I have a few extra kits and a dark garage... and I am like why not inside? This thing would take 20 minutes to install and would pump out 225W.
Some other things that have come to mind. Is there a way I could electrically use both the motion sensor of a floodlight and also have the option of having it on via switch?
The immediate issue I see is that a floodlight is not great for lighting a room. They cast harsh shadows, create a lot of glare if you look anywhere near their direction, and will leave plenty of dark areas in the room. Of course, a few of those downsides could be fixed by just installing regular light bulbs rather than flood bulbs unless it has integrated LED floods.
Using a switch and the motion detector is possible if you are running new wiring to them. You could have two switches where one powers the motion detector and the other powers the lights directly. You could even use a three way switch if you never needed the light to be fully off (you could have always-on, or motion, but never totally off with one three way switch).
The other thing to consider is that some (many?) motion detection lights have a feature where they will stay on if you turn the switch off and on a few times. This allows people to easily use the light in a passive motion mode or you can "force" it on from your back door by toggling the switch a few times. Check your instruction manual - I know this used to be a popular feature but haven't had my own lights to try it on in some time.
As far as safety or code are concerned, I'm not aware of any issues that would prevent you from installing the light inside.
Due to medical conditions I need lots of light and I don't due well with harsh direct lighting or shadows.
For lots of light, I have often installed alternate 'outdoor' lighting inside. I even have a 18000 lumen high bay light!
To deal with the harshness, I often install in an 'indirect mode' with the light pointing upward with the light bounced off the ceiling. Or I install high enough or in location that I can't see the point of light out of my eye when looking at my work area.
To deal with the shadows, I use two or more sources of lights and separated by some distance if possible.
The downside to non LED lights will be the heat. This can be an upside in the winter.
I suggest going for it. I would. There is no reason why the light is an 'outdoor' light other than meaning that it's sealed against weather.
I have one in the garage. It is great because when you walk into the garage a light comes on and you don't have to hunt for a switch. If you are just carrying laundry down or getting into the car it is sufficient and will go off after you leave. If you are doing anything much in the garage it is the wrong light for all the reasons everybody said, but you can have other lights that you turn on by a switch.
I have a motion sensor on my garage fluorescent tubes, and its massively convenient because there are three doorways (side-outside, internal, and a car door)
The sensor means the lights come on no matter which door you enter by.
Downside is that I can be working away on something at the bench, and the light sees no movement, and turns off. This can be incredibly annoying if I'm drilling or soldering, or simply in the corner getting something out of a shelf.
Yes its totally possible to turn the light into "always-on" mode with a flick of the wall switch, but that's hard to remember.
ANSWER Motion sensitive lighting works, and doesn't have to be a separate floodlight. There are downsides too.
If you have several, why not fit one which comes on with sensing motion, lit for as long as you want, and a couple of others on a switch, which you then won't have to find in the dark. Mount them as high as you can, pointing down-ish, but be aware that the older types produce a fair amount of heat, so don't put them where they could cause scorching or burning. A metal heatshield would stop that.
