Sensor faucets can definitely be finicky, even the higher-end ones. I've installed quite a few over the years, and while they're great for hygiene and water-saving, they do have their quirks. Usually, when they start randomly activating or not responding, it's either a sensor alignment issue or moisture getting into the electronics. You mentioned cleaning sensors and checking batteries—did you also check if the sensor lens had any tiny scratches or cloudiness? Even minor damage can cause erratic behavior.
If anyone else is dealing with this, here's a quick troubleshooting rundown: first, thoroughly dry the sensor area and inspect closely for scratches or buildup. Next, double-check battery contacts for corrosion (it happens more often than you'd think). If everything looks good there, sometimes recalibrating or resetting the faucet according to the manufacturer's instructions can help.
But yeah, I get it...sometimes simpler really is better. Lever faucets rarely give trouble beyond basic leaks or cartridge replacements. Curious though—has anyone tried hybrid faucets that combine manual and sensor operation? Wondering if those strike a better balance between convenience and reliability...
Good troubleshooting rundown—sensor faucets can definitely test your patience sometimes. I've had similar issues with moisture sneaking into the electronics, even on pricier models. Hybrid faucets seem promising, though. Installed one at my brother's place last year, and so far it's been pretty solid. Manual override is handy when the sensor acts up, and it feels like the best of both worlds. Might be worth a shot if you're tired of sensor-only quirks...
Totally agree about the hybrid faucets—manual override is a lifesaver when sensors get finicky. Have you noticed any difference in battery life compared to sensor-only models? I've found hybrids tend to drain batteries quicker, maybe because of the dual functionality. Also curious if anyone's tried solar-powered sensor faucets...seems like they'd solve some battery headaches, but I'm skeptical about their reliability indoors.
"Also curious if anyone's tried solar-powered sensor faucets...seems like they'd solve some battery headaches, but I'm skeptical about their reliability indoors."
I had similar doubts about solar-powered faucets indoors, especially since my kitchen doesn't get much natural light. Did a bit of digging, and it turns out most indoor solar models rely on ambient artificial lighting too—not just sunlight. Still, I wonder how effective that really is long-term. As for battery life, my hybrid faucet definitely drains faster than sensor-only models I've seen at friends' houses. Probably the extra mechanics involved? Either way, keeping spare batteries handy has become second nature now...
Good point about ambient lighting indoors—I had a client install solar-powered sensor faucets in their office bathrooms last year. They were worried about the same thing, since the bathrooms didn't have windows and relied solely on fluorescent lighting. Surprisingly, they've held up pretty well so far. The sensors seem sensitive enough to pick up artificial light, and battery replacements have been minimal. Still, I'm cautious about recommending them universally—lighting setups vary a lot, and I imagine dimmer or less consistent indoor lighting could be an issue. Your hybrid faucet draining batteries quicker makes sense too; more moving parts usually means more power draw. At least you've adapted to keeping spares around...that's probably wise regardless of faucet type.
