How to connect a downlight to motion detector?

[HotPotato]

Hello,

I have three walk-in storage areas in my home which each have 1 x LED downlight in the ceiling operated by a manual wall switch at the door. The existing downlights have a cord and plug connecting to a socket in the roof space. My son climbed into the roof space to check this. I would like to add motion sensors to smart downlights so I can just walk into the storage areas when I have an armful of items to put away and have the lights come on automatically.

I see that Arlec has a smart motion sensor (I/N: 0434999) and a smart LED downlight with lead and plug (I/N: 0549119) which can easily replace the existing lights. I'm an old lady and a bit confused by the information provided about these items and how they work together. A "smart hub" gets a mention and I think I saw it might need to be hardwired in. Is this correct? I had been hoping to avoid the cost of an electrician (I'm a pensioner) if all the items could be plug-and-play.

I would greatly appreciate any advice on whether or not Arlec smart items can provide the outcome I'm aiming for or, if not, any other PnP options are possible, or if an electrician is the only option.

Many thanks.

Lee

[JoeAzza · Accepted solution]

Hi @HotPotato , I found this downlight from Bunnings, it’s a motion section type, plug in type, 92mm diameter.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/deta-92mm-multi-power-tri-colour-non-dimmable-pir-sensor-led-downlight_p...
Hope this is what you are looking for.

[HotPotato]

Thank you! I hadn't seen this before. I was too focused on the Arlec stuff as I have other items from them. It looks like it will be perfect for this job!

Much appreciated! 😀

Lee.

[AlanM52]

Hi @HotPotato,

The downlight that @JoeAzza selected has a integrated motion sensor.

When you walk into any area fitted with one of those the light will turn on and after a while if there is no movement it will automatically turn off

Like the existing lights the replacements are plug-and-play so your son will be able to do the changeovers.

RE:  I had been hoping to avoid the cost of an electrician (I'm a pensioner).

That is stressful, if needed you could have just left everything the way it was and got three stick-on battery operated motion sensor lights.

Cheers

[HotPotato]

Thank you for this extra information. 😀

I plan to do one cupboard at a time which I can manage on my pension. I can be quite clumsy with where I put my feet (more trips and falls than I want to admit) so am a bit leery about having battery operated sensors if they need to be installed at a height which would require the use of a stepladder to change the batteries but thank you for letting me know this is an option. I'll have a look to see if that solution can be mounted on a wall at a height I can reach without using a ladder. I already have rechargeable batteries I use in some other devices so it might be the most cost-effective solution for me. I haven't started buying anything yet for this little project.

Lee

[JacobZ]

Hi Lee (@HotPotato),

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It is wonderful to have you with us. 

It is great to see that our members @JoeAzza and @AlanM52 have already jumped in with some advice. It sounds like the DETA 92mm Multi-Power Tri-Colour Non-Dimmable PIR Sensor LED Downlight is perfect for your situation.

If there is anything else we can do to assist, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[AlanM52]

Hi @HotPotato,

I want to clarify a few things and please be aware regarding the age thing we are both in the same boat.

I am a retired DIY & Tech guy and the people in my circle(s) are also aging so I am even more focused on mobility and disability.

The battery sensor lights I am referring are not installed on the ceiling like smoke detectors, here are some examples-

    

    

    

  

They assist not only humans but also aging animals and there are many other scenarios and I will only mention one.

A person coping with early stages of dementia will often still be able to find their way around but quite likely will not remember light switch locations.

With regard to the battery sensor lights:

Here is one suitable for your needs and if possible purchase all three together so you only do one visit to Bunnings.

Come back for details about how to install them including suggestions about how to avoid sticking them on the wall (I never do that).

I consider they are important when all the lights go out due to a power outage.

After doing all that you can budget to buy the LED downlights.

Cheers

[HotPotato]

Thank you so much AlanM52! That is really very helpful. I have not got around to researching these so didn't really know what to expect but these all look quite interesting.  I already keep a dual solar/USB LED camping light next to my bed as the area I live in often has unplanned power outages.

I hadn't been thinking quite that far into the future and, although I mentioned my falls, these are not new - I've done that my entire life. I may have a bit of ADHD as some of my grandkids have been diagnosed with it in conjunction with Autism but I just consider myself clumsy. I don't think I have dementia (yet!) or my family would definitely be talking about it to me - they know that I want to know if they see anything not "normal" from me. I plan to downsize in a few years, too, so having these portable items makes more sense as I can just take them with me.

I'm also quite interested in these as something my frail, very elderly aunt might find helpful. She is 90, lives alone, no family living nearby, and has a vision impairment. I visit every few months (she is a full day of driving away) so I might grab one from Bunnings to take with me and demonstrate how it works. She does have a plug-in nightlight in her bathroom but that doesn't help if there is a power outage.

I'll stop rambling now. Thank you again. 👍

Lee.