SANSI 30W LED Security Motion Sensor Outdoor Light review

We’re in the middle of remodeling the exterior of our house. It had wood painted wood siding and it’s currently (I can hear the contractors hammering right now…) getting vinyl siding. As luck would have it, a few weeks ago SANSI contacting me to ask if I might like to review their 30W LED Security Motion Sensor Outdoor Light (model C2440-FW). Since we’ve been actively replacing all the indoor incandescent lights with LED lights, I was happy to start the process outdoors as well. Let’s see how the update turned out.

What is it?

The SANSI 30W LED Security Motion Sensor Outdoor Light is a bright light that is designed to be installed outdoors and automatically turns on the light when motion is detected.

What’s in the box?

SANSI LED Security Light
Bar shaped mounting plate with 3 screws
Waterproof gasket
3 Wire connectors
Mounting bolt
Rubber screw plug

This outdoor security light looks similar to other motion activated security lights that I have on the outside of my house.

The SANSI has a swivel motion sensor in the center with two banks of lights on either side.

Where this security light differs from my others, is that the lights have LEDs instead of expensive halogen bulbs that can be a hassle to replace.

Each bank of lights has 4 LEDs arranged in a line. SANSI sells a different version of this light that has the lights in a 2×2 configuration instead of a 1×4 configuration like you see above.

The light has 3 wires coming out of the base, and there are two switches and a light sensor on the bottom of the motion sensor.

The switches can be configured to set how long the lights will stay on (1, 5, or 10 minutes) and the motion detection range.

Most people will want to use this as a motion activated light, but you can set it to manual mode which only works at night and can cause the light to be on for up to 6 hours at a time. When I asked for more details about this mode, here’s what the SANSI rep told me:

Manual Mode (Working Mode) Which is similar to dusk to dawn mode, because the default mode of this product is the Motion Sensor Mode. If you need the Manual Mode, you may have to set it up to Manual Mode every time you need.
Set-up: Flip the light switch off for one second then back on to toggle between AUTO and MANUAL mode.
Function: Under Manual Mode, the light could be on at night for 6 hours.

*Note: Manual mode only works at night and with the ON-TIME switch in the 1, 5, or 10 minutes position.

Installation

I was going to install the SANSI light myself so I could write about any issues that came up while doing so. But the contractors saw the box and did the install before I even realized it. The included instructions are pretty straight forward and with only 3 wires it is probably hard to screw up the install, so let’s just say it was really easy especially if you’re replacing an existing light. Just know that the SANSI light has to be connected to a 120V power source.

This is what the SANSI 30W LED Security Motion Sensor Outdoor Light looks like when it’s installed.

You can adjust the angle of the motion detector as well as the lights.

Although the image above doesn’t really give a good indication of how bright the SANSI security light is, let me tell you, it’s a very bright flood light! It’s much brighter than the light I previously had in the same spot. The LEDs are equivalent to 250W incandescent light. I have noticed that the SANSI LEDs have a colder look instead of the warmer yellow light of my other security lights. The specs say that the SANSI LEDs are 5000K Daylight. All I know is that they are bright.

They’ve been installed for about a week and are working as expected. I have them set to come on when motion is detected and stay on for 1 minute. The motion sensor is triggered when I walk under the light and when I pull out of the garage every morning when it’s still dark outside. The sensor has a range of 180 degrees and max 50 feet. I have it set for my short driveway and it’s been working great.

Final thoughts

If you want to update your outdoor lighting to LED lights that are as bright (or brighter) than incandescents, but use less electricity, SANSI’s 30W LED Security Motion Sensor Outdoor Light is a good choice.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by SANSI. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $59.99
Manufacturer: SANSI
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Very bright
  • Easy 3 wire install
  • LED bulbs should last for many years
  • Motion settings for time and range
Cons:
  • None

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: ,

SANSI 30W LED Security Motion Sensor Outdoor Light review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 17, 2017 at 12:15 pm.

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SnapPower SwitchLight review

I love products that are simply designed, simply packaged, and easily installed. Products from SnapPower tick all three of those boxes. Three years ago I reviewed their GuideLights outlet covers plates which I still use today and today I’m going to show you their newer SwitchLight covers.

What is it?

The SnapPower SwitchLight is a cover that turns your ordinary switch light cover into a night light without any special wiring, batteries or a complicated installation.

What’s in the package?

SnapPower SwitchLight
Instructions

Design and features

SnapPower SwitchLights are available in two styles that include the Toggle style and a Decor style. They also come in white, light almond, and ivory colors. I was sent a Toggle style in white.

The SwitchLight looks like an ordinary switch light cover until you look closely. Then you’ll notice the small switch / ambient light sensor in the lower left corner and a row of LEDs along the bottom edge of the cover.

When you flip the SwitchLight over, you’ll see two tabs with electrical contacts on the end. These expertly designed tabs make installation literally a snap.

Installation

Installing the SnapPower SwitchLight will take you less than 5 minutes. All you will need is a light switch in a room that has a light fixture that is controlled by just one switch. You’ll also need a flat head screwdriver, a flashlight, and you’ll need to know where your electrical panel is located.

