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Home Repair Photoelectric Lamp Posts

Discussion in 'Homeowners Corner' started by Sasquatch519, Jul 9, 2009.

  1. Sasquatch519

    Sasquatch519 Member

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    My house and all the other houses on my street came with a freestanding lamp post out front that operates on a photoelectric cell (i.e. it turns on when it gets dark and turns off when it gets light.) I don't know of a switch in my house that controls it, so I'm assuming it's just wired in on some circuit, but I have no idea which one.

    Anyway, the lamp post stopped stopped working. I've changed the bulbs, so I know they work. I'm thinking about replacing the photoelectric cell, does anyone know if there is a specific brand or size I need? Does anyone know how to shut off power to the lamp post so I don't fry myself? Does anyone have any experience with these lamp posts that might be helpful?
     
    Sasquatch519, Jul 9, 2009
    #1
  2. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    1) make sure it's not a GFI tripped. It will be wired to one of your GFI outlets in the house. Sometimes.. an odd one.. but usually at the front of the house or the basement.

    2) just goto home depot and you'll find the replacement cells are all pretty much compatible. Bring yours if you are concerned, but they all just fit by going through the hole and being held on by a nut. Buy that, and some wire nuts and you'll be set. If you don't know, just ask - its a VERY common replacement piece and they'll know exactly what you are talking about. They should be back in electric near the light switches, etc.

    The hardest part is simply figuring out which circuit feeds it so you can turn it off to work on it.
     
    flynnibus, Jul 9, 2009
    #2
  3. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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    it's pretty generic, just take out your old one, bring it to HD/Lowes and you'll find a match, no problem. I just had to replace mine the other day... works great now. old one lasted ~12 years

    but yeah, check your GFCI first! My bad sensor was what was tripping the GFCI, go figure.
     
    boomertsfx, Jul 9, 2009
    #3
  4. Ozgood

    Ozgood Not a space alien

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    One other suggestion: Once you have killed the power, check the connection between the photo receptor box and the light socket. Those wires that go under the ground and up the center of the pole can abraid over time.

    Not saying that the builders would use the cheapest shottiest POS material in order to save $0.50 on each house. That would be wrong.:nono:

    It would be a shame to replace the photo receptor only to find the problem is a busted wire in the pole.
     
    Ozgood, Jul 9, 2009
    #4
  5. poolabab

    poolabab Resident

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    If you are in one of the townhouses in southern walk then the GFI should be located in the utility room in your Garage.

    1. If the GFI is tripped you can reset it and the light should turn on.

    2. If that doesn't work and you are good with wires, you can bypass the photo cell and make sure the light works. This will tell you that wiring underground is fine and photo cell is bad.

    3. Otherwise You can replace the photo cell(about 8 bucks in local home depot), if the light works you are set if not then there might be issue with underground wiring.
     
    poolabab, Jul 9, 2009
    #5
  6. tyger31

    tyger31 Member

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    After 11 years - we had to replace ours as well and our bad sensor was tripping the GFCI too.
     
    tyger31, Jul 9, 2009
    #6
  7. Sasquatch519

    Sasquatch519 Member

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    Thanks so much everyone for your help. It was indeed wired to the GFI in the garage, so I could turn off the juice. I wired around the photoelectric cell and it worked fine, so I could conclude the cell was bad and I just replaced it. All went well except for losing a few screws in the bushes... glad Home Depot is around the corner.

    Again, thanks so much for the help!
     
    Sasquatch519, Jul 9, 2009
    #7

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