I have all LED outside lights--two on the porch side and one on the right side labelled "security." I have been leaving them on but would like to add a photo sensitive switch (if cheap) to shut them off in the daytime. It's not that I'm so lazy that I can't turn them off, but rather I'm not at the trailer all the time. It's at my house, but I like the outside lights on whenever we go out to it at night. I've seen on Ebay some $5 photocell switches that are 12v. I know somebody makes a whole light housing that is photocell controlled, but I'd rather just add on if practical. Anybody done this?

not hard, wire it in series prolly with the photocell circuit, try to find one though where you can override it to turn on in the day, u need the feature more then you think

Why not look for some of those timers that are light sensitive they make for Christmas lights hanging on the house. We have 3 or 4 of them (although they are 120 v). At dusk they turn on, and you set them to stay on 2, 4, 6, 8 hours. They also have a complete off and a complete on switch. Maybe they make something like that for 12 v.

My outside lights are wired in for 120VAC and I use one of these REMOTE CONTROLLED light controllers.. I either have the remote in my pocket or laying near the bed. It has a pretty good range...Being 120VAC models does not bother my ops off the power grid. I can power them up using my low wattage Inverter.Available at AIMS/TRUE VALUE Hardware or AMAZON... Model RC-012-1Roy Ken

I'd rather stay with 12v. The wiring is already there for 12v.

I believe this should do what you want: Photosensitized Diode Relay

Adding photo cell switch to shut off outside lights

11 Replies

RedG
Explorer
Jan 28, 2014
What about something like

THIS
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jan 28, 2014
Nice looking unit. Anyone have a photo-optic sensor source that would be compatible with this critter?
vermilye
Explorer
Jan 28, 2014
While the 12V circuit board would have to be placed in the trailer, the photoelectric sensor is the only part that needs to be outdoors. I built a similar device that turns on my outdoor lights when I flash my headlights that uses the same photodiode - it is mounted in a 2" piece of 3/4" plastic conduit, and has been working for 20 years of rain & snow...
howardwheeler
Explorer
Jan 26, 2014
My fifth wheel is at my house out in the country. The lights don't bother anyone but they make it possible to go into the trailer at night without a flashlight. There's no other lights around. I know the LEDs will last a long time but it just doesn't seem right for them to go during the day. They are all twelve volt. I've seem that unit on eBay but it does not look waterproof. I think I need to have it exposed to the elements.
rwjejits
Explorer
Jan 26, 2014
RoyB wrote:
My outside lights are wired in for 120VAC and I use one of these REMOTE CONTROLLED light controllers.. I either have the remote in my pocket or laying near the bed. It has a pretty good range...

Being 120VAC models does not bother my ops off the power grid. I can power them up using my low wattage Inverter.

Available at AIMS/TRUE VALUE Hardware or AMAZON... Model RC-012-1

Roy Ken

Thanks for sharing this. I've got one on order.
memgrove
Explorer
Jan 26, 2014
Please turn them off when you go to bed... not all of us are afraid of the dark.
vermilye
Explorer
Jan 25, 2014
I believe this should do what you want: Photosensitized Diode Relay
howardwheeler
Explorer
Jan 25, 2014
I'd rather stay with 12v. The wiring is already there for 12v.
RoyB
Explorer II
Jan 25, 2014
My outside lights are wired in for 120VAC and I use one of these REMOTE CONTROLLED light controllers.. I either have the remote in my pocket or laying near the bed. It has a pretty good range...

Being 120VAC models does not bother my ops off the power grid. I can power them up using my low wattage Inverter.

Available at AIMS/TRUE VALUE Hardware or AMAZON... Model RC-012-1

Roy Ken
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jan 25, 2014
Why not look for some of those timers that are light sensitive they make for Christmas lights hanging on the house. We have 3 or 4 of them (although they are 120 v). At dusk they turn on, and you set them to stay on 2, 4, 6, 8 hours. They also have a complete off and a complete on switch. Maybe they make something like that for 12 v.