Dimmer/Timer light switch Automatic Porch and Garage outdoor lighting.

[JOE.G]

Hi, So Right now I have my porch lights on a Dimmer, I would like to keep them with a dimmer options but I would also like them to turn on and off on a schedule. I have motion lights but I would like the regular porch lights to be on from dusk till dawn. I also would like this option at the garage but I don't need the dimming feature there.

Any ideas on the best way to do this, I would prefer a fairly easy set up. Thank you.

 

[Bert_]

I like a simple photocell.

 

[JOE.G]

Do you have any links? My Shop has 2 Lights on 1 switch and another on its own switch all in the same box. My Porch with the Dimmer has 4 lights on one switch and 3 on another.

 

[cybrdyke]

www.casetawireless.com

 

[jlv03]

This sounds easy to solve with home automation, but a nightmare to initially configure/setup if you don't already have a setup.

 

[JOE.G]

I do not have a home automation system, I am not sure if I would want to talk to things to make them turn on or off lol if that is what you mean.

 

[Mesozoic]

You don't need to use voice activation, you can have a simple HA server that allows you to use a computer or mobile device to enable/disable switches, lights, HVAC, etc.

 

[Shiftless]

You could use an astronomical timer switch to turn them on and off according to sunset and sunrise wired in before your dimmer. Put them both in a deep 2 gang box and that would be pretty simple right? With an astronomical timer switch, you don’t have to change the schedule as seasons change.
If you want to keep changing the on-off times, just get a cheaper, simpler wall mounted timer switch

 

[PelicanPines]

Home automation system... look at wemo. I use it for random lamps in my house. Just ordered a wall switch for my porch lights.

Yes it has voice commands with my Alexa system.
BUT
It also has extensive timer solutions.

Check out Wemo.

 

[JOE.G]

Ill look into Wemo and the link posted a few posts up, I Want a nice simple solution. Not sure I want to get into setting things up and having apps.

 

[mike93lx]

I use a couple Leviton astronomical timers. They track changing sunrise sunset and you can set the desired offsets. No apps, wifi or connectivity. Simple

One has been perfect for years, the other has a bad battery (not replaceable) so anytime the power even flickers, I have to reset the time, although it maintains my other settings. It seems like a fairly common failure based on the reviews. I would still buy more if I needed them

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003AIKQZ8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Gummi Bear]

To keep it simple, you can get a programmable timer switch that replaces the wall device. No need for an external time switch, or home automation (unless of course, that’s what you’re wanting to do anyhow)


Something like the one Mike posted above is perfect




I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau

 

[jeremybarnes]

I have three outside lights on my shop, and simply installed bulbs from HD that had dusk/dawn sensors built into them. $8 each, and install was as hard as screwing in the bulb.

They work great, though I have noticed that they'll stay on a while into the morning on an overcast day, but they're LED so costing me pennies to run regardless.

Jeremy.

 

[JOE.G]

The problem with screw in adapters at the shop is I have old barn lighting and in the fixture I run 150 to 200 Watt Clear GE bulbs. The screw in style doesn't appear to handle that wattage.

The porch I have decorative fixtures with Edison style LED but I feel the adapters will take away from the look.

 

[Mesozoic]

I use Wemo as well - have 6 switches in the house right now. Not the cheapest, but they sure are reliable and well made.

 

[JOE.G]

A lot of switches I looked into so far say they ned a Neutral, i am not sure if I have one in the wall I will have to check.Does 12/2 or 12/3 have a one? I am not a Elec guy but can safely handle the basics.

 

[mike93lx]

A lot of switches I looked into so far say they ned a Neutral, i am not sure if I have one in the wall I will have to check.Does 12/2 or 12/3 have a one? I am not a Elec guy but can safely handle the basics.

When talking about romex (nm-b) 12/2 means two conductors plus a ground. 12/3 is three conductors plus a ground.

 

[PelicanPines]

A lot of switches I looked into so far say they ned a Neutral, i am not sure if I have one in the wall I will have to check.Does 12/2 or 12/3 have a one? I am not a Elec guy but can safely handle the basics.

12/2 12/3 doesn't really hit here.

Back in the day... power was run to the fixture first. So really old runs would NOT have a neutral at the switch. I'm talking back in the day when you had pull chains to turn the lights on.

For I don't know how many years... (a lot)... power is run to the switch first. Those will have a neutral in the box.

Hope this clears things up.

