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-   -   Trying to add another switch (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=304348)

  • Jan 16, 2009, 09:09 AM
    enz
    Trying to add another switch
    I'm trying to add another switch to control the lights from both ends. I have a light switch by the door before we walk down stairs that turns it on and off. I want to put another switch at bottom of steps so we can turn it off from there to. I have all the right wires to do but my only problem is that when I uncovered the switch plate at the top of my steps, there are only a black and white wire coming out. I somehow managed to hook up the wires where both switches work on there own as a test run with both switches by me and not installed in wall yet, they worked but the lights were very dim. Can anyone help.. n tell me how to put at bottom of steps. I've had people tell me how to do it by rewiring it all but I can not get to everything without ripping the sheetrock apart to figure out where the ires go. All I have use to is the black and white wire coming from the switch on top of steps that's there already and the light at bottom of steps
  • Jan 16, 2009, 11:27 AM
    KISS

    You need something like 14/3 running to the switches. Look for diagrams for 3-way switch wiring.

    If you don't want to run wires then there might be a solution from Insteon where you would provide power to the switch and use RF or power line signals to control the light. See Smarthome - Home Automation, X10, Remote Control, Lighting, Wireless Security

    There may be some "energy harvesting" products on the market. I don't have a link handy. These products would use the mechanical action of you flipping the switch to power a low power RF transmitter that turns on the light.

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