Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    enz's Avatar
    enz Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jan 16, 2009, 09:09 AM
    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
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
    Uber Member
     
    #2

    Jan 16, 2009, 11:27 AM

    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.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Replacing fan motor relay switch with upgraded switch [ 4 Answers ]

Hello, I've searched online to locate a replacement fan motor relay switch for an old Fedders propane heating unit in my greenhouse. The replacement should be fairly easy to do, however the part I was needing ( RBM 84-20103-301A) was listed as obsolete and was replaced by (McQuay part #...

Connect a port on a remote switch to a secure segment on the local switch [ 4 Answers ]

I have 2 Netvanta 1224R switches. On the main switch I have 3 Vlans setup. Vlan1 = main network (example IP 123.231.5.1) Vlan2 = Web Access (Example IP 69.115.851.202) Vlan3 = Secure segment (Example IP 123.231.8.1) On the remote switch I have 1 Vlan. Vlan1 = Main network (example IP...

Change Pilot Light Switch with a Single-way Switch [ 1 Answers ]

It's worth noted that I am a complete novice, so please be patient with me. I want to replace an existing pilot light switch with a single-way lighted switch. The existing setup has four terminals (red wire, black wire, white wire, and ground wire). The red wire goes to the left, the black wire...

HEAT-OFF-COOL system switch - AUTO-ON fan switch [ 1 Answers ]

From an Email: ''Dear asklabman, I am a first time house ownere & having an issue with my Honeywell T8112 Programmable Thermostat. Thermostat has two switches for the fan - AUTO FAN & FAN ON switches and three switches for thes system, COOL, HEAT & System OFF modes. Yesterday we turned ON...

Converting pull switch lights to wall switch [ 3 Answers ]

I've been struggling finding the answer to this in books and online, it seems as if it should be an easy question and something that gets done all the time. Looking for some help. My basement has several rooms and all lights are wired "hot" with pull switches from each light receptacle. When the...


View more questions Search