THINKBEE WIRELESS LIGHT SWITCH INSTALLATION - Very DIY friendly!!!!!!
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- Опубліковано 23 сер 2024
- Need a switch for a light but don't know much about wiring? This is the product for you. We had this switched installed and working in a fraction of the time it would normally take me to install a traditional wired switch.
Here is a link to the switch we used. ---- amzn.to/3tPEtQa
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Thank you for the simple well edited video. I really appreciate the run time of less than 5 minutes!
Thanks for watching. I appreciate it.
This is the best news ever!!! Solved 3 old pull string light issues for me! Thanks!
So glad I could help. Thank you for watching!
I've installed 3 of these in a couple places. Those orange tabs on the connectors flip up 90° and clamp the wire pretty good. I've installed one where a switch was inconvenient and 2 in a ceiling fan, both installations with "3-way" function.
Much better than the terribly translated factory instructions, thanks!
You bet. Thanks so much for watching.
New home purchase with a pull light chain in the closet...NOT ANY MORE! I think I'm going to love this little device.
thank you for video!!!!! I missed you had to hit the button on the receiver and without your video I was going to throw product away. factory instructions were not clear
Glad I could help. Thank you for watching!
I'm going to buy this for my kitchen because our kitchen light only has one switch by the back door but not at the entrance to the kitchen from our dining room. I've been using a similar product with some lamps that I hung on the ceiling so we don't have to walk across the kitchen in the dark to turn the light on, but the same wireless switch that controls those lamps also controls our under cabinet lights, and I want to be able to turn those on separately.
Adding a light where I took a wall out and scratching my head about the easiest way to fish wire through the ceiling. No more! Thank you!
Glad I could help. Thanks for watching.
Thank you for sharing this! I believe this will work for our house with one of our ceiling lights.
Add I watched this I remembered I put the in line from my ceiling fan lol. Switched it back and all set. We got the 2 switch set for one fan/light. You just pair the second switch the same way and all set. Thanks
Thanks for watching. Glad i could help. 👍
Wow that’s awesome thanks for sharing need your get some I always do remodel and end up wiring them this makes it simple
👏🏼👏🏼
In certain situations these can definitely come in handy. Thank you for watching 👍
Thanks for this video! Installed and works great!
Glad I could help. Thanks so much for watching.
I'm glad that you showed the black(hot) wire is connected to the red, the blue is connected to the white(neutral), and the white from the light connect to the blue, the brown connected to the black. Thank you.
Hmm. Nice. There should be a way to add this to an existing installation to make any light remote operable and operable through the existing switches. Also, it should be pairable with multiple actuators.
You can add it to any light. If there is an existing switch it will override the remote switch function. Existing light switch will need to remain on for remote to work. 👍
Thanks for the video. Unfortunately, you went through the wiring a bit fast. That's the hardest part for us amateurs. If I'm not mistaken, the pairings are:
Ceiling: Box:
White --> Blue in
Black --> Red in
Fixture: Box:
White --> Blue out
Black --> Brown out
Yes sir that’s correct. Sorry if I glazed over that part too quickly. Thanks for taking the time to diagram it out. I’m sure it’ll help others who also had questions about it. Thanks for your help and for watching.
@@MDCHOMES My pleasure. It's easy to forget how little the average weekend warrior (like me) knows ;-) Thank you for your excellent videos!
@@MDCHOMESwhat if the 4 wires coming out of my control switch are not labeled? Mine goes blue, red, black, black. How do I know which are in/out? Ordered from Amazon and it doesn’t come with instructions. 😢
Does it have a side that’s labeled in and one labeled out?
Love this idea! Thanks for sharing!
Exactly what I was looking for. THANKS!
Glad I could help. Thanks for watching !
Super helpful video! Any options like this with a dimmer option? I can only find kits for fans, not a single light fixture!
I believe this one would work for what you’re wanting.
amzn.to/3PI65AK
Thanks! This is exactly what I am looking for!
This is what i need....hopefully you don't need to pair whenever there is a power outage
I killed power to house several times while working there and never had to pair it again. 👍
In order to connect wires - they're not too thick - you need to open up the orange tabs by lifting them individually, to a vertical 90 deg. position then slide the wires in and then flick them back to the original closed position as pictured ...You're trying to push and twist connecting wires the 'american" way...while the inlets are closed.
