Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I bought two of these things and they drove me crazy at first. For years I've used BRK Model PIR720 sensors which are *somewhat* similar. The BRK's only work with incandescent bulbs and I've been switching over to Compact Fluorescents (CFLs) with which the Amertac MLC2BC are supposed to work. (Not that it matters a whole lot, since one function of these devices is to turn off the light if you forget) But the main reason I switched to this device is because Home Depot, which is where I happened to go to get more of the BRK devices no longer had them in the store and had the Amertac instead.
I was hesitant at first because the BRK senses in two directions 180 degrees apart, which makes it a good choice in a hallway where you need the light turned on when approaching from either direction. I tried calling the 800 # on the package while in the store to see if they might have a two sensor version and gave up after waiting on hold for a long time. But one of my locations is over the washing machine which is always approached from the same direction so I got the Amertac anyway.
As the other reviewers reported, I did not get the response expected from either of the two units I bought. I tried them in other locations and finally determined, as they did, that they do not work. Figuring that maybe they had a bad production run I returned them, waited a few months and bought another pair. Lo and behold, same issues. Then it dawned on me what was going on. The Amertacs have a feature that is completely NOT MENTIONED in the manual! Unlike the BRK's, the Amertac devices inhibit operation in the event there is already [some] light in the area.
Apparently what they did is to take the sensor from devices such as outdoor floodlight control and package it into a screw in base. In outdoor floodlamp application you don't want the lights coming on every time someone walks by in the daytime, only at night. That is why the Amertac devices sometimes won't come on until you stick your hand right up to the sensor and block ambient light. So they work fine in a fairly dark area like a basement if they're not facing a window in the daytime, for example. In an area like a pantry where there is likely to be light coming in from the kitchen or in the case like the location of my washing machine where there happens to be a window behind me when I stand facing the machine, the Amertac will not activate in the daytime until you wave your hand in front of it to block the light from the window. It is pretty sensitive to ambient light.
What this device needs to be useable in non area-lighting applications is a) to mention in the manual that the thing has both motion and light sensors and b) to include a switch on the thing to disable the light sensor funtionality for applications where it's problematic.
I may open one of the things up to see if the light sensor is separate from the motion sensor, if so it would be a simple matter to disable the light sensor by sticking a piece of opaque black electrical tape over it while leaving the motion sensor uncovered. In the meantime if you want to make sure the light will activate by motion regardless of existing ambient light the BRK PIR720 is the solution.
Note that the BRK720 is actually sold by First Alert, it is on the First Alert web site as well as Amazon. If you want the light to not respond to motion in the event of ambient light the Amertac is better. Regarding the PIR720 I've had a few fail over the years but I also have some that have lasted many years. They cost about the same as the Amertac devices.
The Amertac light inhibit feature can be good. I now have one of the Amertac devices in a ceiling socket above my workbench, at which I work with an articulated work light. The area doesn't get much light coming in the windows. The ceiling light is inhibited by the work light. When I get up to leave and turn off the work light the ceiling light instantly comes on to light my way out of the area. Perfect for that application, I don't need the ceiling light while at the bench.
Sorry for the long review but there are nuances to understand about the Amertac device about which the manual leaves one entirely in the dark!
I give the device three stars because the manual is incomplete. I would give it four stars if the manual were written properly, 5 stars if the device could also be found on the Amertac web site and if they would answer their phone and if they had a two sensor version and if they had a light sensor disable option.
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AmerTac MLC2BC 75-Watt Indoor Motion Activated Light ControlThis Light Control automatically turns on when motion is detected. Light your way safely when you arms are full or the light switch is out of reach. The sensor window allows for 360-Degree of rotation. Perfect for garages and basements.
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