Door switches

19333 Views 26 Replies 11 Participants Last post by crovello, Feb 24, 2010

crovello

Discussion Starter · Nov 13, 2009

Nearly every job I have done recently calls for door switches in the closets. These are always an issue with my electrician. The switch he normally uses (Lee Electric 210DF) has a 1 1/4" wide box and faceplate and I need to install them in a 1 3/8" door. This takes up most of the jamb and it takes my men hours to install the electrical boxes.

On the last project I had him use low voltage. This was a much better system but since most of my work is fixed price I don't care to have to pay for the extra equipment and labor my electrician charges to install them.

This current project has a dozen closets with door switches and to make things worse they are all vertical grain fir. This is a tough material to mortise switches into so I would love to find a line voltage switch alternative.

Any suggestions??

Dave

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Zinsco

· #2 · Nov 13, 2009

I hate door jamb switches. As far as line voltage, since splices must be in a junction box, you get an impressive piece of metal to mortise in, I know of no other alternative. As you know, low voltage allows for smaller parts but has added costs for transformers, boxes and relays.

I know of no other methods that are economical, I always try to talk customers out of door jamb switches.
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480sparky

· #3 · Nov 13, 2009

Two words: Motion sensors.

crovello

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 13, 2009

480sparky said:
Two words: Motion sensors.

I don't think I have ever seen motion sensors used in closets unless they are large walk-in closets. I am not sure where or what I would mount in a small closet.

Dave

480sparky

· #5 · Nov 13, 2009

crovello said:
I don't think I have ever seen motion sensors used in closets unless they are large walk-in closets. I am not sure where or what I would mount in a small closet.

Dave

Right over the door.

Bubbles

· #6 · Nov 13, 2009

Jamb

http://www.residential-landscape-lighting-design.com/store/door_jamb_switches_RLLD1877EDW.htm

Inner10

· #7 · Nov 13, 2009

Sell them on a home automation system, use alarm contacts and bind them to the lighting control system.:thumbup:

crovello

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 13, 2009

Bubbles said:
http://www.residential-landscape-lighting-design.com/store/door_jamb_switches_RLLD1877EDW.htm

That has the same dimensions as the switches I use now. Very tight in a 1 3/8" interior door jamb.

Why can't they make the push button with a 10' lead that you could run directly into the light. That way you would not have to make a splice at the door location.

Would someone out there develope that and send me a few :laughing:

woodchuck2

· #9 · Nov 13, 2009

480sparky said:
Two words: Motion sensors.

I have never heard of this but i like it. How many have you done and what was the customers thoughts? Are you flush mounting to the ceiling or using an adjustable eye?

Bubbles

· #10 · Nov 13, 2009

Motion Sensors

I agree with 480. I've been doing motion sensors alot as well. Mostly on old work and mostly laundry and a couple closets. It's the typical $15 Motion at L's or H.D. If I had feed at light just cut in a new box a few inches over and backfeed light. Set to 1 or 5 min , and walla, when they walk in room with a handful of clothes it kicks on. That would be quick, easy, cheap in a new construction app. I'd obviously keep it in ceiling parallel to door (the most degree sensing) and slightly away from shelves (future work) so the sensor catches the door opening.

crovello

Discussion Starter · #11 · Nov 14, 2009

The idea of using a motion is sounding better the more I think about it.
I am going to ask the architect if we can try it.

Thanks for the idea.

Dave

Zinsco

· #12 · Nov 15, 2009

Are we talk'n one of these babies? Do you take the motion sensor off and mount it to a single gang blank plate?
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480sparky

· #13 · Nov 15, 2009

Zinsco said:
Are we talk'n one of these babies? Do you take the motion sensor off and mount it to a single gang blank plate?

I'm talking about these:

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Magnettica

· #14 · Nov 15, 2009

^^

and where do you mount them, ceiling?

crovello

Discussion Starter · #15 · Nov 15, 2009

480sparky said:
I'm talking about these:

I would be concerned that a sensor mounted to the ceiling would not work well in a shallow closet. I would like something mounted on the head jamb so now I would be back to mortising a box into the door jamb. I don't supose they make a remote type sensor that surface mounts rather than mounting in a box?

480sparky

· #16 · Nov 15, 2009

Magnettica said:
and where do you mount them, ceiling?

Yes.

crovello said:
.........I don't supose they make a remote type sensor that surface mounts rather than mounting in a box?

What would be gained by bringing it out of the wall/ceiling 1½" or 2?

crovello

Discussion Starter · #17 · Nov 15, 2009

480sparky said:
Yes.

What would be gained by bringing it out of the wall/ceiling 1½" or 2?

I would be concerned that if it was mounted to the closet ceiling it could be blocked by crap piled on the shlef or the angle would not allow it to pick up movement in front of the closet doors. This would not be an issue in a large closet but in a 24" deep closet it could be. So I would want it mounted to the door head jamb. I don't want to have to cut boxes in the jamb so a surface mounted unit would work better. It would be aimed right at the door and could not be blocked by clutter in the closet.

Tinstaafl

· #18 · Nov 15, 2009

crovello said:
I don't want to have to cut boxes in the jamb so a surface mounted unit would work better.

Yes, they make them. But then you'd have a big ugly wart on your door jamb.

I believe you're overthinking this. If you want just about totally foolproof, stick with cutting in mechanical switches and charging what it takes to do so.

If cost is an issue, make it clear to the client that he needs to compromise and keep his junk out of the way. His choice.

480sparky

· #19 · Nov 15, 2009

crovello said:
I would be concerned that if it was mounted to the closet ceiling it could be blocked by crap piled on the shlef or the angle would not allow it to pick up movement in front of the closet doors. This would not be an issue in a large closet but in a 24" deep closet it could be. So I would want it mounted to the door head jamb. I don't want to have to cut boxes in the jamb so a surface mounted unit would work better. It would be aimed right at the door and could not be blocked by clutter in the closet.

If that's a concern, then what good is a light that will only illuminate the top of all the crap on the top shelf?

crovello

Discussion Starter · #20 · Feb 23, 2010

To avoid using the 1.25" wide line voltage door switches my electricain came up with these.

This relay is so small it will fit in the light fixture and we only need to run a small wire to any alarm type door switch.

This means I don't have to spend time mortising door jambs and the end result will look much better.

How come none of you recomended this to me?? I am disapointed in you guys. :whistling

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