Lol. Yeah I did open them but didn’t get that part on film. The connectors that were provided I believe were good for up to a 14 gauge wire and we had 12 gauge at this location. Possibly could have forced it but just chose to go with wire nuts on this one bc they also seemed to take up less room in junction box. We do use those connectors in other situations though. Thanks for watching and for the good info. 👍
There’s no way they wouldn’t fit they hold up to 4mm 👍🏻
@@MDCHOMESyes sure. It seems like you had no clue how those connectors work.
Those connectors are Wago copies. They will easily do the cable size. Just gotta flick up the orange tab and slide it on in there and lock the orange tab down. In the end though if you’re used to wire nuts then that’s what you’re used to.
Thank you! It saved me a lot of time
Thanks for watching. Glad it helped. 👍
Can I install the receiver directly to an existing light switch -and- is there enough room for two receivers in one 2 gang box?
Thanks
Thank you for watching 👍
Excellent. Question for you, I bought three of these to replace the light switches in my basement. I was able to get two installed but the last light switch is an end line switch so I do not have an out. Can I still use this product?
I’m not sure I understand your situation exactly. You’ll need access to the wiring between source and light to install this remote it interrupt it. Not sure what you have.
I wonder if this would work if I splice off a potlight to add a chandlier, using this switch on the chandlier to have its own independent switch? In other words, if the chandlier doesn't have a pull chain, would it still turn off & on?
This switch will work as a break between any power source. If you have a constant power source going to pot light you’d be able to splice and run a line to chandelier. Many times pot lights are on a series, especially if there is a group of them. If the power source going to pot light you intend to use is on a series controlled already by a switch and doesn’t have constant power in the junction box your chandelier will go off every time you turn pot lights off regardless if you have this additional switch. Just need to check to see if you have a constant power source at that location. 👍
You solved a big problem for me! Thank you! BTW - where did you get your light fixture?
Thanks. Glad I could help. We found light on Amazon. Fairly reasonable too. Here’s the link to it.
amzn.to/3yu4ray
this is what i was looking for only if they had a dimmer verson
Does the mounting plate provide 2 screw holes to screw it to the junction box where a switch was?
The mounting plate had only one hole I believe.
How long do these last? The switch has a built in battery, has anyone had it last more than 2 years?
What about the ground cable
Your video help me a ton. Thanks
Glad I could help. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for tutorial video. Can I have more than 2 switches?
Here is a link to a version with 3 switches if that helps.
amzn.to/3BmRXVQ
Cut off the power? Boy you take the fun out of everything. I bet you drink non alcoholic beer.
!
Hold it right there! Who told you about my non alcoholic beer?
Yeah like everyone else has said.
The company should just copy a link to this video as their full instruction leaflet 🤣
Thanks for that. I appreciate it👍
Can you replace an existing wall light switch ( for a ceiling light) with the receiver? Of course covering it with a blank plate.
Kinda depends on your wiring situation. If the power is run to the switch or to the light. Either way you’ll need to alter it slightly so you have constant power going to light.
Great tutorial thank you. I am considering fitting one of these to operate the outdoor lights on my garage. There are 3 lights currently operated by one switch. Would I need 3 of these devices or just one fitted to the junction box? Also I presume the existing light switch won’t be affected?
You’ll need to connect it the source that supplies the 3 lights. Depending on how your house was wired that source could be in one of the junction boxes behind one of the lights or in the box the existing switch is in. The existing light switch won’t be affected other than it will override the remote switch. Most likely if the existing switch is off, remote will not turn light on. But if existing switch is left on, remote can be used to turn light on and off. Hope this helps and good luck with your project 👍
@@MDCHOMES thanks for taking the time to respond and for your help and advice 😊
Is there a dimmable option? We have the exact problem, but looking for a dimmable option… can you suggest one?
Good stuff. What if you want one switch to control two lights. (ie sconces). Possible to pair two relays to one switch? Thoughts?
Depending on situation you may only need one relay. If the sconces are powered by the same source you can place the relay at the beginning of the series. This would operate both with the remote. Hope that helps. 👍
I ordered 2 from Amazon, for 2 different devices. They frequencies are the same 433.92MHz.
If they’re in close proximity will the operate each other?
Or will pairing prevent this?
I believe pairing will prevent.
I have two lights on each side of my garage door. Can I pair the two receivers to one switch?
I’m not for certain but I believe you can buy this configuration that has two receivers paired to a switch.
Thanks for replying
Hey really cool thing.. what is the name of brown thing you screwed to hold up the wires while installation, how we called that one?
Does it cause electrocution if it is touched with a wet hand inside bathroom? How long does battery or charge last?
