Leaving an led light on forever

paintdrying

I am looking to illuminate my garage so it is never dark in the garage. Nothing real bright, just enough to easily move through the garage to maybe grab a soda or something at night. I installed the motion activated dusk to dawn night lights in the bedrooms, and the motion activated dimmer switches in the bathrooms, which I love . The night lights actually come on during the day through motion , not a big deal. Some of the issues I want to avoid are a light coming on full blast in my den late at night. Or walking by a light during the day and having it come on 40 or 50 times a day. So what I am thinking is just to wire a 40 watt led bulb in my garage that is hot all the time. I will not have to deal with it coming on every time I walk out to the garage. No dimmers no dusk to dawn. I was reading it should only cost about 8 dollars a year to run. Any suggestions. http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/...in-the-future/

MCB

You'd be able to see a 40W LED from the end of the street... wow.

info2x

I think he means 40W equivalent. Are you asking for bulb suggestions or for how you would wire it in?

redman88

i think he is just looking for confirmation that this is a decent idea, sorry not going to state my opinion, though i might think about doing this kind of thing myself.

oberkc

For this purpose, I simply use a couple of night lights. These are generally enough to move about. And they cost pennies per year to operate.

paintdrying

Yeah, basically asking if this sound ridiculous. I just want something very simple that will work. They make these dusk to dawn sensors that just screw in under the bulb so wiring is a snap. It is hard to explain but certain things I find very annoying. I want a light in a high traffic area that would be almost natural. But I can not have my electric bill going up from it.

Fairview

I'd be inclined to simplify the lighting situation by purchasing a 2 pack of LED night lights and if that wasn't quite enough light add 2 more.

paintdrying

The receptacles are lacking in the garage. Night lights will not be invading my garage. I have every night light ever made throughout the house, mostly bedrooms and the basement. However, after giving it more thought, I am considering putting a few more receptacles in the garage. I would probably use the receptacles with an led night light built in. There presently is no gfi protection in the garage. Is it a good idea for the garage door opener to be dedicated? Regardless if code does not specify. Does code specify if a finished garage with a concrete floors needs gfi protection on all the receptacles? I will be fiddling around with some night lights and clamp lights with led bulbs and see what will work for me.

joed

Current NEC code requires that ALL receptacles in a garage be GFCI protected.

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Oso954

I like power failure lights. Works as a night light with photo eye. Lights up brighter if power fails.

If you need a little more light than the night light is providing, you could snatch one out of the outlet and use it as a flashlight.

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?...llow&cId=PDIO1

Kyle_in_rure

I use and LED nightlight that is plugged into the duplex receptacle where my garage door opener plugs in. It casts a dim light over the garage pretty much 24/7.