# So now I want to install some fluorescent lights **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 21, 2011, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-i-want-to-install-some-fluorescent-lights/597043 "2011-09-21T09:48:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ficer67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Ficer67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ficer67)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-i-want-to-install-some-fluorescent-lights/597043/1 "2011-09-21T09:48:56Z")
But, I don’t want to install any fluorescent lights that would be too easy. I want to install these fluorescent lights [here](http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=202034431&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=202034431&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googlebase-_-D27X-_-202034431&locStoreNum=367) And, I don’t just want to run power to these lights, I want to connect the power to a motion detector, and the motion detector to the lights, so that when anyone walks too close to the carport, the lights will come on. So my question is: Is it safe to install a motion detector on fluorescent lights? ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-i-want-to-install-some-fluorescent-lights/597043/2 "2011-09-21T10:27:47Z")
Yes. The veterinary hospital where I work has motion detectors integrated with the exam room light switches. After 30 minutes with no motion in the room, the overhead fluorescents turn off. When someone walks in and swings the door open, the lights come back on. It’s kinda neat. ---
**Author:** ![Khendrask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@Khendrask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khendrask)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-i-want-to-install-some-fluorescent-lights/597043/3 "2011-09-21T10:56:48Z")
Yes, it is safe. Just make sure that you have a reasonable timeout, say 3 to 30 minutes or so. You don’t want the lights to flicker on and off too fast. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-i-want-to-install-some-fluorescent-lights/597043/4 "2011-09-21T13:15:04Z")
Check that the detector is rated for use with fluorescents - the ones with solid-state power switching rather than a relay may act a bit goofy. We tried switching some outside bulbs to compact fluorescents, and the solid-state control doesn’t completely disconnect power, so the lamps would either be full on or dimly flickering. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-i-want-to-install-some-fluorescent-lights/597043/5 "2011-09-21T13:32:38Z")
You don’t list a location, but fluorescent lighting doesn’t do very well in sub-freezing temperatures, unless the technology has gotten better somehow. ---
**Author:** ![Ficer67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Ficer67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ficer67)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-i-want-to-install-some-fluorescent-lights/597043/6 "2011-09-22T11:25:47Z")
Thanks for all the input guys. Now, I feel better about going forward on this idea. I live in Baton Rouge, LA. And, it gets purdy cold here. It even snowed once in 2009, so I am going to re-think the idea of fluorescent lights, and use LED’s or something. Thanks again for all the input ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-i-want-to-install-some-fluorescent-lights/597043/7 "2011-09-22T12:02:25Z")
> [@Ficer67](#): > > Thanks for all the input guys. Now, I feel better about going forward on this idea. I live in Baton Rouge, LA. And, it gets purdy cold here. It even snowed once in 2009, so I am going to re-think the idea of fluorescent lights, and use LED’s or something. > > Thanks again for all the input Fluorescent lights have a temperature rating. That particular one is rated for 0 degrees. Considering the lowest temperature on record for Baton Rouge, LA is 8 degrees that fixture would be fine.