Looking for ideas on lighting up paintings via motion

[dzirkelb]

I would like to have some lighting on some paintings I have on a staircase, preferably under the picture iteself, facing upwards. The idea is to be able to walk down the hallway and have the lights turn on via motion. I'll have a timed event, so when the motion goes off, each light will turn on like 3 seconds after each one or so.

So, anyone have any ideas on how to do the lighting? Are there an specific lights out there for this specific purpose? I'm not sure how I would power them, and that may be an issue, but I do have an outlet I could potentially tap into.

 

[Dave X10]

I would like to have some lighting on some paintings I have on a staircase, preferably under the picture iteself, facing upwards. The idea is to be able to walk down the hallway and have the lights turn on via motion. I'll have a timed event, so when the motion goes off, each light will turn on like 3 seconds after each one or so.
So, anyone have any ideas on how to do the lighting? Are there an specific lights out there for this specific purpose?

All the picture light fixtures I've seen light the art work from above (I think there is a reason for that).

I think you would need to wire a receptacle (of some HA flavor) behind each picture you want to light. Then use a motion sensor(s) of the same flavor. As well as... a programmable interface (again same or compatible flavor). Sounds like a nice simple... and attractive project.

 

[dzirkelb]

ya, the macro portion will be a breeze and setting up the software...my main problem now is figuring out lighting on the pictures and how to get power to them via HA...I'm guessing lamp modules for each one. However, that's a lot of extension chords / splicing of wires to go to one big central hub of a surge protector...I was hoping for some sort of pipe dream light that was already available for HA that does this exact same thing

 

[Dave X10]

ya, the macro portion will be a breeze and setting up the software...my main problem now is figuring out lighting on the pictures and how to get power to them via HA...

I was thinking of something like this: http://www.smarthome.com/2240W/Leviton-DHC...te-6227W/p.aspx

Then just plug in a mounted fixture like this: http://www.shopwalllighting.com/picture+li...gory/search.htm

Getting the wires in the walls... is pretty simple basic fishing of wire. Maybe you should have a friend that knows how help and teach you.. or just hire a pro.

 

[dzirkelb]

Fishing the wire isn't a problem; however, installing those outlets would be for a couple reasons:

1) I do not want a lot of running outlets on the staircase (I can install them somewhere else I suppose)
2) I havn't a clue on how to install outlets...I'll have my electrician friend do that

I like that outlet though, that could work

 

[Dave X10]

Fishing the wire isn't a problem; however, installing those outlets would be for a couple reasons:
1) I do not want a lot of running outlets on the staircase (I can install them somewhere else I suppose)

They go behind the pictures.

 

[Steve]

Do you want to light them all at once when someone is on the stairs, or one by one as they pass them? Do you have access to an attic or basement above or below that wall? Do you have any HA lighting or controllers in place?

My initial thought would be to put whatever light you choose wired thru the wall to the 'central' location where you could use outlets or just inline modules. Have the curtain sensor turn on the appropriate module. That would give you a cool light as you go effect.

 

[dzirkelb]

Do you want to light them all at once when someone is on the stairs, or one by one as they pass them? Do you have access to an attic or basement above or below that wall? Do you have any HA lighting or controllers in place?

My initial thought would be to put whatever light you choose wired thru the wall to the 'central' location where you could use outlets or just inline modules. Have the curtain sensor turn on the appropriate module. That would give you a cool light as you go effect.

My plan is to have the motion sensor start the first light, and then every second after then a new light will light up...the issue with starting the lights won't be a problem, just the wiring.

I have no access to a attic; however, on one side of the wall I have access to underneath it, but not at the bottom of the steps. I can go through that wall with np to get to an outlet; however, the wire for the lights for the pictures won't be nearly long enough...what is recommended in this situation? Just attach an extension chord to each one that is in the wall or splice the existing wiring and extend it with another power chord?

I'll tackle the idea of the power outlet itself later...not sure if I'll use an outlet, or lamp modules on a surge protector....lamp modules may be easier.

One last thing, are all those lights given by Dave able to be dimmed?

 

[pipeman]

How about 12v Halogens?

Or LED?

Found this:

http://www.edgelighting.com/pdfs/edge_cody.pdf

 

[dzirkelb]

Are LED's dimmable? I bought some rope lights that were LED and I couldn't get them to dim on a dimmer lamp module.

 

[Dave X10]

I'll tackle the idea of the power outlet itself later...not sure if I'll use an outlet, or lamp modules on a surge protector....lamp modules may be easier.
One last thing, are all those lights given by Dave able to be dimmed?

I haven't been as clear as I have meant to be. What I meant was to hardwire a automation plug behind each and every picture. The link to the picture lamps was merely to show that many similar (yet different) styles are available.

As a rule... LEDs don't dim well.. but some do. I use a few LED lights around my home. If I was to do a LED setup similar to what you have described... I might consider running the LEDs dusk to dawn.. they use such little power.

But as much as I like LEDs... I am not sure I would chose LED light... to display my art. Most LEDs tend to have a color tint to them.. that IMHO would make them unsuitable for displaying art. Nor would I use a harsh halogen ether... as it will fade art work.. over time. A low wattage incandescent lamp is what I would choose... but I am no art expert.

