Front door light

Bendy_House

WoB, if the current light has a sensor, then - yes - you can fit a separate sensor to operate the light of your choice.

Will your sparky be able to run the extra cable in a discrete way, tho'? Could be an eyesore if not.

If you could post an example of the style of light you are looking for, then perhaps we can find a PIR'd equivalent. Many have very discrete sensors, and needn't be an eyesore.

wallofbeans

Ajmason42 said:

wall or ceiling light loads of wall on a tropical rainforest site starting with A. 

Plenty of very good looking modern lights you must be very fussy if you cannot find one please post what you are looking for it’s got me intrigued 

I've looked on Amazon too. All the ones I found were very plasticy and looked like they wouldn't last. Or were too big or stuck out from the wall too far. I'd like something relatively flat, longer and thinner rather than wide, simple design and frosted glass so the bulb can't be seen. I'll dig out some I've seen that looked good to give you an idea.

pramsay13

A separate sensor needs to be connected to the light by cabling so it is inline. 
In answer to your question yes it can be done if there is really are no lights with sensors that will be suitable but beware it will cost a lot more. 
Your electrician should be able to guide you.

wallofbeans

This kind of thing...

For shape / size:

https://www.lights.co.uk/led-outdoor-wall-light-weerd.html

https://www.lights.co.uk/decorative-energy-saving-outdoor-wall-light-tame.html

https://www.lights.co.uk/053-outdoor-wall-light-stainless-steel-graphite.html

https://www.lights.co.uk/aqua-rain-mini-led-outdoor-wall-light-anthracite.html

Hidden motion sensor - but expensive:

https://www.lights.co.uk/3007ledsen-led-outdoor-wall-light-motion-detector.html

https://www.lights.co.uk/mikka-outdoor-wall-lamp-with-a-motion-sensor.html

https://www.lights.co.uk/aqua-legendo-mini-sensor-wall-lamp-anthracite.html

wallofbeans

I'd hoped that being able to buy a cheaper no sensor light and then attach a seperate sensor would work out, but from what is being said here, it's more complicated and therefore probably as expensive, if not more so!

wallofbeans

Bendy_House said:

WoB, if the current light has a sensor, then - yes - you can fit a separate sensor to operate the light of your choice.

Will your sparky be able to run the extra cable in a discrete way, tho'? Could be an eyesore if not.

If you could post an example of the style of light you are looking for, then perhaps we can find a PIR'd equivalent. Many have very discrete sensors, and needn't be an eyesore.

They should be able to hide it inside the porch area I'd think, or even dig a trench and put it into the wall. But yes, this is all sounding more expensive than just paying for a light with a hidden sensor.

The current light has a very obvious built in sensor. The electrician said they tend to not work as well over time (I assume this has been there at least 10 years) and that is perhaps another reason to keep these elements seperate - as if the sensor goes, I don't need to replace the light and vice versa.

Ectophile

It isn't that complicated having a separate sensor, but you'd need to consider where the wires go.  Most likely, it will end up being either mains feed to the sensor, then wire down to the lamp.  Or mains feed to the lamp, then switching wire up to the sensor.

But you need to decide where that new wire goes.  Do you mind an extra wire running up the wall?

wallofbeans

Ectophile said:

It isn't that complicated having a separate sensor, but you'd need to consider where the wires go.  Most likely, it will end up being either mains feed to the sensor, then wire down to the lamp.  Or mains feed to the lamp, then switching wire up to the sensor.

But you need to decide where that new wire goes.  Do you mind an extra wire running up the wall?

So a lead going inside the house to the mains AND a wire connecting the sensor to the light? I don't mind the wire to the light, but additional wiring and work inside the house is a pain. 

Upzeecreek

Have you looked at Philips Hue? They do an outdoor sensor that is battery powered and outdoor lights. They are quite pricey but really simple way to achieve what you want. 

Bendy_House

wallofbeans said:

So a lead going inside the house to the mains AND a wire connecting the sensor to the light? I don't mind the wire to the light, but additional wiring and work inside the house is a pain. 

There shouldn't be any need to take a new cable back inside the house, as the current light's cable is clearly equipped to run a sensor (some need a separate neutral). So, it should just be a case of extending the existing cable to go to the new sensor.

As you say, tho', by the time you've added the sensor itself, and the extra cable runs, I really think you'd be better off - aesthetically, if possibly not quite monetarily - going for an all-in fitting. They should be a quick straight swap.