Garage Lighting Motion Sensor

[mpire]

I was thinking of putting in a motion sensor to turn on and off the garage lights outside. However, I want to be able to turn the motion sensing on and off as desired.

So the question is, can I wire in a switch that would re-route the power through the motion sensor when on, and then just straight to the lights when the switch is off?

That way I can have the lights come on if I pull up to the garage but don't have to leave them on all the time. Or at least thats the idea.

I would just need a double pole switch, right?

 

[Falcon67]

It would be easier to just wire it like a regular motion sensor. Run the feed from the existing switch to the sensor and let the sensor power the lights. Switch on, motion detect. Switch off - no motion detect. Switch off/on in 1 second = lights on. Switch off 10 seconds to reset. I think to do what you want you need a DPDT switch - have to put a pencil to that for a bit.

 

[mpire]

Well, the lights have dual switches as it is, so that makes it even more complicated. I will look into it.

At the moment, I have to figure out how to mount a box in a concrete wall so I can add a third light. I am going with LED house lights this time.

 

[larry_g]

If I read you correct you want to control the lights manually if you want.. i.e. turn them on and have them stay on till you turn them off or have them controlled by the motion sensor when needed. Some motion sensors have this built in as Chris tried to explain. To override the motion sensor you just switch off and on in a few weconds and the lights come on and stay on till turned off or daylight returns. No fancy wiring its built into the motion sensor.

lg
no neat sig line