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UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Lights and security (Viewed 1780 times)
Subejio 


Location: South-Central Pennsylvania
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Lights and security
< on 11/5/2017 1:20 PM >
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Had to cut an explore at an asylum short, turning back before I even got into the building. I was checking out a closed asylum with minor security presence (the state is trying to renovate it to sell it), though I thought it was just an off site guard, having seen her come and go when I was doing recon.

The issue was some street lights on the roads on the property. Normally they were out, but occasionally they would flip on, almost always while we were close. Sometimes we wouldn't even realize the light was there until it lit up the field we were creeping across. I just can't figure out what was triggering it.

It was too irregular to be on a timer (and what would be the point of a street light on a timer flipping itself off and on in a matter of minutes, anyway?), and I didn't see any cameras around for some guard to be messing with us (although can they put cameras in the light itself? That seems like it'd mess with the picture). We thought maybe a motion sensor, but we tested that. Once, one of us walked up and it flipped on. We backed off and waited for it to turn off, only to repeat the process. The second time, we got much closer, waving our arms, and nothing. That said, it was raining, so is it possible the water messed with the sensors, if indeed it WAS motion sensors?

Is there any good way to test what's triggering lights in situations like these? Or is there some other possibility I overlooked?




blackhawk 

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Re: Lights and security
< Reply # 1 on 11/5/2017 1:57 PM >
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HID and mercury vapor lamps will randomly cycle as their discharge tube at the end of its useful life.




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Steed 


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Re: Lights and security
< Reply # 2 on 11/5/2017 2:03 PM >
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Solution: go during the day.




Explorer Zero 


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Re: Lights and security
< Reply # 3 on 11/5/2017 7:11 PM >
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Posted by Subejio
Is there any good way to test what's triggering lights in situations like these? Or is there some other possibility I overlooked?


yes

When we were kids Q-Beam had just come out with like a 2 million candle power spotlight. We found we could "shoot" out street lights by shining the beam on top where the photo-electric sensor was. Street light would think its daytime and shut off.

disclaimer: not all street lights work on a photo-electric cell, and shining 2000000cp spot lights around while exploring is bad technique but try it we still have the same street lights in some places we had over 50 years ago.




Subejio 


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Re: Lights and security
< Reply # 4 on 11/5/2017 9:39 PM >
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Posted by blackhawk
HID and mercury vapor lamps will randomly cycle as their discharge tube at the end of its useful life.


Don't those flicker when that happens though? Turning off and on rapidly? These were definitely coming on for about a minute or two at a time, and shutting off for at least 30 seconds (usually more).


Posted by Steed
Solution: go during the day.


I considered doing so for the pics, but this place definitely has people during the day. It's getting maintained by the state as they try to sell it.


Posted by 2Xplorations


yes

When we were kids Q-Beam had just come out with like a 2 million candle power spotlight. We found we could "shoot" out street lights by shining the beam on top where the photo-electric sensor was. Street light would think its daytime and shut off.

disclaimer: not all street lights work on a photo-electric cell, and shining 2000000cp spot lights around while exploring is bad technique but try it we still have the same street lights in some places we had over 50 years ago.



Hmm... the street lights in my neighborhood are definitely on a timer, but do you think a photoelectric sensor would be fooled by something closer to an 800 lumen flashlight? It might be worth taking a more powerful option with me next time, if so.



[last edit 11/5/2017 9:40 PM by Subejio - edited 1 times]

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Re: Lights and security
< Reply # 5 on 11/5/2017 10:28 PM >
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1.



you need more than a flashlight because:

A. its located on top and expects sunlight from above a flashlight at street level may not even hit the sensor

B. sunlight is a little more than 800 lumens






blackhawk 

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Re: Lights and security
< Reply # 6 on 11/5/2017 11:30 PM >
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Posted by Subejio


Don't those flicker when that happens though? Turning off and on rapidly? These were definitely coming on for about a minute or two at a time, and shutting off for at least 30 seconds (usually more).




Most HIDs go through a dormant reset period to keep from burning out a good bulb.
HIDs will not instantly relight if they lose their arc. To restart they must cool down first.

Doubtful anyone is playing with street lights. Most street lights are unmetered drawing their power directly from a circuit tapped into a nearby pole or underground transformer.



[last edit 11/5/2017 11:31 PM by blackhawk - edited 1 times]

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Subejio 


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Re: Lights and security
< Reply # 7 on 11/6/2017 2:32 AM >
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Posted by blackhawk


Most HIDs go through a dormant reset period to keep from burning out a good bulb.
HIDs will not instantly relight if they lose their arc. To restart they must cool down first.

Doubtful anyone is playing with street lights. Most street lights are unmetered drawing their power directly from a circuit tapped into a nearby pole or underground transformer.


That would make the most sense... Jesus, we got scared off from an asylum by malfunctioning lights. Like we're freaking Scooby Doo characters.

Thanks for the info.



[last edit 11/6/2017 2:32 AM by Subejio - edited 1 times]

blackhawk 

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Re: Lights and security
< Reply # 8 on 11/6/2017 2:58 AM >
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Posted by Subejio


That would make the most sense... Jesus, we got scared off from an asylum by malfunctioning lights. Like we're freaking Scooby Doo characters.

Thanks for the info.



Avoid sites after dark*; that's when the vandals play. Cops know this.
All too easy to fall into an open manhole or other hellhole at night; getting busted up is worse than getting busted.






*exceptions are sites that are always dark inside. Even then your light can dime you out if there are any opening for it that can be seen outside.



[last edit 11/6/2017 5:01 AM by blackhawk - edited 1 times]

Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
Steed 


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Re: Lights and security
< Reply # 9 on 11/6/2017 3:34 AM >
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Posted by Subejio


I considered doing so for the pics, but this place definitely has people during the day. It's getting maintained by the state as they try to sell it.



Day can mean a lot of things. I don't know your time zones, but sunrise could be an option. Or waiting until next spring when the sun sets later.




Pearson 


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Re: Lights and security
< Reply # 10 on 11/6/2017 6:53 PM >
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All three times I have went somewhere with power there has been a security problem, either cameras or motion sensors.




UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Lights and security (Viewed 1780 times)


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