What is the stair lighting kit used for? It is used to provide automatic stair lighting. A picture is worth a thousand words and a video is even better! Watch the videos of the prototype in action here. This kit was designed to be easy to install and setup, it is universal enough that will allow it to be used in most situations.

Concept of Operation

The Lighting Control Unit is microcontroller based, what this means is there is a small self contained computer that controls the unit. Stair lights are wired up to the control unit, an IR (Infrared) transmitter and receiver are used at the top and bottom of the stairs to create a beam of invisible light. When this beam is broken (crossed) the Lighting Control Unit will be able to sense this and turn on the lights. The controller performs a soft start to the lights so they ramp up nicely instead of just turning on. The controller also keeps track of which beam was broken and turns off the lights following the person. For example if the bottom beam was broken to turn the lights on the lights will turn off following the person up the stairs. The lights fade out slowly to provide a nice visual effect.

Lighting Unit Features

• 10 separate stair lighting outputs. Each output can drive 2 stair lights allowing for between 1 and 20 lights to be controlled. Please note that even though 20 lights can be connected all 20 will not have independent control, in this case every pair of lights would mirror each other. A more likely scenario would be 11 stairs, in this case it could be wired so that each stair has independent control and the 2 center ones would act as one, fading together etc.
• 2 separate IR (Infrared) beam sensor inputs. This allows independent sensing of how the stairs were entered allowing separate patterns to turn the lights off. The kit comes with the 2 resistors that would allow laser pointers to be installed instead of the invisible supplied beam. Laser pointers are inexpensive and are quite easy to modify for use with the system. In fact the prototype is using visible lasers. Instructions on how to convert the system to use lasers is available in the installation manual.
• Programmable on time. You will be able to use the default 20 second on time or change it to something shorter or longer if you need to.
• Flash memory storage. The on time you select will be retained even if power is removed from the control unit, this is because it is stored in flash memory.
• Versatile Power Requirements. The unit can be powered from any plug in wall transformer that outputs anything from 9 to 12VDC at 500mA (.5A) or greater.
• Reverse Polarity Protection. If the power is connected with reverse polarity the unit will not be damaged, it will just not power up.
• Auxiliary Output. This is meant for those that are advanced and want to control something else when the lights are on. There is an output that is provided that can sink up to 20mA at 5V when the lights are on. For those that are not electronically savvy you can just ignore this.
• Lighting Output Short Circuit Protection. If one of the lighting outputs are accidentally short circuited the control unit will self current limit to protect the outputs. Once the short is removed normal operation will resume immediately. Correct electronic installation practices should still be followed such as powering the unit down when making any electrical connections.

Take a look at the online store for kit purchasing options and prices!