Hi everybody,
I recently successfully installed HassIO on my RPi4 and started integrating the first devices.
Now I am looking for outdoor lights which should light my entrance area (2x) as well as my terrace (2x). All of them are mounted on the outside wall.
For the entrance area I dont have physical light switches so I thought about a combination of motion sensor/wireless for triggering the lights.
Did anybody of you have some recommendations what hardware is performing well?
Outside motion detection is prone to errors if you use the typical PIR sensor and the area sees sun and shadows. Lots of ways to skin this cat with HA. You will probably at least need relay devices for the lights… something that fits behind your lights in the electrical boxes. For this, it is hard to beat Shelly 1… 1pm if you want power monitoring too. For motion, depending on the area (sun, shadows, etc) you may be able to get away with a pir (I prefer eco link pet proof for pirs, or am312 if you can DIY an esp module). Otherwise you will need a motion sensor that also uses radar. Not familiar with local only radar sensors, other than an esp with rcwl0516.
I’m am considering standard low voltage lighting controlled by relays.
I currently have RasPi controlling other outdoor devices and will likely use this for relay control or zwave switches/outlets on network controlled by outdoor pi
I have small NEMA(waterproof) equipment box outdoor to house all the relay and Pi.
For motion I use beams…just mount high enough to miss animals. This is connected to the outdoor RasPi that runs HA.
Thank you for your detailed response. The Shelly 1 looks indeed very promising. As I dont have flush-mounting everywhere outside I have to look for lamps which allow for the extra space of the Shelly 1.
Regarding the PIR sensors vs beams I will do some more digging.
Thanks