I have a Passive Infrared Motion Detector (this one) in my walk-in closet that turns on the light when someone walks in. This setup has been working fine for many years.
Outside of the closet is my wife's make-up area that was illuminated by a 75W incandescent ceiling light controlled by an on/off switch. No electronics here.
Because the 75W bulb was not bright enough, I replaced it with a 42W Compact Fluorescent Light whith a 150W equivalency rating. Now, when she walks into the closet when the CFL on, the light in the closet stays off. She has turn off the CFL for the motion sensor to work. When she turns the CFL back on, the light in the closet eventually times out like normal.
I cannot replace the CFL with a 150W incandescent bulb, since the bulb fitting is rated 100W max and 150W equivalent LEDS are too expensive (and big).
Any ideas?
Best Answer
If your wife's makeup area is now too bright for the closet light to turn on, you can use a piece of window tint if you have it or perhaps even a piece of dark panty hose (maybe your wife has an old pair) to cover the sensor area. Dark Panty hose is dark enough and yet has enough fine holes to allow it to attenuate the light (like sunglasses).