Street light control

[RR_Mel]

I was wondering if anyone controlled their street lighting with a light sensor to turn tem on with reduced room lighting, pros and cons.

 

I just finished putting together a flashing tower beacon and was kicking around putting it on a room light sensor and came up with the street light idea.

 

 

 

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[MisterBeasley]

I run a separate power bus just for streetlights, with a toggle switch to control it.

[RR_Mel]

That’s the way I have it now, toggles switches on everything.  I have two 4100°K 11 watt LED Floods (90 watt equivalent) side by side for night/moonlight operation.  I was kicking around making a sensor so that when I turned off the ceiling lights the night lighting on my layout come on automatically over riding the toggles.

 

Just wondering if anyone has had any problems with automated night lighting.  

 

 

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[Mark R.]

I've done exactly that. I have four photo-cells mounted inconspicuously on the side of a hill looking at the room lights. I added a potentiometer to each of the four circuits so I can adjust what level of light each will turn on. Each one controls a relay through which the actual power to my lighting feeds through. By adjusting them each to a different light level, everything doesn't all snap on at once. 

First, a few random buildings will light up, then a few more buildings, then the street lights and finally, whatever is left as the lights dim down .... which, by the way, I have controlled using an old motor driven theater variac.

Mark.  

[RR_Mel]

Mark R.

I've done exactly that. I have four photo-cells mounted inconspicuously on the side of a hill looking at the room lights. I added a potentiometer to each of the four circuits so I can adjust what level of light each will turn on. Each one controls a relay through which the actual power to my lighting feeds through. By adjusting them each to a different light level, everything doesn't all snap on at once. 

First, a few random buildings will light up, then a few more buildings, then the street lights and finally, whatever is left as the lights dim down .... which, by the way, I have controlled using an old motor driven theater variac.

Mark.  

 

I have 96” LED replacement bulbs in my garage and they’re not dimmable (per the info that came with the bulbs) so I only need one light sensor.  I like what you described.  So far it will only control my street lights one communications tower beacon and a flashing light on a 85’ elevated water tank on a mountain.

 

I have close to 100 vehicles with lights but at this point I’m not planning to control them with the sensor.  I have 8 structures controlled with Arduino Random Lighting Controllers as well as many more with regular lighting, no plans for them either.  I think I’m going to keep my yard lighting separate mainly because I think they would have there lights on during regular daylight.

 

 

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[j. c.]

Mel i emailed you a curcuit for one.