Any Creative Options for Garage Courtesy Lights?

[HPRifleman]

The most common configuration of garage courtesy lights is using the one in the opener. Whenever the door opens, the garage door opener light turns on, then turns off after a certain time.

Has anyone come up with some other kind of solution for this? Maybe wired other garage lights to turn on when the overhead door is opened? I'm curious if there are other creative options when opening the overhead door.

 

[slow]

Not a light, but could work for a light. My dad has a ceiling fan wired to a limit switch to turn on when the garage door is open.

 

[driftpin]

You could use an Edison bulb to 120 volt male plug adapter, in your garage door opener and plug-in one of your overhead shop lights for 'when the OH door goes-up.' I have two Liftmaster remote-controlled 380LM luminaires in my attached 2-car garage, one between the OH doors, and one above the door into the house. They're set on a 5 minute cycle, plenty of time to enter the dwelling. They are also programmed to a pair of motion detectors on the wall controls for the OH doors, entry into the garage activates both lights. My Liftmaster directions warn against using LED lighting in the Liftmaster luminaires because they produce frequencies which will interfere with the proper operation of the wireless circuits. In my experimentation, I proved that to be true.

 

[ddurrett896]

I want to do something similar but haven't figured it out.

Thought about a motion switch that is up high, facing the garage door tracks so when the door is opening, the switch is activated and lights turn on.

 

[snm805619]

I changed the light switch in garage to one with an occupancy sensor. Garage lights turn on when garage goes up, or when enter garage.

 

[klassenl]

I changed the light switch in garage to one with an occupancy sensor. Garage lights turn on when garage goes up, or when enter garage.

I did the same. Make sure you buy a good sensor.

 

[CJM8515]

parents had an opener replaced, it has the sensor so when you walk in it turns on if it detects movement. its handy

 

[alfredeneuman]

You could use an Edison bulb to 120 volt male plug adapter,

The problem with that setup is there is no ground available.

 

[wssix99]

Yep, there are devices to do this and if you use electrical contractors (post #39), you can do anything you want...

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=288164

 

[driftpin]

The problem with that setup is there is no ground available.

My Costco LED 4 ft luminaires are 2 conductor male plugs, no ground on the plugs.

 

[LaCorski]

I used an occupancy switch for 6 small halogen under-cabinet type fixtures that provide a nice warm light when you walk in the garage. Its enough to see what you're doing without turning on the main overhead lights. I also have 2 of the LiftMaster wall mount units where I have modified the the remote sensor to turn two addition of the same style lights on when either of the doors are opened. These will also come on when the occupancy switched is turned on at the controls (next to the man door). Either of these setups is a nice addition to a dark garage when you walk in with your hands full. ;0) I can provide pics if your interested.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I put 4 ft LED Motion activated lights above each man door going into my shed. One of the overhead doors will triger the light close to it. Pulling a vehicle in to either bay will turn them both on.
Gives me enough light to walk around. Especially handy if my arms are full.

 

[coleman10]

You could use an Edison bulb to 120 volt male plug adapter, in your garage door opener and plug-in one of your overhead shop lights for 'when the OH door goes-up.' I have two Liftmaster remote-controlled 380LM luminaires in my attached 2-car garage, one between the OH doors, and one above the door into the house. They're set on a 5 minute cycle, plenty of time to enter the dwelling. They are also programmed to a pair of motion detectors on the wall controls for the OH doors, entry into the garage activates both lights. My Liftmaster directions warn against using LED lighting in the Liftmaster luminaires because they produce frequencies which will interfere with the proper operation of the wireless circuits. In my experimentation, I proved that to be true.

I have one of those motion sensing Liftmaster lights. While it doesn’t work with two LED bulbs in it, mine works fine with one. The 60w equivalent light I have in there is enough light for us.

 

[Max]

My shop has a light with with occupancy sensors and it is very handy when my hands are full. BUT, I would never put the main shop lights on an occupancy sensor. The problem is that if you don’t move around much, or if you are in a spot the sensor can’t “see”, then the lights will time out and go off. So not so good if you are under a car or sitting at a workbench...

