En-Suite, Night time lighting

[PGM]

Hi

Putting in a new en-suite which has halogen downlights.

Trouble is, being a man approaching 40 I need to get up and go for a pee during the night at the weekend!

If I turn on 6 halogens in the night I will be blinded and have parts removed by my wife for waking her. If I don't use lights then I might make a mess. Sitting down is not a considerable option.

My thoughts are to install a PIR with a low output LED above the toilet to overcome this problem.

I cannot seem to find anything that is reasonably neat and un-noticable as an installation, anyone got ideas or donet this in the past?

Thanks
Paul

[NDA]

Could you fit a dimmer switch for your halogens? Or a double switch where one switch operates a single halogen?

[PGM]

NDA said:

Could you fit a dimmer switch for your halogens? Or a double switch where one switch operates a single halogen?

Could do a dimmer I suppose although they do tend to buzz a bit in my experience.

Double switch good idea but unfortunately I can't run another cable to the switch any more as boarded out.

[NDA]

I have dimmers on halogens and they don't noticeably buzz - hunt around for a decent one maybe and check.

I reckon it's your answer. Even if it did buzz it's not going to wake up your beloved - no more than your personal Niagra Falls!

[PGM]

NDA said:

I have dimmers on halogens and they don't noticeably buzz - hunt around for a decent one maybe and check.

I reckon it's your answer. Even if it did buzz it's not going to wake up your beloved - no more than your personal Niagra Falls!

true enough

[BertB]

If you can't run any more cables the dimmer may be the only sensible option, but I think they only work with certain transformers and up to a certain wattage.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLPCD51.html


The other option paint the toilet! http://www.glowtec.co.uk/

[Slinky]

Just sit down...

[PGM]

BertB said:

If you can't run any more cables the dimmer may be the only sensible option, but I think they only work with certain transformers and up to a certain wattage.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLPCD51.html


The other option paint the toilet! http://www.glowtec.co.uk/

I would need to drink some of it aswell though

[fulham911club]

Dimmer switch and get your prostate checked

[PGM]

fulham911club said:

Dimmer switch and get your prostate checked

Dimmer switch it is!

No need to check prostate, weekend problem only

[Simpo Two]

One warning - if the light came on when you opened the door, stop peeing immediately. You are peeing in the fridge.

[NDA]

Many dimmers will run 400 Watts without a problem - you have six halogens which would be 300 Watt maximum.

Double check with an electrician (I'm not one!). My house has the most bizarre mix of downlights - from huge 75W ones to 12 Volt types, the 12 Volt types were, if memory serves, more awkward to dim.

This type of thing I would have thought:

http://www.theinternetelectricalstore.com/hds1s-va...

[200bhp]

What kind of light switch do you have there at the moment? Is it on the wall or a pull-cord?

[PGM]

On wall in bedroom powering 6 x 50w 240v halogens IP68.

[davido140]

BertB said:

If you can't run any more cables the dimmer may be the only sensible option, but I think they only work with certain transformers and up to a certain wattage.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLPCD51.html


The other option paint the toilet! http://www.glowtec.co.uk/

Also, you CAN NOT run an extractor fan off the lighting circuit if you put a dimmer in place!

[200bhp]

There are two types of dimmer switch - Trailing edge and leading edge.

Leading edge is the most common and also the one most likely to buzz. Trailing edge is slightly more expensive but will run silently.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/varilight-trailing-edge-...

Will do the job perfectly.

Edited by 200bhp on Tuesday 16th August 13:46

[200bhp]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

UK shaver sockets are not "continuously rated" so shouldnt' be used for anything other than a few minutes at a time (while having a shave, for example!)

[PGM]

200bhp said:

There are two types of dimmer switch - Trailing edge and leading edge.

Leading edge is the most common and also the one most likely to buzz. Leading edge is slightly more expensive but will run silently.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/varilight-trailing-edge-...

Will do the job perfectly.

I've learnt something new today then!

That will do me nicely, thankyou.

Thanks everyone for the input.

[Humpy D]

Couldn't you just close the door to the en-suite and then put the light on?

I would also second the person who said "sit down". Nothing worse than standing up, start peeing and realising that someone has fitted an invisible watering can rose to your old boy!!

[PGM]

Humpy D said:

Couldn't you just close the door to the en-suite and then put the light on?

I would also second the person who said "sit down". Nothing worse than standing up, start peeing and realising that someone has fitted an invisible watering can rose to your old boy!!

Switch located outside door.