"Rod Out back" wrote in message
...
All,

Looking to set up some permanent exterior floodlights. However, I would
like to have them switch off at sunrise, and back on at dusk. I know that
nearly every solar or 12v system seems to come with this option, but I
want
to switch 240v floodlights.

We had a light put outside our machinar shed at work. I noticed a switch on
it that could change it from motion to "night". Wondering what night meant I
asked a fellow worker who installed it. Apparently designed to come on when
darkness comes. So they are available and while I not sure if 500w bulbs are
set in it, the typical looking outdoor sensor light bulbs are in it, so they
are available.
Failing that, why not use a timer if it is hard to get/expensive to
purchase?
Good luck


I appreciate this isnt the right forum for such a question, but I got the
deafening wall of silence from the electronics newsgroup, and I wondered
if
any of you have set these up to light a garden??

I have seen a bayonet light fitting to add to an exterior incandescant
light
to do this(60w max), but nothing that I can have wired in to switch a
larger
light (possibly max of 500W but I'm negotiable on wattage...). I also know
that these switches are VERY common in town lighting and some industrial
floodlighting as well. The design of such a switch has been around for
many
years. However, trying to find such a beast in Australia for domestic use
seems nigh impossible.
I did find one for the US market, but it only works on 120v, which is
useless for me.

I use these floodlights in the summer months to keep the worst of the
bitey
and REALLY annoying bugs out of the house. 3 or so lights strategically
placed are enough to take the worst out of the soldier beetles, assain
bugs,
really little bitey things that go through gauze, and other annoying
little
critters. It also makes a great feast for the sand-swimmers, frogs,
insect
bats, and other night-time predators.

Any thoughts or ideas appreciated.

Cheers,

Rod.......Out Back