More floodlights

[gcimmino]

While the topic is fresh, our outbuilding has a metal conduit that runs around 3 sides just under the eve of the roof. On each of those 3 sides is a standard motion detector/dual flood light unit.

As far as I can tell, the whole thing is a single circuit that is energized by/hooked into one of the porch lights. So, as long as the porch light is one the 3 units operate independently.

I guess what I'd like is to be able to sense motion in any one area and turn all the lights on. I'd also like to be able to turn the lights on from the M1, for example a "going out" task that turns the lights on for 10 mins while leaving the building. And, of course, the "ANY ALARM, TURN ON LIGHTS" rule.

So, perhaps to answer my own question, does this mean I want to pull 2 sets of 110v cabling through the conduit (space permitting) and then wire all the lights in parallel to a controlled switch and then some how parallel all the motions to an outlet/wall wart combo as recently described?

Any other ideas? What if I don't have room in the conduit for 2 runs of 110v wiring?

Thanks all.

 

[Ranger Digital]

I am confused on why you would need two runs of 110? all can be controlled thru the switch and thus thru some type of automation.

as far as getting all lights to turn on if one motioned is sensed, got me there.

sound like you need to not have the floods tied into the porch. Seperate that connection for complete independence. If i understand correctly, you cant turn on floods unless the porch is on.

 

[gcimmino]

Ranger, thanks for the note. Yes, I wasn't clear.

The reason I was thinking of two 110 runs was to have two circuits.

One that would connect all the lights together onto one circuit, so at the "end" of the circuit, I could have a single controlled switch to turn all the lights on/off.

The other circuit would have all the motion sensors tied into it in parallel, as a logical OR circuit. So if any one motion sensor triggered, an energized outlet/wall wart "sensor" would know that one or more of the motion sensors had triggered.

In the end, I'd have one circuit with the sensors and another with the lights. I was trying to optimize for the fewest circuits to fit within the existing conduit.

Yes, I would prefer to relocate the "end" of the circuit away from the existing porch light so that the floods were independent.

Hope this makes it clearer.. If not, I'll have to resort to trying to draw a picture!