On Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 12:24:36 AM UTC-5, Puckdropper at dot wrote:
DerbyDad03 wrote in
:


I've had flashlight apps in my phones for as long as they gave been
available, and yes they are very convenient. However, having small
flashlights strategically placed where required is even more
convenient.

Even if I have my phone with me when setting the stat or making coffee
(which is not always the case) a single button to turn on a real
flashlight is easier than the minimum 4 steps it takes to turn on the
phone's flashlight.

I don't even have to look at the flashlight to turn it on, not so with
the app.

That reminds me of something else...

I had a flashlight next to the back door of the garage. Kinda nice to
get in and get something, but rather inconvenient as well, especially if
I was just passing through on a cold night.

I saw a post on alt.home.repair (I believe it was by DadiOH, if it was,
thanks!) that suggested installing a motion detector light inside. Now I
open the back door, step in and the motion light turns on. I can then
either quickly get what I want, or easily walk to the main door and turn
on the lights. With the Dusk-to-dawn sensor, it doesn't turn back on
after the lights are on.

Saved me a lot of trouble pulling wire to both doors, adding a light
somewhere or rewiring the garage lights to run off a 3-way switch.

Puckdropper
--
Make it to fit, don't make it fit.



On Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 12:24:36 AM UTC-5, Puckdropper at dot wrote:
DerbyDad03 wrote in
:


I've had flashlight apps in my phones for as long as they gave been
available, and yes they are very convenient. However, having small
flashlights strategically placed where required is even more
convenient.

Even if I have my phone with me when setting the stat or making coffee
(which is not always the case) a single button to turn on a real
flashlight is easier than the minimum 4 steps it takes to turn on the
phone's flashlight.

I don't even have to look at the flashlight to turn it on, not so with
the app.

That reminds me of something else...

I had a flashlight next to the back door of the garage. Kinda nice to
get in and get something, but rather inconvenient as well, especially if
I was just passing through on a cold night.

I saw a post on alt.home.repair (I believe it was by DadiOH, if it was,
thanks!) that suggested installing a motion detector light inside. Now I
open the back door, step in and the motion light turns on. I can then
either quickly get what I want, or easily walk to the main door and turn
on the lights. With the Dusk-to-dawn sensor, it doesn't turn back on
after the lights are on.

Saved me a lot of trouble pulling wire to both doors, adding a light
somewhere or rewiring the garage lights to run off a 3-way switch.

Puckdropper
--
Make it to fit, don't make it fit.

My basement shop has a door to the backyard. I have an X10 motion sensor next to the door door that turns on a light in my main basement. Similar to your situation, it saved me from having to rewired the switch run for the lights to be a 3-way. While adding a 3-way is typically not all that difficult, the basement lights are part of an Edison circuit and the triple gang switch box in the kitchen is already a mess. A single fixture on a motion detector is all I need for just enough light to be safe.