The simple things
Discussion
Moved in to a new build style house last year. Seemingly building regs say that you can't fit a wall mounted light switch to a room which has running water in; makes sense for a bathroom I suppose, but not for my downstairs loo (again, building regs say that a new house has to have a downstairs loo).
The switch to the loo was on the outside wall and you had to remember to switch it on and off when entering/leaving. There were times where I'd forgotten to switch it off before going to bed and I could hear the humming of the extractor (another building reg thing I guess) so I'd have to go downstairs to switch it off. This used to annoy me immensely.
I then decided that enough was enough and looked at solutions. My mate had recently fitted a motion sensor PIR switch to my garage so when the door opens, the light comes on and stays on until it no longer senses movement - works perfectly.
I've now fitted on of these to the downstairs loo, having removed the box from the outside of the loo cut a new hole opposite and then just spun the box and wiring around and then filled the hole which was left.
Now when I open the loo door the light comes on and stays on until it no longer senses movement, with a 60 second delay. Now I can use the loo without fear of leaving the light on and it's absolutely wonderful!
TL;DR - fitted a motion sensor light switch into my dark downstairs loo and now my life is complete
The switch to the loo was on the outside wall and you had to remember to switch it on and off when entering/leaving. There were times where I'd forgotten to switch it off before going to bed and I could hear the humming of the extractor (another building reg thing I guess) so I'd have to go downstairs to switch it off. This used to annoy me immensely.
I then decided that enough was enough and looked at solutions. My mate had recently fitted a motion sensor PIR switch to my garage so when the door opens, the light comes on and stays on until it no longer senses movement - works perfectly.
I've now fitted on of these to the downstairs loo, having removed the box from the outside of the loo cut a new hole opposite and then just spun the box and wiring around and then filled the hole which was left.
Now when I open the loo door the light comes on and stays on until it no longer senses movement, with a 60 second delay. Now I can use the loo without fear of leaving the light on and it's absolutely wonderful!
TL;DR - fitted a motion sensor light switch into my dark downstairs loo and now my life is complete
herbialfa said:
If the wc doesn't have an external window, to comply with regs the fan should still run for another 15 minutes after you have switched the light off.
eybic said:
We have a similar set up in our office and the lights tend to turn off mid dump so you have to wave around like a mad man to make them come back on 
With the loo opening straight into the kitchen area, there are strict rules about what one can do in there so these issues never arise. The switch to turn my landing light on is on the landing wall. Which means you have to walk up the stairs in the dark and turn the light on when you get there.
I installed a motion sensor on the stairs and fitted a Phillips Hue bulb (wifi bulb). So when I walk up the stairs to use the bathroom the light goes on before you reach the landing, the light then turns off on a timer. I even set it so the light is dimmer should I need a visit after going to bed.
I installed a motion sensor on the stairs and fitted a Phillips Hue bulb (wifi bulb). So when I walk up the stairs to use the bathroom the light goes on before you reach the landing, the light then turns off on a timer. I even set it so the light is dimmer should I need a visit after going to bed.
Cotty said:
The switch to turn my landing light on is on the landing wall. Which means you have to walk up the stairs in the dark and turn the light on when you get there.
I installed a motion sensor on the stairs and fitted a Phillips Hue bulb (wifi bulb). So when I walk up the stairs to use the bathroom the light goes on before you reach the landing, the light then turns off on a timer. I even set it so the light is dimmer should I need a visit after going to bed.
Great work!I installed a motion sensor on the stairs and fitted a Phillips Hue bulb (wifi bulb). So when I walk up the stairs to use the bathroom the light goes on before you reach the landing, the light then turns off on a timer. I even set it so the light is dimmer should I need a visit after going to bed.
No regs to say you can't have a switch inside the room - even the bathroom its not a regulation but an example of best practice.
As for motion sensors, microwave sensors are usually much better than PIRs for internal lights today - they use a form of echo feedback and don't require line of sight - if you're on a staircase where the lights just around the corner are coming on seeming to pre empt your arrival they'll be this.
As for motion sensors, microwave sensors are usually much better than PIRs for internal lights today - they use a form of echo feedback and don't require line of sight - if you're on a staircase where the lights just around the corner are coming on seeming to pre empt your arrival they'll be this.
eybic said:
We have a similar set up in our office and the lights tend to turn off mid dump so you have to wave around like a mad man to make them come back on
My old workplace was the same. Worst was trap 3 - poor line of sight from the sensor over the wall meant you needed long arms to trigger it. Couldn't count the number of times I walked into the loos & realised someone had been sitting on the can in the dark 
Motion sensors for lights are a great idea for bathrooms, hallways, stairs and porches, as well as stuck above the garage door...
We've done up a few houses now and we always fit them.
They're also cost effective as the sparky does not have to run cables down the wall, saving time and materials.
When you're selling the house people looking round always think its a great idea, and lifts it above a standard refurb.
We've also got them over the garden so we can see what the dogs are doing.
We've done up a few houses now and we always fit them.
They're also cost effective as the sparky does not have to run cables down the wall, saving time and materials.
When you're selling the house people looking round always think its a great idea, and lifts it above a standard refurb.
We've also got them over the garden so we can see what the dogs are doing.
talksthetorque said:
Motion sensors for lights are a great idea for bathrooms, hallways, stairs and porches, as well as stuck above the garage door...
We've done up a few houses now and we always fit them.
They're also cost effective as the sparky does not have to run cables down the wall, saving time and materials.
When you're selling the house people looking round always think its a great idea, and lifts it above a standard refurb.
We've also got them over the garden so we can see what the dogs are doing.
Motion sensor in the bathroom did you say?We've done up a few houses now and we always fit them.
They're also cost effective as the sparky does not have to run cables down the wall, saving time and materials.
When you're selling the house people looking round always think its a great idea, and lifts it above a standard refurb.
We've also got them over the garden so we can see what the dogs are doing.
Cotty said:
The switch to turn my landing light on is on the landing wall. Which means you have to walk up the stairs in the dark and turn the light on when you get there.
I installed a motion sensor on the stairs and fitted a Phillips Hue bulb (wifi bulb). So when I walk up the stairs to use the bathroom the light goes on before you reach the landing, the light then turns off on a timer. I even set it so the light is dimmer should I need a visit after going to bed.
Our house is split level, town house. Five floors in total, and a light at the top and bottom of the stairs. There are five light switches, all on the stairs, and they all control the top light! You walk down the lowest flight, past the light, try the next switch you get to and it does the one at the bloody top! The bottom light is controlled by a switch at the other end of the hallway near the front door.I installed a motion sensor on the stairs and fitted a Phillips Hue bulb (wifi bulb). So when I walk up the stairs to use the bathroom the light goes on before you reach the landing, the light then turns off on a timer. I even set it so the light is dimmer should I need a visit after going to bed.
Lights top and bottom have 2w led bulbs in left on all night.
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