Dimmable Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights...

[Oakland Jeff]

When I'm having an outdoor party in the evening, I want to dim the patio lights. When I'm sleeping, I want a motion sensor to light up the patio full throttle if triggered. Is this possible?

 

Currently I have non-motion sensing patio lights on a switchlinc dimmer. I see two options...

 

Option 1: Add a wired motion sensor to my patio lights (I can add them cheaply for the brand of lights I have), plus a In-LineLinc Relay - 2475S2 INSTEON Remote Control In-Line On/Off Switch with Sense. However, I'm not sure how the relay in the light’s junction box will play with the switchlinc in the house that currently controls the load.

 

Option 2: Buy a 2420M Skylink Wireless INSTEON Motion / Occupancy Sensor and put it outside where it hopefully won't get too wet.

 

I really prefer Option 1, because of the durability and wired power of the motion sensor, but I'm not sure this combination can be dimmed from the switchlinc.

 

Advice?

 

Thanks in advance,

Jeff

[LeeG]

Add the 120V motion head and InLineLinc Relay w/sense. Do not use the InLineLinc to control power to the outdoor lights directly. The InLineLinc and Motion head will require unswitched, undimmed power so an additional wire may be required to the outside lighting. When the InLineLinc turns On from motion have it trigger an ISY Program. The ISY Program controls the SwitchLinc On Level based on perhaps time of night or a party indicator such as a Secondary KeypadLinc button being On. The Motion head should be a basic relay type, not a dual bright type which does not work with the InLineLinc w/sense.

[Oakland Jeff]

Thanks LeeG! I didn't think of pulling an extra hot wire. I'm not sure that will be possible in my situation, but it makes sense that it's the only way to make option 1 work now that you've laid it out so clearly.

 

I guess what I really want now is for Smarthome to release a dimmable inlinelinc with sense.

 

Cheers,

Jeff

[paulw]

I do it with a switchlinc or keylinc (for the outside lights), a 2420M and an isy.

 

I have the 2420M mounted outside where it cannot get wet, use a button on a keylinc to indicate when I do not want the outside lights to be controlled buy the 2420M. The 2420M does not directly control the lights.