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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 193
G
GA76JW Offline OP
Member
First off I would welcome any comments with these products. Whether you have used them or not. Any information is welcome.

This is one link to one particular piece. There are many others available thru all different sources.

http://www.smarthome.com/2533L.html


Secondly, this next question may sound dumb, but I know they are making numerous advances with technology and well, anything is possible.

Anyway, has anyone heard of any kind of wireless system that may not need power at the light, but maybe just at the switch. (i.e. if you wanted to add a light to a room that has no access to the ceiling between the floors of a house. I have heard something recently about transmiting electricity up to 8 feet or something recently without the use of wires. Not sure if it was just an experiment or if it's available to the general public) I know it sounds completely insane, just want some good feedback here please.


Thanks in advance guys.

Philip


"If common sense was common, everyone would have it"-not sure, someone here

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 251
T
Member
Originally Posted by GA76Apprentice

Anyway, has anyone heard of any kind of wireless system that may not need power at the light, but maybe just at the switch. (i.e. if you wanted to add a light to a room that has no access to the ceiling between the floors of a house. I have heard something recently about transmiting electricity up to 8 feet or something recently without the use of wires. Not sure if it was just an experiment or if it's available to the general public) I know it sounds completely insane, just want some good feedback here please.


Thanks in advance guys.

Philip


'WiTricity'. Electricity transmitted with no wires. Not coming to a Home Depot near you anytime soon, very much in its infancy. I'm scared of it, I think its like standing to close to a microwave, just not a good idea.

Last edited by Trick440; 11/06/07 10:11 PM.

Shake n Bake
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 368
M
Member
Had one of my friends put one of these wireless 3 way switches in their main floor kitchen www.smarthome.com/2531w.html because they did not want to break holes in the stippled ceiling in their basement rec room to fish a line for a proper 3 way switch to the other entrance by the back door. The attic was not accessable to fish down from the top.

The original switch was by the dining room opening so when they came in at night using the back door they had to walk through a dark kitchen to turn on the lights.

It never did work properly, even after 3 replacement units from the big box store it would just go off and on at random when turned on by either unit, if the light was turned off it did not come on by itself. Did not matter if A or B code was selected on the units.

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 61
Member
The wireless switches are prone to turning off and on when you dont want them to. I had a wireless switch that controlled a fan in my server room and with all the EMF in the room, it managed to turn the fan off by the next day. THe other technology, which is SLIGHTLY more dependable is X10, but I would still not recomend it. It uses PLC technology [Power Line Carrier] but I have had many issues with line interference. The best solution that I havent tried yet is 'INSTEON' technology made by smarthome, that use a wireless AND PLC transmission to make sure signal gets where it needs to be.

As far as wireless power.... the day that comes around, everyone on this forum will be looking for new jobs because the need for sparkies will cease to exist.


~Matt


I would rather beg for forgiveness then beg for permission.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
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Originally Posted by TOOL_5150
As far as wireless power.... the day that comes around, everyone on this forum will be looking for new jobs because the need for sparkies will cease to exist.

Is that right?
I'm not quite sure I would believe an idea like that.

Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 482
Z
Member
If I recall my history correctly, Nicola Tesla experimented with wireless electrical power transmission way back in AC infancy, with some impressive results. I have to agree with Trick440 though, in that the EMF and other factors give me the creeps a little bit - like I might start having three headed babies with antlers or something.

As far as putting us out of work, I just think we would have to embrace the new technology. Somebody would have to install and service such technology, and it would be even more out of reach of the DIYer and handyman. Might work out for the better.

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 984
Likes: 1
G
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Even since I started working with wireless systems, I was stunned at the number of wires involved.

I think that they should rename it from 'wireless' technology to 'you can't see the wires' technology.


Ghost307
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 456
C
Member
I'd use them, if it weren't so darned easy and reliable to run a proper switch leg.

They are called uplight wall sconces. Or surface trunking. Your Pick.

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 61
Member
Originally Posted by Trumpy
Originally Posted by TOOL_5150
As far as wireless power.... the day that comes around, everyone on this forum will be looking for new jobs because the need for sparkies will cease to exist.

Is that right?
I'm not quite sure I would believe an idea like that.


That was meant more as a joke than a belief. :-) It is actually a strange idea. I wonder if you could 'steal power' from your neighbor,grin like my friend uses his neighbors wireless internet! whistle
[kidding - none of my friends are theivs]

~Matt


I would rather beg for forgiveness then beg for permission.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Member
LOL,
I thought you must have been kidding, Matt.
[Linked Image]

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