Overhead Lights in a two car carport

[LSU]

Like the title says - I’m looking for overhead lights for my 2 car carport.

Currently I have an older two tube 48” fluorescent fixture. The fixture sits smack in the middle of the carport and stays on 24/7.

I keep the lights on mostly for security reasons but now that my kids are grown and gone, I’m rethinking the whole lighting situation. Maybe I don’t keep them on all the time? Maybe I go to motion detector? We’ve had some minor car burglars lately and I don’t like that stuff.

My carport lights are controlled from a switch next to the interior door going into the carport and there is also a switch on the wall in the carport. A smart car burglar could simply turn the lights off from the exterior switch if he liked.

I travel a lot and would like to control the new light set up with Google Home. I use Google Home to control my Nest thermostats and am very happy with it.

Does anyone use Google Home to control a double pole light switch? Comments?

Any thoughts on replacing my old 48” tube lights? My attic staircase is right next to it so I’m kind of restricted in the direction I can go. I’ve looked at the Octagon and Hexagon LED lights but have never seen these in person. Anyone have these?

Thanks.

 

[thrifty bill]

I installed 4 foot LED shop lights from Costco. They plug into each other, so there is just one electrical connection to the first one. I think I have six in my 20 by 22 carport, which is overkill. I have another carport right next to it, with six florescent shop lights. Night and day difference, one is dark, the other could be used as an operating room. I'm putting six in my 3 car garage right now. Twice the square footage.

 

[CraigStu]

I have the LED versions in my garage. They were smart in designing these as they are near as I can tell a direct replacement for your old tube type lights. I don't know if Google Home or Nest can do it but, with your travel, I'd want some type of timer system so those lights are on the same schedule no matter if you are home or not

 

[Joe Reed]

I'd install some recessed LEDs. When I bought my house the builder had installed 3 cheap ceiling lights on the front porch. They looked like ****, so I replaced them with recessed floods. Later, when LEDs became available, I converted them to LED. They are on a dimmer as well. I leave them on 24/7 since the current draw is low. That way the house looks the same whether I'm home or away....so than might (or might not) help with security.

 

[PoorUB]

Maybe four of the wafer LED lights.

As for the outside switch, I assume it is a three way, just pull the switch, and wire nut the traveler to one of the other wires and put a blank plate over it.

There are so many ways to control lighting through the internet, pick one you are comfortable with.