Need help with barn lighting

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1

The property I just purchased has a 40 by 40 pole barn. The 2 light switches by the door control power to outlet boxes where fluorescent and led lights are plugged in. I am looking for a way to control the lights at the switch. Which zwave or zigbee switch would you recommend to control the lights? I don't need dimmers. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks.

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Here are a couple pics of how the switches are wired. Looks like neutrals are all bound together and the hots are split at the switch. Pretty standard. The third switch is connected to an outlet where the garage door is plugged in. I don't know why you would put your garage door on a switch. I will probably take that switch out and wire it hot all the time.

2

TBH, the way it looks wired, you can use any zwave or zigbee switch you want. Neutrals appear to be available in the box, so you’re good to go. The only thing I can advise is that it’s all wired in 12AWG (like I wired my house), which means you’ll have a bit more effort cramming that wire back behind a smart device. Definitely doable, but gets a bit tough when you pack three smart switches into a 3-gang box.

3

What’s the overall wattage of the lighting load controlled by each switch?

That’s an important factor while making a recommendation.

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4

Good point. I saw fl and led loads and assumed you’re safe, but do be mindful of any loads you put on any switch.

5

I looked at Zooz zen71 and it recommends not to use with tube lights. I guess the 71 is out. Was also looking at GE Jasco and it recommended at total of 15 amps. I have replaced one of the lights with an LED and I saved the ballast. I will look to see if there are any specs on the ballast tomorrow.

6

If at all possible, I would ditch those flourescents. You would have a much wider spread of smart-switch choices if you could convert those to LED.

Overall load is still very likely to be a concern too, but real and reliable compatibility with flourescents is a sizable barrier here.

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7

Agreed!

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I think you guys have a point. I really do need to change to LED's. I will work on that and then work on getting switches. Thanks.

9

I had not realized this, but I guess smart switches have changed over the years. I feel like a smart switch 10 years ago had no problem dealing with the inrush of a CFL bulb or a standard T4/8/12 ballast. But, nonetheless, there is absolutely no reason to use CFL or traditional FL tube lights anymore.

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You should check to see if your signal will reach the location (metal siding?).

The Zooz's are long range capable, so that can't hurt. You need a C8 hub though.

11

They make conversion kits like this one. It is probably cheaper, and much easier, than changing the whole fixture itself.

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Thanks for the info. I have already changed one of these fixtures and it is not a big job. I would just as soon change the whole thing out as have the great big fixtures. The LED's I chose have a way smaller footprint.

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Be advised, though, that a lot of these cheaper conversion kits throw out a lot of RF interference.