Remote Controlled mains sockets x 4 Aldi @ £15.99 17/11+ WSL

quoia

RightRevBod wrote:

I have purchased four sets from Lidl over the past couple of years (they have had them on offer at least twice in that time).

One thing that I would like to correct is that they do not seem to have random codes. That is to say that the "1" button on one controler will generate the same code as the "1" button on the other controlers.

We use a set of these for our outside lights. We have a controler in each car to turn the lights on when we arrive home in the dark, and another in the house to switch them off again.

You can train as many sockets as you like to each code, so if you had enough sockets you could switch the whole house off with one button.

In the Lidl offer, one socket from each set of four had a dimming function. We are using these in the boys bedroom to dim the bedside lights.

I have bought a set of the Aldi ones to try, but have not unpacked them yet. It will be useful if they use different codes to the Lidl ones as having only 4 codes has started to be a liddle restrictive.

I have 3 sets of the Lidl ones and all 3 remote controls generate different codes for each of the buttons. Each mains unit can be programmed to any of the 12 codes available (3 remotes x 4 "normal" (= on/off) buttons each) 3 mains units are "dimmers" which respond to the dimmer buttons on the remote depending upon which remote they have been "programmed" from.
This means I can have 12 individual controls on 12 different buttons or, if I wanted, 12 units all controlled by a single button.

black-saturn wrote:

My parents have got them and they find that when they change the channel on the TV the lights go off!!

It is a good idea though

mk-donald wrote:

Black...

Surely the set your parents have must be infra-red controlled set and not a radio controlled set ? The Aldi set are RADIO (as are my Lidl, and the Maplin mentioned above).

Infrared = line of sight. Radio = transmitter range (-obstacles to some degree).

If not then their TV must be emitting some strange signal as it retunes!

The Lidl radio set work perfectly behind a bookcase and behind a speaker and in among a complete rabbits warren of power cables to a dozen devices.

I have an infra-red remote control extender device that allows me to control DVD, VCR, Satellite Receiver SKY DigiBox, OnDigital "Freeview" unit & NTL Cable box that are all in the lounge but piped to all rooms around the house, when I am in my bedroom and watching the TV that is in there.

The extender consists of 2 mains powered units, an infra-red receiver in the bedroom and an infra-red transmitter in the lounge. They use a wireless RF connection between them to pass the signals.

Whilst I can use most remote controls in the bedroom without any problem at all, when I use the SKY remote to control the digibox from the bedroom, most of the buttons will cause just 1 of the LIDL mains units to switch off.

It appears the RF code sent from the receiver unit to the transmitter unit, when passing on the SKY remote codes, is the same as the 3rd OFF button code on my 2nd Lidl remote mains sockets handset.

gromituk

RightRevBod wrote:

I have purchased four sets from Lidl over the past couple of years (they have had them on offer at least twice in that time).

One thing that I would like to correct is that they do not seem to have random codes. That is to say that the "1" button on one controler will generate the same code as the "1" button on the other controlers.

In the Lidl offer, one socket from each set of four had a dimming function. We are using these in the boys bedroom to dim the bedside lights.

The ones without the dimming function must be different then. They have "over 4000 codes" and you can train as many or as few sockets as you like to switch with a particular transmitter button. I definitely bought them from Lidl - the box is Lidl branded.

mk-donald

As I started this popular thread: just thought I'd "complete the circle" and add details based on an ACTUAL set of these Aldi remote controlled sockets as bought by my parents last Friday.

There are FOUR x IDENTICAL white switched sockets with ONE black remote with batteries.

Remote: 4 x ON and 4 x OFF buttons + buttons for all ON and all OFF (+ 2 unused buttons!). Inside the remote IS a "button new code" to use if you find you get interference from other devices (eg that neighbour's car's remote locking I mentioned).

Sockets: 13A as previously reported with the expected LEARN button and a manual ON/OFF button and an indicator light. NONE of them have the dimming capability.

Has a small but well written manual. FYI they operate at 433.92MHz.

They come with a TWO year UK mail-in swap/repair warranty, although judging from manual they are from Germany (my Lidl set were from Germany).

So better than my Lidl set in having a 'new code' button [later realised this is WRONG: Lidl dimmable set does also have a new code button, just never realised it was there until checking later]; worse in having no dimmer switch; worse in having "only" a two year guarantee instead of three, but in UK not Germany (though the German firm mailed me a new unit within a couple of days when one of mine went caput when a bulb in the lamp it controlled blew); better in that Aldi have their one year no-quibble returns policy (with receipt!) if you're not happy with your purchase; FAR better in that your Aldi may have a set left, whereas Lidl had them a year ago now.

Glad to have helped some of you

MKD

tin

Some notes:
- Volkswagen car remotes turn off stuff connected my lidl set if programmed to button 1
- Wireless internet also seems to play havoc with anything on button 2 (maybe others)

There's a little button under the battery flap in the lidl (dimmable) set. Always wondered what it was for.....

mk-donald

tin wrote:

Some notes:There's a little button under the battery flap in the lidl (dimmable) set. Always wondered what it was for.....

Tin

Great minds think alike!

Guess what - after typing up the notes earlier I had gone and looked at my 1yr old Lidl (dimmable) remote ... on which my #1 button had been plagued by interference from neighbour's car ... and YEP there's a discrete/hardly-noticeable button there too (top left of battery compartment) so I used it today and so far lights have stayed under my control. Like you don't recall any mention of that button in the Lidl set documentation, but I haven't rechecked, just pleased to find it there!

MKD

gromituk

There is mention of this button in the documentatation for the Lidl non-dimmable ones.

mk-donald

Anyone who missed the opportunity to buy these from Lidl/Aldi last time... they are back at LIDL TODAY (Monday 10/4) at just £9.99 for 4 and one of them is a dimmer unit (despite them not making much mention of the fact).

Appear same units/spec as before - ie are radio based (so no problem with switch behind the sideboard/settee), comes complete with manual & 9V battery, plus there's that button inside the remote to change the frequency (in case you get interference from car remotes) and has three year warranty.

My local Lidl had about 30 boxes on display at 11am - of which I bought four at request of family/friends who've been jealous of my c£16 set from 18 months ago

Highly recommended for those with better things to do than walk round their living rooms turning various lights on/off every evening.

Here's their website link:
http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20060410.p.Remote_Controlled_Socket_Set

Remember each Lidl's only had so many delivered today and when they're gone they're gone - till next time!

Godspeed

rsykes2000

These are good, can recommend them, as can many people above. Only point I would note (and this is probably not applicable to many) is that the Griffin Airclick remote control for iPod switches channel 1 off when used

mk-donald

rsykes2000 wrote:

These are good, can recommend them, as can many people above. Only point I would note (and this is probably not applicable to many) is that the Griffin Airclick remote control for iPod switches channel 1 off when used

rs...

Do try that little button (top left under of battery compartment flap) to cycle the remote to using different frequency set. You'll have to retrain your sockets of course. I had the problem that neighbours car remote did MY button 1 socket off too (not on, just off and didn't affect 2-4) - but solved that once realised my Lidl set had this button (as in the long thread above).

MKD

PS
Dug the manual for a new set out:

The reset/recode [not 're-frequency'] button in the battery compartment is clearly labelled "9" in the what's what diagram inside the manual's front cover. Its use is described on page 10 under "Problem: Appliance switches on/off by itself" : Disconnect all receivers from mains. Press the reset/recode button (with battery in remote). Leave for 6 hours. Then plug-in and re-set up. [Personally I just pressed the reset/recode button once and then went round my 4 units re-teaching them and that did the trick here.]