Step 1. Turn off the power to the light fixture by flipping one of the switches in your breaker box / electrical panel.

Step 2: remove the existing switch cover.

When I did this, part of the paint and drywall chipped off and I was immediately dreading the annoyed looks that I knew I would be getting from Jeanne as soon as she noticed that I damaged the wall.

Step 3: Notice the screws on the side of the switch. The tabs on the SwitchLight press against these screws to power the built-in LEDs. Genius right?

Step 4: Snap the SwitchLight in place.

Step 5: Tighten the screws.

Step 6: Turn the power back on.

That’s it!

I was overjoyed that the SnapPower SwitchLight plate is slightly longer than the original switch light cover. The extra length hides the chipped paint. Crisis averted!

It’s time to try it out!


Turn off the light and make sure the switch in the lower left corner is set to low or high brightness instead of off. Then as the room gets darker, the LED lights along the bottom edge of the SwitchLight cover will start to glow. The LEDs turn off as the room gets brighter. Simple!

However, I did notice something strange with the SwitchLight cover. If I have the switch set to bright and turn off the overhead light fixture by toggling the switch where the SwitchLight is installed, the LED bulbs in the fixture will still glow dimly. The image above makes the bulbs appear brighter than they are in real life. If I move the switch to the lower brightness setting, this doesn’t happen.

Final thoughts

I think the SnapPower SwitchLight is a great way to add ambient night lights to a room, hallway, etc., without complicated wiring or electrical know-how. Installation is incredibly fast and easy. The LEDs in the SwitchLights should last for 25 years and will only cost about 10 cents a year to power. You can’t beat that!

Source: The sample for this review was provided by SnapPower. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $17.00
Manufacturer: SnapPower
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Fast and easy to install
  • Simple "night light" without batteries or wiring
  • 3 light settings
Cons:
  • High setting causes LED bulbs in ceiling fixture to continue glowing (dimly)

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged:

SnapPower SwitchLight review originally appeared on on July 10, 2017 at 5:25 pm.

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SnapPower SwitchLight review

I love products that are simply designed, simply packaged, and easily installed. Products from SnapPower tick all three of those boxes. Three years ago I reviewed their GuideLights outlet covers plates which I still use today and today I’m going to show you their newer SwitchLight covers.

What is it?

The SnapPower SwitchLight is a cover that turns your ordinary switch light cover into a night light without any special wiring, batteries or a complicated installation.

What’s in the package?

SnapPower SwitchLight
Instructions

Design and features

SnapPower SwitchLights are available in two styles that include the Toggle style and a Decor style. They also come in white, light almond, and ivory colors. I was sent a Toggle style in white.

The SwitchLight looks like an ordinary switch light cover until you look closely. Then you’ll notice the small switch / ambient light sensor in the lower left corner and a row of LEDs along the bottom edge of the cover.

When you flip the SwitchLight over, you’ll see two tabs with electrical contacts on the end. These expertly designed tabs make installation literally a snap.

Installation

Installing the SnapPower SwitchLight will take you less than 5 minutes. All you will need is a light switch in a room that has a light fixture that is controlled by just one switch. You’ll also need a flat head screwdriver, a flashlight, and you’ll need to know where your electrical panel is located.

Step 1. Turn off the power to the light fixture by flipping one of the switches in your breaker box / electrical panel.

Step 2: remove the existing switch cover.

When I did this, part of the paint and drywall chipped off and I was immediately dreading the annoyed looks that I knew I would be getting from Jeanne as soon as she noticed that I damaged the wall.

Step 3: Notice the screws on the side of the switch. The tabs on the SwitchLight press against these screws to power the built-in LEDs. Genius right?

Step 4: Snap the SwitchLight in place.

Step 5: Tighten the screws.

Step 6: Turn the power back on.

That’s it!

I was overjoyed that the SnapPower SwitchLight plate is slightly longer than the original switch light cover. The extra length hides the chipped paint. Crisis averted!

It’s time to try it out!


Turn off the light and make sure the switch in the lower left corner is set to low or high brightness instead of off. Then as the room gets darker, the LED lights along the bottom edge of the SwitchLight cover will start to glow. The LEDs turn off as the room gets brighter. Simple!

However, I did notice something strange with the SwitchLight cover. If I have the switch set to bright and turn off the overhead light fixture by toggling the switch where the SwitchLight is installed, the LED bulbs in the fixture will still glow dimly. The image above makes the bulbs appear brighter than they are in real life. If I move the switch to the lower brightness setting, this doesn’t happen.

Final thoughts

I think the SnapPower SwitchLight is a great way to add ambient night lights to a room, hallway, etc., without complicated wiring or electrical know-how. Installation is incredibly fast and easy. The LEDs in the SwitchLights should last for 25 years and will only cost about 10 cents a year to power. You can’t beat that!

Source: The sample for this review was provided by SnapPower. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $17.00
Manufacturer: SnapPower
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Fast and easy to install
  • Simple "night light" without batteries or wiring
  • 3 light settings
Cons:
  • High setting causes LED bulbs in ceiling fixture to continue glowing (dimly)

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged:

SnapPower SwitchLight review originally appeared on on July 10, 2017 at 5:25 pm.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.