Hello everyone,
I’m finding it more challenging than expected to decide on the outdoor lighting electrical setup and would appreciate your input on how you implemented yours and whether you’re satisfied with your decisions.
It concerns which outdoor lights should be controlled manually or automatically.
The property is a detached house. The street view shows the entrance with a canopy in the middle of the left side of the house, a small front garden with a path on the left and right, a carport with an additional parking space in front on the right side of the house, and a larger terrace with stairs leading to the garden at the back.
I have planned one light under the entrance canopy, controlled manually from inside.
In the front left corner, a motion sensor light, not manually switchable.
In the front right corner (in front of the carport), another motion sensor light, also not manually switchable.
Here is the question whether fully automatic control makes sense, or if it might be better to have an option for manual switching as well.
Under the carport, I plan a separate manually controlled light (because the motion sensor probably won’t work there) in case you need to load or unload the car in the dark.
The question here is whether it would be better to link this to a motion sensor with a long delay timer?
On the terrace at the back, there are three lights on the house wall, currently only manually controlled. I’d like to convert them to include motion sensors to deter burglars. What do you think, would that be sensible?
I’m also considering adding an automatic dusk sensor. Does that make sense? I often travel for work, so it might make the house appear more occupied.
There are also two small step lights on the stairs to the garden, manually switchable only.
Additionally, wiring for perimeter spotlights in the fascia board is planned, though I’m now questioning whether I will actually install them. Probably not.
It has also been agreed to lay underground cables in the front garden and behind the house, in case there is a future need to light pathways.
Would the front cable then be connected to both motion sensors depending on which direction you want to illuminate in front of the house? Is that even possible? How did you implement this?
Regards
I’m finding it more challenging than expected to decide on the outdoor lighting electrical setup and would appreciate your input on how you implemented yours and whether you’re satisfied with your decisions.
It concerns which outdoor lights should be controlled manually or automatically.
The property is a detached house. The street view shows the entrance with a canopy in the middle of the left side of the house, a small front garden with a path on the left and right, a carport with an additional parking space in front on the right side of the house, and a larger terrace with stairs leading to the garden at the back.
I have planned one light under the entrance canopy, controlled manually from inside.
In the front left corner, a motion sensor light, not manually switchable.
In the front right corner (in front of the carport), another motion sensor light, also not manually switchable.
Here is the question whether fully automatic control makes sense, or if it might be better to have an option for manual switching as well.
Under the carport, I plan a separate manually controlled light (because the motion sensor probably won’t work there) in case you need to load or unload the car in the dark.
The question here is whether it would be better to link this to a motion sensor with a long delay timer?
On the terrace at the back, there are three lights on the house wall, currently only manually controlled. I’d like to convert them to include motion sensors to deter burglars. What do you think, would that be sensible?
I’m also considering adding an automatic dusk sensor. Does that make sense? I often travel for work, so it might make the house appear more occupied.
There are also two small step lights on the stairs to the garden, manually switchable only.
Additionally, wiring for perimeter spotlights in the fascia board is planned, though I’m now questioning whether I will actually install them. Probably not.
It has also been agreed to lay underground cables in the front garden and behind the house, in case there is a future need to light pathways.
Would the front cable then be connected to both motion sensors depending on which direction you want to illuminate in front of the house? Is that even possible? How did you implement this?
Regards
Andre77 schrieb:
I solved it as follows: The carport has two LED tubes, one on the left and one on the right side, plus a motion sensor. The right LED tube is connected to the motion sensor, all controlled by an "Arnold switch." The developer is from Nuremberg. The switch controls the motion sensor or just the right light (default). Using the switch, I can also set both lights to stay on permanently or off permanently. I find this a perfect solution. The developer also sent me a wiring diagram upon request to control both LED tubes. The electrician only had to implement it.That’s quite a clever switch offering all these options. It does come at a price but is really interesting. Thanks!Patricck schrieb:
No problem with smart home. Here it’s on until 9:30 PM (21:30) from sunset, then controlled by motion sensors. When we go to bed, it turns off until 6 AM, then motion sensors control it again until daylight. Would you like to share more details about which system you used for this?
I also control some lights via Shelly devices but wasn’t sure if it’s practical for outdoor use as well, except for the patio lights.
Mahri23 schrieb:
We installed suitable LED floodlights inside the roof soffit. All of these are connected to motion sensors. At the back of the terrace, we additionally wired in either a continuous light mode or a full switch-off option. The carport is also controlled by a motion sensor. There is a concealed LED strip installed there as well. The sensor only activates when I drive into the carport, get out, or take something. It switches off after 45 seconds. All other motion sensors also switch off after about 45 seconds. For us, this is a perfect solution. Low power consumption, and we don’t disturb neighbors or other “complainers.” Is the motion sensor in the carport installed so that it detects movement underneath the carport and therefore stays on? I was originally planning to mount the sensor a little higher up on the corner of the house, but maybe I can install it under the carport instead. That way, it might cover both the front yard area in front of the carport and underneath the carport.
Steffi33 schrieb:
We have motion sensor lights all around the house that can only be controlled automatically (no manual option), and they really annoy us. When they turn off, they flicker for a while. And whenever it’s windy outside, they keep turning on constantly... we even ended up disconnecting the circuit breaker. I wouldn’t do it that way again.Yes, that was exactly my concern.
JaiBee07 schrieb:
Is the motion sensor installed in the carport in a way that it detects movements under the carport and therefore stays on?Correct. It is mounted on the left side under the carport roof. 😉
JaiBee07 schrieb:
Could you explain in a bit more detail which system you used for this?
I also control some lights via Shellies, but I wasn’t sure if it makes sense for outdoor use as well (except for the patio lights). Using Loxone,
I find it much nicer when the light stays on for a while instead of constantly turning on and off just because a cat passes by—that’s how it is with the neighbors, and it’s creepy. After that, it switches to motion sensors, and when we go to bed, the lights stay off until 6 a.m. (6:00) then the motion sensors take over until it gets daylight. We don’t need any lights when we’re in bed, not even outside.
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