Controlling low voltage garden lighting

[Silinman]

Hi,

I want to install half a dozen low voltage (12V) lamps beside our newly laid garden path. I really would like to use a PIR sensor to detect people coming down the path. I know how this is done when using mains lighting, but I am not sure if a standard PIR would be able to handle the inductive load of the mains transformer which supplies the step lights.

Can someone please advise if I am on the right track, and if not how can I detect visitors. Also can I use 2 PIRs, one at each end of the path (it is quite long and very dark) to detect movement from either end?
Thanks in advance

 

[Taylortwocities]

The PIR would need to be on the mains (230V) side of the transformer.

Yes you can have a PIR at both ends of the garden. If you use regular (wired) PIRs then you'll need to run armoured cable between the two. You'll need 3, maybe 4 core cable.
There's lots of hassle with doing that...

Or use a wireless PIR system like this Click me

 

[Silinman]

Thanks Taylortwocities, I guess you just parallel the two load outputs together and the first PIR to see motion will trigger?

The wireless PIR is a nice idea but a little on the expensive side!

Thanks for your advice

 

[Taylortwocities]

Something like this

The switch gives you an over-ride feature so light stays on all the time. Some PIRs have a pulse mode feature so u can wire the switch into the line feed.

 

[Silinman]

Thanks Taylortwocities - very helpful