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05-14-2010, 06:42 AM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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Motion Detector Light
I just installed a 12-volt motion detector light on our Montana. It replaces the amber light that comes with the rig. I purchased it from Starlights, Inc.
Orv
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05-14-2010, 08:13 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hesperia
Posts: 1,321
M.O.C. #7787
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I've had this Smart light for over two years. I've talked face to face with the Engineer of this light and explain to him that it doesn't always turn on when we approach the stairs,his comment was that he designed it as a heat sensor and it all depends on the surface your parked on. Cement is the best were as pavement and dirt will detect the heat quicker and the light can't defer from your body heat and the surface heat.
Orv, I'm not trying to down rate this light,I do like it I'm just trying to explain why it doesn't always perform the way you would expect it to.
Jack
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05-14-2010, 11:17 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by jjackflash
I've had this Smart light for over two years. I've talked face to face with the Engineer of this light and explain to him that it doesn't always turn on when we approach the stairs,his comment was that he designed it as a heat sensor and it all depends on the surface your parked on. Cement is the best were as pavement and dirt will detect the heat quicker and the light can't defer from your body heat and the surface heat.
Orv, I'm not trying to down rate this light,I do like it I'm just trying to explain why it doesn't always perform the way you would expect it to.
Jack
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So if you're on fire, it should work great!
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05-14-2010, 12:35 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hesperia
Posts: 1,321
M.O.C. #7787
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Tom S.
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by jjackflash
I've had this Smart light for over two years. I've talked face to face with the Engineer of this light and explain to him that it doesn't always turn on when we approach the stairs,his comment was that he designed it as a heat sensor and it all depends on the surface your parked on. Cement is the best were as pavement and dirt will detect the heat quicker and the light can't defer from your body heat and the surface heat.
Orv, I'm not trying to down rate this light,I do like it I'm just trying to explain why it doesn't always perform the way you would expect it to.
Jack
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So if you're on fire, it should work great!
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You got it right Tom!
Jack
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05-14-2010, 02:38 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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Well, it's too bad that it didn't work for you. It works well for us. Not everything is meant for everyone and not everyone is happy with something that someone else thinks is great. That's what makes the world go round and that's why there are so many different kinds of products. Joe may not like what Bob has and Bob may not like what Harry has, but Harry likes what both Joe and Bob have. Go figure! I hope you realize that these are fictional names.
Orv
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05-14-2010, 04:29 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location:
Posts: 560
M.O.C. #8818
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For a $100, it better brew my morning coffee and brush my teeth for me too! Oh yeah, the dang light better come on every time somebody walks by when it is dark outside, that would be a plus .....IMHO.
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05-14-2010, 05:37 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,364
M.O.C. #4831
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My $5.99 Harbor Freight Motion Detector light works every time regardless of the surface, clothing, temperature, or type of critter passing by. The only time it doesn't is when it is still light out - it knows the difference.
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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05-14-2010, 08:16 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hesperia
Posts: 1,321
M.O.C. #7787
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Orv,I didn't mean anything by this,I'm just passing on what the designer told me.
Butch,that's what I use under my steps.
Jack
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05-15-2010, 02:32 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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I don't understand the designer saying that it's heat sensitive. All I do is open the door from the inside and the light comes on. Has nothing to do with body heat. And, as far as costing nearly $100 goes, many forum members will recall that I always maintain that you get what you pay for.
Orv
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05-15-2010, 04:11 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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Orv, it could also be that the designer changed the design between you model and Jacks.
Anything special about the hook up, or was it pretty much just a replacement procedure!
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05-15-2010, 04:26 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Lobelville
Posts: 2,128
M.O.C. #6650
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I have the Smart Light also. Also have had the same experience as Jack has had, but I ordered when it first hit the market. If I'm not mistaken it is a adjustable. As for the price Orv is correct you get what you pay for. I haven't installed the Smart Light on our 2010 5er yet, our 5er has step lights and the porch light and the step light uses very little electricity. But its very simple just remove the existing light and follow the instructions its a very simple install. It should mount using the existing holes. GBY...
