Turn on the attic lights when the stairs come down.

[beelzerob]

Sounds like you know me pretty well. <_< I could see going as far as $30 to make this happen. But ya, I am interested in the low tech solution. I know the tendency for most HA'ers is to go nuts on stuff like this...but I'm managing to resist that somehow for this, just under the believe that this SHOULD be easy to do.

I think the plunger switch is still going to be the way. I don't think that motion sensor bulb would do the trick because 1) the stairs are almost directly below the bulb, so I don't know if it would sense there very well, and 2) there's actually 2 bulbs operated by this switch...so I'd have to rewire it somehow so that the bulb is the switch for the whole circuit, instead of the switch being.

But we'll see if Lowes has that simple plunger switch.

 

[JimS]

I have used the mechanical push button for a closet light so it comes on when the door is opened. That is the most common use for these type switches I believe, so if you go looking for one try asking for a switch for that. The costs being given seem high. It has been a few years but as I remember I got mine at Grainger. Here is a link:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/produ...tch&L1=Door

The local inspector may want to see the cable covered with something for protection as the cable is normally buried in the jamb. Other than that I don't think there should be any problem as they are designed to switch lights when doors.

I see that the above doesn't show the full address but the actual link is right and seem to work...

 

[sic0048]

I was going to suggest a small child that you keep locked up in the attic and trained to turn the switch on and off as needed, but the maintenance cost would probably be too high. <_<

My parents added one of those jam switches to a cedar closet when they remodeled their house. they figured you would have your hands full of clothes when you went into or out of that closet (it's basically for seasonal clothes storage) and it works great. Low tech, but it gets the job done.

 

[beelzerob]

That looks great, Jim. I'll see if Lowes has anything comparable for the same price, otherwise I'll just order that. Nice, simple, cheap. Works for me!

 

[tmbrown97]

same thing that came to mind for me too... Smarthome has it cheap:
http://www.smarthome.com/5188A/1200-Watt-E...ch-209DN/p.aspx
(that link is to a 600w despite the name; the 1200w is $15)

 

[beelzerob]

Ordered! Thanks Todd. I walked all over Lowes last night, and couldn't find it and no one had heard of it. That looks like exactly what I want.

 

[Slates]

Ordered! Thanks Todd. I walked all over Lowes last night, and couldn't find it and no one had heard of it. That looks like exactly what I want.

I like the idea of a plunger solution, but how would you install it? Vertically? In my mind I see the plunger aiming towards the center of the stair cavity, so that when the stairs are raised it would hit the plunger, not depress it. I would have to take a look at my attic stairs to see if there was space to mount it aiming down, I just can't visualize it right now.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

I like the idea of a plunger solution, but how would you install it? Vertically? In my mind I see the plunger aiming towards the center of the stair cavity, so that when the stairs are raised it would hit the plunger, not depress it. I would have to take a look at my attic stairs to see if there was space to mount it aiming down, I just can't visualize it right now.

If this were me I would get a single gang metal box and mount it along the 'side' of the framework so when the switch is installed it is pointing down. The metal box would also act as a good place to terminate the wire lugs for the extension wire to the light.

 

[Steve]

I would have voted for the GRI device BSR linked to. It looks like a much easier mag contact based system that would be cleaner and easier. I would not want to have to mount a box with a plunger on the inside of the frame. Those openings are small enough and I struggle sometimes anyway getting holiday decorations up and down. Anything else in the way to impede that or be susceptible to breakage would not fly here.

In my situation (and its currently disconnected because I had to change the ladder and I need to repair some wires in the attic) I have a zone contact on that door anyway. After all, it is another entry point into the house from the garage. It's just too easy to use the contact that is already there and just put an automated switch. Sure, it make cost a few $ more, but its easy and out of the way.

 

[beelzerob]

Oh, finding a mounting location will be part of the fun! I'm pretty sure I can device a scenario that doesn't restrict the opening anymore.

(In reality, now that I've found my solution to this sudden inspirational idea, I fully expect this thing to stay in its shipped box for probably another 4-5 months before I finally lose it somewhere, only to remember it when I start going up in the attic again for winter-related stuff.)

 

[TXFlatLander]

(In reality, now that I've found my solution to this sudden inspirational idea, I fully expect this thing to stay in its shipped box for probably another 4-5 months before I finally lose it somewhere, only to remember it when I start going up in the attic again for winter-related stuff.)

...and my wife thought I was the only one that did that. When I go through stuff, it is like Christmas -- "Oh cool, I forgot I bought that"

 

[roussell]

When mounted mine, I placed it in a metal new construction box closer to the hihge side of the opening (maybe a foot or so away) There was plenty of room beside the folded ladder and the box so clearance wasn't an issue. Also it was never in the way of schlepping Christmas/Halloween decorations up and down the ladder. In fact, after I installed it I never thought about it again until I sold the house and the new owner said while viewing the house; "Hey, that's a cool idea..."

Terry

 

[tmbrown97]

Kinda makes me wish I had a light in my loft - then I'd have an excuse to hook one up to my stairs too!

Although right now, I'd give up the light and give just about anything for this:
http://www.carguygarage.com/atticlift.html

I think my wife is trying to kill me with how heavy she packs those bins before asking me to get them up there. I've almost gone overboard a couple of times trying to climb up while carrying them (think bins full of spacebag-packed kids clothes - quite heavy).

 

[beelzerob]

Bah, only a 200 lb lifting capacity?? Pfft...if I can't ride it, there's no way I'd spend that much for something like that.

I had considered cutting a hole in the garage ceiling and then affixing a pulley up in the attic so I could just hoist stuff up. It's bound to be easier than climb/carrying up there.

 

[roussell]

Bah, only a 200 lb lifting capacity?? Pfft...if I can't ride it, there's no way I'd spend that much for something like that.

I had considered cutting a hole in the garage ceiling and then affixing a pulley up in the attic so I could just hoist stuff up. It's bound to be easier than climb/carrying up there.

Just build your own version using this and a home built cart... Hey that gives me an idea for our next house. The attic is to low to store anything in this one...

Terry