Idea... integrate a dumb patio/coach lamp with motion

So I have a “dumb” dusk to dawn patio/coach lamp something like this… http://amzn.com/B002DWAF26 The wall switch stays on all the time. At dusk light turns on to dim, when motion is sensed it goes to bright for 5(?) minutes.

I thought it would be nice integrate this into SmartThings by using a wall switch that can measure energy. A new device type handler would detect the change in energy usage to determine day/night illuminance and motion:

-zero=daytime
-low=nighttime
-low to high=night time, generate motion event in SmartThings
-zero to high=light switch turned on, no motion
-low or high to zero=someone turned off switch, turn it back on

Pros versus a standalone motion sensor… designed to be outside, its hidden in the lamp, typically located right by the door, and I already have it :slight_smile:

Cons: no motion detection during daytime

Anyone tried this?

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Haven’t tried it but here is a switch if you decided to try it out.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IRQC7O6/ref=pd_aw_sbs_60_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=41Wnqv65q3L&dpSrc=sims&preST=AC_UL390_SR390%2C390&refRID=0K9CNBA5XDM78XBW22AC

@kevin, I’m looking to do exactly the same thing for my backyard patio. Did you manage to implement a solution?

No, using cheapest switches I find on sale or clearance and not one of them have energy monitoring.

@kevin Hmm, looking at the Optional Wiring section in the HZ-4133 manual, the lamp is able to drive a slave lamp using the red wire. Perhaps this lamp can be hacked where the normal power to the lamp bulb is removed and the red wire is monitored by a contact/relay to see if the motion sensor is tripped. You can then use ST for Sunset/Sunrise to determine if you need to turn on the low level light and a Z-wave switch to turn on the actual light. I just don’t know how you would get two levels of light output …