Looking for advice on motion sensor outdoor lights

henkc

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I'm very new to home automation. A while back I was buying lightbulbs and ended up buying two Sonoff bulbs. I have one installed in my study, more as a novelty than anything useful. I'm still looking for something to do with the other one.

I am now in the process of upgrading security issues around the house - after two break-ins in one week. One issue we have is a shortage of outdoor lights. Some of the existing lights run on day-night switches, while some have day-night bulbs. It's an old house, where bits have been added over time.

What I've realised, looking at where the access points are, and where the dark bits are, is that the best solution will need motion sensors some distance from the lights they switch on and off, preferably without having to lay cables back and forth all over the show between sensors and lights. What complicates this is that the garden slopes steeply with a number of terraces which chew up WiFi signal over quite short distances.

So, the idea is to put in various sensors to switch lights on and off and, potentially, to dim and brighten some of the lights. I'm trying to work out how changing the colours of lights can also help (because you can).

Where should I start looking at this? Luckily, the Sonoff bulbs are the only components I have so I'm not commited to any technologies, brands etc.
 
I am missing something.. you want lights to go on where the motion is, not some distance away from the motion, else what are you going to look at..?
 
I am missing something.. you want lights to go on where the motion is, not some distance away from the motion, else what are you going to look at..?

Yes and no. Let's say someone gets in through the back gate. I want lights there and in possible hiding places elsewhere in the garden. So one sensor should be able to trigger a combination of lights. There should be nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.
 
Yes and no. Let's say someone gets in through the back gate. I want lights there and in possible hiding places elsewhere in the garden. So one sensor should be able to trigger a combination of lights. There should be nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.
Okay, your obvious solution is solar powered spot lights, which require no cables and if you check the specs, you can find ones that can stay powered all night.. have built in day night switches and some also include motion sensors..

I have three solar spotlights on my property right now, with day night switches, that stay on through the night no hassles.. even on massively overcast days, it still gets enough charge to keep the light on through the night..
 
I have three solar spotlights on my property right now, with day night switches, that stay on through the night no hassles.. even on massively overcast days, it still gets enough charge to keep the light on through the night..
Which ones are these? They could definitely help here.
 
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