[SxFtSxInch]

My garage door opener provides an inadequate amount of light from the two 60 watt bulbs in the motor housing. This is a especially problematic during the afternoon hours when it is very bright outside and relatively dark inside the garage. Because of the unusual configuration of my driveway and garage, an approaching car must make a sharp left turn at the end of the driveway in order to park in one of the two garage spaces - and there is only a few inches of maneuvering space. To make this maneuvering easier, I would like to install much brighter lights to illuminate the interior garage "threshold". I was thinking that a couple of quartz halogen security lights, mounted inside the garage and directed at the threshold entry and triggered by some sort of magnetic switch - would do the trick. But most of the magnetic switches I've looked at are not rated to carry that kind of current. Does anyone have any ideas on what I could use to trigger these supplementary lights? An "AC-rated" RF transmitter that screws into a lamp socket maybe (if such a thing exists)? Or very heavy duty magnetic switches?

[tkrussell]

What you have is the typical "tunnel" issue, driving in broad daylight then entering a dark tunnel.There are a several methods of solving this problem.

Halogen lights are one solution, they are full brightness when turned on, you can find 150 watt units, so not to use too much power. Will these lights be usable after the car is in the garage?

You may want to consider rapid start fluorescent fixtures. Downside is these are four foot fixtures. You need to decide what space you have available to place any fixture so that they are not just for entering the garage, but could be used once the car is in, in my opinion.

To turn on these fixtures, you can use ultrasound occupancy sensor. Be care if you chose to use OS, as many are passive infrared, and can be affected by cold drafts. Occupancy sensors are available as a replacement for a wall switch, and there are others that use a low voltage ceiling or wall mounted sensor that control a relay that controls the 120 volts for a light fixture.

I suggest you look at Sensor Switch, if occupancy sensor system appeals to you, as this is the only company that is USA made that I am aware of.

There are magnetic switches available, used by6 the security trade, magnetic switch needs to contact a relay that controls the light.

One brand is Edwards Signal, problem with these is placement can be a problem.

There are a couple of ideas, where do we go from here?