I have no experience with Arduinos but, if the idea I am think of is possible, I would really like to get into them. The idea I have in my head is to use a sensor to measure the outside light and when it gets below a certain level, to active a light or series of lights. The whole idea is to use this on my outdoor flag pole and have it lit in order to follow US Flag Code during the night or low light times.
A fairly simple project, with help from the forum you shouldn't have many dramas.
Rob
Yes that is very doable. In fact, the way you described it is basically all it takes to make it work - an arduino, a light sensor, and some extra light circuitry. The arduino is perfect for this task.
I have something like that set up in my house, but I also have a motion sensor so that it comes on when it's dark and I walk by.
Parts for your project:
light sensor $1 U.S.
arduino $30 U.S.
light switch - I use a powerswitchtail, $20 U.S. (120 volts)
or you could wire up your own relay, make sure it's waterproof, and do some research here so you don't shock yourself.
powerswitchtail: Information.com People Search | Free People Finder & White Pages - Locate Anyone
light sensor tutorial: How to use photocells, LDRs, CdS cells, photoresistors!
Thanks for all the replies, really great to see that in a community. Could anyone point me in a direction to where I could get the code for something similar to it so I can just tweak it? I haven't done any code since 2004 and to say I'm rusty would be overstaing what I recall.
light=analogRead(1);
if (light < 500){
digitalWrite(relay,HIGH);
} else {
digitalWrite(relay,LOW);
}