External Security Light Problem

sealgaire

HI,

I've an external Phillips security light that isn't working. The sensor is working and when I check what power is going to the bulb it seems to be only 110v but the sticker on the light says it is 220v.

I've a picture attached of the inside of the light. I'm guessing that there is an inverter not working (or something) but I don't know which might be the offending part.

Can anybody help me on this?:

brightspark

Did you try a new lamp?

sealgaire

Ya i hooked up another lamp (not a security light) to the connection and it worked

brightspark

I meant a new 'bulb' in the security fitting, from the blurry pic I am guessing it's a 70W SON.

sealgaire

Oh ya, that was the first thing I tried. Excuse the blurry pic, useless phone.

brightspark

Was the new 'bulb' identical to the old one?

Ones that look the same can be different inside, you need to be sure they are the same type.

There may be a small triangle with an 'I' or 'E'. It makes a difference

sealgaire

ok,

Old bulb: Philips A7 SON 70W

New bulb: Venture HPSE.70W/IG/E27 - WRJ0MM

Its hard to tell

M cebee

looks like you have the right bulb- internal ignitor

you checked the photocell?


there isn't a lot to go wrong in those fittings-bulb photocell and ballast

sealgaire

M cebee wrote: »

looks like you have the right bulb- internal ignitor

you checked the photocell?


there isn't a lot to go wrong in those fittings-bulb photocell and ballast

Yea I've actually replace the potocell (that is the solar sensor I'm guessing) with a new one before i realised the old one wasn't the issue. Gonna return that as soon as I can. It defo works cause when it is covered the voltometer picks up a current of 110v in the bulb socket.

I don't know what the ballast is though.

sealgaire

Can somebody maybe identify the parts of the light in the photo? Is it possible one of them is a transformer?

brightspark

Cylindrical item on upper left is a capacitor, which appears to be in parallel with the supply so is probably just for power factor correction and not likely to be the cause of your problem


Item on the bottom is the ballast, effectively just a coil of wire. Usually visually obvious if it has failed.

There arn't usually any transformers involved.



Check all connections and make sure the bulb contacts are clean.

Personally I would try another bulb, just in case the new one was faulty (or test the bulb in another fitting)

Did you leave the sensor covered long enough for the light to come on, it's a discharge lamp so doesn't light immediately

sealgaire

Hey brightspark,

Yea I had left in overnight incase it was just taking a long time to power on but nothing. I might try another bulb so or bring the bulb to where i got it and ask them to try it (they aren't cheap).

The only reason why I though a transformer was involved cause I'm only getting a reading of 110v from the bulb contacts. But then again, maybe that's all I'm supposed to get?

M cebee

basically just the ballast and bulb in series

if it's internal ignitor(I)and you ignore capacitor and photocell

sealgaire

Thanks for allthe help lads but I can't for the life of me get it to work. Bloody yoke!