Automatic Porch Light Using Hive Hub

Relentless81 · 23 Sep 2019 at 11:46

Hi,

I would like the porch light to come on when it detects motion, its wired and there is currently an LED round ceiling light fitted.

I have a Hive Hub in the loft, would I be able to utilise the Hub to somehow get the mains powered Porch light to come on when the Porch door is opened?

Would I have to change the light fitting for something that will accept a Hive bulb?

Thanks for any ideas!

NoobCannon · 23 Sep 2019 at 12:51

Relentless81 said:
Hi,

I would like the porch light to come on when it detects motion, its wired and there is currently an LED round ceiling light fitted.

I have a Hive Hub in the loft, would I be able to utilise the Hub to somehow get the mains powered Porch light to come on when the Porch door is opened?

Would I have to change the light fitting for something that will accept a Hive bulb?

Thanks for any ideas!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leyton-Lighting-Infrared-motion-voltage/dp/B00J22U77S

Relentless81 · 23 Sep 2019 at 13:06

NoobCannon said:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leyton-Lighting-Infrared-motion-voltage/dp/B00J22U77S

Interesting idea but my wife will have a new born baby to get through the front door and wont have a hand to wave around, I need something a little more automated. Plus I'm not sure how competent I am to wire it, I can replace an existing light but thats about it.

NoobCannon · 23 Sep 2019 at 13:19

The controller just goes between the supply and the light. Dont even have to replace your existing one.

Theres 10000s of different types of pir sensors out there that will be vastly cheaper than some
Kind of convoluted hive setup.

Everyone is different tho so buy a hive compatible light if you got money to burn

Relentless81 · 23 Sep 2019 at 13:22

NoobCannon said:
The controller just goes between the supply and the light. Dont even have to replace your existing one.

Theres 10000s of different types of pir sensors out there that will be vastly cheaper than some
Kind of convoluted hive setup.

Everyone is different tho so buy a hive compatible light if you got money to burn

Ok it does seem like a nice cheap simple solution, will the wall switch always be on and the PIR takes over controlling the light?

What if its broad daylight it'll work in the dark?

NoobCannon · 23 Sep 2019 at 13:54

Relentless81 said:
Ok it does seem like a nice cheap simple solution, will the wall switch always be on and the PIR takes over controlling the light?

What if its broad daylight it'll work in the dark?

If its switched currently then yes you leave the switch on permanently and it will come on when it detects motion. They are work on infared so dont need light to work.

I dont own that perticular one, i chose they just because it wad first in a list of many

Relentless81 · 23 Sep 2019 at 13:58

NoobCannon said:
If its switched currently then yes you leave the switch on permanently and it will come on when it detects motion. They are work on infared so dont need light to work.

I dont own that perticular one, i chose they just because it wad first in a list of many

Ok thanks, I'll have a look to see if there is one that only becomes active in the dark

Squid Vicious · 23 Sep 2019 at 14:17

You can also got lighting with integrated motion sensor e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078XTKBVL/ref=psdc_248790031_t1_B01K1E772I - has built in motion and light sensor so only activates in the dark.

I have similar in my porch and it works a treat.

Relentless81 · 23 Sep 2019 at 14:35

Squid Vicious said:
You can also got lighting with integrated motion sensor e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078XTKBVL/ref=psdc_248790031_t1_B01K1E772I - has built in motion and light sensor so only activates in the dark.

I have similar in my porch and it works a treat.

This might be less effort, the current one was only cheap anyway. Super bright?

I like the porch to look like an alien abduction

Squid Vicious · 23 Sep 2019 at 14:42

Relentless81 said:
This might be less effort, the current one was only cheap anyway. Super bright?

I like the porch to look like an alien abduction

Bright enough - it was already installed when I moved in, think the linked one was 40 or 50W equivalent which is going to be pretty bright when it's dark.

If you want alien abduction you'll need RGB and separate sensor ... and possibly a smoke machine.

Relentless81 · 23 Sep 2019 at 14:54

Squid Vicious said:
Bright enough - it was already installed when I moved in, think the linked one was 40 or 50W equivalent which is going to be pretty bright when it's dark.

If you want alien abduction you'll need RGB and separate sensor ... and possibly a smoke machine.

Ok good stuff thanks, so I can just get the PIR for existing light or get bulbs with built in PIR for a new light fitting or I could get a fitting that has a PIR built in maybe.

Thanks for both your help I will have a think and decide but pretty sure PIR is the way to go

NoobCannon · 23 Sep 2019 at 15:19

Relentless81 said:
Ok thanks, I'll have a look to see if there is one that only becomes active in the dark

Forgot to mention if you only want it to come on in the dark an option is to just turn the switch off untill needed.

Relentless81 · 23 Sep 2019 at 21:01

NoobCannon said:
Forgot to mention if you only want it to come on in the dark an option is to just turn the switch off untill needed.

Good point but I've though of another option and think I'm going to go with it... Solar powered PIR, mounted on the wall and leave current light as is