Replies

1. 
   popawheelie | Feb 02, 2008 08:25pm | #1

   I'd change out the motion sensor. It seems like the most likely candidate.

1. 
   AllenB | Feb 02, 2008 08:59pm | #3

   Can you tell me a little more on why you are picking out the motion sensor as the problem area.  Are these switches a known weak link?  If it is the motion sensor, I will convert this circuit back to a stand 2 way configuration and eliminate the second switch location.

1. 
   popawheelie | Feb 02, 2008 09:25pm | #5

   First off, let me qualify my answer. I'm not an electrician but I do my own electrical work most of the time.

   I'm not sure what kind of motion sensor you have but from what I've seen they are getting incredibly cheaply made. If they work, fine. But if they don't just switch it out. I think that is the attitude of most manufacturers. Pump out cheap product and if is a problem switch it out. But it doesn't take into consideration your time and the doughts you go through on your end.

   A switch is simple and positive for the most part. But the motion sensor has all sorts of things that can go wrong with it. Have you opened up one of them? I'd just switch it out.

   I hope this helps.

   Edited 2/2/2008 5:08 pm ET by popawheelie

1. 
   kurt99 | Feb 02, 2008 10:50pm | #6

   A motion sensor light usually is used where you will end up with a short on time, with the light being turned off shortly after you leave the room, and back on when you come back. If this is the case, a regular incandescent bulb is probably the way to go. A CFL is excellent with relatively long on times but its advantages decrease with short on times. The bulb life is reduced with frequent on-off cycling and can be slow to achieve full brightness. The savings with the motion sensor light is that you never forget to turn it off when you leave.

2. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Feb 02, 2008 08:45pm | #2

   I think it's time to go back to a regular bulb.  CF bulbs are ment for pretty simple circuits, and can do strange things in timers and dimmers - I guess motion sensors can be added to that list.

   Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

   Also a CRX fanatic!

   If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts.  You nut, you.

3. 
   Dave45 | Feb 02, 2008 09:16pm | #4

   I was all set to suggest that your problem was with the motion sensor until I read your last line.  I would bet on something being "off" with onr leg of the three way switch wiring.  You're getting some kind of "pulse".

4. 
   maddog3 | Feb 02, 2008 11:30pm | #7

   A 3 way motion sensor ? not likely, but it seems someone has replaced a 3 way switch with it

   and some CFLs don't operate well in anything other than an ordinary circuit..
   check the warnings on the package the lamp came in , in other words RTM

   .

   .

   .

   , wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?

1. 
   BillHartmann | Feb 03, 2008 03:22am | #13

   "A 3 way motion sensor ? not likely, but it seems someone has replaced a 3 way switch with it"3 way motion sensors are not that unusal.Here is a common wiring scheme.http://www.sensorswitch.com/WiringDiagrams/WIRING2.pdfNote, there is no neutral connection.They work by allowing a small curent to flow through the load. The same as self-lighting toggle switch.And the self-lighting toggle switches have the same problem.If the CFL uses an electronic switch balast the small "leakage current" will chage up the input capactor in the balast. After enough energy is story the light will work for a couple of cycles until the energy is used up and the cycle repeats.Systems that have a neutral so that the sensor can be self powe and relays for the "switching" don't have this problem..
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

1. 
   maddog3 | Feb 03, 2008 01:43pm | #14

   that last example is what I was thinking about, tying the travelers together just makes a single pole switch out of the remaining 3 way the other ones just are not that clever and are still only single pole sensors .

   .

   ., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?

5. 
   andyfew322 | Feb 03, 2008 12:47am | #8

   you have dust bunnies. The dustbunnies have parties, don't bring down their party

    

   "It is like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer: it feels so good when you stop"

   
   

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   Edited 2/2/2008 4:47 pm ET by andyfew322

1. 
   AllenB | Feb 03, 2008 01:50am | #9

   Replaced the Motion sensor switch (yes it is a 3 way) with a normal 3 way switch.  Just as popawheelie predicted, no more problem.

   Thanks everyone,

1. 
   popawheelie | Feb 03, 2008 02:58am | #12

   I got lucky.

6. 
   DanG | Feb 03, 2008 01:53am | #10

   Don't know what brand of motion sensor switch you have, but the one at

   http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1294389

   says it doesn't work with light fixtures containing an electronic ballast. No doubt that also applies if the ballast is in the bulb, as in CFL's.

   Doing a quick Google, it looks like Cooper and Leviton are probably the most prominent manufacturers of motion sensor switches, They both make single pole switches that will work with electronic ballasts. However, it appears that their 3-way switches will work with magnetic ballasts only.

   When it gets to the point that all you can get is CFL bulbs they may be making 3-way switches that work with electronic ballasts. Until then I'd be inclined to take the easy way out and just keep using the incandescent bulbs.

7. 
   DanH | Feb 03, 2008 02:13am | #11

   Get one of those Y lightbulb adapters and put the CF lamp in one side and a 25W (or 15W if you can find it) incandescent lamp in the other side.  The small incandescent will keep the motion sensor happy.

   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader