A “Dawn to Dusk” sensor?

Factual Questions
1

We have an outdoor fountain we keep running during the day but shut off at night. My wife asked me to set up a timer on the power outlet, but a light sensor that turns on the power when it is light out makes more sense to me. Problem is, every sensor I can find online shuts off the power during daylight and turns it on when it gets dark. Is anybody aware of a product that does the reverse or, at least, has a switch that makes it dawn to dusk instead of dusk to dawn?

Misinterpreted thread titles
2

Something like this? DEWENWILS Dawn to Dusk Outdoor Timer, 125V/ 15A Plug in Sensor Outlet Timer Switch, 100FT Range Remote Control with 2 Grounded Electrical Outlets

It has a timer mode and also a Dawn-to-Dusk mode. Specifically for fountains.

3

Thanks! That’s exactly what I’m looking for but it seems to be sold out everywhere it’s available online.

4

This one seems to have a day only option.

ETA: The video shows how to set it to day only. It does seem to specify plugging into an indoor outlet so probably has to be protected from the elements.

5

Newer models.

6

Thanks for the ETA. As soon as I watched the video showing how to set it, I put it in my shopping cart. I forgot to make sure it was made for outdoor use. I’m really surprised such a device isn’t more widely available.

7

Yeah. A lot of people only seem to have those outdoor blow-up decorations on during the day.

8

Here we go, I think.

9

That’s the ticket! Thanks for your help, @Folly

10

You can buy one of the inexpensive smart plugs that can be controlled via WiFi by the “Cync” app. You put your Zip code into the app, then specify how many minutes before or after sunset or sunrise.

11

I realize the question is about a simple gadget that will do one thing well, so this response might not be for the OP but instead for others who might want to go deep.

If you feel the urge to automate more things like that and have a geeky side, think about a proper home automation setup.

I use the open source Home Assistant running on a little computer screwed onto one of the joists in my basement. It gives me all kinds of flexibility. Currently I have automations that do, among many other things:

  • Close the deck awning an hour after sunset daily
  • Open the blinds in the bedroom 2 hours after sunrise and close them at sunset
  • Give an alert if a window or door is open after sunset
  • Tell me if the sump pump has been running for more than 2 minutes straight, then shut it off automatically (failsafe for hung float)
  • Show me a graph of sump pump operation over days or weeks (by measuring power over time)
  • A ton of other things using hidden buttons around the house.

This kind of setup requires some geek time and a mild investment in little battery-powered gadgets like switches, door/window sensors, and switched power plugs.
The software runs on a Raspberry Pi, though mine is running on a more durable device.

12

Apologies for the mild hijack, but I though this was about Salam Hayek! :heart_eyes:

Salma Hayek’s Breathtaking Snake Dance | From Dusk Till Dawn | CLIP

13

To be fair, most people only have those decorations out for a month or so. Sunrise & sunset don’t change significantly over the course of a month, so a timer would work well enough.

14

I sense a new product opportunity…