It’s battery operated so it won’t electrocute you. I sold this house shorty after installing so I can’t really say how long battery will last.
Do you need two receivers to connect.two seperate lights? Or you just stick both lamps wires to out cables
They make a kit for that situation. The one I used was one receiver for one switch but they make some that come with multiple receivers for multiple lights.
@@MDCHOMES thank you for the quick reply
So if a bad weather ever knocked out electricity, would you have to reprogram the light fixture to receiver?
I don’t believe so. I killed the power to this home multiple times after switch was installed and it never had to be reprogrammed. Hope that helps👍
"Thanks for _wathching"_ -- LMAO!!!
Thank for making this video! Do you know if I can program multiple switches to one receiver?
I believe this company sells multiple switch receivers as a kit. That being said I’m not certain if you can just buy another switch and link it to receiver. I would think it would work but don’t want to steer you wrong.
If I missed it, will tu/vous repeat. Do tu/vous place batteries in the transmitter?
There is a battery in the remote but not the transmitter
Thanks for this video. I came across this type of kinetic switch just yesterday and was looking to see how small the controller is. You didn't mention that the remote of this device does not require any battery, that's a huge deal IMO. There are remote light switches that are similar, but the remotes are not kinetic so use a battery. Since this is kinetic it is essentially the same as installing a normal switch. Do it once and forget about it. What's not answered for me yet is if the controller remembers paired switches when it loses power. Surely there is some memory storage, but how long will it last. Any idea?
Hmm. Not sure on the memory part. I believe it will stay paired though. I’m almost certain I turned off the main for the house working on other electrical after switch was installed and it was still paired when we sold the house. I believe the remoter does have a small watch battery in it. Hope that helps. 👍
@@MDCHOMES I figured out that what you installed is not the kinetic energy type of switch. That's what I bought so I don't use a battery, the switch should work forever essentially. I suspect, since yours worked after losing power, that it does store the ID of the switch in the receiver, so I expect the kinetic type will also stay paired.
Good deal. Thanks for coming back to let me know. This is good info to have for everyone looking into purchasing these switches. Thanks Paul. 👍
We have a kinetic switch on outside pot lights.
There is a main switch which turn off the lights by the front door. I had considered putting in a timer but when opening the switch to change it out it only had a white and black and ground so no true neutral.
So that says it's just a switch loop.
The circuit breaker that it's on is marked " attic relay".
What happened next is the problem. Once that switch loop is turned off the relay loses it's pairing.
I should mention we bought the house and were just testing what switches did what.
It would have been nice that the orevious owners had yold us not to turn that switch off.
Anyways now I have to find this relay. I looked in that attic but couldn't see anything without crawling in there.
What I do know is that breaker also kills a ceiling light close to the attic entrance.
I'm wondering if that switch loop could be going to that light attached to the relay in that ceiling box?
To me this is dumb given that this could happen with any power outage so access should be easy to reset, pair.
We have 2 kenectic switches thst work it.
@@dougross6880 Take the neutral feed from the ground in the switch box, the kinetic device will stay powered on regardless of the switch position. Better yet, put the controller in the light box, that has both neutral and hot and ground, it's where the controller is intended to be put. The downside is that the kinetic switch overrides the wall switch since they are unaware of each other's state.
And that's the real issue with using a kinetic switch where there is also a wall switch. If you change the wall switch to a kinetic switch, with the controller in the light box, they will work together perfectly.
The switch I used kept the pairing even if it lost power, I tested it for that. But since your unit won't do that I'd put it in the light box (if you can make it fit), and use two kinetic switches.
Would this pass an electrical inspection? I’m pretty sure the switch is not UL listed, and it would be a shame if the darn thing fried and started a fire?
Good question. It did pass our local inspection no problem. Not sure if it is ul listed. Pretty sure these are manufactured in China so there is a high probability that they aren’t. They do have a lot of 5 star ratings on Amazon though and a few house fires would probably bring that rating down pretty quick. Lol. Definitely something to consider when buying cheaper items like this that are manufactured in less regulated countries. Thanks for bringing it to attention though because it’s definitely something everyone should consider. 👍
Line out to light black to brown blue to white. Line in. Blue to white red to black. Ground wire grounded to the halo light box i have.
This is awesome... But i need 2 wall switches for my mother who uses a walker and doesnt get around very well. One switch to turn on coming into the room and one mounted to the wall next to the couch so she can turn it off or on when needed. Do they have them with 2 wall switches?
