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Live on a dark street (no streetlights) and would like to put in motion sensor lights at front/back doors. Is it as easy as simply switching out the ones I have now with motion sensor? They really look exactly the same (besides the motion sensor feature of course) - not sure if they are the same company or not. What should I be checking/looking over before buying lights/installing.
Location: Visitation between Wal-Mart & Home Depot
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You should not need to do anything other than remove the old lights and install the new one. You can have a motion sensor outside that is switched inside without any trouble. Brand will not matter. As far as what to purchase, this is a product that probably does not justify large expenditure. If it were me, I would go to Home Depot or Lowes, ask one of the employees where to find "motion sensor lights", follow his or her directions and select my favorite color.
Note: I'm doubtful that you would encounter any problems by installing a fixture rated for higher wattage than you currently have but if you want to be safe, replace a 300 watt fixture with a 300 watt fixture.
Last edited by jimboburnsy; 06-11-2009 at 08:17 AM..
make absolutly sure you turn off the electricy to the house BEFORE you begin to remove the old fixture. leave it iff while you install the new one and turn the electric back on when you have completed the installation. It can be a shocking experience!!!
if you need to bypass the motion sensor, you just flip the switch off, then back on within a second, and they'll stay on until you turn them off and reset the sensor.
most have this feature, but there are still some that don't have it.
Live on a dark street (no streetlights) and would like to put in motion sensor lights at front/back doors. Is it as easy as simply switching out the ones I have now with motion sensor? They really look exactly the same (besides the motion sensor feature of course) - not sure if they are the same company or not. What should I be checking/looking over before buying lights/installing.
Thanks for the help
Light fixtures are pretty standard in the way they attach to the junction box. The only exception will be if somebody cobbled together something.
I've installed a lot of motion sensor lights over the years. They're not difficult, though they do normally require some assembly of the fixture itself.
After you've assembled your motion-sensor light, it's just a matter of replacing the old fixture.
Make ABSOLUTELY SURE that the electricity is off! Good luck!
Make sure that you get lights with daylight sensors as well as motion sensors. You do nto want your licht turning on and off during the day. Remember to turn the light switch on when you are done.
Buy a 10 dollar voltage tester and check every wire twice before you touch it. $10 and two seconds of effort can save your life. Also test your voltage tester in a socket and make sure it woks before you trust it. Remember thse things are made in china.
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