The RF light switch I ordered didn’t work on a 3 way circuit1. An alternative that will work is a bit more complicated:
- Replace both2 3-way switches with X10 compatible 3-way switches.
- Add an X10 base receiver.
- Add an X10 remote keypad/switch for the additional switch.
I’m going to hold off on this for a while, but putting X10 throughout parts of the house is certainly tempting. 🙂
- Despite being listed as a “3-Way Switch” in the item title. [back]
- Top and bottom of the stairs. [back]
The X10 WS4777 comes with both modules two complete a 3-way circuit and is really inexpensive. Obviously, you wouldn’t have to go all the way with remotes and such at the moment as you can use it as a regular switch. I just ordered a few for myself actually. 🙂
I’d replace the switches with these, but if you read back to the original post (linked above), you’ll see that the whole purpose is to add a remote switch (like this one). And with the remote, you need a base.
Could you not just move the switch to the other side of the doorway, where it won’t be covered if the door is open? Maybe I missed part of this.
Personally, I don’t like battery-based RF anything because the batteries always seem to die inconveniently for me. I ended up doing a limited deployment of X10 receptacles and switches to replace the couple RF switches I had. I placed some simple X10 controllers where I might want to alter the lighting (not to mention the “all on” button is nice to have). A side benefit of doing the actual X10 stuff was computer control. I can now control my house lighting from anywhere, and I have programmed it to emulate my random light patterns when I am not home (which is why I put an X10 switch in the bathroom, actually). Beats a simple timer any day, and it’s funny to watch from outside while debugging it.
Nope, can’t get the wiring over there.
I need basics on this. What I want to do is simple. I have an existing single switch overhead flourescent light in Kitchen. An idiot located the switch on the entry way least likely to be used for acess from other parts of house. There is an “obvious” location on ana opposite wall, but I don’t want to go “fishing” under my house to run a standart 3-way circuit. I would be most happy if I could replace the existing switch with something that could be manually used as now and also be operatred like a 3-way from an unwired 2nd switch. Is this possible? What do I order? Best source?
Thanks.
I want to be able to turn on the outside barn lights from the house about 100 yards away. The lights are now on 3 way switches in the barn, one at the top of the stairs and one at the bottom. What remote system can I install to do this? Thanks, Newt