Are there any good motion sensing LED lights?

[Noct]

I'm looking for ones that are bright and can illuminate pitch black areas fairly well without having to use multiple lights. Would prefer if it came with or is compatible with some type of CREE LED.

Does anything like this exist? Thank you in advance.

I'm basically trying to illuminate a walkway with stairs that is pretty much pitch black. Thank you.

 

[JohnR66]

I have seen LED solar lights that charge by day and motion sense in the dark for light. You might be able to adapt them to your purpose.

If you know a little about electronics, you could build a sensor with parts from Radio Shack. They sell the motion sensor module, a power mosfet transistor to drive the LED with and a project case. You would have to get the power LED from elsewhere.

 

[T0RN4D0]

John, your plan sounds like buying a wheelbarrow and a lawnmower to put together a bicycle.

I'm guessing that solar power won't do you any good in a stairway, neither will the light/dark switch, so a (usually very low power) LED is the only thing you can salvage from that haha.


All you need is a motion detector sensor that you can connect to a light fixture instead (or along with) a switch. What kind of light fixture do you use is totally up to you. If it must be a LED, you can go with a LED bulb installed in a normal incan fixture, LED strips, make your own with out of your bellowed crees... You can just pick anything you like, from CFLs to a 1000W MH, that should give you enoug ligh and keep you warm.

EDIT; pardon me, i haven't seen that the lights John mentioned had motion sensors, since most solar powered ones i have seen just have a light sensitivity switch.

 

[Dave_H]

I'm looking for ones that are bright and can illuminate pitch black areas fairly well without having to use multiple lights. Would prefer if it came with or is compatible with some type of CREE LED.

Does anything like this exist? Thank you in advance.

I'm basically trying to illuminate a walkway with stairs that is pretty much pitch black. Thank you.

I'm not quite clear, is this inside or outside (walkway could be
either)? Do you have ready access to AC? Otherwise if powered
from batteries does it need to be solar? How much would it
get activated (if battery powered)?

I use a small unit with six 5mm LEDs, runs on 4 AA cells. It
does not illuminate a very big area (small shed), but cost me
about $15 (in Canada). It is a "house" brand which may not
help you, but otherwise, the unit works well. I'll try to dig up
a link.

Mine runs down to -30C, a problem you would not have.
Batteries are 1200mAh NiMH (old ones) which are recharged
about once every 1-2 months with light usage.

Dave

 

[Illum]

try reverse engineering this
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-...ON-ACTIVATED-LED-LIGHTING-SYSTEM-1-PC-/1.html

 

[Vbeez]

Try Osram Spylux. Nice product.
http://flashlightnews.org/story2231.shtml

Mod with cree led if not bright enough.

 

[Dave_H]

Try Osram Spylux. Nice product.
http://flashlightnews.org/story2231.shtml

Mod with cree led if not bright enough.

I see these OTS retail in the $15-$20 CDN range. Nice, but
they run on AAA's which usually gives me concern about
battery lifetime. The PIR sensor draws a small constant current,
hopefully less than 1mA. Even so, batteries are slowly being
drained.

I found that unless the batteries are changed rigorously,
there's a chance the light won't come on when needed,
possibly creating a safety hazard in some cases.

I've picked up a few 5-LED closet-type lights with IR and
RF remote control. These also run on AAA's and battery life
seems short. I solved it in one case by wiring to a 5v regulated
ac adaptor, although this partly defeats its purpose.

How big A CREE LED would you be suggesting? The 5mm
LEDs probably pull 10-20mA each, say 30 max. Keep in
mind this is from AAA cells.

Dave

 

[Dave_H]

try reverse engineering this
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-...ON-ACTIVATED-LED-LIGHTING-SYSTEM-1-PC-/1.html

For that price, why reverse-engineer...just buy! I might
order a couple myself; good find. They have a version with
separate control for the same price.

Dave

 

[Illum]

For that price, why reverse-engineer...just buy! I might
order a couple myself; good find. They have a version with
separate control for the same price.

Dave

well...I thought your original intention was to devise something for higher powered LEDs...from the preliminary evaluation of the said device, it appears its designed for 5mm LEDs...or at maximum the high flux LED varieties.

 

[Vbeez]

Dave H : Agreed. AAA batts need constant attention.