How can I retro-fit my shop light with a switch?

Question

My shop light just plugs into the wall without having any way to turn it on / off without unplugging it. Unfortunately, I have no switchable outlets in my garage. Is there somewhere that I can find something like an extention cord that has a switch built into it? Thanks.

Answer 1

U can buy a adaptor that comes with a switch to control the power to lite.  Most better hardware store carry it.  Or u can put a switch on the wall to control the lite.  To put a switch on wall, u make the existing plug a switched plug .  1-plug to lite.  1- plug to power ur other stuff.  All u have to do is:  1- take out the existing plug.  2- U see 2- wires/ black and white/ green or copper wire for ground.  Make sure u turn power OFF first.

Things to buy....A blue rectangle box for old contruction.  (with wings to clamp to drywall to make it inside)  If u don't have drywall/ get the type that has a metal bar on side so u can nail it to the studs.  switch/cover/ romax wires.  

Now, lets begin.  1-  the old plug--u see 2- wires and a ground.(green/ or bare copper).  The black wire should be connected to the small female side of plug and the white should be on the larger slot.  Make sure they are tied in on the bottom. (of the 2 screws).  Than u make a cut on the (black side)  bar on the plug.  another word, u severe the small copper bar on plug that connects to each other.  3.  Connect the switch wires with the romax.  romax wires have 3 wires...blk/wht/bare wire.  The switch have 2- screws.  Just connect the 1-wires to either top/  1 wire to bottom.  The ground wire have another s***w on side.

Now ur ready to make the connection on plug.  White wire goes with BLACK side s***w ( top) and black goes with BOTTOM black s***w  and ground connects to ground.  Close everything up and ur done.  Turn power ON.    Good luck.

Answer 2

Something fun to use might be one of those new motion sensor switches that just plug into the wall outlet, and whatever you plug into the new switch will come on when you enter your garage. They also have an adjustable light sensor, so it won't come on during the day. Try Home Depot or whatever large chain store you have in your area.

Answer 3

You may purchase a switch with a pull chain. If this a fluorescent fixture there should be a knock out around the end that will allow the use of a pull chain switch. It uses the 3/8 inch diameter hole. Then attach one side of the switch with the white power wire, and the other side to the white wire for light.

Be sure to unplug fixture before doing this.

Answer 4

you can build a switched cord if you can't put a switch in the wall.  you will need a cord,single gang box, a single pole switch , a switch plate, a couple of wirenuts, and depending on if you get a metal box, two romex connectors or strain reliefs.

cut the cord and run both cut ends into the box. connect the the two greens ( or bare ) wires to a third green/bare wire that will go to your green s***w on the switch. if you use a metal box you will need a fourth green/bare to go to a ground s***w on the box. connect the two white wires. then connect the two black wires to the switch, it will not matter which s***w they land on as long as they are not on the green one.

then run the cord up to the light and connect the same way the existing cord is attached.

if you choose you can s***w the box to the wall or bench before you start or just let it sit around.  

when you are all done plug it in and you should now have a switch.

also check the cord that you have or get to make sure that the wires are atleast 14 gauge and does not have a reduced ground size.

Answer 5

Do what I did... put in a wireless wall switch.  You can get them at any hardware store or order online.  Just google 'wireless wall switch'.  There are a number of people who make them.  Cost is about $15-20.  I got mine on ebay for a little less.