Thanks so much. They do make one like that. This one here will work for what you are trying to achieve. 👇👇👇
amzn.to/3Kc5jcO
I have the same switch
Does this work on knob and tube electric...just white and black, no ground?
I haven’t tried it but I believe it will.
Real question … is this still installed and has your house burned down ? I saw people with these burned up units and not sure if it’s worth putting one in the garage
Still there. No fire.
Can you continue using your old switch?
In this application there was no existing switch. If you already have a switch it will override this one. Meaning if the old switch is on, remote switch will work. But if old switch is off it will kill remote switch
Does your existing wall light switch still work after installation? I want to add this wireless switch as a secondary switch.
In my situation there was no existing wall switch. If you are wanting to add this to a light that already has a switch it will work like a remote. If existing light switch is on this one will turn on and off but if existing switch is off this one won’t function. Hope that helps 👍
My retrofit recessed light & power source both have ground wires..No metal surface to connect ground..Do you just cap them? Thx.
I’m not sure if I’m following exactly what your situation is but if you have a ground running back to breaker panel you can use that.
@@MDCHOMES Been using it for weeks now..easy install. Thanks. Just noticed that the metal edges of my thin LED recessed light gets really warm. Thinkbee switch should not cause that,right?..I am leaning towards the light itself as the culprit..Any ideas?..appreciate your time.
🤔 I wouldn’t think the switch would give off any noticeable warmth. I’m like you…I’d assume it’s just the light. Thanks so much for watching and for the update on your install. 👍
@@MDCHOMES Thanks...awesome prompt reply...I just emailed the company..hope to get a reply soon...oops! forgot to subscribe...doing it now.
Awesome. Thank you. 😊
Also, my remote does not have a button, does that mean it is “pre-paired”??
The button should be on the receiver that goes above light. You press and hold it to pair to remote. Once light on receiver is blinking you click on remote to pair them. Let me know if that helps👍
Did you still charge the same as if you did run the wire jus wondering so I know what to charge
This was a flip house we were selling so wasn’t really applicable here. I would definitely charge less for this application for a customer bc far less time is involved. Once you know the steps these can be installed in less than an hour.
I assume this is a kenetic switch meaning no batteries. How do I get dimming?
The remote does come with a small watch battery. This switch is solely and on/off switch so no dimming. There might be a version with a dimmer but this one did not include that option.
@@MDCHOMES how long can this work with this small battery?
Hmm. Not certain. These batteries tend to have a pretty good life expectancy but I guess it would depend on usage.
How reliable is the switch? Like does it need to be repaired with the receiver constantly? Or does it work pretty reliably?
This is the first one I’ve done so not sure on long term. We installed it in an investment property that we sold a couple months later. I can say that in those 2 months it worked without any issue.
@@MDCHOMES yes I’m looking to put them in an investment property as well. I’m going to put fans with lights in the bedrooms so in case the switches fail they will still be able to get light somehow
Can you still use the main light switch connected to the device to control it as well?
The main switch will still kill the power to the light. The remote will also not work with main switch off. Hope that helps.
Is pairing lost following a power outage?
Not from what I’ve seen.
@@MDCHOMES thanks.
Can you pair two switches to the same light? Sorry if it's been asked already. Also will it work if the antenna is behind plasterboard
I believe they sell a unit with two switches. That would be what you need. I believe it will still work behind plasterboard as long as distance isn’t too far away. Hope that helps.
Will cutting off the power or blackout unpair the device?
I’ve gotten that question before. I’m not 100% but I’m almost certain I turned the power off multiple times at this home working on other things and switch stayed paired. Sorry I don’t have a definite answer but I’m pretty sure.
Quick question if my current light has a switch when I flip the current switch to turn it on does the light turn on or do you have to use the kinetic switch after restoring power.
I want to add this at another entry point to the room but wanting the main to still kill all the power then restore it and not have to add another kinetic switch at my main entry
Hmmm. I’m not for sure it would come back on with the main switch you currently have. That one will definitely turn it off but I can’t say for certain if the remote switch will default to its last position or if it always defaults to off once power is removed from it with main switch. Sorry not much help there bc didn’t have that option with ours to test. I’d love to know the answer though if you decide to try and see.
