Motion sensor switches.
 

I have recently become the maintenance guy. All of the bathrooms have switches in them that some people don't turn off, so we are looking at putting in motion switches. I always thought a motion switch is a motion switch; however, i find that there are vacancy, occupancy, infrared passive, some active forms. I need a crash course on whats what because prices range from about $20 to $65 a switch.

My application: The public restrooms that are from 8'x8' to 8'x12'. They are a single toilet and sink setup with 3 15w cfl's above the sink.

Any help would be greatly appreicated.

The Occupancy Motion Sensor at Home Depot turns on (and off) without the need to flip a switch.

Heath Zenith Occupancy Motion Sensor Wall Switch - White
Model # SL-6105-WH Internet/Catalog # 100654964 $14.95/EA-Each

The 'Vacancy' models need to be pressed to turn on, and shut down after the room is empty.

I would go for the hands-free version.. People like hands-free sinks with those new IR operated soap and paper towel dispensers.
They just washed their hands (swine-flu begone) and don't want to handle a light switch or dirty door handle..

The less things I have to touch in public restrooms the better I like it..

And if you only have the hand dryers and no paper towels, don't be surprised when people use big wads of TP or a** gaskets to open the door handle.

Did I just overshare?

I've seen a lot of management guys who never wash their hands during visits to the men's room.

And, I just hate it when I grab a door handle that's soaking wet.. :(

Thanks for all the help, I'll run with those and we'll see how long they last.

I installed an old outdoor IR security light up high on a wall inside my garage.
A single 75w flood light comes on after dark when a car (or person on foot) comes into either garage door.
It also powers up two small carriage lamps on the front of the garage, lighting up the driveway.

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pro...be2e7e_400.jpg

It's great for unloading the shopping from the cars, or just going out at night to take the trash barrels out to the street.
If it's getting dark and someone decides to walk into my garage,
having three lights suddenly come on might be helpful.. :p

Anyways, you could mount one of those on a ceiling box and use two 40 watt bulbs,
(instead of flood lamps) which will provide a back-up if one bulb dies.
Having it out of the reach of vandals is good too.

Use in a public restroom? Might work pretty well..

xringer, I just mounted that exact model on my soffit. I'm thinking about ordering these for it. I want all the exterior lights yellow to keep bugs away, and CFL for economic reasons.

I know that most CFLs should not be used with dimmers.
And I wonder what kind of device is used to switch the AC in your lamp fixture.?. (SCR?)
Better check it out, before investing in some CFLs you can't use..

I have a bunch of IR floods outdoors, and I hardly every need to replace a lamp.
That's because those lamps all have low hours. They are hardly ever on..
It's kind of a waste of money to replace lamps that are used so little, they last 20 years... :)

It's the indoor lamps you use all the time, that need to be replaced with CFLs.
They pay for themselfs fast..

Of course, a CFL that is only turned on for a few hours per year, might out last your grand kids.. ;)

Cheers,
Rich

While on the subject, do any of you know where I can get standard outlet sized LED night lights that has a built in motion sensor?

I currently have led lights that replaced the socket and they have a light sensor, but they require direct light to turn off. They remain on even during the day unless the sunlight hits them directly.

I need something that gets installed in place of an electrical socket that has LEDs that are triggered by motion for night light purposes. The plug in types I don't need because the baby removes them and breaks them.

Heres one:

Decorator Full Hallway Light w/Sensor - Smarthome


The site has lots of cool home automation stuff.