replaced the PR511 units at the
Southwest cornwer of my house and the North
facing addition apexfour times each.  I have
used Quarts halogen lights on all five units
ever since I installed them five years ago.
The lights are 150 watts each and I have two
on each unit except the North faceing Apex
light, it has three.

The advertisment online said I could use QH
lights as long as I staye below the rated
watage.  I tried using a relay rayed at 120v
10 amp but the induced resistance of the coil
seems to blow a transister and alow 97 volts
through a 220,000 ohm resistor which keeps
the relay energized at all time.

ANY help or ideas would be greatly
appreciated.  I have access to latching
relays that will handle 2 hp 220 volt motors.

Idealy a solid state relay would be best, any
sugestions?

Norl JB

[keith]

Norl JB,

15 years ago I put a 300 watt quartz halogen flood light in
my drive way  activated by light detector.   Between this
detector and the flood light I put a variable resistor
designed for ceiling fan, I believe.  The bulb has lasted for
about 12 or so years now..The first three years I did not
use the voltage control so that bulb burnt out in two or
three years.  

[noeljb]

Willy I believe if you get the sensor up high
enough and point it down you can get the
limited range you are looking for.  If you
have the sensor activate a chime you will get
a noise.  A siren will givce you more noise
but may be to LOUD!

[noeljb]

Keith,
That sounds like an outstanding Idea!  I just
bought some 100 watt bulbs to reduce the
power going through the relay in the sensor.
But the bulbs will still burn out in just a
feww years.  The thing with the ceiling fan
resistor is I think it is actually a triac
that is switching on and off very fast so you
are actually cutting down on the power
running through the bulb and relay, not only
saving the bulb but the relay in the sensor
too.  I got to go get some of those ceiling
fan things.
Thanks for the info.

[noeljb]

The other three PR511 s have been working
fine for five years.  This is what has me
stumped.  Maybe they were inspected by
"Inspector #8"  <grin> The relay inside the
sensor is a latching relay so we can't just
go to Radio Shack and get a replacement.
Heck at my Radio Shack I have to order any
relay and most resistors (not a company store)

[noeljb]

Dom and Randy
You both seem to have the same problem.  My
first experiance with "always on" was the
result of the relay inside MELTING and the
contacts were in the closed position when it
melted.  I assumed it was from me mounting
the sensor above the lights.  The heat from
the current added to the heat from the lights
got the relay hot and it is NOT a metal frame
it is polyethelene (I think).

The second always on came from (this is
speculation I have not replace the part to
test theroy) a failure of a transistor therby
feeding 120 to a 220k Ohm resistor feedind a
relay I put in line.  I think if it was
feeding the lights it would have burned the
circuit board.
All I can tell with power on and a test meter
check the blue wire (be careful if yo get
shocked WALK IT OFF)If you get 997 volts then
the transistor has failed.  If you is open it
up and check the relay.  It will be obvious
if it melted.

[noeljb]

97 volts NOT 997
Fat finger

[john s]

I am thinking of trying those screw in
Dusk/Dawn sensors so my Flood Lights do not
come on during the day. I want the motion
detector on all of the time for an inside
Chime. The inside lights triggered by the
PR511 are on an ActiveHome macro to only
come on when it is dark. Too bad the light
can't be configured this way by default. It
seems like the most logical way to use it.

[noeljb]

John S
I have heard of someguys doing that.  I saw a
set of schematics on another site I need to
print them out to see if there is a simple
way to do that.
Hmmmm?