Outdoor Motion Sensing Lights on a Timer Switch
#1
09-10-21, 09:04 PM
Outdoor Motion Sensing Lights on a Timer Switch
Hi,
I just installed two motion sensing lights on the outside of my home and they are working, sensing motion, etc. Both lights are individually connected to toggle switches just inside my front door. The two lights are from two different manufacturers.
Question…can I replace those toggle switches with timer switches?
Asking this because, once I’m home for the evening and especially during the overnight hours, I don’t necessarily want the sensors to light up every time a car goes by, which they do right now. I really want the lights to work if I happen to go out for the evening so when I do arrive back home, the lights turn on, rather than leaving the lights the whole time that I’m not home. Seems like a waste of energy.
Do I need to delve into the world of home automation to accomplish this?
Thanks,
AndreaB
I just installed two motion sensing lights on the outside of my home and they are working, sensing motion, etc. Both lights are individually connected to toggle switches just inside my front door. The two lights are from two different manufacturers.
Question…can I replace those toggle switches with timer switches?
Asking this because, once I’m home for the evening and especially during the overnight hours, I don’t necessarily want the sensors to light up every time a car goes by, which they do right now. I really want the lights to work if I happen to go out for the evening so when I do arrive back home, the lights turn on, rather than leaving the lights the whole time that I’m not home. Seems like a waste of energy.
Do I need to delve into the world of home automation to accomplish this?
Thanks,
AndreaB
#2
09-11-21, 06:16 AM
Originally Posted by Andrea B
I don’t necessarily want the sensors to light up every time a car goes by, which they do right now.
If it's a fixed sensor, I've seen some homeowners simply put white-out over 1/2 the sensor to stop false turn ons. IIWY, I'd try draping a post-it-note over the sensor, and try it with more and more area covered to see what works.
#4
09-11-21, 11:00 AM
Group Moderator
#5
09-12-21, 07:46 AM
Thank you for your responses…
The light over the front door is a decorative motion sensing light and there isn’t an ability to “aim” the sensor. That’s the light fixture that’s tripping when cars go by. The front of my house faces a one-way street and I’m hoping that it’s not annoying the neighbors across from me, tripping on with every car driving by.
I have read about applying tape to the sensor area. The light fixture is white and I have white electrician’s tape, so I’ll try that approach and tape the sensor from the side where the cars are coming from….
The light over the front door is a decorative motion sensing light and there isn’t an ability to “aim” the sensor. That’s the light fixture that’s tripping when cars go by. The front of my house faces a one-way street and I’m hoping that it’s not annoying the neighbors across from me, tripping on with every car driving by.
I have read about applying tape to the sensor area. The light fixture is white and I have white electrician’s tape, so I’ll try that approach and tape the sensor from the side where the cars are coming from….
#6
09-13-21, 10:07 AM
I agree with the prior suggestions.
The problem with putting motion sensors on a switch or timer is some (most/all?) switch into a test mode if turned off than back on within a minute. When in this test mode, they ignore their photosensor, and turn on for about 5 seconds - the concept is that you can walk and move around and adjust the motion sensor without waiting a few minutes for the lights to click off. The downside is if you're constantly turning the lights on and off, you're more likely to end up in that test mode.
But otherwise, there's no huge issue with installing a timer instead if that's the direction you want to go.
The problem with putting motion sensors on a switch or timer is some (most/all?) switch into a test mode if turned off than back on within a minute. When in this test mode, they ignore their photosensor, and turn on for about 5 seconds - the concept is that you can walk and move around and adjust the motion sensor without waiting a few minutes for the lights to click off. The downside is if you're constantly turning the lights on and off, you're more likely to end up in that test mode.
But otherwise, there's no huge issue with installing a timer instead if that's the direction you want to go.
