Adding remote control to lights

[bob]

Today I finally did my first light upgrade on my 2016 Solitude 375RE!

I hate that the switch locations are difficult to reach, particularly since most in my family are quite short. In order to solve this, I decided that the first thing that was needed was to add 3-way switch capabilities to the rig, and to use as much of the factory wiring in place as possible (in the event it needs repairs, etc). With the new relays in place, I will be able to use generic 433 mHz remotes to control the lights from just about anywhere nearby.

Parts Used:

• RF Relay kit $10.39 for 4 relays
• RF remotes - $11.10 for 4 remotes
• RF Paddle switches - $3.99 for 2
• Large SPST ON-ON switches - $3.42 ea (these are the large switches typically in the wall)
• Small SPST ON-ON switches (square switch replacements) - $4.36 ea. (these are the small square switches in the main control panel)

Total time: Initial install, ~30 minutes, subsequent ~20 mins

Steps:

• Removed the radio from the wall directly adjacent to the light switch I wanted to modify. This would give me 12v to power the relay from a known fused soruce.
• Tap into the positive and negative wires to supply power to the new relay
• Remove the stock SPST ON-OFF switch and replace it with a SPST ON-ON switch. The OEM switches are black, but I chose to use brown, just so the family would know the difference, that these would not be normal in the up-on/down-off configuration.
• Run the hot wire to the center terminal of the new switch.
• Run each of the remaining terminals on the switch to the NO and NC terminals on the relay
• Run the load wire from the original switch to the common terminal on the relay
• Run the positive and negative leads from the relay itself to the power leads to the radio
• The remote and the paddle switch are generic 433mHz remotes, so I bound them to the relay in self-locking (toggle) mode. Each press of the button switches the state of the relay.
• Closed everything up

Video of behavior: https://youtu.be/aZmY8EtmXdE

I included a picture of the wiring (I am a poor artist) Now, I can use the switch in the wall just like I have for the last 4 years, no difference at all, but I can also now use the handheld remote or a wall paddle to control it from other places in the RV (or even outside).

Hope this inspires you to try something new!

[TucsonJim]

Nice job Bob. I'm sure this mod is going to be popular.

Jim

[howson]

I hate that the switch locations are difficult to reach...

Fantastic post--perfect for the interior lights when entering my trailer. Yet ANOTHER item on my "To Do" list.

-Howard

[bob]

Fantastic post--perfect for the interior lights when entering my trailer. Yet ANOTHER item on my "To Do" list.

-Howard

Honestly, I was surprised how easy it was to do - I have a few other things coming / in the works, I am a home automation buff, so I am figuring out how to incorporate that into the rig as well. Again, the intent is to be assistive, and not intrusive, so for those that hat extra technology, they won't even really know it is there

Bob

[bob]

Here is what the new light switch looks like when attached to the wall with Command Strips:

[Retcollprof]

The RF relay, RF remotes and RF paddle switch links all stopped at the log in page. I would like to know the part numbers of those components. Could you take a screen shot of these items and post them?

[howson]

bob -- see post 6.

Retcollprof : best to "tag" someone, or quote the post you're inquiring about, so the individual knows there is a post waiting for their response. To "tag" use the @ symbol followed by their forum name. The software is (sometimes) slow to respond when tagging. I've found that after the @ I type in the first three letters of the name and then pause. After a delay a list of potential names will drop down. Click on the right one and voila`, the person is "tagged".

-Howard

[bob]

Hopefully this helps! I am in the process of converting more over, as well as building a custom water controller to monitor for leaks, etc, so ill post that soon too...