Hey, I know some of you have this so I wanted to ask about it. I turn lights on around my yard every evening and leave them on all night for security. I know there are light sensors that will turn them on automatically when it gets dark enough and turn them off when it becomes light again.
I have 8 or 10 lights per switch and was wondering if I can replace the switch with some sort of light sensing switch or do you have to have a sensor at each light. Also, the switch is in the garage, but the garage has no door. It wouldn't get direct sunlight but the interior of the garage does get light and dark day and night. Would there be enough difference there for the sensor to work (is the sensitivity adjustable)?
Finally, if there is such a sensor, where would I find it. Does HomePro have them or is there a Thai store somewhere that I need to go to?
Thanks for your answers.
Automated yard lighting...
Automated yard lighting...
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Thanks Babylon, I thought about a timer too but would rather have a light sensor (if they work) for the reason you mentioned (power outages) as well as the changing times of sunset and sunrise throughout the year (granted it's not much here).
Any other experience with light sensors? Are some brands better than others?
Any other experience with light sensors? Are some brands better than others?
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Most street lighting is controlled with such a switch. They have various ratings in amperage, and 8 to 10 lights should not be a problem. They are referred to as "daylight" switches, where I come from--but Buddha himself only knows what the Thais call them. It should be mounted outside in a clear area, and works the same as a manual switch, which can be retained, just connect the "daylight" switch in parallel. They are usually a white cone shaped device, about the size of one of those small ice cream containers.
Do not know where you could buy one. I would be inclined to take a six pack of beer along to a crew from the local electric company and ask them for one!
Do not know where you could buy one. I would be inclined to take a six pack of beer along to a crew from the local electric company and ask them for one!
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Thanks Nereus,
So, are you saying I would need to run a wire from the switch in the garage to a spot outside the garage for the sensor, i.e., the indirect light going into the garage would not be strong enough to make it work?
So, are you saying I would need to run a wire from the switch in the garage to a spot outside the garage for the sensor, i.e., the indirect light going into the garage would not be strong enough to make it work?
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
It would probably work ok, just more efficient if outside. The base of them are usually threaded, so it can be mounted on a short length of conduit, and the 2 wires needed run inside of the conduit. You can connect them across the existing switch, and include a separate on off switch in one of the wires to disable it if required.hhfarang wrote:Thanks Nereus,
So, are you saying I would need to run a wire from the switch in the garage to a spot outside the garage for the sensor, i.e., the indirect light going into the garage would not be strong enough to make it work?
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Ok HH, here are some photos. The first one was wired as they were building the house and controls the four front house lights you see along there, as well as the lights on the street near the SS gate visible in the photo on the 'aerial' thread. The switch for this one is all the way on the other side of the house in the living room. This sensor is just a bit too high. It faces west but still comes on about 30 minutes before dusk and doesn't go off for about an hour after dawn.
The second is on the east side of the house and controls the security spot light you see up there. My local guy installed that and it was easy for him. He ran the wires up into the roof as you can see and the switch is inside that concrete bathroom alcove with the slits in it up there, along the inside wall. This one seems to work better and comes on right at dusk and goes off at dawn. As you can see in this photo and the next two, this sensor is larger than #1 and I think that makes a difference.
Three and four are pics of a sensor and box itself. Yes, you can find them in any Home Pro etc. I can't give you the cost but I don't think more than 400-500 Baht. The first one has been running almost two years now and no problems with it. They seem easy to replace when the photo cell eventually burns out.
Timers are ok but as proven by my pool timers, they always run fast or slow over time, get out of sync when the electric goes out, and would need to be adjusted for lights as the length of daylight changes. I'm happy with the sensors rather than timers. Pete
PS: Forgot to mention don't put the sensors where they will receive light from the fixture that is hooked up to. If you do the light(s) will keep coming on and going off when the sensor sees the light it's controlling. Put the sensor around some corner somewhere where there is no light source other than the sun.
The second is on the east side of the house and controls the security spot light you see up there. My local guy installed that and it was easy for him. He ran the wires up into the roof as you can see and the switch is inside that concrete bathroom alcove with the slits in it up there, along the inside wall. This one seems to work better and comes on right at dusk and goes off at dawn. As you can see in this photo and the next two, this sensor is larger than #1 and I think that makes a difference.
Three and four are pics of a sensor and box itself. Yes, you can find them in any Home Pro etc. I can't give you the cost but I don't think more than 400-500 Baht. The first one has been running almost two years now and no problems with it. They seem easy to replace when the photo cell eventually burns out.
Timers are ok but as proven by my pool timers, they always run fast or slow over time, get out of sync when the electric goes out, and would need to be adjusted for lights as the length of daylight changes. I'm happy with the sensors rather than timers. Pete
PS: Forgot to mention don't put the sensors where they will receive light from the fixture that is hooked up to. If you do the light(s) will keep coming on and going off when the sensor sees the light it's controlling. Put the sensor around some corner somewhere where there is no light source other than the sun.
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Also, the little grey box you see the sensor mounted to is not included with the sensor. You have to by them separately. They're just a normal, plastic wire box. Also, I would opt for the 'Made in Japan' units rather than local made even if cost a bit more. PeteNereus wrote:Thats good Pete.
HHF, I may have mislead you a bit with connection info. As you can see from the photo, you need a "neutral " to operate this type of switch. So, that means 3 wires going to the unit.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
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chopsticks
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You can buy a plug in timer with LCD and battery back up for the clock in Home-Pro approx. 300 Baht.
Probably the easiest solution for a quick installation, but you would have to do some modifications to your light switch as its in a case moulded with plug and socket. (
unless you extract the innards and use them in a separate plastic box).
I've also seen 15W -20W CFL (energy - saving) lamps/bulbs/globes which have the daylight sensor built in. These are the easiest solution but not found any yet in HH.
Probably the easiest solution for a quick installation, but you would have to do some modifications to your light switch as its in a case moulded with plug and socket. (
unless you extract the innards and use them in a separate plastic box).I've also seen 15W -20W CFL (energy - saving) lamps/bulbs/globes which have the daylight sensor built in. These are the easiest solution but not found any yet in HH.
Thanks Pete and everyone else for all the great information. I think I have enough now to form an opinion of how to do it.
As usual, great info can be had here from expats! I've always found this forum to be an excellent resource to solve the problems one runs into living here...
As usual, great info can be had here from expats! I've always found this forum to be an excellent resource to solve the problems one runs into living here...
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?