Hi guys is there a way to control the light on your phone
Not with this particular switch. There are several companies that make light bulbs that can be controlled through an app on your phone. Here’s a link for an example of one of those.
amzn.to/489xUcZ
Hope that helps 👍
Thanks for the quick response
Ok, that's it: it's simple to install by anyone. The complaint I have with all these radio controlled devices is that if you have a specific style of socket and wall switches, the transmitter has nothing to do there by its appearance very different from the rest of the house and is therefore ugly for this dining room. Too bad 🙄
I have Fan and light combine with two wire pulled out (no natural wire). I am searching Wifi switch which can be combine switch to on/off light with dimmer and also switch on/off Fan with different speed. Please advise.
This switch doesn’t have the functionality you are needing. I believe a universal fan remote control would suit your needs better. Hope that helps.
Hey! Can this be applied to existing light circuits? I have this new door to other division where I need to put a switch close to and the main switch for the lights above that door are across the room. Will it light the lamp on the main switch if this is connected?
I believe it will work as a second switch but you will need to leave the main switch on all the time for it to work. If the main switch to the room is off the wireless won’t work.
You need two Thinkbee switches, you can pair more than one switch to the controller. Use one to replace the existing switch and the other goes wherever you want. But as Jason said, if you leave the old switch in the circuit you have to leave it on.
wait till you have to replace the battery..yup cant with it being mounted
After the cover was removed the first time it seemed to come off easier for me. I was able to pop it off in position since the back plate was held tight in a stud. Good call though. For people considering mounting their switch that is definitely something to keep in mind.
@@MDCHOMES o ok cool..thanks
does it connect using Bluetooth or wifi?
Hmmm. Not certain if it would be considered a Bluetooth connection. It’s more like how a universal remote pairs with your television. No WiFi needed though. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching.
How do I do it with two hot wires?
You have 2 constant hot wires in same junction box?
How did you get that back off! I can release the back from the bottom side, but can’t seem to free it on the other end. I feel like I’m close to breaking something. What’s the trick?
It took a little effort with mine as well. I used a very fine blade flat head screwdriver in the slots which released the clips as I pried it apart. It did feel a little sketchy putting that much pressure pulling it apart and I sort of had to hold one side open as I got the other side. Eventually it opened up though. I guess the only trick I know is just using the smallest flat head in the slots that you can to press against those clips. Good luck 👍
Is there any way a wireless switch would work with only having the switch on top besides the constant hot in the j box?
I’m sorry. I’m not sure I understand the question. You will need a constant hot for this switch to work. The remote switch works by interrupting the constant just like a traditional light switch would.
A year later and how it holding up?
This went in a house we sold so not certain on that. Didn’t get an opportunity for long term test. Possibly another viewer who’s had one for a while can comment to help us out on long term reliability 👍
Can the switch be used to control different receiver?Im planning to have 1switch each group of light and then having it all the wayba master switch from the masters bedroom
This particular switch would only pair with this one receiver. You’d probably need to find one specifically for your application. I know this brand makes different set ups ( two switches for one light, one switch for multiple receivers etc).
Just installed one and was hesitant on functional range, something like 130m or something but across my property dn near 200ft and it's picks up with a single click and no delay. For this price, f* Lutron
Awesome. Glad it worked for you and thanks for giving some feedback on range. I bet other viewers might have that same concern and now have an answer. 👍
The orange tabs lift up and then you push the wire in then push the tabs back down again
Yeah. That’s the most frequent comment I get on this video. We do use these connectors all the time on other projects but in this instance the 12 romex would not go in connector. I didn’t get a focused shot of it with the connector lifted but had one with it closed. Not sure if these were just some cheap Chinese ones that were defective but even with the tab lifted they wouldn’t go in. I thought maybe other countries used a smaller gauge wire that these were intended for. Long story short I did try with the tabs up but just didn’t get it on camera. 👍
@@MDCHOMES oh okay 👍
They have been doing this for yrs with ceiling fans.
Yes sir.
Ummmm... I use the orange tab connectors on many of my projects%% The tabs must be raised in order to accommodate cables... you’ll be surprised by what you can connect with these%...
I wants to getit
Link is in the description 👍
My new light has 2 black wires and a copper. Need help plz
The light fixture or what’s in ceiling junction box? Just clarifying.
From the new light. Black, white and blue coming from the ceiling
Did this fixture have two switches that operated it previously?
I'm not sure but I doubt it. I mean this light is brand new from menards.
I’m referring to what’s in ceiling. You might need to use a volt meter to determine the correct wiring here. It sounds like this was wired for a 3 way switch possibly. As far as the 2 black wires coming from light…does the instructions indicate one to use as a hot lead and one as a neutral?
No earth
Those connectors are chinese bruh. Be careful. Just use german wago 221 or 222.
watching not wathching