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Forum WHY DO LIGHT SWITCHES COST $35??? ARGHHH!
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WHY DO LIGHT SWITCHES COST $35??? ARGHHH!

Former Member
Former Member over 9 years ago

I know there has to be a better way to have addressable remote control lights in my home that won't dip into my hot pockets budget. I just want to be able to program my lights to come on automatically or via remote control. Every day it is the same routine, turn them on, turn them off or did I remember to do it? Oh my poor fingers are so tired...

 

Here are some design guidelines:

1) Must fit in a standard single gang electrical box as a direct replacement or companion for a light switch.

2) Addressable so that multiple units could be used in a home

3) Programmable via software (.Net, python, etc.) and controllable by either Raspberry Pi, Arduino, phone, or PC.

4) Build budget of $10 or less per unit. (Light switch,electrical box and cover plate do not count against budget - they are existing)

5) Must utilize existing standard household wiring to the box, no new wiring required.

6) Does not screw in between the light bulb and the fixture requiring the switch to be on all the time. Solution should be at the switch.

7) Powered by AC from the switch circuit, no batteries required.

 

Bonus points:

5 bonus points if unit also can be used to control standard household receptacles

5,000 bonus points if unit utilizes a standard light switch in the same electrical box

100,000 bonus points for phone control via universal web app.

1,000,000 bonus points if universal web app has scheduled times for on/off.

Infinity bonus points if build cost is under $5 a unit.

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  • michaelkellett
    michaelkellett over 9 years ago in reply to rmd6502 +1
    Without significant design experience relays like this are NOT SAFE for switching mains, especially for DIY design. There is far more to it than just choosing a relay with some approvals. The relay in…
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  • rmd6502
    rmd6502 over 9 years ago

    Main problem isn't the parts, but the UL listing - mains voltage can get really unsafe really fast!!imageimageimage

     

    Still, I'd use an ESP8266 and a solid-state relay (already around $15, though there may be alternate suppliers).  You can use a low voltage switch as an input to the ESP board, and you'll definitely want a fuse and a varistor on the line to eat any voltage spikes and not set the house on fire.  You probably already have a spare wall wart to power the ESP board.

     

    Not easy to get much cheaper in less than 1,000 unit quantities or sacrificing safety.

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  • rmd6502
    rmd6502 over 9 years ago in reply to rmd6502

    Actually, if you're good with wiring up transistor circuits, you can get by with a standard coil relay for a buck and change.  You'll want to be careful of Vce(sat) or Rds(on) (and I recommend the latter) since a light is likely to stay on for an extended period and you don't want too much heat buildup.  Sainsmart has an optoisolated relay board that's pretty cheap, but then you might as well get the SSR for the price of that board.

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  • Former Member
    Former Member over 9 years ago in reply to rmd6502

    Thanks! Gives me something get started with.

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  • Former Member
    Former Member over 9 years ago in reply to rmd6502

    Thanks! Gives me something get started with.

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