Decent Outdoor Bulkheads with PIR

[Bob23]

Hi folks, lighting question.. if anyone had experience of some outdoor lights to recommend, be appreciated!

Task - light up path with PIR lights (1 or 2 lights)

Location - Dark. Approx 7m long path - with a two story house wall along the entire length of the path. This wall is where the lights can be fixed, wired internally, not clipped. Pedestrians will walk immediately under the lights typically. Path has a 6ft gate one end, with two steps almost immediately after you’ve opened the gate to walk along the path.

I can..

1. Single PIR light, central mount

2. Single non PIR light, central mount, PIR x2 at each end of the wall

3. 2x PIR light, each end of wall, with linkable sensors so they both switch on

4. 2x single non PIR, 2x linkable sensors mounted each end of wall.

I’m trying to achieve the best possible pickup, so you’re not halfway along the path before they switch on..

decorative lighting not required - eyelid bulkheads or LED floods I think.

Anyone any ideas? Obvs the single light with built in PIR is easiest, but early switch either end of the path is paramount!

Experience would be great here, thanks if you can!

 

[Murdoch]

Bulkhead with microwave sensor?

 

[binky]

Bulkhead with microwave sensor?

Microwaves are too sensitive for outdoors in my experience. I would stick with PIRs

Option 4 would be my choice to achieve 'early pickup' .

 

[Bob23]

Think I’ll go for the 2x PIR and a single light higher up. Anyone experience of these? Can they be linked together at the fitting?

https://www.toolstation.com/zink-18...&utm_term=17006686383510021053916001188008005

 

[binky]

Think I’ll go for the 2x PIR and a single light higher up. Anyone experience of these? Can they be linked together at the fitting?

https://www.toolstation.com/zink-18...&utm_term=17006686383510021053916001188008005

Not very good, I've used a couple of those, and wasn't impressed.

 

[runningpiglet]

Hi folks, lighting question.. if anyone had experience of some outdoor lights to recommend, be appreciated!

Task - light up path with PIR lights (1 or 2 lights)

Location - Dark. Approx 7m long path - with a two story house wall along the entire length of the path. This wall is where the lights can be fixed, wired internally, not clipped. Pedestrians will walk immediately under the lights typically. Path has a 6ft gate one end, with two steps almost immediately after you’ve opened the gate to walk along the path.

I can..

1. Single PIR light, central mount

2. Single non PIR light, central mount, PIR x2 at each end of the wall

3. 2x PIR light, each end of wall, with linkable sensors so they both switch on

4. 2x single non PIR, 2x linkable sensors mounted each end of wall.

I’m trying to achieve the best possible pickup, so you’re not halfway along the path before they switch on..

decorative lighting not required - eyelid bulkheads or LED floods I think.

Anyone any ideas? Obvs the single light with built in PIR is easiest, but early switch either end of the path is paramount!

Experience would be great here, thanks if you can!

I'd go for option 4, two PIR sensors for earliest detection, two lights for redundancy (even LEDs have been known to die!).

 

[Richard-the-Ninth]

2x PIR and a single light higher up.

I wouldn't.

A single light will fail when you don't want it to, but more to the point, the higher up it is the more the light will spread to places it will be annoying (Seems to be the norm around here) I would suggest you have two PIRs and two lights, wire the lights/pirs in parallel.

If it helps, I have recently taken down a lot of pir's that I had, due to age they were failing (literally breaking apart) and I have yet to find one that is reliable.

In the mean time, I have considered getting one of these.


(From "The lighthouse man.com)

But it will need a housing and transformer

 

[Murdoch]

I’ve got 2 x led pirs down our side path and they work independently and have done for 10 years

 

[kerching]

I’ve got 4 half lanterns down the side of the house. The one near the gate and back door has a built in PIR. I altered its internal wiring so it also brings on the other 3. Working fine for the last 10 years. ASD half lanterns (I think)

 

[Richard-the-Ninth]

and have done for 10 years

Working fine for the last 10 years.

The PIRs I had lasted almost 10 years, that's the problem. The ones that were made 10+ years ago are not made now. Some look similar, but as they say............"They don't make 'em like they used to."

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Definitely 2x independent PIR's working 2x lights!

And NEVER a modern fitting with built in PIR!!

 

[Murdoch]

And NEVER a modern fitting with built in PIR!!

Except units with 3 year warranties

 

[binky]

Definitely 2x independent PIR's working 2x lights!

And NEVER a modern fitting with built in PIR!!

The only reliable lights with PIRs I've found are the old style rectangular bulkheads, everything else seems to leak water into the pir, especially floods.