How to make garage light 2way without wiring

womble12345

I can get into the back of my garage from my kitchen, there is a light switch inside the garage by the door from the kitchen. I can also get to the garage from the main garage door, I want a way of turning the light on from either end.
I think the proper way is to create a 2-way lighting circuit but I want to avoid having to run new wires from the existing switch to the new one.
Is there a clever way to do this without wiring? I was thinking about changing the exist switch for some kind of smart switch and then having a remote (battery powered) switch by the main garage door that remotely controls the existing switch, can anyone recommend a product that will do this please?

Woodstok2000

You can get wireless light switches, they work via a kinetic rocker in the switch that transmits a signal to a receiver wired into the light socket.  I don't know how how it would work with a second wired connection on the same light though, so you may need two to make it work for your setup. This is the kind of thing:  https://amzn.eu/d/cskIiHw

kipsterno1

Is it a single bulb or tube? Could a single bulb be replaced with a smart one such as Tapo and switched on using a phone or voice activated?

victor2

Years ago, I used the "HomeEasy" range of products, they appear now to be available through https://www.uk-automation.co.uk/home-automation/home-easy-smartwares/

As @Woodstok2000said, you may need two of the light switches to make it work as you want. Do note that the actual remotely controlled unit requires a permament live and neutral feed too, which probably is available at the actual light fitting itself.

An alternative would be a (cheaper) smart switch in parallel to the existing one, controlled by an app on your phone. Again, permanet live and neutral usually required plus it would need to be in range of your WiFi. Could get a bit confusing to switch off, as it would require both switches to be in the off position...

LilSmiler

kipsterno1 said:

Is it a single bulb or tube? Could a single bulb be replaced with a smart one such as Tapo and switched on using a phone or voice activated?

^^ if it's a bulb, totally the simplest and easiest way to achieve what you want 

womble12345

It is actually 2 LED lights that come on with the current switch so I cannot switch to a smart bulb. I will look at all of the suggestions so far.
One thing that did occur to me was to replace the current switch with a smart switch of some type that I can setup a rule to turn on when a motion sensor spots motion at the main garage door which means I dont need an extra switch and may make things simpler.
Thanks for the help.

Section62

womble12345 said:

It is actually 2 LED lights that come on with the current switch so I cannot switch to a smart bulb. I will look at all of the suggestions so far.
One thing that did occur to me was to replace the current switch with a smart switch of some type that I can setup a rule to turn on when a motion sensor spots motion at the main garage door which means I dont need an extra switch and may make things simpler.
Thanks for the help.

All seem like very complicated ways of avoiding the simple job of running a length of 3+E to a separate light switch at the other end of the garage.  A conventional two-way switch circuit also consumes no energy and needs no maintenance, and will last well past most of us here.

Is there a specific reason you don't want to wire in a second switch?

casper_gutman

For my living room light I removed the original switch completely and wired an Ener-j controller at the light on the ceiling, then added kinetic remote switches at the location of the original switch and at the other location where I wanted a switch. A similar approach would work in your garage.

That said, I'd probably just run a cable for a new switch. The usual reasons for not wanting to hardwire light switches in habitable rooms relate to the need to chase the cables into the walls, pull up floorboards and floor coverings and make good/redecorate afterwards, but in the garage you can just surface mount things in trunking or whatever so it's much easier.

ComicGeek

I did this in my garage. Replaced the existing switch with a Quinetic wireless receiver - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/QURS1W.html

Then installed a wireless switch by the other entrance, and simple 2 way control - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/QUWS1W.html

No batteries, wiring or maintenance needed - mine has been working perfectly for nearly 5 years now.

womble12345

Section62 said:

womble12345 said:

It is actually 2 LED lights that come on with the current switch so I cannot switch to a smart bulb. I will look at all of the suggestions so far.
One thing that did occur to me was to replace the current switch with a smart switch of some type that I can setup a rule to turn on when a motion sensor spots motion at the main garage door which means I dont need an extra switch and may make things simpler.
Thanks for the help.

All seem like very complicated ways of avoiding the simple job of running a length of 3+E to a separate light switch at the other end of the garage.  A conventional two-way switch circuit also consumes no energy and needs no maintenance, and will last well past most of us here.

Is there a specific reason you don't want to wire in a second switch?

You raise some good questions, I was trying to avoid wiring a second switch as I thought it would be more complicated and expensive. I have just looked at a wiring diagram of 2-way switching and have realised now that it is simpler than I had thought and it is cheaper as I just need to buy some cable and a switch.
Thanks for all the advice, I think I will just go for the traditional wiring method now as like you say it will be more reliable seeing as it doesnt rely on wireless signals and batteries.

Section62

womble12345 said:

Section62 said:

womble12345 said:

It is actually 2 LED lights that come on with the current switch so I cannot switch to a smart bulb. I will look at all of the suggestions so far.
One thing that did occur to me was to replace the current switch with a smart switch of some type that I can setup a rule to turn on when a motion sensor spots motion at the main garage door which means I dont need an extra switch and may make things simpler.
Thanks for the help.

All seem like very complicated ways of avoiding the simple job of running a length of 3+E to a separate light switch at the other end of the garage.  A conventional two-way switch circuit also consumes no energy and needs no maintenance, and will last well past most of us here.

Is there a specific reason you don't want to wire in a second switch?

You raise some good questions, I was trying to avoid wiring a second switch as I thought it would be more complicated and expensive. I have just looked at a wiring diagram of 2-way switching and have realised now that it is simpler than I had thought and it is cheaper as I just need to buy some cable and a switch.
Thanks for all the advice, I think I will just go for the traditional wiring method now as like you say it will be more reliable seeing as it doesnt rely on wireless signals and batteries.

Make sure the existing switch is also a 2-way one, if not you'll need 2 new switches (but only a pound or so extra).

Obviously make sure the circuit is fully isolated before doing anything, and make sure you understand how to do the job safely.