Can’t really help but would love to know the answers myself... Just starting this investigation and it’s a pain. Don’t know if you need or want the motion detector but there are other options that will be compliant (eg photocell + timer). I’m hoping that will provide other options. Planning to talk to our electrician tomorrow to find out more and will let you know if I learn anything more..

There are remote motion sensors that allow you to use any light you want.

Can you recommend a sensor that is unobtrusive? The ones I’ve seen around town are too noticeable. Any chance you can control two fixtures with one sensor?

Here’s a house/garage in my town. I was scouting garage doors and thought these sensors were fairly noticeable. They even have the benefit of a white sensor on a white house. My house will be dark sage green.

If you use a dusk to dawn sensor you can mount it anywhere. The one that controls the lights on the front of my garage is mounted on the back side of the garage. With dusk to dawn sensors, you do not need a motion sensor. Frees you up to use any light fixture and LEDs are very energy efficient. Added security, too.

CA State code requires photocell (dusk to dawn) and a motion sensor. (Or as someone mentioned, a timer. I prefer the motion sensor over a timer). The ones I posted above have both and are programmable, so I could have it work as a traditional motion sensor if I want. Not sure I want every (or any) exterior light to be running all night long, even on a dim setting.

If anyone is curious, I stopped at the local lighting store today and picked up a couple motion sensors. One has dusk-to-dawn; the other does not (one of the fixtures I picked out has D2D but not a motion detector).

They’s the same size: 3 1/4” wide by 2 3/4” high by 3 1/2 deep. So maybe a little smaller than the ones on the white garage (pictured above; those sort of look like security cameras). FYI if this is helpful. I may google for smaller devices but I doubt it can get much smaller than this. BTW the box calls it a “replacement motion sensor.”

If anyone has leads on other sensor devices or... decorative fixtures with built in motion sensor and dusk—to—dawn, I’d love to hear about them.

thanks everyone for your help!

One small comment: I've had occasional minor issues using LED bulbs in motion-sensor triggered fixtures (the sensors themselves look similar to what you have). The main symptom was generally that the bulb would not turn fully off but go to a lower output level (there may be other issues as well).

I'm no electrician but something to do with the type of load (reactive/inductive) and how that interacts with the sensors. My understanding is that it is or may be possible to find motion sensors that play nicely with LEDs, but I did not find such info easy to track down. It may be that more recent motion sensors are better, or that some LEDs don't have this problem. Either way, I didn't want to spend the time or effort to replace functioning sensors unless I could be certain would resolve the issue.

In my case the solution was simply to use an incandescent bulb - not what I would prefer, but these are low-output courtesy lights typically on for perhaps five minutes at a time less than a dozen times a day, so the main downside for now is I'll likely have to replace the bulbs more frequently.

Anyway, just in case.

Armoured, when I switched to LED bulbs in my outdoor lights, I had to replace the dusk to dawn sensor for one specifically labeled to use w/ LED's. You will need to either replace the motion sensor for one designed for LED's or replace the fixture at some point. But your situation is a low value one so I would just stick with what is working now.

@armoured, thanks for your comment. When I was googling for fixtures, on on the HD website got a review, saying it only worked with certain specific LED bulbs. I assumed it was a problem with that one company but maybe it’s more common? I’ll ask my GC/electrician what they recommend. Thank you!

Those are huge! they make them the size of a quarter..........that mount directly to the back plate.

The best thing to do to get around the photocell is to put them all on an integrated timer system, much like the timer for your irrigation system. then you used need the motion sensor fixture with integrated LED not just a bulb that screws in btw.

chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/https://ww2.energy.ca.gov/2013publications/CEC-400-2013-001/chapters/06_Residential_Lighting.pdf

page 6

@RL Relocation LLC I’ve seen small photocells but have you seen smaller motion sensors? That seems to be the bigger device (the one I posted above includes the photocell on the motion sensor). If you‘ve seen smaller motion sensors can you point me towards them?

Also I’m still open to finding fixtures with those functions built in, and which would go with my style of home. Thanks!

@girlwonder, it does seem to be an issue of some motion detectors and some LEDs. If you have an electrician, he should know or at least know of the issue, and hopefully you can check beforehand.

Thanks!

If anyone else is having this same dilemma,it looks like there may be a few options at Lamps Plus or Lowe’s and evening Amazon (and now that we can return to Kohl’s, it’s easier to order to see if it will work). BTW, it also looks like the brand of Vaxcel lights I’ve seen (and posted) are cross branded.

I also came across these light bulbs that have built in motion sensors and photocells. Anyone have an opinion on these?

https://www.amazon.com/Sengled-Smartsense-Motion-Outdoor-Waterproof/dp/B07QK95JR7?th=1

Have you talked to your electrician/contractor about putting them on a timer instead? I would imagine you will have some sort of home control system in a new house? I also implore you to make sure you realize you cannot just use an LED bulb...........it has to be integrated.

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/westray-11-and-one-half-inchh-black-motion-sensor-led-outdoor-wall-light__7k617.html#productDetailsSection

Also as someone who has played this game of code compliance...........you can always put up cheap fixtures to pass code, then replace with fixtures you really like. that includes using something with a fluorescent just to keep the cost down. IDK what part of CA you are in but in most cases, anything within 10 miles of the ocean should look to brass or copper fixtures for longevity. I would think to put up the ones you found on sides and back as well and then you can (im pretty sure) have a company like Arroyo C. put in the photocell/ d/d sensors. Also I have personally installed both for customers before. Go to a lighting showroom, and ask about ADL parts book

PS screw-in sensors will not pass code, the idea is that you cannot change it out after they leave so they want ti to be something that is built into the fixture.

I would look for ones with the motion sensor, as the photocell is much smaller as an add on.

Another good company for your style would be HI Lite MFG which is a southern cali based company.

@HALLETT & Co. and @Seabornman (or anyone) can you point me to a specific standalone motion sensor device? I keep finding ones that are replacement sensors (with a screw in back). i’ve searched and I’m stumped. Thanks!