LED overhead lights for a small room
- Thread starter LSU
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75gmck25
Well-known member
HD sells several types of integrated LED lights (base, lights and shade) that only project about 4" from the ceiling when mounted on a standard box. I have used the round version for closet lights and it has very good light output. I think this is the one I installed http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-Low-Profile-White-LED-Round-Puff-CE1011-06/203725984
If you combined a light like that with a motion sensor switch, the light would come on when you opened the door. In one storage closet I mounted the switch on the ceiling where you enter the door because there were shelves around the walls and I wanted it to be easy to reach. I used a standard switch (low ceiling height), but could have used a motion sensor instead.
HD also sells push-button switches that mount in the door frame and turn on the light as the door opens, but I think you would have to install them when you do the framing. They are also special order if you want the ones with metal plungers instead of cheaper plastic construction.
Bruce
If you combined a light like that with a motion sensor switch, the light would come on when you opened the door. In one storage closet I mounted the switch on the ceiling where you enter the door because there were shelves around the walls and I wanted it to be easy to reach. I used a standard switch (low ceiling height), but could have used a motion sensor instead.
HD also sells push-button switches that mount in the door frame and turn on the light as the door opens, but I think you would have to install them when you do the framing. They are also special order if you want the ones with metal plungers instead of cheaper plastic construction.
Bruce
CJ7VFR
Well-known member
Do you have access to the back of the storage room walls and ceiling so you can flush mount the lights and switch? Or are you thinking of just surface mounting the light and switch using Wiremold type channels and surface mount boxes?
The first way will be a more professional way to do it, but require more work and access to walls and ceiling from behind the room. Also, once you cut the holes for the lights and switch box, you can't really change the layout easily.
The second way is easier, requires only a single small hole be drilled in the walls/ceiling to get the wiring from your power source to the room, but the end result will look a bit more industrial. Which is not always bad for a closet. And you can also modify the locations of the light and switch pretty easily if you want to move them around.
Here is a picture of a motion sensor light switch I put in my basement stairwell. The wiring was never put in at the top and bottom for a 3-way switch setup, so I installed this motion sensor switch in a Wiremold box on the wall where the original switch was located. I put the Wiremold box on the same angle as the stairs so that the motion sensor would pick up motion at the top and bottom of the stairs and turn on the light.
My wife loves it because she no longer has to try to find the light switch in the dark when she is taking laundry to the basement and her hands are full, or forget to turn the light off once she comes up from the basement.
The motion sensor light switch and Wiremold box are on the left side of the picture. The picture is looking down the stairwell from the top with the basement door open.
Jim
The first way will be a more professional way to do it, but require more work and access to walls and ceiling from behind the room. Also, once you cut the holes for the lights and switch box, you can't really change the layout easily.
The second way is easier, requires only a single small hole be drilled in the walls/ceiling to get the wiring from your power source to the room, but the end result will look a bit more industrial. Which is not always bad for a closet. And you can also modify the locations of the light and switch pretty easily if you want to move them around.
Here is a picture of a motion sensor light switch I put in my basement stairwell. The wiring was never put in at the top and bottom for a 3-way switch setup, so I installed this motion sensor switch in a Wiremold box on the wall where the original switch was located. I put the Wiremold box on the same angle as the stairs so that the motion sensor would pick up motion at the top and bottom of the stairs and turn on the light.
My wife loves it because she no longer has to try to find the light switch in the dark when she is taking laundry to the basement and her hands are full, or forget to turn the light off once she comes up from the basement.
The motion sensor light switch and Wiremold box are on the left side of the picture. The picture is looking down the stairwell from the top with the basement door open.
Jim
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PhantomEB
Well-known member
Occupancy switch set to whatever time you want, mines 5 min and stays on when I keep moving hooked up to a 4' LED light fixture. Won't ***** about how much it doesn't cost or can't see this and that!
I could drop a wire for a switch. Cut the wallboard and use a Sheetrock box but - I think I'd just rather a motion detector that stayed on for 5 mins.
Got a hot ceiling box that currently has pull chain socket. I've been hating it for the 22 years I've been in the house.
Not opposed to industrial look.
Got a hot ceiling box that currently has pull chain socket. I've been hating it for the 22 years I've been in the house.
Not opposed to industrial look.
Amazon or other sites...........mr. Beams lights.
LED motion activated light, battery powered, batteries last for a year ( depending on use) looks like a smoke detector. Several versions available.
http://www.mrbeams.com/motion-detector-lights?p=2
LED motion activated light, battery powered, batteries last for a year ( depending on use) looks like a smoke detector. Several versions available.
http://www.mrbeams.com/motion-detector-lights?p=2
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