Does anyone have any ideas (or know of a product) for a simple light in a closet that will turn on when the door is open and off when the door is closed?

I do have an outlet in the closet, but a DC method with battery operated lights is fine too.

It doesn't necessarily have to be X-10 compatible. Using X-10 with contacts, Powerflash, Appliance module, and the light would run up to $50+. This is what I'm trying to stay away from.

Roland

Roland,
What about using a X-10 wireless window module on the door? I don't think they send on off though? This would turn on the light via X-10 when the door is open. If you wanted to do a little constructing, you could use a relay, magnetic contact switch and a little solder to build a device to turn the light on when the door is open. I will e-mail you a quick sketch even though I know you can figure it out.


Chris Couture

Sounds like the light in my refrigerator. At least I THINK it goes off when the door is shut. Who are you keeping cold in this closet?

I actually did solve your problem once when I was a kid. I took a "open when pressed" push button and mounted it thru the light switch plate of my bedroom closet. The light was wired to this switch and would come on when the button was released and go off when the button was pressed. To the door I mounted a wood yardstick (I was a kid, remember) that extended past the door's edge and would press the button when the door was closed. Worked great. Door opened INTO the closet though and switch was right next to the door frame. Might be harder to screw a yardstick on the outside of a door and get away with it.

Just a thought.

Dave

Maybe I can take my refrigerator apart and take the light unit out.

Then I'd be sleeping on the couch.

Roland. Don't mess with your refrig. Go to radio shack. Sleep in your bed. If you REALLY want a fridge switch go to an appliance store and ask their repair guy for one. You can get yardsticks (I recommend wood ones) many places. Try Walmart, then work your way thru other discount stores. If you still haven't found one look in lumber yards and building supply stores. If they have choices, look for a HARDWOOD one with straight grain following the length of the yardstick. If you live in the USA get a YARD. Get a Meter otherwise.

;-)
Dave

radio shack sells a door jamb switch .
drill a hole in the jamb run a piece a cable from switch to light.
ps the light is ul aprroved

I handled this by installed a motion sensor switch ($12 at Lowe's) on the inside of the closet. As you walk into the closet the motion sensor turns on the light. Works great.

--LB

not a bad idea!