Yard light with wireless remote?

[Dave Morgan]

Thinking about getting rid of the "always on" yard light and replacing it with a couple of motion sensing floods. Besides saving some energy/cents I am hoping that keeping it dark will help the barn owls keep down my rodent population. Here ar my questions for you--any ideas would be much appreciated; 1) are there any motion sensing outdoor lights that can be turned on with a wireless remote? The only switch for the lights is out at the pole--it would be great to be able turn them on from the porch before walking out and having the motion sensors kick in. 2) whats the best type of bulb, halogen, compact flourescent, incandescent, others?

 

[lhfarm]

Welcome to TBN! I think you will find more info on tractors than yard lights here, but I'll give you my solution. I use X-10 based products for remote operation. X-10 is a line of home automation products, including motion detection spots that can also be turned on/off with a wireless remote.

Here is a current X-10 deal on the spots - X10 Lowest Price Ever, Floodlight with Guest Alert Lighting - NOW ONLY $19.99

You will need a wireless transceiver and a remote. You could try the special listed on the above page. There are key chain remotes and handheld remotes too, but don't see them on sell.

I have no affliction with X-10 and can only speak to my experience with the products I've used for 20 years. I don't like their Web site and the constant "sales". But they are an easy and helpful solution to a lot of problems around the farm.

I'm sure others will have different solutions.

 

[JDgreen227]

Thinking about getting rid of the "always on" yard light and replacing it with a couple of motion sensing floods. Besides saving some energy/cents I am hoping that keeping it dark will help the barn owls keep down my rodent population. Here ar my questions for you--any ideas would be much appreciated; 1) are there any motion sensing outdoor lights that can be turned on with a wireless remote? The only switch for the lights is out at the pole--it would be great to be able turn them on from the porch before walking out and having the motion sensors kick in. 2) whats the best type of bulb, halogen, compact flourescent, incandescent, others?

Menards, the big box home center store, sells an item called Superswitch Pro, they are a handheld wireless transmitter the size of a small garage door remote, with a claimed 100 foot range that is paired with a wall outlet plug in receiver, you plug the receiver into a polarized and grounded outlet and then the light (up to 1250 watts) into the receiver. I use them to turn on remote floodlights on our garage and barn, they work great. However, the receiver has to be weather protected, which may be difficult if you use the lights away from a building eave. Mine are plugged into outlets indoors, with a 12/2 wire from light outside to the receivers.

Back in '89 I purchased a Stanley Lightmaker garage door opener, it used the X-10 technology and you could control light fixtures with the remote for the opener, however, unless the GDO is operational the remotes are useless. I do not have a link to provide you but try doing a search for Superswitch Pro. My box for the items says it is a registered trademark of Blackstone International LTD. I paid about $20 for a set of 3 receievers and 3 remotes. For the best and brightest light, halogen wins hands down, but is the most costly to operate. You could rig up some type of enclosed weatherproof outlet box outside, then plug the receivers into the outlet and just leave the switch on to control the outlet. They are just over an inch thick, two and a quarter inch wide, and just under four inches high

 

[Samandothers]

I was able to intercept the wire that went out to my post lamp. I ran a wire and installed a switch to control the post light. This may not be an option for you depending on where the light wiring originates.

As for lamps, I assume you would want something that is instant light when you switch it on. If so avoid some of the slow to light lamps like Mercury vapor or High Presure sodium and some compact flourescents.

 

[Dave Morgan]

Thanks for the ideas. The x-10 gear looks interesting, but I think it may be difficult since my current yard light is on a different meter than the house. I wonder if there is an RF repeater that would relay the signals from the house circuits to the "barn" circuits? I'll call the smarthome folks and see what they say.

The superswitch is another good idea. I'll see if they have an outdoor version or maybe I could put the switch in a weather proof box on the pole.

Thanks to you all--I'll post back to let you know what I come up with.

P.S. Barry--I have been lurking here since we bought our place 2 years ago--it came with a '66 IH 424 and we added a Kubota L2800. And I noticed you're a jeep guy--I had (and wish I still did) a '47 CJ2a back in college. Sure had fun with that thing...

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks for the ideas. The x-10 gear looks interesting, but I think it may be difficult since my current yard light is on a different meter than the house. I wonder if there is an RF repeater that would relay the signals from the house circuits to the "barn" circuits? I'll call the smarthome folks and see what they say.

The superswitch is another good idea. I'll see if they have an outdoor version or maybe I could put the switch in a weather proof box on the pole.

Thanks to you all--I'll post back to let you know what I come up with.

P.S. Barry--I have been lurking here since we bought our place 2 years ago--it came with a '66 IH 424 and we added a Kubota L2800. And I noticed you're a jeep guy--I had (and wish I still did) a '47 CJ2a back in college. Sure had fun with that thing...

I was going to suggest an X10 light socket. That can work with a remote or a plug in controller. However, since you mentioned a different meter, it may not work if there is a transformer between the two services. If there is not a transformer between the two meters, it may still work.

How far of a distance from your porch to the barn yard light are we talking here?