Remote switch for shop furnace or block heater

dnw64 · Jan 10, 2019

pmsmechanic said:
Because it's a VW with an oil pan heater. No block heater. And besides I'm frugal. I don't want to run the heater if I don't need to. I get up early anyways so it's not a big deal to check. I just don't want to run out to the shop to plug the car in when it's cold outside.

I would like to be able to turn the heater on while in the house and not be connected to the internet to do it.

The switch mentioned upthread should work: https://amazon.com/gp/product/B015E7DTW4/

I ordered one with three extra switches to run our dust collector. Will see how they work.

Spec:
- Compatible any lamps like halogen/incandescent/CFL/fluorescent/LED
- 433mhz, transmission distance 300 feet outdoor, 100 feet indoor
- Voltage range AC85-265v, standard 10 amp, max resistive load 16 amp
- Encrypted connection, no signal interferences between switches
- Switch is water resistance, 20 years lifetime

John_Mc · Jan 10, 2019

pmsmechanic said:
What I'm wondering is if something similar exists to turn my block heater on in the morning. I could look at the temperature and decide if I need to use the block heater and turn it on if I desire. The car would need to be plugged in and the "unit" would energize the cord if desired.

Most hardware stores sell remote controlled outlets. The outlet portion plugs into an existing outlet, and contains it's own outlet which is controlled by an internal radio receiver. The remote is a battery operated device (similar to a garage door remote). The down side is that the range is very limited (I have one claiming 80 ft range, but I'm lucky to get 50' out of it, and that's with a brand new battery.

A couple tips if you go this way:

Check the operating temperature range of the remote outlet before buying. My first one would not work below about 20-25˚F at the outlet (I suspect the internal relay just froze up?) The second one worked OK down to about 5˚F.
It's also helpful to get one with two outlets, so you can plug a light in and put the light somewhere you can see it remotely, so you can confirm the outlet is on.
Some of the remote outlets also let you switch them on and off at the outlet. This is handy if you are at the outlet and want to turn it on or off without having to unplug and replug cords.

I would love it if the Acegoo folks who made the remote switch I linked a few posts up would make a remote outlet, since batteryless operation with 300 ft range would be nice. Unfortunately, I've not been able to find anything like that. I may make my own by wiring the receiver into an electrical box on the end of a short cord. I think I'd have to use a plastic box, since a metal one might block the signal. I might put an LED indicator light on the box so I could tell if it were energized.

I'd also love it if the Acegoo folks would make a handheld remote version. The one they have is rather bulky. It's OK for a wallmount, but not something I'd put in my pocket or leave in a car.

coldsteelva · Jan 10, 2019

dnw64 said:
Just curious what your aversion is to "smart" devices?

Diggin nailed it. All of these devices are so 'cheap' because the manufacturers want them to be easy to get, set up, and use anywhere and everywhere. Every one of them 'phones home' meaning it is collecting and sharing data with or without your knowledge and consent. Do any of you truly believe that the Alexa, Echo, Dot, Spot or Google Home devices don't 'listen' ALL THE TIME? How else could they know when you were actually speaking to 'them'?

I find it best to keep to manual or local remote-type devices and not so much the home automation devices. Any time your curious, do a search on Lenovo (Chinese owned) or Huawei (Chinese owned) and how they are known to have integrated chips whose sole purpose in life is to phone home and provide a back door to the manufacturer. Huawei is being banned from core cellular communications networks simply because they are not necessarily independent of the Chinese government.

ericm979 · Jan 10, 2019

Diggin It said:
ALL of that information is tracked, gathered, stored and sold regardless of disclaimers or published policies to the contrary:

Lawsuit: Weather Channel illegally shared user location data with advertisers | Ars Technica

Goog and AMZ are primarily in the information gathering and selling business. It's what they do. Data is how they make the bulk of their money. The other more public functions like selling things is fluff.

Yep. Also the cloud system can be turned off, making the devices useless. It's happened before.
And the security on the cloud devices and the data generated from them is terrible.

I've designed secure software and cryptographic algorithms for the last 20 some years. I won't have "smart" devices in my house. Computers and cell phones are bad enough.

ericm979 · Jan 10, 2019

here's today's example of why you don't want cloud connected stuff:

For Owners of Amazon's Ring Security Cameras, Strangers May Have Been Watching

(TL;DR: Ring has tons of employees pawing through video from customer's cameras and keeps them in the cloud without encryption.)

metalbender · Jan 10, 2019

I use an outdoor remote light switch. Max range is unknown, the tent shed is about fifty ft from the house. Used it initially to turn garage door power off to eliminate unauthorized opening. The unit is probably more than ten years in service.

m1garand762 · Jan 11, 2019

Just get a wireless Christmas light controller from Walmart 20 bucks and it's just like the remote for you care. Money works to about 300 feet

metalbender · Jan 11, 2019

That be the switch I have. Simple A light that can be seen to monitor on/off functions would be beneficial.

dnw64 · Jan 11, 2019

coldsteelva said:
Diggin nailed it. All of these devices are so 'cheap' because the manufacturers want them to be easy to get, set up, and use anywhere and everywhere. Every one of them 'phones home' meaning it is collecting and sharing data with or without your knowledge and consent. Do any of you truly believe that the Alexa, Echo, Dot, Spot or Google Home devices don't 'listen' ALL THE TIME? How else could they know when you were actually speaking to 'them'?

I don't like the Alexa et al, but the TP-Link type switches seem to me to be in an entirely different class. What is anyone going to learn (and do something) about the fact that my driveway lights come on at sunset every day or I turn on my block heater at various, apparently random times?