Outside Light Control

[Roger440]

At my new Gaff, its dark. Very Dark! (at night)

 

Under the porch is a light. Currently this is controlled from a conventional light switch inside the house.

 

However this is not much use.

 

What i really want is for it to come on when it gets dark, and off when it gets light. That bits easy. But i dont really want it on all night. Ideally it would go off about midnight and come on again at 6am, prior to us leaving for work.

 

But, can i find a device that will allow that to happen? No!

 

I can get ones that come on at dark and stay on for a preset period, but that will be no use in the morning.

 

Surely i cant be the only person who wants to see at night AND in the morning???

 

At the moment, the only way i can see of doing this is a light sensitive sensor, but having to wire through a time clock as well. OK, its not the end of the world, but surely there is a device that will do this?

 

Any of you guys found a suitable gizmo?

 

 

 

 

 

[AliG]

I found a couple, they aren't cheap. Looks like it is called a twilight sensor -

 

http://www.thelightingsuperstore.co.uk/products/steinel-isnm360-black-pir-sensor

 

https://www.lightingstyles.co.uk/twilight-sensor-with-timer-and-pir?gclid=CKe_k8Kfq88CFeMy0wod8GAJ2Q

 

I have a PIR ceiling light in the porch which comes on when you open the front door or if someone comes up in the dark, I find it extremely cool.

[ProDave]

A lot of PIR sensors have a "time on" delay so it will only activate for say 6 hours after dusk. I feel certain you should be able to find the same in a light sensor.
 

[Onoff]

This?

 

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SMZV215.html?ad_position=1o1&source=adwords&ad_id=45425533757&placement=&kw=&network=g&matchtype=&ad_type=pla&product_id=SMZV215&product_partition_id=174056226787&test=finalurl_v2&gclid=CO3X1feyq88CFU6eGwodq_YHzw

[Roger440]

1 hour ago, AliG said:

I found a couple, they aren't cheap. Looks like it is called a twilight sensor -

 

http://www.thelightingsuperstore.co.uk/products/steinel-isnm360-black-pir-sensor

 

https://www.lightingstyles.co.uk/twilight-sensor-with-timer-and-pir?gclid=CKe_k8Kfq88CFeMy0wod8GAJ2Q

 

I have a PIR ceiling light in the porch which comes on when you open the front door or if someone comes up in the dark, I find it extremely cool.

 

Thanks

 

These are the closest to what i need, but sadly, it only turns the light on for 2 hours after dusk. Which in mid winter would mean its off again by 7pm.

 

Its got PIR, but i dont really want that as the entrance to the manor next door is right past my front door. It would activate every time a car goes past.

 

There are other similar ones i found, but they all have the same feature with the 2 hour thing

 

[Roger440]

14 minutes ago, Onoff said:

This?

 

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SMZV215.html?ad_position=1o1&source=adwords&ad_id=45425533757&placement=&kw=&network=g&matchtype=&ad_type=pla&product_id=SMZV215&product_partition_id=174056226787&test=finalurl_v2&gclid=CO3X1feyq88CFU6eGwodq_YHzw

This ones a bit light (geddit?) on info, but the adjustment is 1 to 8 hours AFTER turn on. Which leaves it off in the morning

[Onoff]

This then? Has optional dusk control:

 

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SMZV700B.html?ad_position=1o7&source=adwords&ad_id=45425533757&placement=&kw=&network=g&matchtype=&ad_type=pla&product_id=SMZV700B&product_partition_id=174056465107&test=finalurl_v2&gclid=CLn3q4e5q88CFeQW0wod0xAIbg

Edited September 25, 2016 by Onoff

[Roger440]

10 minutes ago, Onoff said:

This then? Has optional dusk control:

 

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SMZV700B.html?ad_position=1o7&source=adwords&ad_id=45425533757&placement=&kw=&network=g&matchtype=&ad_type=pla&product_id=SMZV700B&product_partition_id=174056465107&test=finalurl_v2&gclid=CLn3q4e5q88CFeQW0wod0xAIbg

 

JUst had a scan through the instructions. Its not entirely clear, but i think it might just do it? I feel a phone call coming on tommorow.

 

You are much better than me at finding this stuff! Id lost the will to live. Thanks

Edited September 25, 2016 by Roger440
spelling

[Nickfromwales]

Personally I'd want the timer so I could specifically dictate when the events were.

Have you considered remote PIR's so you can aim them accordingly ? That would avoid unwanted / nuisance triggers. 

 

[Temp]

I have an outside lamp set up to do this. I connected a separate programmable timer and light sensor in series. Programmed correctly the light goes...

 

On at dusk.

