Best way to connect up downlights in soffit

[graybags]

Hi

I'd like to fit downlights into my garage soffit, but I'm wondering what the best way is to get them to turn on and off.

I've got a spare way in my garage consumer unit I can run a new cable to, it's just the switching side I'm thinking about. Do I just use smart bulbs or a smart switch? Could there be issues with these things connecting to my router in my house? Are there other options I don't know about? I'd just like them to turn on at dusk and go off and dawn ideally.

Thanks in advance,

Graybags

 

[Scally-Ho]

All you need is a Dusk til Dawn control.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[foxhole]

Or a light switch ?

 

[graybags]

All you need is a Dusk til Dawn control.

Pardon our interruption...

I'd like to keep the wiring out of sight as much as possible, with one of these I'd have to come out of the garage into this, and then into the first light, so this and the wiring would be one show, no? Plus I don't know where I'd position this, I'm guessing it would have to be out in the open, not tucked away under a gutter?

 

[graybags]

Or a light switch ?

Not sure if this is a joke or sarcasm?! Do you literally mean wire in a normal one way light switch that I'd have to manually turn on or off?

 

[EFLImpudence]

I'm still wondering what are 'up downlights'.

 

[ericmark]

I have dusk and dawn control with a smart light switch, smart 13 amp socket adaptor, and smart bulbs. Some smart devices act as a relay for others, this is the idea of zigbee, others don't, so the advert (does not need a hub) means it has limited range and uses more stand by power.

The smart dusk and dawn can also work with other time slots, and can be set so much before or after dusk and dawn. So my living room lights switch on ½ hour before dusk, my outside light on the shed turns on at dusk and off at 10 pm, and the one at the front of the house on at 6 am and off at dawn.

With the shed, I took a standard lamp with a smart bulb, and a smart socket adaptor and tried them first. The socket adaptor is about on its limit, but it works, and I knew it would before selecting that method, I think the smart switch would have worked, as that uses a hub which is closer to the shed to the router.

I use Tapo smart light switches and socket adaptors in the main. The Wiser is the only one where I needed to add devices to extend the range, the central heating boiler so the hub controlling it are about as far away to my wife's bedroom as they can get, so have to use a wiser socket adaptor to extend the range. The P110 Tapo socket adaptor does not use the hub, so is on the edge. I see no options for dusk and dawn on the Wiser or Energenie socket adaptors, only the Tapo. I have not explored all Tapo options the app shows as the options, not really looked as to what they all mean.

 

[flameport]

with one of these I'd have to come out of the garage into this, and then into the first light, so this and the wiring would be one show

Rather obviously that sensor needs a cable to it. One cable.

There is no 'out of the garage into this, and then into the first light'.
Connections between the sensor cable, the supply and one or more lights can be done inside the garage.

 

[graybags]

I'm still wondering what are 'up downlights'.

Ah, the joys of internet forums and taking things out of context.

 

[Murdochcat]

Steinel Nightmatic Photocell Switch 3000 - Black | Stein (550516)

These are ideal for what you describe

 

[graybags]

I've been looking into this a bit further (thanks for your suggestions).

Would a Sonoff R4 do the job?

 

[flameport]

Would a Sonoff R4 do the job?

As a smart switch, yes it can turn lights on and off, once you have installed it, connected it to whatever network it requires, set up whatever app(s) it needs and configured those appropriately, and then set up/installed/configured whatever else to determine whether it's daytime or night, and attached that info to the app(s) or whatever else it has. After that it may continue to work as intended assuming the internet connection doesn't go on the bust and the apps and devices are continued to be supported by the manufacturers of the various items and when the inevitable updates arrive that those don't break anything.

 

[BS3036]

and when the inevitable updates arrive that those don't break anything.

...including making the subscription fee mandatory, for continued operation.

 

[morqthana]

And make it mandatory by breaking what the customer has bought and paid for and only making it work again if they pay a ransom.

 

[graybags]

Thanks for all the advice, I went with a Steinel Dusk till Dawn Switch in the end.

I've just got indoors after fitting it all - just need for it to get dark so I can test I've wired it up correctly