Off Grid lighting with kids

inthejungle · August 2013

I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on a small problem we have.

The Problem

We have lights made by thin-lite, they run 8vdc-30vdc At night in our bathroom we run a light so that when one of the kids get up they can see. .5 amps for 10 hours is enough to trying to conserve it. Our kids can't turn on the light because it is to high so it sits on all night.

My idea is this, what if we could put a motion sensor on the wall, when one of them walked in the light would come on. I found a few moition sensors from Mouser for 10 or so dollars the problem is that the light would only blink on and off each time it sensed motion. I thought about adding a time delay, but don't know how that would work.

Does anyone have ideas on how we might accomplish this for small money as we say here in Liberia. I am open to any suggestions

Thanks in advance

(Our system is a 12volt system)

INJ

mike95490 · August 2013

Re: Off Grid lighting with kids

I'd look into a LED strip light, something like the ones they sell here, but you have to find them locally. Maybe look for LED lights at trailer / camper / RV sales sites

https://www.wiredco.com/LED_Lighting_Low_Voltage_s/1874.htm

Good luck

BB. · August 2013

Re: Off Grid lighting with kids

The second cheapest--Just get a 0.1 to 1.0 Watt LED that will run from 12 volts... I will use 100th to 1/10th the power and be pretty cheap. If you are just looking for a "night light" type function. You could leave it on all night or even 24 hours per day (note, many "cheap" LEDs do not last very long. Do not get lights that use the older Txx style white LEDs--The frequently do not even last 500 hours of use because the plastic LED package and thin leads do a poor job of removing heat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LED,_5mm,_green_%28en%29.svg

"Flat" LEDs mount to heat sinks are going to last much longer:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2007-07-24_High-power_light_emiting_diodes_%28Luxeon,_Lumiled%29.jpg

The cheapest--Just get a switch and some wire to mount a switch down closer to "kid level"...

Motion detectors do work--But frequently they do not last more than a couple years before they need replacement (just built too cheap--and not really that moisture resistant).

-Bill

mtdoc · August 2013

Re: Off Grid lighting with kids

How about one of THESE 12 volt motion detectors for lighting control. I bought one of these to install in a shed. I haven't installed it yet but I've tested it and it seems to work well and be decent quality for the price.

tons001 · August 2013

Re: Off Grid lighting with kids

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-Lighting-Motion-Detector-1-10-minute-off-time-delay-12-Volt-LED-Lighting-/121123448124?pt=US_Stage_Lighting_Controllers_Dimmers&hash=item1c3385253c

Shockah · December 2013

Re: Off Grid lighting with kids

tons001 wrote: »

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-Lighting-Motion-Detector-1-10-minute-off-time-delay-12-Volt-LED-Lighting-/121123448124?pt=US_Stage_Lighting_Controllers_Dimmers&hash=item1c3385253c

I have used many of those from that ebay seller, j2ledlighting.

Tough little unit. Indoor only.

They do work well, however it is day & night PIR switch.

Also, the customer service from John & Jeremy is outstanding!

niel · December 2013

Re: Off Grid lighting with kids

why not just lower the switch so the kids can reach it to turn it on? if worried about them seeing to get to the lightswitch then employ a small led type nightlight. many of these leds use between 10ma and 20ma at about 3v or 4v if i remember correctly.

Off Grid lighting with kids

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