Question for electrician

[Texas Proud]

So, we have a motion detection ceiling light in our laundry room... it is also where you enter the house from the back door... we love it...

But, the light stopped working a month or so ago... I decided to spend about $20 to get a new ballast to see if I could get it to work... it had 2 circular lights... one is florescent and the other I replaced with LED... will probably replace the small one with LED as it is not that bright now...

My problem is that the motion detector now does not work. When I was taking it apart the 2 wires from the ceiling went into the motion detector, came out and then to the ballast... the strange thing was they had wired black to white and white to black... when I put it back together I did black to black and white to white because that is what you are supposed to do... right?

My question is could this make the motion detector not work if you wired it 'backward'? I cannot see how it would, so just asking.

 

[street]

Not sure without seeing a schematic of wiring. I would put it back to B to W.
I had one of those a few years back and it quite working for no reason, so I had to replace it.

 

[GrayHare]

about the wiring "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"

 

[Koolau]

Not sure without seeing a schematic of wiring. I would put it back to B to W.
I had one of those a few years back and it quite working for no reason, so I had to replace it.

I've never had a motion activated light that w*rked for very long. No idea why.

 

[Texas Proud]

Thanks for the posts,

Well, it was not working...

It was here when I bought the house and we have been here 15 years so it did well for us... but we could not find any at the stores around here and I do not want to buy online as some regular light here local look like junk and we might get one of those.

I will see if I can change it back without taking it down...

 

[38Chevy454]

Two things:
1. Get a voltmeter and determine what's electrically hot or not
2. If LED are lower voltage DC type, those are polarity sensitive. The AC versions may also be. Won't light up if polarity wrong.

 

[street]

I've never had a motion activated light that w*rked for very long. No idea why.

I no longer have one either they seem to don't like me.

I do have a solar powered one at the ranch and it just keeps on going. Going on 8 years now through all kinds of weathah. I have been amazed it still works.

 

[Texas Proud]

So, switch the wires back to opposite colors.... and nothing... motion detector still does not work...

At least the light works... might just have to live with switching it on and off when we need it...

As for the LEDs working... it worked before the ballast stopped working and works with the new ballast...

 

[euro]

Motion Sensor, 180-Degree Replacement Motion Detector, Adjustable Time & Detection Sensitiity Up to 60 Feet Range, 3 Working Modes Pir Motion Sensor for Security Floodlight, White, UL Listed​

4.5 out of 5 stars
261
400+ bought in past month
Save 20%
$12.79

 

[Texas Proud]

Motion Sensor, 180-Degree Replacement Motion Detector, Adjustable Time & Detection Sensitiity Up to 60 Feet Range, 3 Working Modes Pir Motion Sensor for Security Floodlight, White, UL Listed​

4.5 out of 5 stars
261
400+ bought in past month
Save 20%
$12.79

Thanks, but the one I have is round and integrated in the center of the light...

Might look to see if I can find who makes it... it dose look like a bolt on...