Dusk to dawn porch lights

[Diemjoe]

I would like to hook my 12 volt porch lights up to a dusk to dawn sensor so that I don't come home to a dark campsite. I would also like to have it connected to a light switch in the cabin so I can turn it off at night so as to not disturb neighbors. Has anyone tried this? Any good sources for the photocells? Where did you mount the sensor?

[MtnDon]

What power source; 12 VDC or 120 VAC?

The 120 VAC would be easy using a light sensor such as used for turning yard lights on and off. My neighborhood at home has one on each home and replacement sensors are available at building suppliers and hardware stores. DC is a little harder. IF there is a solar panel with a charge controller planned many charge controllers have a "load" function that can be used for exactly the purpose desired. That would use DC power from the battery to operate a 12 VDC light. An LED exterior RV light would consume extremely little power.

There are also remote control devices small enough to carry on a key ring. Not sure if those are meant for AC or DC.

[bdosborn]

There are tons 12v remote control key fobs on eBay:

eBay Linky

I have one for the trailer porch lights. It's nice to have when you're coming back from the campfire at a gathering; you can turn your lights on to find the trailer.

Bruce

[H.A.]

If you Google "diy photocell", you can see dozens of simple circuits using cadmium sulfide photocell switching on a transistor. If your lamps (led) are low enough current, Its possible the right CdS cell could switch on the lamp directly.

In my case. I use the solar array to energise a relay what does the day-nite switching,

Its EASY !

[Da'engineer]

There is many things you can do photocells, timers, fobs. Personally my trailer build will be utilizing andruno to handle power management and monitor battery discharge.

[bdosborn]

You should stat a thread on the battery monitor. I just got a Raspberry Pi 2 and I think I could use it for the same thing.

Bruce

[Da'engineer]

You should stat a thread on the battery monitor. I just got a Raspberry Pi 2 and I think I could use it for the same thing.

Bruce

I will pm you when I get to that stage of the build its pretty simple.

You should stat a thread on the battery monitor. I just got a Raspberry Pi 2 and I think I could use it for the same thing.

Bruce

[bdosborn]

Cool. I just got Rasplex to run and I'm really impressed by the RP2. Reminds me of when building PCs was fun, not just a giant PITA.

Thanks,
Bruce

[lrrowe]

There are tons 12v remote control key fobs on eBay:

eBay Linky

I have one for the trailer porch lights. It's nice to have when you're coming back from the campfire at a gathering; you can turn your lights on to find the trailer.

Bruce

Bruce, I just found this post of yours. Thanks. I just added a unit to my eBay order.
It solves one issue I had.

[H.A.]

I enjoy building stuff as much as the next Bodger. 12vdc photocell would be easy.
But hardly worthwhile when off the shelf 12vdc device exists and quite inexpensive.

Search amazon for example turns up several.
Some are a complete package, others have their Cds sensor as a wired remote from its controller &relay.

Fwiw, one of their vendors sold me motion detector floodlight assembly.
Just like what folks install outside their house but 12vdc.

[bdosborn]

Bruce, I just found this post of yours. Thanks. I just added a unit to my eBay order.
It solves one issue I had.

Bruce

[Wobbly Wheels]

FWIW, I'm doing to do the same thing on mine that I do on my tents.
Since I'm always carrying a flashlight in pocket (or a headlamp) after dark, I just need a reference for where the trailer is. A bit of reflective tape on each side in a recognizable pattern shows up as bright as a light when your flashlight passes over it. It's cheap, simple and doesn't consume any power...though I was looking at the key fobs a while ago...

[H.A.]

FWIW, I'm doing to do the same thing on mine that I do on my tents.
Since I'm always carrying a flashlight in pocket (or a headlamp) after dark, I just need a reference for where the trailer is. A bit of reflective tape on each side in a recognizable pattern shows up as bright as a light when your flashlight passes over it. It's cheap, simple and doesn't consume any power...though I was looking at the key fobs a while ago...

Right, But that lacks the cutesy charm and gizmo factor of an automatic porchlight...

[Wobbly Wheels]

That it does...

[Kaz]

Google Starlights Sl-1000. Its a 12 volt motion sensor Rv light.