Remotely turn on electrical equipment in a shed 50m away from the house?

Question

I have an out-building about 50m away from our house which I usre as a gym, and it would be nice to be able to switch on the lights and heater from the house before going down there on cold winters evenings. It's too far away for IR or RF remote controls to work - is there any other way?

Answer 1

Many RF links will work this far. eg 433MHz. Ensure its line of sight.

Turning on the heater could be hazardous and expensive though. I'd use one with a robust code. Make sure its thermostatically controlled too.  You could run a lead of course. eg switch a contactor/relay.

If I did this, I'd want a back channel to see the temperature in there, and maybe a DECT phone, remote doorbell etc.

If I had a car I'd have it with a remote screen defroster running off a smaller 2nd battery.

Answer 2

You could just leave the heat & lights turned on & just use the main breaker in the breaker box. That is if there is a main breaker in the house panel for he shed.

Answer 3

try maplin electronics. they have a range of transmitters up to 100m and from 1 to 3 channels. you would also have to get a mains relay with a suitable current (Amps) rating and this would work in parallel with a switch.

Answer 4

Check into the X10 control system.  You can turn almost anything on and off remotely with one of these systems.  

  

  

Answer 5

Timer?

Laser set up?

wireless PC network?

wired network through mains (special adapter plugs)?

Send one of the kids out to do it for you?