 

[dzirkelb]

The pictures I have aren't really anything special, well, they are to me of course They are actually photographs of natural disasters, aka, lightning, tornado's, etc.

I see what you are saying about putting the outlets directly behind the paintings. I'll consider that, but not sure the wifey will go for it...that equals many large holes in teh wall (opposed to small holes for just the wire), and doesnt' allow us to take the pictures down without having an outlet in its place.

I thnk I'll go the route of running the wires into my "electrical room", which is actually directly below the steps, so that should work well.

I now need to know if running extension chords would be the right thing to do for in wall wiring, or to cut off the plug in portion of the lamp, splice in an extension chord for a direct connection, and run it that way. Or, any other ideas to extend the chord fo the lamp for an in wall installation.

 

[Dave X10]

The pictures I have aren't really anything special, well, they are to me of course They are actually photographs of natural disasters, aka, lightning, tornado's, etc.

I have very little actual "art" myself. The painting (print) I value most of all is a water color my son painted when he was seven. However after more than 25 years.. it was falling apart. So I made a high resolution scan of it.. and then repaired it in Adobe and printed a copy.

I now need to know if running extension chords would be the right thing to do for in wall wiring, or to cut off the plug in portion of the lamp, splice in an extension chord for a direct connection, and run it that way. Or, any other ideas to extend the chord for the lamp for an in wall installation.

I have heard of people drilling a hole.. high in the wall.. and then low in a wall to feed a cord and make it less visible. This used to be done more for clocks before the battery operated ones were available.

But to be honest... I couldn't do that.

I would have to feed wire and make neat square holes and mount old work (with little adjustable clamp-like wings) boxes. The entire setup could be removed (including pulling the wires) later if desired. But.... in order for me to sleep well at night... I would need to wire this up to code as a permanent installation.

 

[sic0048]

While I like the idea, I think you are going to have a hard time actually creating a system that lights up as you want.

To make this work consistantly and safetly, I think you have to actually detect two things. First, you have to detect which end of the staircase a person is entering for obvious reasons. If you are trying to have the light follow a person up or down the stairs, it helps to know where to start. You might be able to do this with 3 or four different motion detectors - one or two in the staircase, and one at each approach to the stairs. That way if a person trips the downstairs approach PIR and then the stairway PIR, you know the person is going to be walking up the stairs, etc.

Secondly, I think you have to be able to detect the speed that a person is going up the stairs. Sure, we all have an average speed that we walk up the stairs, but there will definitely be times that we are either in a hurry and are running up the stairs, or going slow for some reason (perhaps carrying something heavy, etc). In these times it will be critical to have the stairs properly lit. Assuming a flat 3 second delay between lights isn't going to work in all situations. This detection could easily be done with some of those floor flex sensors. In fact, using those sensors would probably mean using less PIRs as well.

Just a couple of things to think about before you start running wires. Personally I think this project is going to fall into the category of "great idea, but impractical in real life." Even if you go to the effort to get it wired and working, I think you'll find the concept is better than the practicality and end up stopping the automation aspect after a while because it simply doesn't work as desired.

I'm not trying to come off as being all negative about the project, but I just want to make sure you think about all the potential issues before diving in too far.

 

[dzirkelb]

While I like the idea, I think you are going to have a hard time actually creating a system that lights up as you want.

To make this work consistantly and safetly, I think you have to actually detect two things. First, you have to detect which end of the staircase a person is entering for obvious reasons. If you are trying to have the light follow a person up or down the stairs, it helps to know where to start. You might be able to do this with 3 or four different motion detectors - one or two in the staircase, and one at each approach to the stairs. That way if a person trips the downstairs approach PIR and then the stairway PIR, you know the person is going to be walking up the stairs, etc.

Secondly, I think you have to be able to detect the speed that a person is going up the stairs. Sure, we all have an average speed that we walk up the stairs, but there will definitely be times that we are either in a hurry and are running up the stairs, or going slow for some reason (perhaps carrying something heavy, etc). In these times it will be critical to have the stairs properly lit. Assuming a flat 3 second delay between lights isn't going to work in all situations. This detection could easily be done with some of those floor flex sensors. In fact, using those sensors would probably mean using less PIRs as well.

Just a couple of things to think about before you start running wires. Personally I think this project is going to fall into the category of "great idea, but impractical in real life." Even if you go to the effort to get it wired and working, I think you'll find the concept is better than the practicality and end up stopping the automation aspect after a while because it simply doesn't work as desired.

I'm not trying to come off as being all negative about the project, but I just want to make sure you think about all the potential issues before diving in too far.

There are only about 8 steps or so, and maybe around 15 feet of wall. I was going to put them on a delay, just for a wow factor, opposed to the practical factor of viewing the pictures. The ultimate goal is to provide enough light to physically see the steps without having to turn on the overhead lights themselves...mainly because after I turn them on, I never, ever turn them off (wasted energy).

I could motion the above lights to turn on for a minute or two then turn off, but having lights on our pictures is just cooler

I could have them all pop on at once also, I haven't decided yet. I was goign to give a dealy of 1 second per light, and keep them all on for a minute or two before having them all turn off.