Attic light switch

[mike93lx]

I currently have a few 4' led fixtures in my attic, all with their own pull chains. I would like to turn all lights on at once, but I like the current setup with a pull chain right over the opening.

It feels like there should be a better solution than putting a two prong adapter in a porcelain pull chain fixture.

I do not want a switch in the living space unless required. I know I could install a box and switch in the attic, and may go that route if a better option doesn't exist.

 

[rlitman]

I have a single bulb in my attic (really need to change that) with a pull chain. The bulb is about 6' from the ladder, so I put a string on the chain so you can pull it from the top of the ladder.

More recently, I bought an Alexa controlled bulb socket so I can voice control the light. You could do the same with several WiFi controlled plugs.

 

[mike93lx]

I have a single bulb in my attic (really need to change that) with a pull chain. The bulb is about 6' from the ladder, so I put a string on the chain so you can pull it from the top of the ladder.

More recently, I bought an Alexa controlled bulb socket so I can voice control the light. You could do the same with several WiFi controlled plugs.

I don't have Alexa controlling anything in my life and want to keep it that way

I really just want to pull one chain/rope and have my whole attic light up.

 

[MeentSS02]

I had one fixture on a pull chain in the attic above my garage...it was never convenient, and the previous owners must have all been short because the bulb was right at my head level, and I broke at least one bulb with my head when I wasn't paying attention.

I decided to redo everything, including adding a couple more bulb sockets. All 3 are on a single switch that is mounted to the truss next to the opening at floor level (there is no floor at that particular point, so no danger kicking it). I can flip it on on the way up, and remember to turn it off on the way down while standing on the pull-down ladder.

 

[AntonLargiader]

In the US I have never seen a complete pull chain switch assembly for sale, but it's easy enough to make one. You can buy a pull switch, mount it to a plastic cover, and replace the porcelain fixture with that cover. Then run a wire out to the LED fixtures. This is what I did on my porch.

The harder part will be dealing with the fact that your LED fixtures all have (I assume) cords and plugs. What are they plugged into? Are you going to install receptacles on the switched circuit? That's the PITA factor of using those 4' shop lights.

 

[Innovate1]

Replace the fixtures with outlets you can plug the LED fixtures into. Then run a wire from the first one to a standard wall switch near the opening. Or do a pull chain switch as suggested by AntonLargiader.

The harder part may be isolating the circuit they all connect to. If they all are wired back to the first light with nothing else connected then it is easy. If not you will need to run wire from the first light location to the others so they can all be switched together.

 

[welder4956]

You could remove the porcelain light receptacle and install a single pole pull chain switch to control the outlet that the shop lights plug into. You would need to drill a hole in a blank cover plate to mount the switch. I think I would choose a blank metal cover plate instead of a plastic one so it would not crack the cover plate due to the stress of pulling on it.

https://www.amazon.com/Gardner-Bender-GSW-35-Electrical-Terminal/dp/B00004WLKH?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_4

Another option would be a switched outlet in the existing box, but you would lose the pull chain.

 

[yatg]

In my last house, I put in a separate circuit for my attic lights. There was a 3-way switch in the garage by the fold down ladder, and a 3-way switch in the attic at the top of the ladder. That's so if you get 1/2 way up the ladder and forget to turn on the lights, you still could at the top. Also added a pilot light, small bulb in a socket, so if the ladder got folded up you'd know the attic lights were still on and could switch them off from the garage. From the attic master switch, ran cable and installed duplex receptacles for 4' shop lights. There were a couple of areas that didn't need to be lit up all the time, so those had another switch near the area and additional receptacles.

 

[The Cobbler]

I wired a light switch right at the attic opening so when I open the hatch, the switch is there

 

[couch67]

years ago i wired an attic light that was fed from the main level pantry light that was close by. the attic light had a pull cord to turn on/off but the pantry light also has to be on for the attic light to work. I did this more out of convenience for wiring, but has caught me a few times getting up there and forgot to turn the pantry light on first.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

I currently have a few 4' led fixtures in my attic, all with their own pull chains. I would like to turn all lights on at once, but I like the current setup with a pull chain right over the opening.



It feels like there should be a better solution than putting a two prong adapter in a porcelain pull chain fixture.



I do not want a switch in the living space unless required. I know I could install a box and switch in the attic, and may go that route if a better option doesn't exist.

Would screw eyes and heavy cord work, the pull chains strung over to attic opening? Easily pull on any one or all from one spot, easy and cheap.

Sent from my SM-S320VL using Tapatalk

 

[tarmy]

I wired a light switch right at the attic opening so when I open the hatch, the switch is there

This...and I have a receptacle up there too for whatever may need some power up there...

 

[danfromsyr]

I have some of the NEW led light bulbs that have a motion sensor built right into the bulb.
the lights come on as I enter the garage or the basement in my old farm house.
have a couple in key places in the barn as well.
it's nice to not have to search for the switch/cords.. just walk in, I do say thank you when they go on. and I do watch them at times. to make sure they go off. you know like the fridge light one can never really be sure they're off.

e 26 led motion bulb
https://www.google.com/search?q=e+26+led+motion+bulb&oq=e+26+led+motion+bulb

 

[Sevenhills1952]

I have some of the NEW led light bulbs that have a motion sensor built right into the bulb.
the lights come on as I enter the garage or the basement in my old farm house.
have a couple in key places in the barn as well.
it's nice to not have to search for the switch/cords.. just walk in, I do say thank you when they go on. and I do watch them at times. to make sure they go off. you know like the fridge light one can never really be sure they're off.

e 26 led motion bulb
https://www.google.com/search?q=e+26+led+motion+bulb&oq=e+26+led+motion+bulb

I never knew they made such a thing... that's interesting!

Sent from my SM-S320VL using Tapatalk

 

[danfromsyr]

I'll also use these plug to socket adapters to put a motion bulb in the storage bay of my barn or attic or such.