So, last evening was the first time using the red night light. Set it to go on at 7pm and off at 9pm.
Since I have the camera and it sends an alert to my cell phone, I knew exactly when he was active for the first time. Right on cue, he was up and about a bit after 7pm, as he was on all the other nights with no red night light.
Seems it had no affect on his waking up or at least he did not retreat from the light when he came out.
I'll keep the light on the timer for the two hours as it gives me a chance to go in there and give him some fresh veggies without flipping on the room lights. I am sometimes able to stroke his back for a bit but he usually runs off and hides after a minute or less.
I also found this article:
Why hamsters are at their happiest in a red-light district | South West Farmer