Closet motion lights

gmhammes · 02-28-2011, 03:34 PM

Okay, so after some searching i have gained a lot of knowledge however still have not figured out a great solution to my problem.

I am remodeling the closet in my master bedroom. The closet will be 8-9 ft wide but with only the standard 24-30" deep. I am installing three bypassing doors on the closet.

I would like to have 3 lights in the closet. Here's the kicker. I have no room for switches on the outside of the closet and would like to avoid the pull chains so i have been wanting to do an occupancy or motion switch. I assume a ceiling mounted one would be ideal so it could detect motion from any of the 3 doors? Also i want the sensor to turn on all 3 lights.

I am trying to avoid the screw in sensors as i don't want it to be in the way of the top shelf in the closet.

I hope this makes sense and that there's creative person out there who can shed some "light" on this task!

thanks,

-greg

Saturday Cowboy · 02-28-2011, 03:51 PM

i would use contact switches on the doors

gmhammes · 02-28-2011, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saturday Cowboy

i would use contact switches on the doors

How would you do that with the center door?

pyper · 03-01-2011, 02:00 PM

Can you open the center door independently of the other two?

I talked to my electrician about contact switches on closet doors and he told me that in his experience they weren't very reliable.

We ended up with no lights in those particular closets, but the lights outside of them end up lighting them up enough.

One of our other closets has a switch inside it.

If you put motion sensors on them, then you'll need to keep them closed all the time when you want the lights off. Might not be a problem, but something to consider.

Mr Chips · 03-01-2011, 02:14 PM

Why three lights?

if it were me I'd just slap one of THESE in and call it a day

Edit: I just realized how shallow your closet is, i assumed it was a walk in, the fixture i linked is probably too big

gmhammes · 03-01-2011, 02:19 PM

I actually considered that chips.
Yeah after some thought the contact switches would not be easy since they are bypassing doors they may not close all the way each time
Looking this weekend to see if I can squeeze in a switch.

Mr Chips · 03-01-2011, 02:31 PM

How about putting in a curtain beam to activate the lights? Mount it right inside the door on each side. step in any of the doors, beam breaks, lights switch on. best part is if you leave the doors open you don't have to worry about light coming on when somebody walks part

Mr Chips · 03-01-2011, 02:53 PM

if all three lights are on the same circut, you could wire one of these relay's in before the first light in the circut, then get one or two of the wireless Insteon motion sensors, give them the same "address" and you should be good to go. When either sensor senses motion, it sends a signal to the relay and all three lights come on

gmhammes · 03-01-2011, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Chips

if all three lights are on the same circut, you could wire one of these relay's in before the first light in the circut, then get one or two of the wireless Insteon motion sensors, give them the same "address" and you should be good to go. When either sensor senses motion, it sends a signal to the relay and all three lights come on

Love the idea. I am going to have to do some more research even though i am good with electrical I just want to make sure i'm doing it right.

Do i need the "access point" as well?

-greg

gmhammes · 03-02-2011, 10:04 AM

As it turns out, i will have to off center the closet opening due to the fact that my outside water spicket comes in 11" on the wall i was going to shorten to 7" to there will be room for a switch on the one side of the closet. I don't like the idea of reaching to the other side of the wall to turn the light on if i want to open the other side however i don't see a lot of other ways aside from chips idea which i was t on doing until i found out there would be enough room for a switch on the one side.

More thoughts?

busman · 03-02-2011, 10:08 AM

Please be aware that there are significant restrictions on the locations and types of fixtures that are permitted in clothes closets due to the very real possibility of igniting items stored in the closet.

Mark

tpolk · 03-02-2011, 10:40 AM

clap on clap off

gmhammes · 03-02-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by busman

Please be aware that there are significant restrictions on the locations and types of fixtures that are permitted in clothes closets due to the very real possibility of igniting items stored in the closet.

Mark

Thanx, I did all the other closets in the house and used standard box fixtures with CFL bulbs mounted off center which will probably be what i end up going with in the one.

Do you have any suggestions other that the standard box mount fixtures?

It's a smal closet but i will be putting 3 lights in.

gmhammes · 03-02-2011, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpolk

clap on clap off

The ironic part is that i recieved one of those for xmas as a gag gift and i re gifted it for another white elephant party. lol.

Robert Gift · 03-02-2011, 11:09 AM

Building codes are strict about lights in closets which could get hot and smolder or ignite something: hat packing tissue, frilly fabrics, etc.

I wanted to use a CFL bulb but inspector said someone could latereplace it with an incandescent bulb.

Would LED lights be bright enough?