Wireless lights

[polygonum]

One Switch to rule them all, One Switch to find them, One Switch to bring them all, And in the darkness bind them.

Apologies to JRRT.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

I rest my point. ;-)

[rbel]

I looked at the MK Echo version last year when thinking about some wireless controls and decided that whilst it would probably be the best option in the longer term I would like to try out something less expensive to start with.

I went for some LightwaveRF kit, a couple of in-line relays to site in the loft and a small hand held remote controller and a wall switch in the living area.

The current arrangement controls a set of halogen LV downlights so that all of them or a single light is on. Relatively simple to setup and in use since December last year with no problems as yet.

Now thinking of some more applications including some more lighting and programmed TRVs in a couple of rooms.

[Chris Bartram]

True, but it's less reliable than my light switch :-)

[SteveW]

They don't have to have batteries. There are radio operated switches that use tiny amounts of power and can self charge from changes in room temperature, light, vibration or simply from the mechanical action of pressing the switch. For example here is a mechanical one:

SteveW

[Dave Plowman (News)]

149 dollars - so you can make that pounds for the UK. Think I'm happy with cable. The OP was hoping to save money.

[SteveW]

It was only an example. I'm sure there are others. Even at $149 or £149, it's cheaper than redecorating a whole room simply to channel a wall for new cable.

SteveW

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Then stick a conduit in for next time - and still save money.

How many decide to re-wire after decorating?

[Brian Gaff]

Well if its anything like the plug in ones there seems to be two main issues. 1: number of channels so you don't switch on lights in anothe rhouse

2: the range can be crap. Brian

[charles]

we might not, but a higher authority might require it..

[Dave Plowman (News)]

I suppose at least it's line of sight from a wall switch to ceiling light. ;-)

But you've hit the nail on the head. These cheap radio links are fine where only you use one. Fit them everywhere, and next door also has them, means much more sophisticated control codes. And therefore costs.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

But then take the opportunity to change the decor?

How many SWMBO actually care much about where a light switch is anyway? ;-)

[Jethro_uk]

Ours needs resetting every few weeks. And for a while had an irritating habit of sounding (with a different tune to the one programmed in the push button) seemingly at random. When it happened I used to rush to look up & down the street to see if someone elses bell was being rung.

I then learned they can be triggered by car blippers. :(

[Jethro_uk]

But that uses IR, not RF ...

[ARW]

An awful lot of people. Usually new homeowners.

[rbel]

I have not encountered this problem as yet but there is a fair distance between properties and I think it unlikely that our neighbours are using LightwaveRF kit.

Have not tried switching the lights from out in the garden yet but interior switching is fine over 14 metres through two internal block walls and a plasterboard ceiling.

[SteveW]

We certainly have two lights where a wireless switch would have been useful.

I re-wired when I moved in. When I married and SWMBO moved in, we re-decorated.

We have since bought a wider bed, which won't fit in the same position as the old one, so we can no longer turn the light on and off from in bed - the second switch is actually behind the wardrobes and the bed is against another wall. The room does not need decorating and will only be due a coat of emulsion then.

We have also re-arranged the kitchen. The cooker was originally installed where the gas connection was and later moved to an outside wall so that a hood could be fitted. This meant moving the fridge, covering a lightswitch. In this case we struggled on for a while as we were due to redecorate the kitchen and then moved the switch and reversed the door opening.

SteveW

[GB]

It's not just a simple redec, is it? You have to channel out the wall, with all the mess that entails. Then replaster that bit, *assuming* the rest of the plaster stays up. Big if! Then strip and reline as necessary. The redecs after that are the smallest bit.

[Mark]

Because builders fit the cheapest kit they can buy.

The ones sold by Amazon do.

[usenet2012]

Mine's not. It uses Wi-Fi. iPhone app -> router -> ethernet -> Smart TV. More reliable than the IR remote and better range too.