Basically I want to put a pull-chain switch on the ceiling (basement rafters) to control a light farther down the citcuit. Not a good place to mount a wall switch. I could buy a fixture with a pull chain, but I was given one without one that’ll work great for free, so I’d like to use it if possible.
I’m not even sure such a thing as I’m looking for exists. Anyone know?
They are made. You can get an unhoused switch from Home Depot.
I did see those, but I’m not sure how I’d mount them to a box? Will it mount in a knockout?
I see:
so look for something like that.
Or just drill a hole in a plain box cover. I think it’s 3/8 inch but measure the switch barrel.
This.
Perfect, thanks guys. I’ll report back when I get it done this weekend.
The speckled band!
Standalone pull-cord light switches are really common here in the UK - they look like this:
http://www.superlecdirect.com/p-prc009-scolmore-10amp-2way-pull-switch?gclid=CPf-t_aD1dACFRC3GwodHuoAmw
Are those sorts of things not available everywhere? I guess they’re so common here I thought they would be. They are standard for any room containing washbasins (so you don’t get wet hands anywhere near the switch contacts).
Awww, this is all straight forward and stuff. Now, see, it would be much funnier if it actually wasn’t connected to anything. See how long someone would pull it over and over before they looked up to see you just had it screwed into the ceiling above them.
Yup, looking for something very much like that…no luck so far.
Most excellent suggestion sir. I must acquire such a switch specifically for this purpose.
Sicks Ate, you can also look for a simple incandescent type overhead fixture with a pull chain that can be wired in series to the remote light. The fixtures are quite common but I don’t know if the switch is only closing the circuit at the fixture or is acting like a light switch that could control additional lights.
A standard box probably won’t have the correct size knockout. You might be able to find one (or a cover) that will. You could probably also make it work with some washers. But a step bit will make a hole any size you want. Nice ones can be a bit spendy, but they’re really nice to have around, super easy to use and they drill through metal as easy as a regular bit drills through wood.
OTOH, if you really want to hack it, I’ll bet it fits in the little rectangle hole that an on/off switch is supposed to stick out of. If you get a plastic one you can probably just force it in. I mean, it’s not pretty, against code and, in theory a wire could sneak out or someone could stick something in there…but it’ll get the job done.
Yes, drilling any standard box should do. A plastic box will be a bit easier to drill. You can also go to a real electrical supply instead of the hardware or big box store and they’ll be able to order a complete unit for you and have it available in just a couple of days. It will likely cost several times as much as just the switch and a standard box though.
The barrel of the switch will fit, or almost fit, the hole in a cover plate intended for a TV coax connector: http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server3900/wlejmk/products/2974/images/6597/1_gang_gray_cable_switch_plate__72901.1361556328.1280.1280.jpg?c=2
These can be had in metal or plastic from any big box DIY store that would carry your switch.
So if it doesn’t quite fit, do you think I can…you know…coax it through?
If it’s close, it’ll be fine. Just don’t force it too much since those plates are brittle and tend to snap. You’ll be better off reaming it out with a drill. A little too big is better then a little too small.
Also, not knowing what your intentions are, make sure it looks super nice and well done if you ever plan to move and leave it in place just since technically, even like that, it wouldn’t be up to the strictest of codes. (A coax cover probably isn’t UL listed (for 110v), I’m not sure if you can technically use a plastic cover on box without drywall around it, that kind of stuff). IOW, when you’re hobbling stuff together, try to make it’s easy to rip out and make ‘normal’, should the need arise.
Installed yesterday in no time with no problems.
I was replacing a single-bulb ceramic fixture with a 4x4’ bulb fluorescent.
So I just used the box the old fixture was on…made right size hole for pull-switch in a blank/cover and bam. Works like it was meant to be that way.
