Mercury lamp dusk-to-dawn sensor?

[rossow (mn)]

Forgive me if this question belongs in a different forum. I have a dusk-to-dawn Mercury lamp with a three-prong "eye" that twist-fits on top. I replaced the large-base bulb receptacle and wiring several years ago and also replaced the sensor a while later when the old one quit. The lamp has worked well for years since then. But I noticed a few days ago the lamp is failing to turn off in full daylight. I got a new sensor eye, figuring time to replace. But the new one doesn't seem to be working either. The bulb and socket are protected by a large platter-shaped hood and weatherproofing gasket. I know the eye socket is clean and dry. The fairly new wiring runs inside the mounting post and works from an ordinary wall switch in the shed. The switch turns the lamp on and off when I test it -- off for a few minutes but then back on. The sensor aims north and gets plenty of daylight all day. So I'm stumped about where a problem could lie except in the sensor eye. Maybe the new replacement is defective? Other places that could be a problem? Anyone with experience with these units? I don't want to replace it because it's a beautiful unit on a tall (15-feet?) factory light pole from probably the 1950s, and no factory-type replacement lamp unit seems to be available. I know I can weld up a bracket of some sort to mount a new unit, but I hope to avoid that hassle for practical and esthetic reasons. Advice, as always, welcome.

 

[Gambles]

This is just my opinion…but I have worked on a few. The modern “eye” sensors are junk compared to the ones they made decades ago. I would bet that your new sensor is having problems and the problems are the results of lightning, power surges or just an eye that is cheaply made.
I know you love the old one, but I recommend replacing the whole thing with a led unit. It probably won’t last any longer, but they are now pretty inexpensive and use less electricity.

 

[Tony in SD]

This is just my opinion…but I have worked on a few. The modern “eye” sensors are junk compared to the ones they made decades ago. I would bet that your new sensor is having problems and the problems are the results of lightning, power surges or just an eye that is cheaply made.
I know you love the old one, but I recommend replacing the whole thing with a led unit. It probably won’t last any longer, but they are now pretty inexpensive and use less electricity.

X2

 

[a49deere]

This is just my opinion…but I have worked on a few. The modern “eye” sensors are junk compared to the ones they made decades ago. I would bet that your new sensor is having problems and the problems are the results of lightning, power surges or just an eye that is cheaply made.
I know you love the old one, but I recommend replacing the whole thing with a led unit. It probably won’t last any longer, but they are now pretty inexpensive and use less electricity.

Yes, junk the mercury light, A new LED will cut down on your electricity bill and probably be much brighter. For the same or a little more than trying to make the old one work!

 

[scootergmc]

This is just my opinion…but I have worked on a few. The modern “eye” sensors are junk compared to the ones they made decades ago. I would bet that your new sensor is having problems and the problems are the results of lightning, power surges or just an eye that is cheaply made.
I know you love the old one, but I recommend replacing the whole thing with a led unit. It probably won’t last any longer, but they are now pretty inexpensive and use less electricity.

x3. I have a friend who is on his third "eye" because the second didn't last long.

 

[drsportster]

Try putting electrical tape over half the eye

 

[miangus]

I assume when you said you rewired it you converted to an LED. I had the same issue with one of mine and my boys insist I stay off my tall ladder. I installed a remote eye at the switch. They come with a fitting to attach to a standard box.

 

[Terry G]

I assume when you said you rewired it you converted to an LED. I had the same issue with one of mine and my boys insist I stay off my tall ladder. I installed a remote eye at the switch. They come with a fitting to attach to a standard box.x2

X2