Problem. Walk-in closet. Want to use motion detecting light switches. No place on walls that switch would not be subject to being covered. Question? What would be wrong with mounting the switch on the wall above the door?
Further, what would be Wong in mounting such switches above the doorway of any room that one wanted to have that type of switching?
Please give me your pros and cons. Thanks
P.S. I failed to mention that these doorways are from a larger dressing room and that there are no actual door leafs. Sorry about that.
Edited 12/3/2007 3:03 pm ET by oops
Replies
You need to find out what the vertical angle of view is. I think that they typically shoot horizontally with a bottom cut off so that pets don't trip them.
And the horizontal window comes in different widths 120 and 180 are common.
But if you mounted it at right angle to the door and fairly close so that it is in the 120 degree view it will probably work.
You can also get units with separate sensor heads so that you more adjustment in where you aim it.
Also the there are ocupancy sensors are designed for mounting on the ceiling.
Here is one brand.
http://www.wattstopper.com/products/productline_list.html?category=3&type=Commercial
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
The motion detector has to be able to 'see' someone reaching into the closet. If it's on the wall directly above the door it may not be able to do that unless you wave your arms around. I don't recall offhand the specs of their field of vision but I believe they are generally something like 160 or 170 degrees. If you have a particular brand and part number you want to use you should be able to find a spec sheet online at the manufacturer's website.
Another way to do it is with a limit switch mounted on the door that turns the lights on whenever the door is open (the only problem is if you're in the habit of leaving the closet door open when you go to bed.) You can use either a microswitch style, or a magnetic non-contact switch.
Edited to add: I checked and at least Wattstopper brands have a 180 degree field of view (side to side) so I stand corrected. As Bill mentioned you may have to mount it on the ceiling so it can look down. I've also used a style that mounts on a stalk so you can point it in the particular direction you want it to look, kind of like what you've probably seen on outside floodlights.
Edited 12/3/2007 2:55 pm by Stuart
There are also jamb switches specifically for closet lights..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Sorry, I failed to mention on my initial post that there are no actual door leafs. Just doorways.
Rockler has switches that are for cabinets, you open the door and the 120 line circuit completes, powering whatever is plugged into the outlets. I'm using these on a backlit bath cabinet.
At Lowes, the electrical section should carry the GB brand door switch, which is larger and is it's own junction box (it has a 1/2" knockout for proper wiring). It has to be set into the door framing.
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.
These are walk-in closets with no actual door leafs. Just the doorways
Those motion lights have a problem. False triggering....
I put one on the first switch of my workshop, so when the door was opened a set of "courtesy lights" come on. When a gust of wind would push past the weather seal of the door, the light would trigger.
Also, those motion lights with trigger ON when there is the slightest variance in line voltage. With no doors, they might have a tendency to "Creep You Out" coming on in the middle of the night....
I'd go for a mechanical foot pad switch you could lightly tap with one of your feet...
Bill
I am just finishing up my new house and installed a 180 degree switch (can't remember manufacture). It has a 3way switch on/auto/off under the eye. my kids and I started playing a game to see who could enter the room, get to the switch and not set it off. It's true that they are flat views, thus sneeking under them is easy. However this one has a deadly 180 view. it's impossible to stand along the wall [on which it's installed] and reach the switch. I would go with above the door, on it's side). Use one without the toggle switch (eye only) and have another switch somewhere accessable.
A final note: I wish the delay-off on mine was shorter (2 minutes of no motion detection) but I don't know what products there are that allow adjustment for this.
I wish the delay-off on mine was shorter (2 minutes of no motion detection) but I don't know what products there are that allow adjustment for this.
You hit on my major indoor gripe--delay settings.
Either too long or too short--and always when it is least convenient for either. Very much not fun to have the lights go out leaving you in the clean dark, then having to wait out the reset period until the motion is detected again.
What I've always wanted to do was to get some garage door sensors and wire them to a fan delay switch--but it's right hard to find people to pay for my experimentation <sigh> I'm sure not likely to <g>Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I know that I am replying to myself, but I don't know how to reply to everyone any other way. Not to savy with these new fangled gadgets. I still sit and watch the radio. I at one time considered a cad program but when I discovered that the learning curve exceeded my life expectancy, I just sharpened my pencil.
Anyway thanks for the input. I had many of the same thoughts. They come on when you don't want and go off when you don't want. It is just that I have a unique problem with this particular design. I don't have any good place to locate a switch. I have to use them (motion switching) on commercial designs (office spaces etc.) but have not followed up to see what the users think since it is a code requirement and there is nothing I do about it. I suspect that they may change them out after the inspector leaves.