Detector motion light short lived
Firstly an admission to my preferring quality European manufacture, German made being especially attractive.
A 2009 rear motion detector light failed after around 10yrs, dead in situ for a couple of years.
Rather than letting a local electrician put up a cheap £15 small unit, I set about online research.
German Brennenstuhl (here) in business a long time has an attractive range.
Heavy duty metal framed, bright LED units, I went for one via a south Wales supplier.
The glossy box promised a 50,000hrs lifespan although, found to be made in China - of course.
At £110 to cable in the light by a superb but pricey electrician, the total of £150 spent got me just 4 years, the light burnt out Dec 2025 and is now removed/ scrapped.
So more like on/ off for 350hrs with occasional movement only at the back and nothing like the 50,000 hrs contractually stated.
*be aware, before buying, the risible customer support by Brennenstuhl.
Endless emails, photos required of invoice, light, box with product number, even all your personal banking details.
A replacement, not refund sought.
The outcome being a terse reply: 'sorry we can't help you.'
The long lifespan guarantee stated on the glossy packaging is worthless.
My advice is to be aware Brennenstuhl products might not last as stated.
However, the online market offers similar and much cheaper LED motion detectors, but these also have issues: the need to wire up the external cable with power off, others have several feet of built in fixed cable that is too short requiring a cable extension junction box.
I studied online spec for the latest Brennenstuhl led motion detectors which describe easy user installation of the cable, via spring clips which you fully depress, then the three colour cables stripped end copper metal in turn are inserted fully and the spring tab released, to 'bite' firmly onto the copper cable ends.
This certainly can avoid paying out £110 cash to an electrician for 5 mins straightforward work.
It is a factor to consider.








