Motion Activated Lights

[JustMrWill]

I want to install some motion sensors for some lights inside and outside of my house. I want to be able to turn them on/off with a switch on demand without affecting the motion detection functionality.

Example:
Backyard Floodlight. I can flip a switch and turn it on..and it will stay on until I turn the switch off...if switch is off and a critter walks across the yard...it will turn it on for 15 minutes.

Is this possible? What do I need to look for on products? Maybe separate feed wires (one always on for motion detection and one switched)?

Thanks in advance.

-JMW

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Motion Activated Lights

I had one light a while back that if you switched it on twice within a second it would stay on permanently. tTo get it back into its normal mode, you would turn it off for a few seconds and then back on again.

Not sure if they still make it though.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Motion Activated Lights

Hmmm...thats would work...any idea on manufacturer? I just don't want to have to wave my arms around every x minutes. For the most part, it will be used as just a motion detection device. I have seen some that you can switch from auto to on but one of the locations I was planning will be 20 feet up...not gonna keep a ladder nearby so I can switch it.

-JMW

 

[Esox]

Re: Motion Activated Lights

Try smarthome.com. They may have something that suits your needs.​

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Motion Activated Lights

I may still have it...I will check tonight.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Motion Activated Lights

Heath Zenith motion lights work that way. Flip it on once and it's in motion mode, twice and it's on full time. Turn it off for a bit to reset it. They're fairly inexpensive lights available at Menards here in WI. I think most motion floods work that way anyhow.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Motion Activated Lights

Thanks for all the responses...I will check the local Home Depot and Lowes. I found a couple companies (Lithonia etc) that have "remote switch manual mode" in the description, but they don't sell to the public directly...

So at least I know it is "possible" to do. Just have to figure out what I want to do.

Thanks again for the replies.

-JMW

 

[ndemge]

Re: Motion Activated Lights

Mine works the same way, it was the most basic cheapy that home depot sold.

1 Flip on motion. Off-on again was ON, off-on again was back to motion and the light would go out.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Motion Activated Lights

Yea, I have those too, and they're the most cantankerous things. When in auto mode, they have a mind of their own.