I want to retrofit motion sensing onto my floodlights.
I want to be able to easily override the motion sensing lights-on function to turn on the lights whenever I want.
I have three double-bulb floodlight fixtures on the house. Controlling those floodlights are three separate wall switches (presumably a couple of 3-ways and a 4-way).
Is there an easy way to retrofit one or more motion sensors to control all the lights in unison? I willingly would give up two of the three wall switches to accomplish my goal (leaving just one wall switch to control the manual lights-on function).
If there is an easy way, can you sketch a diagram and suggest the parts list? Many thanks.
Best Answer
Yes. Wire the circuit with /3 cable and assign values as follows:
Connect each lamp between switched-hot and neutral.
The switch goes between black and red. Keep in mind a 3 and 4 way switch complex basically equates to a single switch, provided it is a spur.
Everywhere you site a motion sensor, it connects to all always-hot, neutral and switched-hot.
Do not allow power to be severed from the motion sensors. They need power 24x7 to retain their memory of day-night light changes.
If you're trying to do this with combo sensor-lamps, they're not made to do that. You'll need to "hack" them to do that, and that's electronics.se's bailiwick. Also it violates Code, which makes it off-topic here, and we see nothink. Keep in mind many combo sensor-lamps create 12V internally to power sensor and lamp(s), as 12V sensors are much cheaper than 120V sensors.