Off at midnight (programmable by the timer)

On at say 6am (programmable by the timer and if still dark)

Off at daybreak

 

In short the light only comes on when both the timer and daylight sensor agree it should be ON.  

 

The connections are basically...

 

FSU -> Timer Power

FSU -> Light sensor -> Timer relay contacts -> Lamp

 

The timer I used also has automatic daylight saving time so I don't have to put it forward/back an hour twice a year.

 

I haven't incorporated a PIR (eg to make it come ON at 2am if someone arrives late) but I don't think that would be impossible to do.

Edited September 25, 2016 by Temp

[Onoff]

7 hours ago, Roger440 said:

 

JUst had a scan through the instructions. Its not entirely clear, but i think it might just do it? I feel a phone call coming on tommorow.

 

You are much better than me at finding this stuff! Id lost the will to live. Thanks

 

TLC might just point you to the downloadable instructions on the link. I suspect you could couple this switch, it being two way, with a remote PIR later, should the need arise.

[Mikey_1980]

What about just dropping in a programmable light bulb a lot simpler and cheaper, you can then program it via your smart phone when to turn on and off.

 

The below can do it according to their blurb but there are dozens of models on the market now.

 

http://easybulb.com/en/

Edited September 26, 2016 by Mikey_1980

[Onoff]

43 minutes ago, Mikey_1980 said:

What about just dropping in a programmable light bulb a lot simpler and cheaper, you can then program it via your smart phone when to turn on and off.

 

The below can do it according to their blurb but there are dozens of models on the market now.

 

http://easybulb.com/en/

 

I like the bit about setting the light to reflect your mood. I wonder if "Miserable Sod With Flu" is a setting?

[Roger440]

18 minutes ago, Mikey_1980 said:

What about just dropping in a programmable light bulb a lot simpler and cheaper, you can then program it via your smart phone when to turn on and off.

 

The below can do it according to their blurb but there are dozens of models on the market now.

 

http://easybulb.com/en/

 

Hmmm. Cant turn itself on when its getting dark though. Which is the most important part. At my old house i had it wired through a timer, but you spend you life adjusting the timer as the nights get longer or shorter. This surely will be the same?

 

Im after something that once set up, looks after itself. Unless im missing the point, this wont do that.

 

Plus i dont have a smart phone..........................................................................................

[Roger440]

11 hours ago, Temp said:

I have an outside lamp set up to do this. I connected a separate programmable timer and light sensor in series. Programmed correctly the light goes...

 

On at dusk.

Off at midnight (programmable by the timer)

On at say 6am (programmable by the timer and if still dark)

Off at daybreak

 

In short the light only comes on when both the timer and daylight sensor agree it should be ON.  

 

The connections are basically...

 

FSU -> Timer Power

FSU -> Light sensor -> Timer relay contacts -> Lamp

 

The timer I used also has automatic daylight saving time so I don't have to put it forward/back an hour twice a year.

 

I haven't incorporated a PIR (eg to make it come ON at 2am if someone arrives late) but I don't think that would be impossible to do.

 

This is EXACTLY what i want to do. And doing the 2 devices in series is how i imagined i would do it. I was just trying to find a single unit to make life easy. But im not sure there is such a thing. Which i find remarkable. 

 

Ive no requirement for PIR.

[Temp]

Yes I didn't really look for one device because it made sense for me to put the timer in the garage and obviously the light sensor has to be outside.

 

One thing I've noticed is that the light sensor gets quite warm. I'm using one like this..

 

 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dusk-to-dawn-sensor-photocell-auto-light-NEMA-socket-outdoor-day-night-detector-/272308765621

 

I've not measured the power consumption but I would guess it could be 1-2W.  If it turned out to be 3-5W then it might be cheaper just to leave the LED light on all the time!

 

 

Edited September 26, 2016 by Temp

[Roger440]

11 hours ago, Temp said:

Yes I didn't really look for one device because it made sense for me to put the timer in the garage and obviously the light sensor has to be outside.

 

One thing I've noticed is that the light sensor gets quite warm. I'm using one like this..

 

 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dusk-to-dawn-sensor-photocell-auto-light-NEMA-socket-outdoor-day-night-detector-/272308765621

 

I've not measured the power consumption but I would guess it could be 1-2W.  If it turned out to be 3-5W then it might be cheaper just to leave the LED light on all the time!

 

 

 

Had one of those on my garage at my old place.I understand exactly what yu have done. Looks like i will be doing the same as you. Thanks for the info

 

Although probably at odds with some, for me, what ever i do, it just has to work with no intervention. Having to fiddle with a phone to turn a light on is not happening here. Just wish i understood the heating system i got with the house. All very modern, but currently beyond my comprehension........................... One for another thread.