# Recommend entertaining replacement light switches! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 9, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-entertaining-replacement-light-switches/621397 "2012-05-09T15:42:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-entertaining-replacement-light-switches/621397/1 "2012-05-09T15:42:00Z")
The light-switches in my apartment are boring. I’m considering replacing them with something more fun. 😃 One option would be Thinkgeek’s offering, the Big Red Panic Button: [http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/ed72/](http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/ed72/) Can any Dopers suggest other entertaining light-switch replacements? I’d be particularly interested in ones that can replace double-switch panels. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-entertaining-replacement-light-switches/621397/2 "2012-05-09T15:52:05Z")
When I lived at my parents house I replaced my bedroom light switch with one that could be turned on/off/dimmed with a remote. In fact, it worked with any remote you programmed it too. Before that I used a piece of string tied to the switch so I wouldn’t have to get off my bed to turn the light off when I was ready to go to bed. This was much more convenient. Come to think of it, I still have the switch in my basement. I’m sure you can still find them. I can’t seem to find it on the internet right now, but I want to point out, this isn’t X10, it doesn’t require any special wiring (beyond how you would wire a normal light switch). You don’t need a special remote. You train it to work with any button on whatever remote you want it to work with etc. Also, there’s no reason why you couldn’t fit two in a box, it’s about the size of a dimmer…probably because (IIRC) it’s a dimmer as well. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-entertaining-replacement-light-switches/621397/3 "2012-05-09T18:07:21Z")
You could get one of those big double knife electric chair type switches. It wouldn’t pass code, and it leaves exposed contacts out to get a shock from, but it would be really cool looking. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-entertaining-replacement-light-switches/621397/4 "2012-05-09T18:15:28Z")
Something just popped in to my mind that might be fun…especially for someone mechanically inclined. Replace the switch with a knob-type rheostat/dimmer. Rig up and attach a device with some gears, sprockets, chains, whatever. Attach a big, elaborate handle to it. Arrange the gears such that it takes like 10 turns of the handle to change the light from dim to bright. I just had a mental image of myself having company over and saying ‘Excuse me while I turn the lights up a bit’ _crankcrankcrankcrankcrankcrank_ Plus, it’s totally steampunk because it has gears. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-entertaining-replacement-light-switches/621397/5 "2012-05-09T18:25:08Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Plus, it’s totally steampunk because it has gears. [Oh really?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFCuE5rHbPA) ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-entertaining-replacement-light-switches/621397/6 "2012-05-13T00:43:01Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > [Oh really?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFCuE5rHbPA) Couldn’t watch that when you posted it, and I just remembered! That’s what was getting at, but I wasn’t aware of the song, so thanks 😛 My FB friends thank you too. ---
**Author:** ![Pitchmeister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pitchmeister/32/3459_2.png) [@Pitchmeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pitchmeister)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-entertaining-replacement-light-switches/621397/7 "2012-05-13T00:52:05Z")
I saw some really cool arcade-style buttons on [www.thisiswhyimbroke.com](http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com) ETA: Here’s the link to the actual seller on [etsy](http://www.etsy.com/listing/74059377/working-arcade-light-switch). ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-entertaining-replacement-light-switches/621397/8 "2012-05-13T14:02:58Z")
I don’t recommend [this](http://www.etsy.com/listing/76432432/reproduction-vintage-turn-on-jesus-light). ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-entertaining-replacement-light-switches/621397/9 "2012-05-13T16:33:47Z")
When I visited the Edison home and laboratory (Ft. Myers, Fla), and the outdoor pool was interesting-the lights around the pool were switched by some weatherproof switches-these were of a sliding post type. They must be pretty good, because the have worked for 112 years now. Are they still made?