Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Photo sensor sensitivity control

I have sodium vapor light at the very top of garage that is controlled by photo sensor (on at dusk, off at dawn). The sensor seems to be way too sensitive. It causes the light to be on almost all day. Only when the sun shines directly at the sensor the light goes off.

I assume the sensor is old (~15 y.o.). Is there a way to reduce the sensitivity so that the light is off during the day? Or does this mean I need to replace the sensor?

Could be just dirty. But as far as I know they just get replaced. Some have a little slide cover and if yours does this could be it.

Slide cover is open and the eye looks pretty clean to me. Hmmm... Replacing would be hard. I barely climbed there with a 17-foot ladder and wasn't very comfy standing that high. Replacing it - might be a job for electrician. Darn! That's gonna cost me!

If you are uneasy at those hieghts, call an electrician.

Some photocells are mounted on the top of the light arm and can be just twisted and lifted off. These are round in shape and about 2" high.

You can try to reduce the sensitivity by closing the slide to exclusde some light.

A photocell when installed should face away from the sun.
If it faces the sun it will wear out prematurely.

I see... Then I think this one just wore out. It faces directly into the morning sun, which can be very bright here. At this point I guess the replacement is needed.

If I close it down a little it's gonna have the opposite effect I think - it'll think it's dark and turn on the light...

You're right about the cover.

Does yours look like the twist off one?

Yes, I think it's a twist off one. It looks like a small gray box with an eye. It is screwed into the opening at the base of the light. The light fixture holds a sodium vapor lamp. I assume all that needs to be done is to unscrew the old sensor, disconnect the wires, connect the new sensor to the same wires, and screw it in. Seems easy, but the fact that it's that high and that with my ladder I can only reach the bulb with some streching, I won't be comfortable making all the connections. I can try to limb upon the roof and do it from there, but my wife told me over dead body. She's afraid I'll fall from there, because I have no experience.

If yours is a recangular box then you do not have the twist off one.
If it was twist off you would only have to rotate it 1/4 turn and it would unplug like a plug.

What you have needs to have the wiring disconnected and the new one reconnected.

Make sure the electrician faces the sensor away from the sun, which if you are in the Northern Hemisphere would be to the North.