Time switch for outside lights

Biggles

TanDiy wrote: »

Thanks for the info. I sort of dismissed the photocell because I want the lights to come on as soon as it starts to get dark and I was not sure if the photocell would do this or whether it would have to get dark before it switched. I thought a timer would give me better control but maybe I will consider the photocell instead. Thanks again for the advice.

They are, literally, dusk to dawn, ie they come on as it gets dark rather than only when it is completely dark.

A timer is far more trouble since, clearly, the time it gets dark changes every day and to have any control over it you would need to be changing the setting regularly.

TanDiy

Biggles wrote: »

They are, literally, dusk to dawn, ie they come on as it gets dark rather than only when it is completely dark.

A timer is far more trouble since, clearly, the time it gets dark changes every day and to have any control over it you would need to be changing the setting regularly.

Thanks Biggles, I think you have convinced me that the photocell is the way to go. Could I just ask you one final question - if I mount this on the side of the garage wall, does the cable run through the bracket to the sensor or does the cable have to run external and enter from underneath or something. Thank you and everybody that has come back to me on this - most helpful.

fordfocus-chav-car

Captain_Flack. wrote: »

Really?

I bought this product to replace a previous version of the same switch based on the claim that this switch can be used to control the newer "Enegy Saving Lightbulbs". I have to say that the performance of this new switch is not really any better than the old switch when used with the new bulbs.
The problem manifests itself after the light bulb is switched off after it has warmed up, the current passing through the switch is enough to energise the bulb and cause some very interesting light flashing / strobe effects.
As with the old switch all is well as long as at least one of the controlled lights is of the old filement type bulb.

That's the first review.

Yes you are correct. Op needs a double pole timer... something like this

http://www.ukelectricalsupplies.com/Timeguard-24-Hour-Fused-Spur-Timeswitch.htm

chrisw

TanDiy wrote: »

if I mount this on the side of the garage wall, does the cable run through the bracket to the sensor or does the cable have to run external and enter from underneath or something. Thank you and everybody that has come back to me on this - most helpful.

The cable runs external and enters underneath the photocell. I've run the cable for mine up the edge of the garage roof. The photocell needs to be somewhere in 'natural' light, ie not too overshadowed and not too near a streetlight.

TanDiy

chrisw wrote: »

The cable runs external and enters underneath the photocell. I've run the cable for mine up the edge of the garage roof. The photocell needs to be somewhere in 'natural' light, ie not too overshadowed and not too near a streetlight.

Thanks for coming back. I think I am going to do exactly the same. Have you used any particular type of cable for this and have you enclosed this in trunking or does the cable just run external. Thanks again.

malc_b

In case you don't know, it is possible to get long life low energy (i.e. florescent) bulbs with built in sensor like this

http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-lite/elt-11w-bc-sens/lamp-e-saving-sensor-11w-bc/dp/LP03048

That can be a simple solution, not too expensive if you only replace every few years.

Yorkie1

malc_b wrote: »

In case you don't know, it is possible to get long life low energy (i.e. florescent) bulbs with built in sensor like this

http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-lite/elt-11w-bc-sens/lamp-e-saving-sensor-11w-bc/dp/LP03048

That can be a simple solution, not too expensive if you only replace every few years.

That's really interesting, didn't know about these.

Do you think the sensor would work if the bulb is inside a clear plastic cover?

(Edit: a cover like this one).

chrisw

TanDiy wrote: »

Thanks for coming back. I think I am going to do exactly the same. Have you used any particular type of cable for this and have you enclosed this in trunking or does the cable just run external. Thanks again.

I'm not an electrician but after looking round the internet, I used rubber pond cable which would appear to be appropriate for exposed outdoor use, similar to:-

http://www.screwfix.com/p/rubber-pond-flexible-cable-3183p-3-core-0-75mm-x-25m-black/61627

Also, the photocell needs a live to it, a switched live from it and a neutral. So with the pond cable I used the blue for the neutral connected to both the house switch and lamps, brown for live from the house to the cell, and green for switched live from the cell to the live on the lamps. Since the green is usually earth, I've wrapped tape round it with 'Live' written on it so I or someone else will know in the future. I've then taken the earth from the house switch and connected that directly to the lamps.

As I've said, I'm not an electrician, so this is merely what I have done and not necessarily the 'correct' way.

fordfocus-chav-car

Standard 1.5 twin & earth would be fine to use outside.
Do not understand the last post... The photocell is just a switch with the live neutral feed in, then the load out to your lights.

TanDiy

Many thanks to everybody for the information. It really has been most helpful and now I have a project for the weekend !!!