automate outside lighting

[nickv]

So i would like to automate the outside lighting at my workshop yard

Currently i have two led flood lights, they dont have motion detectors, i am not that bothered about motion detection i would just like to leave them litten during the hours of darkness

would like something i can setup and forget, two schedules summer and winter, possible setup through google homehub or dedicated app

been looking at wifi enabled wall light switches on amazon but look like pretty low level in sales so that makes me wonder if they are up to much ? and if there are other options

Any thoughts gratefully received.

[Scrump]

Why not just wire them in through a daylight sensor so they automatically switch on and off at night?
Something like this:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-black-photocell-sen...

[Ham_and_Jam]

nickv said:

So i would like to automate the outside lighting at my workshop yard

Currently i have two led flood lights, they dont have motion detectors, i am not that bothered about motion detection i would just like to leave them litten during the hours of darkness

would like something i can setup and forget, two schedules summer and winter, possible setup through google homehub or dedicated app

been looking at wifi enabled wall light switches on amazon but look like pretty low level in sales so that makes me wonder if they are up to much ? and if there are other options

Any thoughts gratefully received.

For something so simple, just get a couple of 24hr / 7 day digital timer switches. You can get plug in or hardwired, some specifically to fit in the switch boxes.

They are set and forget. I’ve got a few at work running equipment that only needs to be on in the day (07:00-16:30) mon-sat. Been faultless for years.

https://www.toolstation.com/electrical/timers/c664

[Robb F]

If it was me I'd wire the lights to a/multiple wifi plugs, I use the amazon one for Alexa integration.

This will enable you to set a routine to have them turn on at sunrise and off at sunset. It automatically tracks sunrise and sunset for the time of year, so once it's set up you can just forget about it.

[nickv]

Ham_and_Jam said:

For something so simple, just get a couple of 24hr / 7 day digital timer switches. You can get plug in or hardwired, some specifically to fit in the switch boxes.

They are set and forget. I’ve got a few at work running equipment that only needs to be on in the day (07:00-16:30) mon-sat. Been faultless for years.

https://www.toolstation.com/electrical/timers/c664

Yes i already have these in use at well, i keep my compressor in a shipping container, and the bloody thing has a safety feature that it wont start if temp is below 1 degree, so i have a small heater that comes on an hour before we start work, that generally gives enough ambient temp to allow the compressor to start.

[nickv]

Scrump said:

Why not just wire them in through a daylight sensor so they automatically switch on and off at night?
Something like this:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-black-photocell-sen...

cheers..... embarrassed to say i this idea didnt occur to me simple idea

[nickv]

Robb F said:

If it was me I'd wire the lights to a/multiple wifi plugs, I use the amazon one for Alexa integration.

This will enable you to set a routine to have them turn on at sunrise and off at sunset. It automatically tracks sunrise and sunset for the time of year, so once it's set up you can just forget about it.

using actuall plugs would require adding sockets as there are non near by.

I did think of using switch's but the switch for my lights is a two gang two way switch, i think most smart switches are one way switch's

Think i will go with dusk till dawn sensor seems like the most simple fix

[snuffy]

I use a wifi plug to control my nodding reindeers at Christmas. You can set different schedules for different days and manually override with the button on the plug or using your mobile.

[ARHarh]

Use a sonoff basic. https://sonoff.tech/product/wifi-diy-smart-switche... been using them for years. Not the R3 but I guess they are as reliable

[nickv]

those sonoff items look quite interesting i might get one or two of those for other projects

[ARHarh]

nickv said:

those sonoff items look quite interesting i might get one or two of those for other projects

I have had 7 running various lights for the last 2 years. I run them on Tasmota firmware with openhab , but I did start with the native ewelink app, and it worked fine. They have never let me down.

[nyt]

nickv said:

those sonoff items look quite interesting i might get one or two of those for other projects

They are very good, especially flashed with Tasmota software as suggested above.

I'd start with their smart plugs - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-Control-Devices-... - Easier to just plug it into a socket and then plug a lamp into it for testing.

[Jamescrs]

I would definitely suggest dusk till dawn type lights, I have them at home bought fairly cheaply from Amazon and they have been superb, fit and forget.
Linking lights to an app just seems to overly complicate the process in this situation

[NMNeil]

It may not be what your looking for, but I kept having problems with the motion sensor part of my security lights. Ended up replacing them with LED spotlight bulbs with a built in motion sensor. So far no problems
https://www.homedepot.com/p/EcoSmart-120-Watt-Equi...

[NMNeil]

NMNeil said:

It may not be what your looking for, but I kept having problems with the motion sensor part of my security lights. Ended up replacing them with LED spotlight bulbs with a built in motion sensor. So far no problems
https://www.homedepot.com/p/EcoSmart-120-Watt-Equi...