Heavy Duty Motion Sensor

[wdrumheller]

I've got 7 fixtures on the front of my barn that each have a CFL light inside them. I'd like it if they all came on when motion is detected, as my kids ride bikes in the late evening or I walk to the workshop.

I know there are individual fixtures that have flood lights that turn on, and I've got a bunch of those on the house. They're awesome, but I don't want to replace my nice antique looking fixtures on the barn.

What I'm curious about is if anyone has a solution for a motion sensor that can flip those 7 fixture lights on by motion detection.

 

[red2002]

One motion sensor to a relay connected to all seven lights?

 

[fourjeepin]

Motion switch? I love these for utility rooms or basement stairwells.

 

[wdrumheller]

One motion sensor to a relay connected to all seven lights?

I've done work on relays on 12 volt systems frequently but I haven't done any work with relays on 120v systems with house / shop electricity. I don't know if they need enclosures or where they belong in the system.

I'm not afraid, I'm just hoping for someone to say "this is what I do!".

I can figure anything out that is normal stuff. I'm no rocket scientist but I'm a normal garage and car repair guy and I can understand a volt-meter and I'm super careful with electricity.

 

[Ralphxj]

Would something like this work?https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071ZNRK8J/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Git]

I can do that with my Z-Wave setup, but it is a little complicated. For example, if the front door opens during the hours of darkness, several interior lights turn on for 2 minutes and then they will turn off

It takes a z-wave type wall switch, some sort of sensor (contact switch, motion sensor, etc) and then some software or a hub/controller. I don't know that much about "Smart Things" but you may be able to do it with that and it would be a little easier/cheaper. (it would be worth looking into if your interested)

Here is the Smart Things hub
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010NZV0GE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

How far down this rabbit hole do you want to go?

Here is a battery powered sensor that I use
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KQDIU52/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[wdrumheller]

Would something like this work?https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071ZNRK8J/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Yes, this is what I was looking for. Thank you!

 

[wdrumheller]

I can do that with my Z-Wave setup, but it is a little complicated. For example, if the front door opens during the hours of darkness, several interior lights turn on for 2 minutes and then they will turn off

It takes a z-wave type wall switch, some sort of sensor (contact switch, motion sensor, etc) and then some software or a hub/controller. I don't know that much about "Smart Things" but you may be able to do it with that and it would be a little easier/cheaper. (it would be worth looking into if your interested)

Here is the Smart Things hub
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010NZV0GE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

How far down this rabbit hole do you want to go?

Here is a battery powered sensor that I use
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KQDIU52/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks for the reply, that's probably too far down the rabbit hole for me, but I think it's a fascinating system.

 

[kbs2244]

At 1000 watts that amazon one will handle ten 100 watt bulbs.
What is your total load?

 

[nh_yota]

That's done all the time - just buy one of these and wire up the lights on the load side of the sensor. RAB has models that can handle 300-1000 watts.

https://www.rabweb.com/productLines.php?majorGroup=STL

 

[BukitCase]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000W3WEEK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Wow, for $123 I think I'd find a "wimpy" one and use it to run a SSR (that is, if I NEEDED it and wasn't ALREADY about 472 projects BEHIND :=)) ...Steve

 

[ishiboo]

Insteon motion detector(s) + relay or plug-in module.

 

[polizei1]

I'm going to use a Wattstopper occupancy sensor for my garage lights, I wonder if it would work for your application. I believe it has a photocell so it will only flip the lights on when it's dark. There are several models, and they span I believe up to 2,000sqft.

 

[wdrumheller]

At 1000 watts that amazon one will handle ten 100 watt bulbs.
What is your total load?

MAX load would be 500 watts.

Thanks!

 

[Pathfinders]

The proper way is to use a lighting contactor.

 

[lawfarm]

Seven cfl bulbs are probably still pretty low wattage. Most standalone motion sensors should handle that kind of load. Take a look at the wattage requirements.