Photosensor Hood

thingiverse

I wanted to automate my outdoor lighting, so I installed a photosensor that turns on the lights at dusk and off at dawn. However, I ran into an issue where the light from the sensor would trigger it to turn back off at dusk, creating a 30-second cycle. To resolve this problem, I created a hood that allows sunlight to hit the sensor while blocking the lamp's light. After four prototypes, I came up with a design that works and is adjustable by twisting it. The hood fits snugly around a standard 17mm photosensor, but you may need to adjust its diameter if using a different model. To install the Intermatic photosensor, I drilled a hole in the lamp base using a step drill, connecting two wires to the house wiring and one wire to the LED light bulbs. I chose LED bulbs for their energy efficiency and easy installation.