I recently moved into a new apartment and realized there's no light in my bedroom. Instead there's a switch that controls one of the outlets. But the outlet that is controlled is behind my dresser. Does anyone know of a device I could use to change the outlet that's controlled without tearing up the walls? I know there are smart devices, but I use my phone all day and don't want to use it at night.
Changing Wall Switch Outlet
- Thread starter nothandy
- Start date
Shiftless
Well-known member
How about just using an extension cord from the outlet behind your dresser over to the lamp you want to control with the existing switch? keep it simple! 
slow
Well-known member
or put the lamp on the dresser.
The X10 stuff works well and is cheap, there are better options that go up in price, but some require hard wiring.
Ryan
The X10 stuff works well and is cheap, there are better options that go up in price, but some require hard wiring.
Ryan
Ran into this same issue when we bought an old farm house. All three bedrooms have no lights in them, but they do have a switch controlled outlet like yours. We just ended up strategically putting lamps and ran an extension cord to them, trying to hide the cord the best we could. Not ideal but it does work. In the future if we gut those rooms i will redo the wiring but for now we are getting by.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
I see no one directly answered your question.
There is no physical device that can change which outlet gets the switched wire from the wall switch...
garrett1812
Well-known member
You can check the other outlets and see if the switched hot wire is in the box. Good chance it is.
Assuming this is an apartment you rent and not own, you might be better off with wireless options as mentioned. Depends what your land lord is like.
Assuming this is an apartment you rent and not own, you might be better off with wireless options as mentioned. Depends what your land lord is like.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Instead of changing the outlet, install a wireless switch next to your existing switchbox. Get one that's surface mounted so you don't have to tear into the wall.
Plug the wireless control unit into a hot outlet wherever you'd like a light, then plug the light into that. The switch will turn it on and off.
http://www.midlandhardware.com/177603.html#.VtXbi8LTnIU
http://www.walmart.com/ip/28460053?...08049169&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=63481622131&veh=sem
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R7Q7PT4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Plug the wireless control unit into a hot outlet wherever you'd like a light, then plug the light into that. The switch will turn it on and off.
http://www.midlandhardware.com/177603.html#.VtXbi8LTnIU
http://www.walmart.com/ip/28460053?...08049169&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=63481622131&veh=sem
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R7Q7PT4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
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wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Fat chance on that! It would be a waste of wire and money that most builders wont pay for.
Cmreschke
Well-known member
The clapper?
Thank you everyone for the advice. I had looked at the x10 units at a previous place. My problem is I just didn't want another switch on the wall, though they are really convenient. Interestingly, after posting my request I kept searching and came across this website which showed up in my Google search.
www.switchflip.me
Has anyone heard about this? Does it work? Can you buy it? It seems like it's exactly what I was asking for - a device that lets you change which outlet is controlled by the wall switch. Hoping someone has some experience with this that they'd be willing to share.
www.switchflip.me
Has anyone heard about this? Does it work? Can you buy it? It seems like it's exactly what I was asking for - a device that lets you change which outlet is controlled by the wall switch. Hoping someone has some experience with this that they'd be willing to share.
It looks like it works by sending a signal over your existing wiring to a second receiver - sort of like a powerline adapter for internet
Why not just buy a remote controlled switch like this one for $15
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V20N3G/?tag=atomicindus08-20
There are dozens of things like this available. Some use a handheld remote, you can use an app on your phone etc
Why not just buy a remote controlled switch like this one for $15
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V20N3G/?tag=atomicindus08-20
There are dozens of things like this available. Some use a handheld remote, you can use an app on your phone etc
Attachments
I just did a whole house like this last sat. 5 rooms from switched rec to switched ceiling lights, home by noon, but I didn't have to hang 2 ceiling fans they didn't have. Plus the attic was batts and not blown in 20" thick. Ohh lucky dayyyy, haha.
mrVanagon
Well-known member
If you opt for one of the remote options, you could stick the remote to the wall next to the existing switch. A bit of double sided tape goes a long way. We did this sort of thing fairly often in my college dorm days.
