# Remote control switch?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-switch/419012
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [September 13, 2007, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-switch/419012 "2007-09-13T02:35:40Z")
**Posts on this page:** 12
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@bstenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bstenger)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2007, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-switch/419012/1 "2007-09-13T02:35:40Z")
Is there any way I can make or buy a switch where I can turn on and off a light across the room with a remote or by shining a laser at it or something like that?
I want to be able to turn a light off remotely without using the Clapper. 😃
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### Author:  [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2007, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-switch/419012/2 "2007-09-13T02:41:32Z")
[Here ya go](http://koolatrononline.stores.yahoo.net/ir-remote-switch.html).
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### Author:  [@bstenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bstenger)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2007, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-switch/419012/3 "2007-09-13T02:49:04Z")
Thanks, that’s just what I was looking for.
In case anyone’s interested, the same company is selling the same remotes on Amazon for half the price.:
> **[Koolatron IR Remote Switch - Plug-in - Lighting Accessories - Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/Koolatron-IR-Remote-Switch-Plug-In/dp/B0006II7CO)**
>
> If you can relate to any of the following scenarios then this product is definitely for you! You've settled in for the evening, put the kids to bed and now it's your turn. You crawl into bed with a great novel or turn the TV on to watch the late...
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### Author:  [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2007, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-switch/419012/4 "2007-09-13T03:33:13Z")
If you want to use multiple switches with light dimmers, timers, remotes etc. (i.e. home automation) then I’d recommend an [X-10 system.](http://www.smarthome.com/_/X10_Compatible/_/23X/land.aspx) You can also find them at Radio Shack.
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### Author:  [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2007, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-switch/419012/5 "2007-09-13T04:47:28Z")
You can also buy radio powered remotes for about $10.
I got several from Menards/Home despot.
They’ve a range of about 50 feet, and the signal goes through walls quite nicely.
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### Author:  [@bstenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bstenger)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2007, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-switch/419012/6 "2007-09-13T14:17:52Z")
[QUOTE=Squink]
You can also buy radio powered remotes for about $10.
I got several from Menards/Home despot.
They’ve a range of about 50 feet, and the signal goes through walls quite nicely.
[/QUOTE]
Radio powered remotes? $10 is definitely more my speed. Can you link to examples of any so I can see what they are?
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### Author:  [@d1a1s1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d1a1s1)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2007, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-switch/419012/7 "2007-09-13T14:28:25Z")
Like this? [Im Lazy](http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100019302&N=10000003+502458+90401&marketID=90401&locStoreNum=8125)
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### Author:  [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2007, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-switch/419012/8 "2007-09-13T14:29:58Z")
[Here’s one](http://switch-cn.en.alibaba.com/product/50399283/52179992/REMOTE_CONTROL_SOCKET_SERIES/REMOTE_CONTROL_SOCKET.html)
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### Author:  [@bstenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bstenger)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2007, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-switch/419012/9 "2007-09-13T14:37:16Z")
[QUOTE=Squink]
[Here’s one](http://switch-cn.en.alibaba.com/product/50399283/52179992/REMOTE_CONTROL_SOCKET_SERIES/REMOTE_CONTROL_SOCKET.html)
[/QUOTE]
Thanks, Squink. Is that pretty much what the onesavailable at Home Depot look like? Do those work woth those programmable TV remotes that you can get at the dollar store?
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### Author:  [@bstenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bstenger)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2007, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-switch/419012/10 "2007-09-13T14:39:24Z")
Never mind, I just noticed that a remote is included. The one at Home Depot for $10 also comes with the remote?
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### Author:  [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2007, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-switch/419012/11 "2007-09-13T14:57:54Z")
Yes. There’s a plug in wall unit, and a little one button remote switch.
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### Author:  [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2007, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-switch/419012/12 "2007-09-13T16:10:09Z")
[The Clapper](http://www.amazon.com/Clapper-Sound-Activated-Switch-Each/dp/B0000CGKLR)
ETA: oops. didn’t see that you didn’t want the clapper. Oh well. 😉