For the past few years, I've been using a "dongle" that I plug into an outlet in my garage and is controlled by a remote control (similar to a garage door opener remote). In the winter, the preheater for my tractor gets plugged into it, so I can start it preheating without going out to the tractor. In the summer, it controls the sump pump that feeds the home-made water slide that goes into our pond.
I have yet to find one of these that works reliably. The first one I tried worked in the summer, but not in the winter, when the temperatures really dropped (obviously not what you want for a preheater outlet). The next two I tried each only lasted about 6 months, then the remote stopped working. A new battery did not help. I suspect the cheap things they use for switches in the remote just crapped out.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a remote controlled outlet that works reliably and in colder temperatures?
John
After trying anything affordable and further, after getting the acknowledgement from one manufacturer that his system could not work in the cold, I opted for two different types of systems over many years. My tractor shed is 300 feet from my home
Having a real 110 volt relay with a coil, often 24 volts AC, but also possible with 12 volt DC is the reliable way to switch power on or off when very cold.
The remotes on the market use electronic components instead of simple points to do the on off switching.
If you plug a low wattage led bulb into the remote's receptacle, it will usually glow even though switched off because some current is bleeding through.
My simple solution was been to run two wire lamp cord over the ground from my tractor shed to my home. A 24 volt transformer and a switch and you control the relay.
Removing the wire in the spring is an inconvenience but must be done for grass cutting and because the sun will destroy the cheap lamp cord insulation.
Later, I ran a shallow buried water line to serve as a conduit so the control wire could remain in place all year.
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Automotive remote car starters are cheap and have reasonable ranges. They are designed to work in cold weather.
With a little ingenuity you can have one switching any remote relay on or off.
There are systems on the market which control locomotives in train yards, boom trucks while standing back from the truck. Th technology is available it is the price that keeps the average person from using them.
Dave
M7040
