Help - Is there a quality problem with LOA lights?

[Seafan]

or is it something I did wrong? I bought a LOA (Lights of America) 6500K Florex PC flood lights from Home Depot several weeks ago, I used a 6' extension cord, (is this a problem?) cut off one end, got the two wires connected to those on the LOA light, twisted the wires with wire cap. I put it on the glass cover (would this be a problem?), with the casing. After a week, the light failed to come on. Thinking that I might have got a lemon, I went to HD and exchanged for another Florex. I did the same thing, and after 2 weeks, today it failed to light again. Are there so many defective products of this brand PC, or is it just my bad luck, or is it something I did wrong?

Thanks.

[scubadude]

Did you forget about the photo sensor? they have a little button on them that will detect light and not come on...you may have the lights on (in the room) and it wont work.....find that button and put some black electrical tape over it then it should work for ya....if it has been working before and you havent got a photo sensor problem and your wiring has good connection then you have a bad bulb or socket. But sounds like the photo sensor to me....it drove me whacky too for a couple of days. The way you have it wired sounds fine....Im not sure I would lay it right on the glass....but that should have nothing to do with it not working

[Seafan]

Originally posted by scubadude
Did you forget about the photo sensor? they have a little button on them that will detect light and not come on...

Do you mean the green plastic thing on the back of the casing? This may be just the cause, as I didn't tape over it. But I happen to be home today, and saw the light came on earlier, then it was off later the day. Does that sound still like the photo sensor problem?

Thanks for the quick reply.

[organicreefer]

i agree with scuba sounds like it could be the sensor.i can tbeleive anyone has problems with these lights...i dropped mine in my sump twice,and after drying for a couple days it works as good as ever.

[scubadude]

Originally posted by organicreefer
i agree with scuba sounds like it could be the sensor.i can tbeleive anyone has problems with these lights...i dropped mine in my sump twice,and after drying for a couple days it works as good as ever.

LOL...only twice? Mine have been in water more than air.

Seafan....when you bought the LOA lights they should of came with another button thats black....replace the semitransparent green one with the black one....Unless you threw it away.....I bet you where just too darn excited to see these lights work and said to yerself....I dont need this stinkin little button ;;

[icemark]

On the newer version of the lamp (the ones with the white reflector) there is also a very cheap thermal shut down built into the ballast.

If you have the clear bulb cover and it is resting on the glass firing straight down you may be overheating the units.

Another thing if you notice the instructions that most people don't even look at, they mention the light should be at a 25 to 65 degree angle to the flat surface, so again if you are mounting it firing straight down you may be overheating the bulbs as well as the the ballast assembly.

I have done a lot experimenting and playing around with these lights and have figured out where all the weaknesses are in them.

[scubadude]

Thats some good info....thanx ice!

[Seafan]

I replaced the green button with the brown/black button, and the light still failed to come on. I guess the light is burned out?

Does anybody drill holes on the casing to allow more heat release?