Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Bug lights versus dawn-to-dusk adapter

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suedid
11-18-07, 04:51 PM
I have an adjustable dawn-to-dusk controller I plan to use with a newly-installed outside fixture. The instructions on the controller package indicate it should not be used with yellow bug light bulb... how serious is this warning? (Not that bugs are a problem in upstate NY right now) :cool:

core
11-18-07, 05:11 PM
Hmmm, new to me. Very interesting -- I'd also be curious to know the reason if anyone knows. If you don't get any replies you might just try calling them. ;)

The only thing I can think of is these days there are many yellow bug lights which are CFLs which don't exactly look like CFLs because of the rounded glass covering. Those you definitely wouldn't want to use. But a regular 60ish-W incandescent yellow light? I'm at a loss here.
dezwit
11-18-07, 05:13 PM
The only reason I can come up with is that maybe the wavelength of the yellow light would cause the photocell to cycle.
Seems far fetched though.

joed
11-18-07, 08:00 PM
The only difference between a normal bulb and a bug bulb is the paint on the glass. I can see no reason for this restriction. A CFL bulb would be a different matter. The sensor probably draws a small current through the bulb to operate so a CFL would not be proper for this fixture.

A normal bulb will cause the sensor to cycle if installed so the light from the bulb shines on the sensor.