outdoor garage light question

[surge]

Currently I have a set of set of lanterns(one on each side of the garage) that is hooked up to a switch to turn them on and off. I would like to add a motion sensor to the equation but at the same time I don't want to lose the switch. So basically I want to use the switch to still manually turn on and off the light, but if the switch is off I would like to motion sensor to take over and turn on and off with movement. Can this be done? Coming from a small circuits background it sounds like this could be done with a simple OR gate, but I don't know enough about high voltage circuits to know if such a thing exists.

Thank you in advance!

[pcboss]

The wall switch would override the motion sensor. With the switch in the off position there would be no power to the sensor.

[Desy2820]

maybe use a dusk-dawn sensor with the motion detector? This way you can leave the switch on and the light will only be on if it's night and senses motion. I know they make combination units for exactly this reason.

Some sensors can be overridden by a switch, so you could still turn the light on without motion present.

Hope this helps!

[surge]

Couldn't I wire the switch and the sensor in parallel? That way if either of them is in the on position it would turn the light on?

[pgtek]

hi
i got flood light connected to a motion scensor and hock to the inside wall switch
i can overide the sensor if i off and then on the switch
if i want to go back to motion i shut the switch wait 90 seconds and then turn to on it will go on motion sensor

cheers

pg

[surge]

Thanks for the reply, what is a HOCK? This 90 second delay would be perfect. It would give me the best of all worlds. I can manual turn and keep the lights off, i can manually turn them on, or i can turn them on for use with the motion sensor. Just curious what this is and how it works. Also I guess where did you get it.

Thanks!

[pgtek]

hi
sorry mean connected (fat finger typing) :wall:
got it a the big lumber store.
it easy to connect and work fine.
you can set the time it stays lit on the sensor ex: 1-4-15 minutes
here are the option i have
i can have it on sensor and lite are on for the timer setting set on the sensor
or
have it turn on manually with the switch that overide the sensor
or
have them return to sensor when i turn off the switch and wait 90 sec and then turn the switch to on

good luck

pg

[joed]

The motion sensors I have are setup to be used on a switch. If you simply turn on the switch the motion takes control. If you flick the switch off/on quickly the motion sensor is bypassed and turns on no matter what the darkness or motion around. To reset it turn off for three seconds and turn back on. Now back under sensor control.

[surge]

So the switch is just a regular old wall light switch and it's the montion sensor that can sense what mode it should be in. Interesting. Do you know the make and model of the motion sensor that you have?

[pgtek]

hi
i forgot the name
just go to the bic box and ask for the sensor and he should give you the right one

cheers

pg

[joed]

No particular name. I thought they all worked like that. Mine are just some cheapo units from Canadian Tire.

[surge]

These motion sensors you guys are talking about, are they hard wired or remote sensors? I just went down to Home Depot and the guys there looked at me funny like I didn't know what I was talking about. On top of that, all they had were wireless motion sensors. I would definately rather have a hard wired unit. Thanks guys!

[pgtek]

hi
check other supllier they will have it 4 sure.
it's an ordinairy light sensor with wires


pg

[oldmedic]

So much confusion! All hardwired motion sensors have the bypass feature. Rapid cycling of the wall switch overrides the sensor. If there is any doubt ask to read the package / installation information before purchasing. It will explain the override feature. oldmedic