Presence sensing switches

[JackOfDiamonds]

I have like 1000W of LED lights in my garage that are wired to come on with the original light switch my the interior garage door.

Problem is I don't want to leave them 24/7 and the kids leave them on all the time. And by the kids I mean me.

I bought a lutron presence switch that turns them on automatically when you walk in. It works great. But while I'm standing by my lathe it will kick off and plunge me into darkness.

The switch doesn't have a good view of my location so I'm wondering if I should hang up a mirror strategically so that it can see me better. Would this work?

Failing that I'm thinking about some kind of flashlight that blinks every 5 minutes that I can just set up near the switch when I am working.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

which model lutron did you get? what sensor technology does it have?

if its a PIR, then a flashlight wont work unless it puts out a lot of heat.

 

[cybrdyke]

I have like 1000W of LED lights in my garage that are wired to come on with the original light switch my the interior garage door.

Problem is I don't want to leave them 24/7 and the kids leave them on all the time. And by the kids I mean me.

I bought a lutron presence switch that turns them on automatically when you walk in. It works great. But while I'm standing by my lathe it will kick off and plunge me into darkness.

The switch doesn't have a good view of my location so I'm wondering if I should hang up a mirror strategically so that it can see me better. Would this work?

Failing that I'm thinking about some kind of flashlight that blinks every 5 minutes that I can just set up near the switch when I am working.

Neither of those will work. You'll need another sensor for better coverage. Depending on what your wallbox dimmer is, you might be able to install a companion sensor somewhere that will improve your coverage. And by somewhere, I mean the ceiling.
Sensors can be tricky. Placement is the most critical aspect. Considering dimensions, obstacles, wall thicknesses, etc. will help you select the right technology and coverage.
CD

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

It seems like a mirror should work.

I bought this one

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005WM3C42/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I had the lower wattage one at my last house and I liked it so I bought the same one but higher wattage model.

 

[cybrdyke]

that's a pir sensor. It needs to see heat and motion. A mirror wont work.
CD

 

[themiller]

No layout or pictures - but I'm going to go with an occupancy sensor on the ceiling OR an ultrasonic wall mount.

 

[Chris130]

No layout or pictures - but I'm going to go with an occupancy sensor on the ceiling OR an ultrasonic wall mount.

I just installed one of these to control 2 shoplights (one over each stall in my 2-car detached). Those give plenty of light for basic going/coming to/from the car and quick trips to grab something in the garage. Since the single bulb in my GDO is pretty worthless, this has been a nice win for that - and it's all still hands-free.

I keep the rest of the main interior lights on a switch for when I need those. I though about putting all of it on the occ sensor, but A.) most of our day-to-day garage activity doesn't need that much lighting, and B.) when I am working on something at my bench (not moving much), I don't want the lights to go out on me. That sensor is good overall with small movements, but it ain't that good.

 

[OneOfEm]

This isn't what you asked, but I was going to go down the motion sensor path, but I have decided on smart switches. I haven't done this yet, but it's possible to add location logic so that the lights go off if I (my phone) am in the house for x time.

My purpose for either of these choices was to have a better option than two-way switches for certain banks of lights.

 

[sz0k30]

1000 watts of LED's. WOW, must be s bright as the sun in there

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, You may have a motion sensor, practice waving your in the dark.

 

[jbwilkins]

My vote would be to replace it with a smart switch. You can even program some to turn off at **:** time, or after X hours...etc. might be as cheap (or cheaper) than an additional sensor.

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

I need to keep the motion sensing switch for household purposes. I guess the solution is to move a subset of fixtures to a regular switch.