Westek SLC5BCB Outdoor/Indoor Dusk to Dawn Light Control Reviews

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I don't write reviews that often but posted my review to let others know that this is a product that will work if you plan ahead. These devices come in white and black. Anecdotally, white seems to cause more light reflection problems than the black versions. Buy a black one if your light fixture conceals the color.

I wanted to use energy efficient CFL bulbs to save some energy. The idea was that I would leave my two front door lights on all the time and arrive home at dusk to a well lit front door. Here are some problems that one needs to anticipate: if the light fixture is fully enclosed with reflective or frosted glass, the light from the bulb will bounce back and hit the sensor causing intermittent shut offs or blinking. This seems to occur more often if your light fixture is white or silver and if you use a very bright bulb (100 watt equivalent). I have black light fixtures with frosted glass. If the CFL bulb being used is too long, it sticks out of the bottom of the light fixture and looks ugly. This device also comes with tiny plastic tubular attachments that prevent the light from the bulb from bouncing back into the sensor; but, the problem is that these little attachments will also block the sun. These extension attachments prevent sunlight from reaching the sensor and the light stays on most of the day.

Here is my solution, albeit an expensive one. I ditched the little plastic extensions that cover the sensor. The sun now effectively turns the lights off at dawn. I replaced the CFL bulbs with shorter LED bulbs. The LED bulbs are very expensive. I bought mine at a big box retail store for $20 each! Mine are Sylvania brand with clear diffuser at the bottom. Some brands have yellow or frosted diffusers covering their LEDs. I use 8 watt LEDs which are about as bright as a 60watt equivalent and their color is more yellow than a CFL; but, their very short length compensates for the added length of the Dawn/Dusk controller. These new bulbs do not stick out of the bottom of my light fixture. The LED bulbs seem to cast light in a directional downward pattern that is more like a spot light (unlike a standard or CFL bulb which casts light more evenly); this is noticeable since any standard incandescent or CFL bulb will cast light in a 260 degree vertical pattern. You really have to look at the design of your light fixture and decide if a directional LED bulb looks right for you. If the added expense and the limited light dispersion pattern of an LED bulb does not bother you, the shorter profile and limited dispersion pattern of an LED light bulb seems to prevent the intermittent blinking and random On/Off problems that other users have described. With some planning it works for me; besides, my wife really loves leaving the light switch on all day and night. Problem solved.

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Works great with CFL. Ordinary Dusk to Dawn light controls will cause flicker when used with CFL. I recommend this unit.

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I am using this outdoors with CFL (curly) bulbs and had burned out some bulbs with previous brands that were not rated for CFL. What I like is two fold about this. First, they do not flicker like other controls, it is either on or off. Also, they have a protruding piece you can see on the socket end that makes contact in the fixture better but also allows you some flexibility to turn the control towards or away from sunlight to get better on/off timings. They also come with reducers that fit over the sensor that will cut down the light but I found that they cut it down too much and would stay on during the day. Overall, they are the best I have used so far.

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This light control works really well. It comes with three plastic adapters that you can put in front of the light sensing element to limit the light that makes it through. I didn't need them, but it's nice to have them.

I installed it in my backyard porch and I wasn't sure if it was gong to work as sun light doesn't hit it directly (it is always in the shade). But it just works as intended (it's on at night and off during the day). I haven't experienced any problems (e.g. flickering, false trip, etc).

I'm using CFL bulbs.

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i attempted to use it in a can light fixture in ceiling above my front door. the can causes it to strobe on and off at night. use of the filter causes it to stay on all day. i think the problem is the can.