Hampton bay sensor with electric eye dusk to dawn

If you have already made sure the switches or knobs on the light it's self can't be adjusted for sensitivity then replace the eye or sensor. Some light manufacturers have free replacements so check that option if you have the time to wait otherwise Home Depot and so on carry them.

The photo electric sensor is not working or the electronics connected to it are not responding. Either way the timer is only good for turning on.

Bad photo eye?
Photo eye has been rewired with contactor to reverse operation?
Add a comment with more information.
Copy following link for wiring and troubleshoot:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-and-troubleshoot-photo-eye.html

Gene

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

1) Buy twist-lock photo control:
http://www.intermatic.com/en/Products/Sensors/PhotoControls.aspx
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dtools&field-keywords=twist+lock+photo+control

2) Spray bit of WD40 on twist-lock blades before installing new photo eye, and then rotate back and forth a bit to make sure there is electrical contact.
Test by placing black tape over photo eye.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

It sounds like you have a dawn to dusk photo cell instead of a dusk to dawn. Would need to be replaced.

Intermatic make HB51 timer.

If this is not your timer, then add a comment.
To set for ON at dusk, and off 8 hours later, rotate dial to the number 8.
Timer turns on automatically at dusk.
Timer set to 8 hours will start countdown when timer turns ON > and 8 hours later timer will turn off.

Make sure timer is turned away from lights so photo-eye doesn't receive feedback.
Feedback is when the photo eye gets too much light, and then timer thinks it's dawn, so lights turn off, and a moment later photo eye thinks it's dusk again and lights turn on again.
Feedback from lights will cause timer to reset the 8 hour countdown.
A car pulling in the driveway can cause feedback.
If the timer resets because of feedback, it begins the 8 hour countdown again, so the lights will not turn off until dawn.

You can test timer by putting black tape over photo eye, and then timer will turn on.
Set timer for 2 hours for example and then check if timer turned off 2 hours later.

If timer is not functioning correctly, then timer is defective.

http://waterheatertimer.org/Woods-timers-and-manuals.html#yard-stake
If this is not your timer, add a comment.

A number of folks are writing in about dusk-dawn-timers flashing.
The manufacturer suggests turning photo-eye away from all lighting when installing timer.
Always aim photoeye toward dark region of yard.
I would unplug the timer and let it reset.
Try timer again, turned away from lights so there is no feedback.
Put black tape over photeye and see what happens.
If timer still doesn't work, then timer is defective.

Maybe photoeye circuit was overwhelmed by intense light converted to electrical input.
I test timers, and 4-6% arrive defective, and most last just a season or two, and then you buy another, but the price is affordable.

Local Home Depot sells the GE 15107 outdoor yard stake or wall mount.
I bought one tonight for testing.
It has no photo eye
It has a dial timer where you set exact on-off times by moving plastic segments on dial perimeter.
For example set timer for ON at 5:30 and OFF at 6:00 am depending on your latitude north or south.


photo eye on yard stake timer

The dawn to dusk feature is activated by photoelectric eye that senses when it gets dark.
If you put timer in a dark room, it will turn ON ... let's say to operate Christmas tree after you leave a room for the evening.
But if room stays dark, the timer will not sense when to turn off unless you also set timer to turn off 1-9 hours after ON.
That being said, a Christmas tree might make too much light for the timer's photoelectric eye.
Make sure photoelectric eye is turned away from direct light.

Make sure the sensor's eye is pointing North