Does this product exist?

cKGunslinger

Lifer
Nov 29, 1999
16,408
57
91
So I have an outlet (in my apartment) that is controlled by a light switch next to the front door. I currently have a lamp on it, so that I can enter the apartment, hit the switch, and turn on the lamp.

Now, I want to move the lamp to the opposite wall, but I don't really want to run an extension cord back to the switched outlet. Is there some transmitter-hardware that would let me turn on the switched outlet, which would then activate another outlet or pluggable device, and thus give power to the lamp?

I know they make remote-controlled outlets, but I'm really only wanting to use the existing wall switch and nothing else.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,042
10,530
126
There's a bunch of ways you can that, but it would require a device at each end. I'd just get something like a clapper. You'll look stupid, but it's straight forward.
 

cKGunslinger

Lifer
Nov 29, 1999
16,408
57
91
There's a bunch of ways you can that, but it would require a device at each end. I'd just get something like a clapper. You'll look stupid, but it's straight forward.

Yeah, I figure I could probably rig up something, but sometimes it's easier to spend $20 on Amazon and be done with it.

A clapper may not be a horrible idea. Now I just need to find a hand-clapping device.. :p
 
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Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
Moderator
Dec 11, 1999
16,695
4,658
75
I know they make remote-controlled outlets, but I'm really only wanting to use the existing wall switch and nothing else.
What's wrong with using adhesive to stick the new switch on the wall next to the old switch?
 

cKGunslinger

Lifer
Nov 29, 1999
16,408
57
91
What's wrong with using adhesive to stick the new switch on the wall next to the old switch?

Nothing really, other than batteries and adhesive and whatnot. That's probably my backup plan, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking something obvious that I'd like better.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
70,571
13,804
126
www.anyf.ca
Could probably do something fairly easily with a laser diode and CDS cell. Basically hook up laser diode to a wall wart plugged into the switchable plug, laser points to a CDS cell at the other end which is part of a relay circuit to turn on the light. You could do something a big more fool proof and use some kind of wireless communication with two arduinos or something.

But before you do this, have you checked BOTH sockets on the other plug? Sometimes they're connected in such a way that only the bottom or top is switched and it will apply to more than just one plug.
 

CZroe

Lifer
Jun 24, 2001
24,195
857
126
Belkin makes a line of power remote control products which might interest you.
 

02ranger

Golden Member
Mar 22, 2006
1,046
0
76
Only thing with clappers is if you have pets, they'll be confused all the time thinking they're doing something wrong. :p

Not to mention everytime they actually do something wrong you'll end up in the dark. Pretty soon Rover's gonna know all he has to do when he's ready to go to bed is shit in the floor and his human will turn the lights off for him.
 

Mike64

Platinum Member
Apr 22, 2011
2,108
101
91
Nothing really, other than batteries and adhesive and whatnot. That's probably my backup plan, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking something obvious that I'd like better.
They're temporarily out of stock and the alternative sellers are more expensive, but Amazon sells that sort of gizmo with potentially free shipping for $13.00.
 

stormkroe

Golden Member
May 28, 2011
1,550
97
91
If that switch is at the end of the circuit, or a branch with just the switched outlet and another outlet after that, or if the other outlets on that circuit simply aren't used, then you could change the wiring in the lamp outlet (assuming the switchable part is only the top or bottom of the receptacle) to cause the rest of the outlets to be switched and the one that the lamp is plugged into now to have constant power.
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WHAMPOM

Diamond Member
Feb 28, 2006
7,628
183
106
So I have an outlet (in my apartment) that is controlled by a light switch next to the front door. I currently have a lamp on it, so that I can enter the apartment, hit the switch, and turn on the lamp.

Now, I want to move the lamp to the opposite wall, but I don't really want to run an extension cord back to the switched outlet. Is there some transmitter-hardware that would let me turn on the switched outlet, which would then activate another outlet or pluggable device, and thus give power to the lamp?

I know they make remote-controlled outlets, but I'm really only wanting to use the existing wall switch and nothing else.

Did you check if there are other outlets in the room controlled by that switch too? Usually in such a setup the top outlets are wired to a 15amp switch and the lower outlets wired direct to 20amp for appliances.