lighting control

[eagleeye]

I am just installing 2 20watt cabinet lights above a mirror on a fly over shelf in my bathroom. I dont want them to turn on with the other lights but instead by a sensor. something so when you put your hand just infront of it the light comes on. Does anyone have any idea how i can do this ? The light are 20 watt 12 volt, so will run on a transformer. have looked on the RS website but as electronics is not my thing i need some help.

Thanks Guys

 

[sparks1234]

Yes get a danlers recessed occupancy sensor about 30 quid

 

[eagleeye]

yeah thats the sort of thing i was thinking but dont want it to come on when someone walks past it. You know like taps that switch on when you put your hands in front of them. Thats what i was thinking of. Minus the taps !

Hang on can an Occupancy Senssor only be activated by setting it to pick up a certain distance away ? like 300mm or so ?

 

[sparks1234]

no, generaly they arent that accurate

 

[xraytek]

For short range distance you probably need a 'Diffuse Scan' type sensor, as it does not require a reflective surface to bounce back from. Instead the light will bounce back from an object put in front of it (usually close distance <200mm)

They can be expensive but I did find RS229-030 that might do the job for 30 quid.

 

[eagleeye]

Thanks for the info mate. had a look at the item on the RS website but am a bit unsure of how to wire it up. I think maybe i could use a 12 volt 50 watt transformer but the thing is dc. so how can i use this to control the 2 12 volt 20 watt lights ?

May of just found the perfect thing. Aurora AU-IR S601. im gonna drill a small hole though the flyover shelf and poke the small dectector though. hopefully it will work. will let you know.

 

[xraytek]

I think maybe i could use a 12 volt 50 watt transformer but the thing is dc. so how can i use this to control the 2 12 volt 20 watt lights ?

I was thinking along the lines of the sensor triggering a timer delay relay, which then switches the transformer supplying the lamps.

Dont know what this other sensor is that you found. Can you provide a link?

 

[eagleeye]

Aurora - 'Passionate about Lighting'