Backlit mirror

[Dia]

Hey boys, here's the situation:

Our half bath lighting is set up to run to the vanity light (in the wall, above the mirror) and then up into an individual recessed light. If we get the vanity light changed into a touch-sensor, backlit mirror, will that affect the ceiling light at all?

[A. Spruce]

I would guess that the overhead light and the mirror light will need to be isolated. The overhead will remain on the existing switch, while the mirror will need constant power for the touch sensor to operate and control the mirror light.

We will need to know how the circuit is wired, where the power originates, and where the switch is currently spliced into the circuit.

[Aaron]

Our half bath lighting is set up to run to the vanity light (in the wall, above the mirror) and then up into an individual recessed light. If we get the vanity light changed into a touch-sensor, backlit mirror, will that affect the ceiling light at all?

No, the ceiling light would not be affected by your swap of the vanity light. However, if you only just swap the vanity light to the new one controlled by a touch sensor, then it would only work if the switch that controls the recessed light is turned on first.

So as Spruce said, you may want to wire them independently of one another. Otherwise if you don't mind the requirement of needing to have the recessed light on first, then it's an easy swap.

[Dia]

If it's going to be wired separately, is it easy to get him to bypass the switch and just keep the mirror powered all the time? Is that bad?

[A. Spruce]

I would recommend either keeping the mirror on it's own switch OR allowing for the addition of a switch later. The reason being is that if the mirror is ever replaced, you'll want the new fixture switched. You can leave this provision in the existing switch box, you'd simply wire nut the mirror leg together, rather than attaching to a switch.

[Dia]

Better yet, is there a safe way to bypass the touch sensor instead?

[Aaron]

You don't want the touch sensor?

[Dia]

You don't want the touch sensor?

I get the feeling that if you were saying this in person, you'd be looking at me cockeyed

It's going in the bathroom where I do my makeup in the morning, so I don't mind skipping the step of touching the mirror. Bonus that it can't become a toy for sticky, little fingers then.

[Aaron]

You could probably take it apart and rewire it to bypass its switch. I have no idea how involved that might be or whether it would void the manufacturer's warranty.

But I would say that if you always want it on, you may as well just leave the wiring in your bathroom as-is, and just have it come on the same time as you flip the switch for the overhead light. Leave well enough alone.

[A. Spruce]

I get the feeling that if you were saying this in person, you'd be looking at me cockeyed

When are we not?

so I don't mind skipping the step of touching the mirror. Bonus that it can't become a toy for sticky, little fingers then.

This brings up a good point, having to touch the mirror to turn on the light is going to leave fingerprints all over the mirror all the time. If constantly cleaning the mirror isn't an issue, no worries, if the thought of grimy fingerprints 24/7 drives you nuts, well, maybe a traditional lighting system is a better idea.

[emtnut]

Better yet, is there a safe way to bypass the touch sensor instead?

I'd think that the touch mirror would be quite a bit more $$. If you don't want/need that function, just get a regular lighted mirror.

[Dia]

That's part of the problem, it's the cheapest so far in the right size. I definitely didn't start out looking for a touch-light mirror. I don't mind the idea though, since typical over-the-mirror lighting is awful for makeup. Hmmm, meh, let's just do it now and cry about it later!

[emtnut]

That's part of the problem, it's the cheapest so far in the right size. I definitely didn't start out looking for a touch-light mirror. I don't mind the idea though, since typical over-the-mirror lighting is awful for makeup. Hmmm, meh, let's just do it now and cry about it later!

If the price is right, and it's a nice mirror for you, go for it.

I would just 'touch it' and turn it on and leave it that way. Technically you void the listing if you bypass the touch control. I'd bypass it personally if I didn't want it, but it may or may not be easy to do.

OK, who am I kidding, I'd play with the kids with it, and turn it off and on and totally smear up the mirror ... but it would be fun !!!

[Dia]

OK, who am I kidding, I'd play with the kids with it, and turn it off and on and totally smear up the mirror ... but it would be fun !!!

But how fast can you run when I find out what you've done?

[emtnut]

OK, who am I kidding, I'd play with the kids with it, and turn it off and on and totally smear up the mirror ... but it would be fun !!!

But how fast can you run when I find out what you've done?

Ha ! I walk on the wild side ... I laugh in the face of danger !!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_T9ryNQhd0