Floodlight that can sense cars movements

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Floodlight that can sense cars movements

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SirHumphreyAppleby

2845 posts

Uber Geek

#2536634 8-Aug-2020 12:20

samgdan:

Well that is a great idea. I will be interested if someone did something similar.
Possibly with solar lights?

If I were to do this now, I would use smart devices like the Shelly 1PM.

I will be using one along with a driveway sensor to switch on an outdoor light between sunset and sunrise, in addition to the current activation of a buzzer to alert us to anyone entering the property. Because it's all done in software, multiple sensors can activate one light, or in our case, one sensor can perform multiple actions.

SomeoneSomewhere

1804 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2536635 8-Aug-2020 12:22

SirHumphreyAppleby:

samgdan:

Well that is a great idea. I will be interested if someone did something similar.
Possibly with solar lights?

If I were to do this now, I would use smart devices like the Shelly 1PM.

I will be using one along with a driveway sensor to switch on an outdoor light between sunset and sunrise, in addition to the current activation of a buzzer to alert us to anyone entering the property. Because it's all done in software, multiple sensors can activate one light, or in our case, one sensor can perform multiple actions.

Still needs mains run everywhere.

SirHumphreyAppleby

2845 posts

Uber Geek

#2536636 8-Aug-2020 12:27

SomeoneSomewhere:

Still needs mains run everywhere.

Yes, but just mains. There is no need for cables between the sensors and lights.

The Shelly 1 (not 1PM) can also be run on DC, so if a DC sensor were used, then there would be no need for mains power.

Delphinus

611 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2536929 9-Aug-2020 09:33

SomeoneSomewhere:

Delphinus:

Would it be possible to get 2 separate microwave sensors, connected to a string of outdoor lights, and have either sensor be able to turn on the lights? I have a long garage and the driveway approach is from one end, and access from the house is from the other end. Would be great to have the lights switch on when coming from either end.

Yes, as long as the sensors are suitable for it and the right cable is run.

How would you cable it? For example if you did something similar to a 2way switch, going past the first sensor would turn the lights on, then the second sensor would turn them off again? Or can you get a bit smarter than that?

SirHumphreyAppleby

2845 posts

Uber Geek

#2536935 9-Aug-2020 09:45

Delphinus:

How would you cable it? For example if you did something similar to a 2way switch, going past the first sensor would turn the lights on, then the second sensor would turn them off again? Or can you get a bit smarter than that?

I assume these would have Common, NO and NC contacts, so both sensors could be wired to the light through the NO contact. If either or both sensor are triggered, the light would be on.

SomeoneSomewhere

1804 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2537101 9-Aug-2020 14:27

Yup.

Run a 3-core+E paralleled across all lights and sensors.

You have neutral, earth, unswitched phase, and switched phase. Sensors connect to unswitched phase, neutral, and output to switched phase. Lights all go across switched phase and neutral.

Bring it down to the switch so you can an auto/off/manual too.

samgdan

160 posts

Master Geek

#2539928 13-Aug-2020 09:33

andrewNZ: That's not too bad... I might just get one myself.

Update, I have reduced the sensitivity to medium as I was getting a few false positives, after a few days of testing in medium is work great.

in my opinion medium sensitivity does not reduce the 8-9 metres range.

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kiwiharry

1030 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#2539992 13-Aug-2020 10:57

Thanks for the updates. Good to know this is working well for you. I may look at this for my driveway too now.

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