Photo cell

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Matt Mckenzie said:
Could area parking lot lighting shining towards a photo cell on a sign be holding the power off? Are they that sensitive?
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They can be, yes. Put tape over the sensor and test the theory at your location.

I've had to replace photocell types with the aimable ones so I could point them at the ground instead of always out and away.
 
Matt Mckenzie said:
Could area parking lot lighting shining towards a photo cell on a sign be holding the power off? Are they that sensitive?
Click to expand...

Yes they are. Even if the lot lighting isnt pointed right at the cell, it could be bright enough in the area to prevent the cell from turning on.

You'll also want to make sure the photocell isnt getting hit by car headlights.
 
I put a button eye PC through the side of a wallpack a couple weeks ago like I have many times in the past. These LED wallpacks would flicker off then right back on again every 10 seconds like clockwork. I guess I've gotten lucky in the past and haven't had an issue, obviously this one had just the right amount of reflected light back into it to cause problems.

Pulled the PC out, installed an astronomic time clock instead. Problem solved.
 
My neighbor had an outside light for a while with a badly placed photocell; it could "see" the light it controlled. Once it got dark it would flash on and off 2 or 3 times a second all night long.
 
Photo cell

I think the sign vendor installed standard photo cells on brand new LED signs. I have four different enterprise signs. They all worked fine upon installation a month or two ago. Two signs are powered by there own 120 volt circuit & the other two signs are powered by a different 120volt circuit. I have verified good solid power to all of these signs & they are coming on & going off intermittently. Does anybody have any feed back? I know it's not from other lights shining as I have blocked off the photo cells with tape & it's still intermittent
 
What photocells are installed?

How often is "intermittant?"

What is the actual continuous load on the photocell? We might be able figure the starting inrush from that if you aren't able to directly measure it.
 
I'd start with ascertaining whether the power interruptions are actually at the photocell. Basic troubleshooting.

Some use relays, some are solid state. A simple bypass or measure voltage across the black and red to start.
 
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