Advice Please : Replacing 2 x Drive Lanterns with PIR items

[AW8]

Time to improve the security on the driveway.

Currently using 2 standard lanterns either side of front door, both controlled by one internal light switch. Both are working fine.

I am considering replacing with 2 PIR lanterns.

In past I have swapped various light fitting internal & external lamps without issue, (pretty much replicating existing wiring).

Mindful each lamp will have own sensor so wondering if they will work okay together, ( activation, walk test etc).

My question : Will the new PIR lanterns x2 work okay & assuming they are both operated by the sole internal light switch as currently used , ( if not then how easy is it to resolve) ?

Have already looked at diy/electrical sites/forums but content found thus far relates to fresh instalation &/or other set up's.

If not easy to sort I will simply get an electrician in to resolve same &/or get him/her to fit a separate flood lamp higher up.

I understand differences between live and earth but in honesty I dont have a great comprehension of circuits, ring mains etc. My house 1930's and not recently re-wired....Aim is to improve sesurity without paying for a re-wire &/or burning the house down

Aware of pro's & con's of various lights, (siting, reliability, light polution, energy, efficency, vandal risk etc).

Ideally want to sort this asap.

Any sensible advice/comments appreciated..............Thanks in advance

[X5Sport]

I have three lanterns connected and controlled via a separate PIR and light switch combination. All come on and off together.

I can also use the light switch to bring them on permanently or flick the PIR setting twice - which does the same thing. If I remember rightly you need 4-core lighting cable to 'enable' this so that power can be fed either directly to each lamp, or via the PIR depending upon which way the switch is set.

With the light switch in the conventional 'Off' position the power goes via the PIR and in the 'On' position the power bypasses the PIR. You also need the right type of light switch, which may be called a double-pole/double throw or a 'mid point' switch.

It needs to have one power in and two power out rather that a simple make/break type connection.

[SimplyRed]

[quote=""AW8""]My question : Will the new PIR lanterns x2 work okay & assuming they are both operated by the sole internal light switch as currently used , ( if not then how easy is it to resolve) ?[/quote]


You can use existing switch in 2 ways, either as X%Sport says where the switch in one setting is PIR and in the other setting permanent on. Only down side of this is that you can never actually turn the light fully off!! So lets say you have a bush or something that sways in the wind thus setting the PIR off, then its tuff titties really.

The alternative using the existing wiring and switch is to buy the correct lanterns that have the following function...... Off at the switch is absolute off!! On at the switch is PIR and switch on and off twice quickly makes it permanent on. That way you have the best of all three worlds.

I also suggest paying a little more and going for energy saving LED lamps, they give 100% of their light as soon as they are switched on, whereas the regular CFL type energy saving lamps are useless especially in cold weather, they need over 4 minutes to reach even 90% of their brightness, by which point you will have been long burgled.

[X5Sport]

+1 for LED bulbs. Something else to do when you first get the lanterns is have a good look at any screws that will be exposed to the elements. Give them a coat of light oil, silicone lube, copper grease etc. It stops brass screws 'growing' into the magnesium or zinc castings and then breaking when you try to undo the screws to take a cover off to change a blown bulb

It's happened to me a couple of times!! It's fine if you can still get the same designs, but a right pain if you can't!!

[AW8]

Thanks guys.........all comments appreciated.

Most of the wiring configuration info went straight over my head but in summary I think what is being said is that..........

YES I can swap out existing 2x NON PIR Lanterns & replace with 2x PIR Lanterns.............IF that is I make sure I get units that have 3 options
(i) OFF.
(ii) PIR ON.
(iii) Pemanaent ON (PIR by pass).

Please confirm this is the case.

I have trees & hedges within likely max range but aim to set range of PIR's inside same but sufficent to activate near cars, front of property.

LED bulbs make sense & good tip re the screws etc.

Thanks again.

[X5Sport]

Confirmed...

In a lot of cases you can set the sensitivity of the PIR anyway. And with hedges usually not being 'hot' it should not trigger the sensor as it is looking for a moving heat source.

[AW8]

Thanks again- appreciated

[AW8]

Been working & busy since the original post made.

Need to sort this sooner rather than later as neighbours making odd hints of light polution concerns overnight from existing units.

I have spent fair ammount of time looking for various LED PIR lanterns but suprisingly very few seem to be available so now looking at nornmal units and buying LED bulbs seperately.

Ideally seeking alluminium units with contemporary design albeit nothing too tacky or glitzy.

Range from door /lamp sighting to fenced boundary is 8m......then public footpath.


PIR range 5m is minimum adequate although 8-9m would be ideal.

[AW8]

Ok I might be getting somewhere but need to check specs on the PIR range.................

Looking at 2 of these

Takes E27 bulbs max 25w so if right in my thinking I could buy 2 x E27 LED bulbs............

Question - If max conveNtional bulb rating is 25w then what would be a good LED bulb to buy in terms of brightness lumens ?

Coverage area will be 8m max and dont want to upset neighbours on opposite side of the road.

Still need to research the PIR range on these & other specs,

[X5Sport]

It looks like a 5W E27 LED will be the equivalent of a 25W incandescent.

Something like these from Philips look like a good fit. Not suggesting this is where you buy them from, just an example to look at.

[AW8]

Thanks for response & link.

I accept the bulb linked should kick out the equivalent brightness but I wondered how bright I could go LED/Lumen wise if the lamps where rated at 25w max.

Dont want too bright but makes sense if I can go a bit bighter than equivalent of a 25 stanadrd bulb.

[X5Sport]

I think 11W is approx equivalent to a 60W bulb. What you need to watch is the heat output from the LED power converter as that might cause issues, though not in all cases.

Some manufacturers are already putting the lumen level on the packs as there have been all sorts of issues about the Fluorescent lamps being way off the mark for stated brightness, and taking 5 mins to warm-up.

We bought some odd brand from B&Q that were supposed to be 60W equivalent and they're nearer 40W as well as taking an age to come to full brightness. We walked about in a dim light until they finally warmed. Awful things and relegated to porch lights now.

I will possibly switch to LED on some but the last time I looked they were silly money - like £23 for a standard bayonet cap 60W equivalent you use around the house! Still using the fluo ones (for now) and have changed all over to that type.

[AW8]

Okay thanks

Change of heart & going to speak business telephone number of seller on ebay selling item number: 280779128545

Will call him tomorrow and enquire re same & bulbs etc.

Thanks again

[Rusty]

Heat shouldn't be too much of n issue as the lamps will hopefully only be on intermittently.

5w should be enough, but entirely up to you.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[AW8]

Thanks again Gents