Elegant lighting solution needed!

October 30, 2006 9:10 PM

AmbianceFilter: How can I control a wall socket with a wall-mounted switch or remote or something convenient without rewiring anything?

I want to turn on a couple lamps and floor lights all at once. It's kind of a pain in the ass to do manually since the lamps are hard to reach and the floor lights don't have switches at all. They are all plugged into the same wall socket.

Ideally I would just install another switch on the wall to control the flow of electricity to the wall socket, but the landlord already said that digging in the walls and wires was a no-no. So how do I get this functionality, preferably on the cheap?

posted by Willie0248 to home & garden (10 comments total)

Home improvement stores sell RF remote controlled outlet "switches" - basically an extension that plugs into your wall outlet which you can then plug a lamp (or power strip?) into. Then you can velcro the remotes under a counter top (what I did) and hit them as you walk in. I did this a few years ago to control four lamps at different ends of the room and it worked flawlessly. I think they were about $10-$20 each and I used two with power strips and extension cords.
posted by wfrgms at 9:17 PM on October 30, 2006

Here's one from Radio Shack that's only ten bucks. I think that meets all of your requirements!

I use it every year to control my christmas tree. Works great!
posted by donguanella at 9:31 PM on October 30, 2006

www.x10.com
posted by ernie at 11:47 PM on October 30, 2006

Yes, X10
posted by caddis at 4:41 AM on October 31, 2006

It's ridiculously expensive, but a very elegant solution to the problem: the ON/OFF Remote Switch. It's great design, I think. I'm not sure if you can use it for multiple lights, but Foster's would be glad to tell you if you called.
posted by The Michael The at 4:50 AM on October 31, 2006

I have several remote outlets made by stanley. The work great. I only paid ~$10 at Zellars for them a few years ago.
posted by Mitheral at 7:06 AM on October 31, 2006

You guys are great.

Thanks!
posted by Willie0248 at 8:56 AM on October 31, 2006

Now here's a followup -- none of these are rated for high current. I'm looking for something similar to control a 1500W coolant preheater for my diesel. I don't want to leave it plugged in all night wasting electricity, but who wants to go outside in the cold to plug it in every morning? I've tried heavy-duty timers but my schedule is variable enough that it never turns on exactly when I want it to. Anyone know of something wireless that can handle >13A?
posted by harkin banks at 9:22 AM on October 31, 2006

Insteon, waaay more reliable than X10.
posted by Merdryn at 9:38 AM on October 31, 2006

Oops, you have a big load there. Any PLC (powerline carrier) protocol, like Insteon or X10 is going to have issues with such a big load. There are some X10 products (Insteon's out on this one, designed mainly for lighting) that would help.

For example, this Leviton X10 receptacle can handle 110V 20A max.

With X10, you should know: Since the signal is passed on your power line, and your home likely has two phases of service coming in, you may need to install a signal coupler in a subpanel next to your main electrical service panel. If you've changed breakers before, it's no big deal. I used this Leviton model before I switched to Insteon, and it worked real well.
posted by Merdryn at 9:43 AM on October 31, 2006