Home Automation - Help automate my security flood lights.
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bajafx4
03-03-09, 08:16 AM
Hello,
On the exterior of my house I have four(4) 500w halogen flood lights. Each light fixture is controlled from it's own individual switch; the lights switches are all in different areas/rooms of the home.
Here is what I would like:
1) I would like to be able to control all four of these lights individually from any one of the four light switches in the house.
2) I would like to be able to simultaneously turn on/off all four lights with a single control from any of the four switches in the house.
3) I would like to also have all four lights turn on simultaneously when any one of several motion sensors are triggered, but I want to be able to control when this happens. I don't want to pull in my driveway at night time and have them all turn on... I would like a switch in my master bedroom that will activate the motion sensors or allow the motion sensors to trigger the lights.
Thank you for your help,
Rich
On the exterior of my house I have four(4) 500w halogen flood lights. Each light fixture is controlled from it's own individual switch; the lights switches are all in different areas/rooms of the home.
Here is what I would like:
1) I would like to be able to control all four of these lights individually from any one of the four light switches in the house.
2) I would like to be able to simultaneously turn on/off all four lights with a single control from any of the four switches in the house.
3) I would like to also have all four lights turn on simultaneously when any one of several motion sensors are triggered, but I want to be able to control when this happens. I don't want to pull in my driveway at night time and have them all turn on... I would like a switch in my master bedroom that will activate the motion sensors or allow the motion sensors to trigger the lights.
Thank you for your help,
Rich
bajafx4
03-03-09, 08:39 AM
Here is what I was considering.
MANUAL SWITCH CONTROL:
http://cache.smarthome.com/images/2486dwh6.jpg
I thought I could use these Insteon 6-button controllers to replace my four existing light switches. Buttons A,B,C,D would each control one individual light and the ON/OFF buttons would control all four of the lights simultaneously. Should this work?
NIGHT TIME MOTION CONTROL:
http://cache.smarthome.com/images/2420m.jpg
I thought I could use these to monitor motion on the exterior of the home. Are these rated for outdoor use?
Will these items get the job done? Recommendations are welcome and appreciated. I really only want the motion sensors to activate the flood lights after I've gone to bed, so it would be nice if I could just flick a switch in my master bedroom before I go to sleep... I don't really have this part figured out yet.
Thanks again,
Rich
MANUAL SWITCH CONTROL:
http://cache.smarthome.com/images/2486dwh6.jpg
I thought I could use these Insteon 6-button controllers to replace my four existing light switches. Buttons A,B,C,D would each control one individual light and the ON/OFF buttons would control all four of the lights simultaneously. Should this work?
NIGHT TIME MOTION CONTROL:
http://cache.smarthome.com/images/2420m.jpg
I thought I could use these to monitor motion on the exterior of the home. Are these rated for outdoor use?
Will these items get the job done? Recommendations are welcome and appreciated. I really only want the motion sensors to activate the flood lights after I've gone to bed, so it would be nice if I could just flick a switch in my master bedroom before I go to sleep... I don't really have this part figured out yet.
Thanks again,
Rich
rusgrafx
03-06-09, 12:18 PM
The KeypadLinc switches will do the trick, just create scenes to turn on all the lights.
As for the floodlights consider these:
INSTEON Motion Sensor Floodlight (http://www.smarthome.com/2494MSBN/INSTEON-Motion-Sensor-Floodlight-Bronze/p.aspx) - these are already Insteon enabled.
Or if you want to keep your floodlights Smarthome just released In-LineLinc Relay - INSTEON On / Off Module (Non-dimming) w/ Sense (http://www.smarthome.com/2475S2/INSTEON-In-LineLinc-On-Off-Module-Non-dimming-w-Sense/p.aspx), this wire-in module will add Insteon capability to your floodlights.
I really only want the motion sensors to activate the flood lights after I've gone to bed
For this you would need to set-up some schedule and/or macroses - that would require some software running on a PC or Mac or a dedicated automation controller - the aforementioned components are not enough.
Look at Girder software (http://www.smarthome.com/1433/INSTEON-Compatible-Girder-Pro-Software/p.aspx) for example (it provides a nice iPhone UI as a bonus). Or if you prefer the controller there's ISY-99i (http://www.smarthome.com/12231P/ISY-99i-INSTEON-Enabled-Automation-Controller-with-PLM/p.aspx).
Good luck.
As for the floodlights consider these:
INSTEON Motion Sensor Floodlight (http://www.smarthome.com/2494MSBN/INSTEON-Motion-Sensor-Floodlight-Bronze/p.aspx) - these are already Insteon enabled.
Or if you want to keep your floodlights Smarthome just released In-LineLinc Relay - INSTEON On / Off Module (Non-dimming) w/ Sense (http://www.smarthome.com/2475S2/INSTEON-In-LineLinc-On-Off-Module-Non-dimming-w-Sense/p.aspx), this wire-in module will add Insteon capability to your floodlights.
I really only want the motion sensors to activate the flood lights after I've gone to bed
For this you would need to set-up some schedule and/or macroses - that would require some software running on a PC or Mac or a dedicated automation controller - the aforementioned components are not enough.
Look at Girder software (http://www.smarthome.com/1433/INSTEON-Compatible-Girder-Pro-Software/p.aspx) for example (it provides a nice iPhone UI as a bonus). Or if you prefer the controller there's ISY-99i (http://www.smarthome.com/12231P/ISY-99i-INSTEON-Enabled-Automation-Controller-with-PLM/p.aspx).
Good luck.