outside lighting

Stephen · 2015-10-21T11:29:10+00:00

Hello, With it getting darker earlier, I'm thinking again about outside lighting. I did ask before about LED floodlights but went off the idea because they seemed too blue in colour. I remember someone here saying that rather than have a PIR-controlled bright light, it was better to have a dim dawn-to-dusk light. I am thinking about that. I don't want to add to light pollution but I think a dim light sufficient to see where I am treading and to see the keyhole would be enough. The only problem with that is that I think I would like a brighter light for when I want to do more than see where I am going. Unless I use a dimmer, I would have to have two light fittings. I suppose that would not look excessive, but I was hoping to just use one. I have seen hi-lo lights that are normally dim and go bright when the PIR is activated but these use incandescent bulbs so I imagine it is expensive to have these on every night from dawn to dusk. Are CFL or LED hi-los available and are they any good? My experience with a PIR, light sensor, and lamp all in one unit is that it is always a bit of a compromise. What material is best for an outside light? Brass would be too expensive and would stainless steel look too industrial? I have had painted aluminium lamps in the past but after a couple of years the aluminium has started to corrode. To be fair these were just cheap lamps from the like of Toolstation; perhaps I should buy a dearer make for more longevity? I see you can get polycarbonate which would not corrode but does it look too plasticy? Interestingly most outside lights use ES bulbs. Why is this? I know it would allow international sales of the same model but the same argument would apply to indoor lights, yet they make ES ones for abroad and BC ones for the UK? Thanks, Stephen.

Oct 21, 2015 20 Replies

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tabbypurr 10 years ago

CFLs object to attempts to dim. LEDs work well in hi-lo mode, but filament compatible controllers tend not to work with them.

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