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05-15-2010, 04:47 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Tom S.
Orv, it could also be that the designer changed the design between you model and Jacks.
Anything special about the hook up, or was it pretty much just a replacement procedure!
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Tom,
It was a replacement for the one that came on the rig. I did have to put two new holes in since the ones in the new light were a little wider apart than the original. It was a simple installation with exact instructions. It can be operated manually or automatically. Instructions are provided for programming it to operate automatically. My wife really likes it and I do too. It really lights up the area outside the rig.
ORv
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05-15-2010, 05:08 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Casa Grande
Posts: 5,369
M.O.C. #6333
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I have the Smart Light also and, as I recall, there is a sensitivity adjustment for the motion detector. We have had ours a little over a year and no problems lighting when we come home.....
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05-15-2010, 06:00 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hesperia
Posts: 1,321
M.O.C. #7787
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Like Tom was saying,Mine is over 2 years old and might be the original design!
Jack
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05-15-2010, 06:03 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location:
Posts: 2,376
M.O.C. #6575
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OK guys, y'all got my curiosity up. The following is a copy and paste. I can see how hot pavement, concrete, or anything else can effect these detectors.
The "motion sensing" feature on most lights (and security systems) is a passive system that detects infrared energy. These sensors are therefore known as PIR (passive infrared) detectors or pyroelectric sensors. In order to make a sensor that can detect a human being, you need to make the sensor sensitive to the temperature of a human body. Humans, having a skin temperature of about 93 degrees F, radiate infrared energy with a wavelength between 9 and 10 micrometers. Therefore, the sensors are typically sensitive in the range of 8 to 12 micrometers.
I borrowed that from here: How stuff works.
I've used them in the past, just never was interested in how they work til now.
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05-15-2010, 08:24 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,107
M.O.C. #8045
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The motion/heat sensor in our church hallway must be heat sensitive. If I am wearing a leather coat and come in from cold weather, like 35 of lower I can get almost all the way up to the sensor before it senses me. That is a distance of about 25 feet. On a warm day with cloth jacket it senses me immediately when the door is open. Just some information from my observations.
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05-15-2010, 11:42 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by exav8tr
I have the Smart Light also and, as I recall, there is a sensitivity adjustment for the motion detector. We have had ours a little over a year and no problems lighting when we come home.....
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You're right, there is a sensitivity adjustment. The instructions say that it is set at the factory for the most sensitive.
The way ours works I'm not going to readjust it.
Orv
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05-16-2010, 04:12 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by ols1932
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Tom S.
Orv, it could also be that the designer changed the design between you model and Jacks.
Anything special about the hook up, or was it pretty much just a replacement procedure!
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Tom,
It was a replacement for the one that came on the rig. I did have to put two new holes in since the ones in the new light were a little wider apart than the original. It was a simple installation with exact instructions. It can be operated manually or automatically. Instructions are provided for programming it to operate automatically. My wife really likes it and I do too. It really lights up the area outside the rig.
ORv
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My wife really likes it
That is the MAIN criteria!!!
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07-04-2010, 09:30 AM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Shore
Posts: 6,009
M.O.C. #7110
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I have a couple of questions for those who have a sensor light installed.
1. We are considering getting a sensor light. The arm of our awning is very close to the light presently installed will the awning arm be a problem?
2. Does it mount with an exact match over the mounting holes for the current light we have on our units?
__________________
2011 GMC 4X4 dually CC, 6.6 Duramax with Allison Transmission. Formally 2001 Montana,2007 3400RL Montana, presently 2018 3401RS Alpine.
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07-04-2010, 10:12 AM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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Bill & Donna,
The motion detector light we installed fit in the place of the amber light that is usually over the door of the rig. So, I can't talk about where you are thinking of mounting a light.
Orv
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