Programmable outdoor wall/security lights

[mk2phil]

Hi Guys, wonder if anyone can help me.

I've got 2 exterior wall lights either side of my front door, along with an illuminated house number plaque type thing. I want to be able to program the times at which they come on and off, but I also want to be able to override the set times and turn them on or off using a normal indoor light switch.

Basically I want the timer control part to be hidden away in a cupboard, but I need the normal wall switch to be near the front door. I've seen a few programmable timers that have an intergrated override switch, but I want the override switch to be sepearte so I can place it anywhere I like.

Has anyone done this before or know of what product would allow me to do this?

Extending this a bit further, would this be possible:

1. Lights are programmed to come on and off at set periods i.e. 6pm - 12pm.
2. Lights can be overidden to come on or off with a manual EXTERNAL light swich - i.e lights are programmed to be on but I want to turn them off using a normal wall light switch (or On and vice-versa).
3. Lights can be wired into a PIR sensor of some sort so that they'll act as a security light - i.e. from 12am - 6am they function as a normal security light when they would normally be programmed to be off.

Any help much appreciated!

Thanks, Phil

 

[breezer]

Cost you a few bob more than i guess you want to pay for such a job.
You coukld do it with a PLC controller, but you need the software to progrmme it and the PLC itself, which is why i said it will cost you a few bob to do exactly what you want.

why not just have a couple of lights with built in pirs?

 

[toasty]

I don't see why you couldn't do that with a normal timer and a couple of standard light switches to override. To do the PIR and external override you might need some relays, but not rocket science, any decent spark should be able to design it.

No need for a PLC that I can see.

 

[breezer]

PLC has relays built in, also you can use it as a timer (built in)

But if you read what the OP actually wants a PLC will be fine, BUT i dont see the point of all the "options" which is why i said why not have a couple of lights with pirs, much easier, less hassle and costs less

 

[toasty]

yeah, but you don't need one.
No point making it more complex.

 

[davelx]

You can do it all with X10 modules:

you'd need a Timer, an RF PIR, an RF Wall switch, an RF Transceiver and possibly an in-wall appliance module (unless you plug the lights into the Transceiver)

http://www.letsautomate.com/index.cfm?&Nav=X10&URLCaller=HA

Some people find that they can be unreliable in terms sometimes not responding correctly, but I have quite a few and have no problems at all. It depends to some extent on the quality of your wiring and more on the amount of electrical noise on your mains.

 

[breezer]

I think my 2nd option is still better

why not have a couple of lights with pirs, much easier, less hassle and costs less

 

[ban-all-sheds]

4-position rotary switch mounted on a blanking plate, and a standalone PIR.

The 4 positions are OFF - TIMER - PIR - ON.

No PLCs, no relays/contactors, no X10 (shame on you, davelx for suggesting such a clanky and obsolete system), no complications, no problem diagnosis issues.....

 

[toasty]

BAN, that's good, but I'm trying to incorporate the external override switch that he wants too. I'm thinking with a combination of 2 x 2way switches wired in a 2way config and the fact that most PIRs support the quick on-off-on as a manual override, and that they have a built in light sensor so the lights wont be on via the PIR during daylight that it can be done. But I haven't figured it out yet

I will though.

 

[toasty]

I think my 2nd option is still better

why not have a couple of lights with pirs, much easier, less hassle and costs less

I think a chocolate cake is better, but then that's not what the OP asked for is it? Neither is your suggestion of PIR lights. He wants:

1) Timed lights
2) PIR when the lights aren't on due to the timer
3) Internal and external override switches.

 

[toasty]

Ok, this:

Untitled

• toasty
• 2 Jan 2009
• 1

Does nearly everything the OP wants.

1) Timer that can be placed anywhere, which will put the lights on between set hours
2) a PIR sensor that will operate the lights outside of the timer settings, and if it's one with a light sensor will only allow the lights to be on when it's dark enough
3) Internal and external override switches to switch the lights off manually.


The only that you can't do with my system is have the lights manually on if the timer is at an off period (but the PIR would still work)

You can do it, but you'd need another pair of switches I think, which seems excessive to me

 

[toasty]

Ok, so this one:

Untitled

• toasty
• 2 Jan 2009
• 1

Does it all, but I still think it's a shame that you need two pairs of switches.

Can anyone do better?

 

[davelx]

4-position rotary switch mounted on a blanking plate, and a standalone PIR.

The 4 positions are OFF - TIMER - PIR - ON.

No PLCs, no relays/contactors, no X10 (shame on you, davelx for suggesting such a clanky and obsolete system), no complications, no problem diagnosis issues.....

It's cheap, it's simple and for most people it works. There's always Rako, Clipsal C-Bus, Lutron, etc, or of course, Crestron etc but they are much more expensive and much harder to implement.

 

[breezer]

Can anyone do better?

chocolate cake tastes nicer.

how do the "overide" switches actually work?

if internal over ride switch 1 connects to either the external overiide switch 1 or the external overide switch 1, seems pointless

which is why i said have a couple of lights with pirs, yes it doesnt do everyhthing, but is simple and works