Max

 

[matt_i]

You could use an Edison bulb to 120 volt male plug adapter, in your garage door opener

Wire that "socket" to the coil of an ice cube relay.

Now you have a ~15A capable switch that can be part of a 3 way circuit to engage existing lights.

 

[yhprum]

Amazon sells a led motion sensing light bulb that might work if you already have a fixture installed.

 

[Citation]

You could use an Edison bulb to 120 volt male plug adapter, in your garage door opener and plug-in one of your overhead shop lights for 'when the OH door goes-up.' I have two Liftmaster remote-controlled 380LM luminaires in my attached 2-car garage, one between the OH doors, and one above the door into the house. They're set on a 5 minute cycle, plenty of time to enter the dwelling. They are also programmed to a pair of motion detectors on the wall controls for the OH doors, entry into the garage activates both lights. My Liftmaster directions warn against using LED lighting in the Liftmaster luminaires because they produce frequencies which will interfere with the proper operation of the wireless circuits. In my experimentation, I proved that to be true.

This is what I did. Initially I was planning to add an outlet to the circuit that operates the ceiling light but it was easier to just add the adapter into the door opener. The total power draw with a single LED bulb in the opener plus the two 4' lights is less than the 75W rating of the opener and that is almost certainly dictated by heat, not current load.

If I were starting from scratch I might do a motion light that would be triggered by the door or people.

 

[ripperd]

I want to do something similar but haven't figured it out.

Thought about a motion switch that is up high, facing the garage door tracks so when the door is opening, the switch is activated and lights turn on.

Yup, I replaced the normal garage light switch (4 bare bulbs) with an occupancy sensor with a 10 minute delay. So anytime there is movement in the garage the lights turn on for 10 minutes. Very handy.

The only problem is I have not added more lighting, and there is a corner at too far of an angle for the occupancy sensor. So when I work in that corner, the lights shut off every 10 minutes and I have to walk a couple feet to turn them back on lol.

 

[dylanmitchell]

We have a motion sensor switch when you pull into the garage it turns on our ceiling mounted strip lights. Motion sensor switch is handy no need to turn light on or off when you're coming and going form the garage with your hands full.

This is what we put in a few years ago. Lutron Maestro Motion Sensor SwitchMS-OPS2-WH

 

[driftpin]

You could use an Edison bulb to 120 volt male plug adapter, in your garage door opener and plug-in one of your overhead shop lights for 'when the OH door goes-up.' I have two Liftmaster remote-controlled 380LM luminaires in my attached 2-car garage, one between the OH doors, and one above the door into the house. They're set on a 5 minute cycle, plenty of time to enter the dwelling. They are also programmed to a pair of motion detectors on the wall controls for the OH doors, entry into the garage activates both lights. My Liftmaster directions warn against using LED lighting in the Liftmaster luminaires because they produce frequencies which will interfere with the proper operation of the wireless circuits. In my experimentation, I proved that to be true.

I have one of those motion sensing Liftmaster lights. While it doesn’t work with two LED bulbs in it, mine works fine with one. The 60w equivalent light I have in there is enough light for us.

I tried using one LED bulb, and the bulb interfered with the wireless signal to the Liftmaster wall controller. When I tried to program the luminaire, it wouldn't reliably and consistently perform. I had to switch to an incandescent bulb.

 

[jam022316]

You could use an Edison bulb to 120 volt male plug adapter, in your garage door opener and plug-in one of your overhead shop lights for 'when the OH door goes-up.' I have two Liftmaster remote-controlled 380LM luminaires in my attached 2-car garage, one between the OH doors, and one above the door into the house. They're set on a 5 minute cycle, plenty of time to enter the dwelling. They are also programmed to a pair of motion detectors on the wall controls for the OH doors, entry into the garage activates both lights. My Liftmaster directions warn against using LED lighting in the Liftmaster luminaires because they produce frequencies which will interfere with the proper operation of the wireless circuits. In my experimentation, I proved that to be true.

This is a brillant idea!