Remember a regular flip switch on the wall will NOT have a neutral attached. The neutral will be WIRE NUTTED in the box tho... You will need to ADD A PIGTAIL to that bundle for your new smarter/timer switch.

 

[aandpdan]

Kasa smart switch HS220. Yes, you'll need a neutral.

You can program it, via your phone, to turn on at sunset or any other time. It can also turn off at sunrise or any other time. You can program it to do multiple on/off's.

It will also dim and you can program what light intensity you want at a given time.

I have my front porch lights come on at 50% brightness at sunset.

Only about $25.

 

[JOE.G]

Ill need to pull a switch out and see if I have a neutral in there and then I will have a better idea of what my options are. The Neutral will be a white wire?

 

[dogdog]

I just installed few Feit electric brand wifi switch from costco, it have the timer features in the program... basically you set the time range it turns on and off just like the timer via the app.. Very basic but easy to install and use..

I have been using the WeMo for few years , to control my driveway motion sensor lights.. It works but it was a PITA... but back then this was the only option....

 

[dogdog]

Home automation system... look at wemo. I use it for random lamps in my house. Just ordered a wall switch for my porch lights.

Yes it has voice commands with my Alexa system.
BUT
It also has extensive timer solutions.

Check out Wemo.

LOL, WeMo messed with my DST every year on fall back timings, when I called them to ask why, all they do was nicely walk me through to reset my switch... and say it will be fine ... bunch of knuckle head support and poor product. but saying that, it have been working semi fine with a lot of PITA issues for few years especially this is for a hallway lights that shuts off hours early during the DST periods.

Now a days I wouldn't recommend it over other products.

 

[JOE.G]

dogdog any links to the exact switch you used.

 

[dogdog]

requires neutral...

this FEIT ones I have used all from costco.. still cheaper than WEMO.. I still have 4 WEMO but will use it till it dies.

Even though it says dimmer function, yes you can use it as a light switch , just don't dim. Also can set it up as 3way 4 way I think.

https://www.costco.com/feit-electric-smart-dimmer,-3-pack.product.100518151.html


I am not sure how but I got this on my parent's local COSTCO for $7.99... but now $40 Anyways these controls my fans.

https://www.costco.com/feit-electric-wi-fi-smart-outdoor-plug,-2-pack.product.100515906.html

No I don't work for them, it just happened that I have the product and used it.. .FEIT so far so good, WEMO was a PITA... but works.

In reality "most" of these wifi switch have the wifi capability and scheduling.

I only have wemo and now FEIT so...

but if you don't like FEIT, you can always chooose any of these. just requires Neutral and Wifi.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=wifi+switch&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

 

[JOE.G]

They look like a nice switch, I am sure I have a neutral in there as I remember seeing white wires in the box an dI have plenty of neutrals on my Bar, I will double check. I have not had time yet but will get to it in the near future.

 

[yeldogt]

You can have white wires and no neutral -- it depends on where the feed was sent.

Why do you need a dimmer on the outside lights?



I'm sort of a light nut so I like layered light --- but, I hate switches. When I build I like to wire my outdoor lights back to the mechanical room .. ganged switches with power from a time switch. This way they just go on every night -- with LEDs they cost nothing to run. The switches allow some control if i don't want to run them all --

 

[JOE.G]

Its a large covered sitting porch, I like to sit out there, eat dinner out there and what not, I like to dim the lights at night while relaxing, the porch is 76 foot long. How do i know if it is a neutral or not, when I pull the current switch out what should I Do to verify
? I currently have a dimmer but would really like a timer as well.

 

[mike93lx]

If you only have two wires and a ground coming into the box, you don't have a neutral. If there are a couple lines coming in with the whites wire nutted together, you have a neutral.

 

[sberry]

If its humanly possible I run some more/new wires. Its not always easy but is reliable and no apps stuff. Timer, photocell etc.

 

[spudley]

The problem with screw in adapters at the shop is I have old barn lighting and in the fixture I run 150 to 200 Watt Clear GE bulbs.

Hopefully that's the next improvement?

 

[JOE.G]

They are not old Fixtures I bought new fixtures that are supposed to look like the originals, They are ratd for Bulbs up to 300 Watts each. I have dimmers are 90 % of the lights in my home, I like to be able to control them, I just want to be able to leave certain outdoor circuits to able to be timed also. Ill check sometime in the very near future for a neutral.