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Switch for Panty Door

3K views 16 replies 10 participants last post by  Master Brian 
#1 ·
I have a wall pantry, that I'm wanting to light with LED Puck lights. I already have the set of lights I'd like to use, but the problem is they are controlled via the wall-wart, which has a built in switch. Problem with this is I know the kids won't turn it off if they turn it on as well as locating it in a place where it's easily accessible.

My want it to install a switched receptacle in the pantry that I can plug these lights into. For the reasons mentioned above, I really don't want to put the typical light switch in the pantry. I've considered a motion activated switch so when the door is open and motion is sensed, it'll kick on, but my ideal solution would be something tied directly to the door, so when the door opens the lights come on and when closed they go off. The problem is I don't really know what that's called and even if it's easily found.

Can anyone offer some advise?
 
#5 ·
or install a vacancy switch to control the outlet where wall-wart is plugged in. with motion it goes on, 5min later w/ no motion around it goes off. i am not sure if they sell a sensor/outlet that fits a single outlet box, you could then simply replace the outlet with the sensor/outlet item?

who closes the door all the time? door jamb switch means the lights will be on more than you like them to be.
 
#7 ·
  1. Will that jamb mounted switch push the door open if it doesn't latch?
  2. Do you have room for the box behind the switch?
  3. How will you cut the hole in the jamb for the box if the jamb lacks proper support?
  4. Where is the wire entry on the box?
  5. Are your planning to switch line voltage to receptacle or the output of the wall wart?
 
#8 ·
Pondering the same a few years ago and asking myself the same questions led me to installing a conventional wall switch that controls a high placed wall outlet. Transformer plugs into it and is then switched. I did use led, but found a 48" bar and mounted it on the ceiling in lieu of pucks. I do like pucks under cabinets or in cabinets with glass doors.
 
#12 ·
In regards to the questions asked:
- Not really sure how I'd get power to the hinged side of the doorjamb, so I'm questioning that install.
- I'd rather switch line voltage vs the wall-wart.
- Not sure it'd push it open, the door is a fairly solid/heavy door with a spice rack on it.
- Structure of the frame isn't an issue in regards to strength, it's a traditional interior door, c1915 with a 3/4" jamb.

I suppose I could mount the switch up high on the handle side to where the back side of the door pushes the button, vs being installed inside the jamb. Would be much easier on my sanity installing it that way vs figuring out how to get power into the jamb. The idea that I'm starting to lean towards is a motion activated switch. They aren't cheap, but it could also be easily turned off if I wanted it off and I also wonder if I could dim the LED with one. They have a high/low setting on the wall-wart, but I likely wouldn't use that often.
 
#16 ·
Wouldn't be a regular receptacle, but I understand and won't be doing that on 2nd thought.

I've looked at both Lowes and Home Depot for the jamb switch, still haven't located, but am at this point strongly considering the vacancy switch idea. I just have to figure out the best method to wire this now. There is an outlet in the cabinet, so I'm hoping not to hard to fish wire off of that outlet. I installed it a while back so I could mount a router or a wall hung phone (running cords through the wall)....but who uses land line phones any longer!:wink2:

2nd thought...maybe a plug in motion control plug would be the quick and easy way to go. I already have power in the pantry...any reason I can't plug the LED wall wart into one of these?
 
#17 ·
Well, just to update this for anyone in the future....

I went ahead and bought one of the plug in motion activated plugs like mentioned above and mounted it in the cabinet. I had to do no other wiring, since I already had an outlet. I just plugged the module into the outlet and the wall wart for the LED lights into the motion control module. It has several options for length of time to be on, I set to 1 minute, so far so good. When the door opens, within about 5 seconds the lights pop on and they go off after no movement, ie door closes.

Thanks for all the replies. This works so well, trying to figure out what else it might be handy for. I'm partially thinking lamps in kids room or hallway....hmmm.....

****Westek Model # MLC12BC-4 Internet # 202524826 Indoor Plug-In Motion Activated Light Control***
 
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